COUNTY ADMINISTRATION

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 153, 14 June 1932, Page 3

COUNTY ADMINISTRATION

THE WAIPAWA COUNCIL. MONTHLY MEETING HELD. (Special Representative). At the monthly meeting of the Waipawa County Council held yesterday there were present Crs. L. Glenny (chairman), B. Gray, C. Thomsen, J. Butler, N. M. Paulsen.; Leave of absence was granted to Cr. C. Bainbridge.

H. A. Buchanan is to be notified that unless gates are erected on Jensen’s road, as provided for in the agreement., the council will do the work and charge him with the cost. A grant of £7 7s was made to the Forest Gate Cemetery Trust. Payment is to be made to Kittow Bros, for small piece of land taken for road improvement.

The Main Highways Board called the council’s attention to the fact that in future no subsidy would be granted on unauthorised work.

The action of the county engineer in granting G. C. Lowe permission to take a pipe under the road at Ruataniwha was confirmed. The council decided not to entertain the Unemployment Board’s proposal for financing unemployment insurance, considering that the present financial arrangements would work more satisfactorily.

The Public Trust advised that in future the rate of interest on sinking funds would be 4 per cent per annum. —The clerk was instructed to seek information from the Treasury as to whether there was likely to bo reduction in the interest on loans. The council’s delegates to the joint, conference to be held at Napier on June 21 were instructed to press for a by-law to control hawkers; also to suggest the purchase of a portable weighing machine for use by the traffic inspector, and that the question of the inspector’s travelling expenses be also revieweed.

C. Mudgway applied for a shilling increase on his contract price of 3/6 for metalling in the Clinton riding.— The council were averse to granting any increase in the contract, but allowed him £5 for extra work in the pit. The telephone linesman (A. Parkin) estimated the cost of making line 72 metallic at £llO 17s 4d, and line 76 at £23 2s Bd.—Report on Buchanan’s line to be prepared for next meeting. The traffic inspector (W. E. Yates) reported various breaches of the motor regulations.

Cr. Paulsen reported having met Mr Speedy in reference to river encroachment. and protection work, but the trustees of the Speedy estate would not entertain any expenditure, as they considered the work necessary to protect the county road, and therefore it was a county matter. Cr. Paulsen said the trouble originated higher up through the failure of ratepayers to protect their properties and he did not feel justified in spending riding money on it. The county engineer said that if the river encroached on the road the latter could be diverted along the terrace. —No action was taken. V. Patterson’s appointment as temporary ranger was extended for a month. The pav-shcct amounted to £llBO 6s 6d. Engineer's Report. The council’s engineer (Mr R. W. Bond) submitted the following report for the period ended Alay 31, 1932:— Waipawa Riding.—Patching along Otane, Argyll and College roads is now completed. River shingle is being put on the AVaipawa-Tikokino hill towards the Mangaonukn. Patching on the Kerern, Searrott’s and Alatlieson’s roads has been done. The Kereru road from Captain Forde’s to the Hawke’s Bay County boundary has been thoroughly graded. A considerable amount of scrub which is overhanging the road requires cutting back. Willow protec-

tion work has been put in along the river bank by Rumbal’s bridge. The wash-out at Higgs’ cutting is completed, and a wooden culvert has been renewed at this cutting with 9in. pipes. The metalling contract on Pa road is completed. Clearing of shingle from the intake of Argyll water-race and repairs to the intake boxing have been carried out.

Onga Riding.—Repairs to the southern approach of the Pendle Hill suspension bridge are now complete. The road leading up the hill to Douglas ’ has been graded and some of the larger stones removed. Repairs and renovating along Fargher’s road are nearing completion. Grass has been removed from the footpath at Onga. Patching has been done on the Waipawa-Onga main road. On Lookout road slips have been removed and approaches to the slab made good. There has also been replaced on the hill a wooden culvert with bin. concrete pipes. Three 9in. culverts are required on Fargher’s road. Takapau Riding.—The stone mat at Tukipo bridge by Balfour’s is now completed and the damaged groyne has been repaired. Planting of willows will be carried out this winter to help strengthen the river bank at this bridge. The road loading from the main road to 20 chains past the Otawhao factory requires recoating with melal, 425 yards being required. Ashcoti. road metalling is completed. Some of the willows have been removed from the watercourse near Donald's by Messrs Donald and Edgar. There still remains a considerable number to be removed. As on previous occasions, I have reported the damage which takes place along the lower section of the Ashcott-Onga roads through flood waters, which came over from the Tukituki and Tukipo rivers. Unless protec,tion work is put, in on the river bank, the rivers will take charge, and it will bo a serious matter for the settlers concerned. Protection work is required at Fraser’s low level bridge on the northern end to stop the backwash. Clinton Riding.—Concrete pipes are on the site, for the new culvert by AValdin’s- and will bo put in position this week. The contractor has commenced his contract metalling at Clinton. Metalling on Severinsen’s hill near Morrison’s is being done by the council’s employees. Sixty yards of metal is required on Pleasant Valley road. Forty new deck planks are required in bridge by Sherwood. Repairs on Mill road have been done. A large wooden culvert on Ber;|ansen’s road requires redecking. Slips have been removed from Severinsen’s and Wilson’s cuttings. General. —The three power-grading and the horse-grading plants Lave been engaged grading in metal on various roads about the county. I notice a lot of vehicles and cycles are being used with insufficient lights, and in sonic cases no lights. This is a very dangerous practice and should be stopped. Onga: Culverts authorised. AVakarara road to I'oulds’ and Turfrey’s to be patched and water-tables to be cleaned, and slips on Look-ouf road to he cleared. Takapau: Metalling on Otawhao road deferred. Road near Poulton’s and cross road near Dean's to be graded. Protection work at Fraser’s lowlevel bridge authorised. Clinton: Patching authorised on Pleasant A’alley and Severinsen ’a roads. Sherwood bridge and culvert on Bergensen’s road to receive attention. Traffic inspector’s attention to be called to number of vehicles and cycles travelling about at, night without lights. RATES TO BE STRUCK. A SLIGHT REDUCTION. Estimates of expenditure for the coming year were discussed by the Waipawa County Council at its meeting yesterday. The estimates, drawn up by the engineer (Mr R. W. Bond) were as follow's: — Takapau Riding. £2.045 12/6. Clinton Riding, £1,720. Waipawa Riding, £2,585 8/-. Onga Riding, £2,100 10/-. Notice of intention to strike the following rates was given:—Takapau Riding, IJd; Clinton Riding, l|d; Waipawa Riding, lid; Onga Riding, Hd.

The rates last year were: Takapau, Clinton and Onga Ridings, Ijd; AVaipawa Hiding. IJd.