WAIMATE WEST COUNTY COUNCIL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 12 September 1924, Page 4

WAIMATE WEST COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING

At the ordinary meeting yesterday Cr E. Long (chairman) presided, 'and there were also present Crs A. Gamlin, J. Mourie, E. Leslie, J. S. McKay, and J. F. Stevenson. The clerk and engineer were in attendance. ENGINEER’S REPORT.

Metal crushing has been completed on Skeet road west, 440 yards having been completed and 60 chains has been refaced. The road has been rolled and blinded, and the grade reduced in one citing. Re tarring has been done on parts of the Main South road and also on the Otakeho bridge. Necessary maintenance work has been done on various roads and gorse grubbing on Kapuni Reserve. Good progress has been made with the new Kaupokonui bridge on Skeet road, two abutments having been finished and much preparatory work done. Arrangements have been made to crush about 80 yards of boulders on Oeo road for the Public Works Department before moving the crusher to the other end of the county. Tar boilers have been repaired, and will be bricked in for next season’s work. GENERAL.

The matter of the culvert on the Skeet road was looked into by , the chairman and engineer, and. it was resolved that the engineer do what was required.

The request of the Town Board for assistance on work., in Karaka street was left to the chairman and engineer. The engineer reported that satisfactory arrangements had been made in regard, to Espiner’s road. In regard to the Counties’ Association the chairman reported that the Engineers’ Registration BilL had become law. It was stated, that the Bill uas aimed at men who had not qualifications as engineers, but members agreed that the results obtained under practical men who had long experience were most satisfactory. Further discussion was taken in committee

A communication regarding heavy traffic was considered only an extra burden on counties.

The chairman and Cr Stevenson were appointed to go to Wellington! with a county delegation on the matter.

It was decided to approve of a resolution passed by Taumarunui County Council in regard to securing half the revenue of timber on Crown lands adjoining counties. Councillors assumed the revenue would go towards construction and maintenance of roads. The secretary of the Manaia branch of the N.Z. Farmers’ Union wrote stating that his branch had passed a resolution protesting against the Motor Vehicles. Act, and asking the support of the council.—The clerk reported that the matter had been, dealt with by the Counties’ Association. A request was received from New Plymouth War Memorial Committee asking for a member to attend the unveiling of the Cenotauh, and it was decided to ask the chairman to endeavour to be present. A reply in these terms was sent forward. A resolution was passed that the clerk go to Wanganui to investigate the ownership of various native lands l in the county. ..It was agreed that the matter was inipoftant; and that native rates should hot be allowed to accumulate and that natives should be obliged to pay. The engineer advised that work to. be | done oh-Lower Oeo road should 'be permanent. £IOOO had been put' 'on, the estimates'for this work, and this would cover about miles. The. chairman reported that a draught horse had been purchased and the old one sold, and this action was confirmed by .the council. The Treasury,..advised that the f- m ? un t °f £1531; subsidy on rates; had been approved and • the amount paid to the credit of the county account.

After some little discussion re stray stock, it was decided to. instruct the ranger to impound stray cows on county roads. e

It was agreed that concrete pipes be supplied to do drainage work leading from Oeo road, to hack of Mr W. Slattery’s section, provided he , do- the work.

The Railway Department. were notified to fill in a cutting on the Norm*»»by road and put in a culvert.. The engineer was instructed to prepare a report of works necessary and to carl tenders where required,, and. to renort to next meeting. The chairman and Crs McKay and Leslie were deputed to go into, the question of sale of the old Kaupokomli bridge.

Accounts totalling £2511 9s 4d were passed for payment, and the council then rose.