WORKS IN THE COUNTY.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 18 February 1931, Page 2

WORKS IN THE COUNTY.

REPORT BY THE ENGINEER. The County Engineer (Mr. J. T M. Brewster) reported on the past month's work as unuer, at the meeting of the Horowlionua County Council on Saturday:— Tokoraaru Riding. Maintenance metal has been put on the Main Highways, Okuku, Kingsti-ne, Kara, and Shannon-Buck ley Roads. The grader has been at work on the Main Highways anil Makerua-Rangi-tanc Roads. A large slip came down a No. 00 Main Highway near the rifling boundary. This has been icmoved. At the sharp turn at the foot of the hill adjoining Mr. Swindlehurst’s property on Buckley Road, the fence has been moved back at the sanction of owner, and it is intended to cut back the corner at the top of the hill and fill in at the bottom bend, which wrll improve the vision considerably. The metalling of Aker’s Board extension is practically completed. No doubt the owners will ask the Council to take over this road in the near future. Wirokino Riding. One mile 30 chains of paving has been completed on the Levin-Eoxtou Main Highway. Practically the whole of the metal required for the tlirce-six mile length has been delivered on co tne job. As soon us full supplies of metal have been delivered, it wi'l mean the stopping of the Anderson crushing plant and the dismissal of several men. Maintenance metal has been put >n McDonald, Buller and Hokio Beach Roads. The deviation of the water-race in Mr. Adam Gordon’s property has been completed. Notice has been served on various people to remove rubbish deposited on the Arapaepae Road adjoining their properties. Otaki Riding. A flood in the creek caused a large slip on the Raimi Road near the first bridge. It was necossarj’- to put in heavy sheating anchored across the road and till in behind the sheating. This work is completed. General maintenance work has Ocen carried out in the riding. In company with Cr. Ryder, I made an inspection of Blair’s ford. It is now suggested that a groyne consisting of approximately 4(J cubic yards of boulders be constructed about one and a half chains above the ford, and that the crossing be built up on the north side. It is estimated that this wore: will cost approximately £4O. The property owner on Rahui Road has cut back overhanging trees sufficiently so as to give traffic and loads ua open passage. Te Horo Elding. The grader lias been employed oa the district roads. A large slip came down on the Otaki Gorge Road and has now been removed. I have written the District Engineer, N.Z. Railways, in connection with the Valve at end of pipe giving water to Mr. B. L. Ellis, Te Horo. The deviation of water race in Mr. Best’s property is completed and is working satisfactorily. A leak further down tiic lace was also repaired. I have completed plans for the con si ruction of a span on to the Ngatiawa bridge, and have made application to the Public Works Department for a £1 for £1 grant for the restoration of flood damage. The contractors have constructed the anchors for the Tauugata bridge and have erected the tower on the south bank. Excavations for the southern anchor are under 'way for the Waihoanga bridge. Solid rock was encountered ac eight feet depth. The contractors have completed the formation of the upper portion of Otaki Gorge Road and are now proceeding with the metalling. This work should be completed this month. General. I have received reports from the Public Works Department of an inspection of the bitumen pavement from Waikanac to Waoku bridge. Althougii there is a large amount of paint put on the road denoting faults, the reports state that the pavement is generally satisfactory. ■ * Councillors’ Requests. Cr. Whyte referred to a small portion of Pretoria Road that required forming and metalling; those interested had agreed to plough it, and asked that the Council finish the formation and do the metalling. The engineer stated that this could be done by the riding. A bad corner on Kahinau Road was mentioned by Cr. Whyte, and the engineer stated that he had authorised its improvement. Cr. Gatley called attention to the growth of fennel on the main road just south of the Ohau River; and the matter was referred to the engineer. Cr. Ryder stated that the filling on the Waitohu Road at the bridge had .sunk somewhat and a load of metal should be placed there. Cr. Bryant asked what was to become of tkc straw left on roadsides bv cocksfoot cutters. .Some of Gas on the North Manakau Road had encroached on to his own property, and if P caught fire it would endanger a gala and plantation. The straw should be shifted and burnt. The matter was referred to the engineer for attention. Cr. Jensen stated that an accident on the Waitohu bridge had brought the railings down again. The Counffi] might have to construct something more substantial. The engineer stated that the accident had happened at night and nobody seemed to know anything about it. Whoever was concerned in it must have met with a severe bump. It had sprung the hand-rails for three spans. The police at Otaki were making inquiries. The vehicle had struck the south cad of the bridge. The chairman: Evidently something that was overhanging hit it. The engineer’s report was adopted.

tinned spending money lavishly in the construction of new railways and m relief works (at 14/- a day), and as late as July last it seemed impossible to make either the Government or the Labour Party realise that the Dominion was on the verge of a serious economic crisis. Even on July 17, 1930, Mr. H. E. Holland was scoffing and encouraging the Government to scoff at the idea that there was any considerable fall in export values, and saying: ‘I do not believe Mr. D. Jones was right in stressing the serious financial position of the country. Both gentlemen declared that the country’s exports had fallen considerably. Well, have they?’

“After that exhibition of his lack of acquaintance with actual conditions in the country, Mr. H, E, Holland should bo silent for a very long while, “On October 10, 1930, just before Parliament closed, Mr. Coates again emphatically drew attention to the development of a serious crisis. ‘I do not wish to appear as an alarmist,’ he declared, ‘but I do think it is the duty of every right-thinking person to face hard facts. I am afraid the people generally do not oven yet realise the gravity of the situation.’ But even in October last it was impossible to check the Government in its career of extravagance or to make it face the serious situation which was rapidly developing. It was not until the last day of last session of Parliament that the Labour Party turned round on the Government, refusing to support it further. Then, abandoned by the Labour Party, the Government was free at last to listen to regson, though many more months elapsed before any action was taken to cope with the situation, which every week was becoming more difficult. On January 21, following a conference of the Reform Party, Mr. Coates made an explicit public statement of the measures which, in the judgment of the Reform Party, were urgently necessary. This statement was issued the day after Mr. Forbes returned to New Zealand, and it cannot be otherwise than satisfactory to the Reform Party to note that, although there are some divergences and some important omissions, yet many of the suggestions proffered by Mr. Coates have now been adopted by the Government. If Mr. Holland cares to describe this as an unconditional surrender to Mr. Coates and the Reform party, that is a matter upon which he, to whom the Government surrendered for the two previous years, may be left to judge. So far as the Reform Party is concerned, there has never been any possibility of doubt as to the lino it would take. Mr. Coates has Mated again and again that if and whenever the Government might be persuaded to do the right thing, it could rely upon the assistance of the Reform Party in passing all measures which were in the real internists of the people as a whole and calculated to help the Dominion to emerge frmn the present crisis.’’