H.B. COUNTY COUNCIL.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XV, Issue 111, 10 August 1925, Page 5

H.B. COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. lhe above wag held in Napier this morning. Present Messrs T. M Chambers (chairman), W. G. Stead. F. IL Logan, N. P. Ericksen. W. Shrimptcm, C. C. Smith, and T. E. Crosse. Reporting upon the Highways Cwfereuce held at Wellington last week, the chairman Mr T. M. Chainbets, said that most of the remits from the Council had teen favourably received. The important thing was that the Government contribution towards maintenance of highways had been increagbd from one-third to one-half. Many other matters would be made public when the bih came liefore Parliament. The chairman reported that considerable damage bad been done to tho county roads through the cartage of th© electric line poles to l>e used in connection with the extension of the Mangahao power to Hawke’# Bay, and he suggested that claim should be made from the Government. The chairman was instructed to write to the Government asking for compensation for damage done as stated above. The chairman’s action was endorsed in asking the Highways Board if ‘it was negotiating direct with the H.B. Rivers' Board about the bridge to be erected at Waitangi. Mr Chambers said that the question of the diversion of the Tutaeknii would seriously effect the Council. If they allowed the low level bridge, as suggested, to be erected, unless it wks only to be of a very temporary natuie it wou.d mean that every tune theie was a fresh in the river the road tv Napier would be blocked to traffic. Directly the diversion came the Council would have to consider the question of a new bridge, and he expressed regrpt that the scheme was not being carried out by way of the Washout, die re was a good bridge. He did not consider that it was right for tb« chairman of the Highways Board to negotiate with the Rivers Board for the erection of a bridge which the Council had objected to. without consulting tho Council, which was vitally interested m the matter. The Havelock North Town Boat’d were made a similar payment to that of last vear towards the upkeep cf the cemetery. Cr. Ericksen drew attention to the bad state of the main drain in Gilligan’s road which is blocked up and causing .several properties to become flooded.—Eng netr instructed to take the matter in hand and aiso to see what could be done to prevent flooding at the spot known as Tareha’s Bridge. A request from the PatangMa County Council for an inspection to be made of the Hawea road was left in Mr Pufflett’s hands. It was decided to replace some of the decking on the Puektapu suspension bridge which is urgently requiring repairs. . A petition was received from the settlers in Pakowhai road asking tlrat a footpath be formed from Fiederick street to the Government cottages in Mahora North and thence in Overden road to extend past the group of houses there. —Referred to the chairman and Cr. Crosse for discussion with the

Hastings Borough Council. A further pefction was received from the ratepayers of Pakowhai and Ikanui roads urging that a culvert at Stortford Lodge be deepened, the watertable cleaned out and the road shingled.—Work to be done. Vouchers totalling £4238 Is Gd were parsed for payment. The Hawke’s Ba v Rivers Board notified it had agreed to contribute £4OO towards the cost of draining to be carriej out in connection with the diversion of the Tutaekuri and to also erect a flood-gate.—Mr. C. D. Kennedy said that a 4-foot flood-gate would b« necessary and he suggested that the level for it should be first approved by the county engineer. Councillor Ericksen complained of the increasing number of overhanging trees along the country road, more particularly in Meeanee. Tlie roads were al'ways bad through being shaded so much. He had spoken to several alxiut it, and one or two had agreed to cut them back, but the otliers had taken no notice.—Mr. Logan said that it was just as bad along the CYissoge road.—Mr. Chambers said that once the Power Board proceeded with the reticulation of the district, tho trees would soon come down.—lt was decided to send notices to owners of all overhanging trees requesting that the\’ should be cut back to a reasonable distance. The Hastings Borough Council wrote suggesting that the boundary roads should be under the control of the Hastings Borough Council.—Oiairman and Councillor Crosse to interview the Hastings Council.