HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 13 August 1925, Page 4

HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

—. —— s AUGUST ‘ MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Horowhonua County Council took place on Saturday, when there were present: Crs. Monk (chairman), Barber, Ryder, Bryant, Harkness, Broadbelt, Catley and Jensen. No Money for the Exhibition. The Wellington Provincial Court of the Dunedin Exhibition wrote asking whether the County Council would assist the exhibition by way of a financial grant, and giving a list of local bodies that had done so. It waf also asked that the County be represented by exhibits and a representative on any body set up to deal with the matter. The chairman said ho had a great, deal of sympathy for the enterprise, but ho had still more for the ratepayers of the County, and particularly for those at his, own end as they were faced with expenditure running into thousands of pounds on account of certain bridges. He could not, therefore, in justice, recommend any expenditure on their behalf for the exhibition, and that being so would not like to suggest that other ridings pay what he was not prepared to do for his own district. The exhibition was going to be a good thing for New Zealand as a whole and it should therefore receive the support of agricultural societies and dairy companies. Cr. Harkness suggested making an exhibit of the County Engineer’s plans and specifications for the Main Highways scheme, a subject in which groat public interest was being taken. Ho thought something could be done to obtain exhibits. Cr. Catley: They want the cash. The engineer said he could not possibly prepare the plans as he had too much to do. Cr. Catley said they could not spare any money when they had to refuse requests for a few yards of metal. The chairman said Cr. Broadbelt was interested in one of the finest butter factories in New Zealand and he suggested that he be appointed to represent the Council on any committee set up to represent the County. This course was adopted. Metal Freights Higher. The Taupcka County Council wrote forwarding a copy of a letter sent to the Minister of Public Works and Railways, with regard'to the proposed increase in freight on road metal used solely for the construction or maintenance of “feeding” routes and nor “competing” routes, with the Railway. The letter points out that the effect on the Tuapeka County would be to render the cost prohibitive and under the new regulations it was proposed to limit the concessions up to 100 miles. The cost of metal to the above County is 6s 9d per ton on truck Dunedin and ? with freight and cartage it would be seen that the cost of metal on the road is out of all reason. The Tuapeka County suggested that as freight on agricultural line was paid by the Agricultural Department, a similar procedure might be adopted regarding road metal, the freight being paid by the Highways Board out of motor taxations. The Counties’ Association wrote reporting on the result of an interview with the Railways/Board on the 7th July, wherein they stated that metal required for feeder roads had been increased in carriage charges by CO per cent., and -that for competing roads showed a 250 per cent, increase. The chairman of the Board regretted that, even under the new tariff the railways would be carrying metal at a loss, the Board were unable to comply with 'their request. The Association asked the Horowhcnua County Council to use its best endeavours to enlist the help of the local Member of Parliament. The chairman said the Railway Department had set out to make the railways pay and consequently many items that had got concessions in the past had’ been cut out. One of these was metal, but in view of the importance of metal in the national reading scheme he thought that, this was an item thftt should be given 'every consideration. He did not altogether agree with the suggestion that the Highways Board should pay' the difference' as it only meant taking the money from the Board’s proper functions. Cr. Catley said the effect of the new railway tariff was to take charges off the individual and put it on Council’s and companies. The chairman: ft gets back on to ■■he individual just the same. Cr. Catley condemned the growing use of motor buses and lorries as tending to affect the railway revenue. Heavy Traffic License Fees,, The Kairanga County Council, wrote requesting that .the HorowJien.ua County Council endorse the action of its representative at the recent conference with regard to Heavy Traffic License Fees. It was finally proposed, and carried unanimously, that fees for heavy traffic be distributed amongst the local bodies on a basis of the mean struck between the mileage of metal roaejs and capital value except in the case of Foxton which is to receive its proportion or 50 per cent, of the fees it collects (whichever is the higher), the valuations of all local bodies to be taken as at the 31st March, 1926, the agreement to hold good only until the 31st March next. The conference decided to leave the; collection of fees in the hands of the Kairanga County, and it was further resolved that it be a recommendation for all local bodies to take steps ensuring payment of heavy traffic fees. The chairman said great credit was due to Mr. Drew, clerk of the Mansi-’ watu County Council who worked this scheme out and put it before the local bodies. He mentioned that the Wanganui Highways Group took the matter to a Magistrate but he adopted the same scheme as this, so that they arrived at the same conclusion —but had the costs of the enquiry to pay as well, The settlement was accepted by the Council, . Another Hospital Board. Member. The secretary of the Palmerston North Hospital Board intimated that tLo extra-representative for the Horowhenua County had not been appointed, and requesting the Council’s nomination during August. The chairman explained that the Palmerston Borough Council had lately become entitled to an additional member owing to the increase of valuations. ■ As this would mean taking away on ; e of the OrOua County representatives, it was decided to increase the membership of the Board to alio -v them to retain their two members, and thus Horowhenua also got another representative. The chairman suggested th'nt a Levin nomination be 'fcuadc. —Cr. Harkness considered the district south

of Levin'nceded another representative, in view of the recent attack on the Otaki hospital and the need for vigilance in the Ryder (Otaki) was appointed to the position. Te Wakr. Load. Mr. H. B. Lethbridge, wrote requesting that the Council favourably son r , sid’or the question of puling the northern end of the Te Kaka Road, as far as his boundary, in a more fit state, and pointing out that it was becoming impossible to pull 20 or 30 milk cans over it unless improvements were made. If the work were not done ho would no longer be able to comply with the late Prime Minister's injunction: “Produce more and still more.” Cr. Ryder endorsed the statement as to the very bad condition of the road for ten chains. It was not expected that the -work would be done until the summer. On the chairman’s m'otion it was decided to reply that the Council would_ s’co what, could be done w'hen the weather improved. Cr. Jensen said' it was impossible to touch the road at present as it was simply dushffrom fence to fence. The speaker had mentioned the road when tljc were considered and a promise w r as made that it would got attention. ■ —“ i :)