HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 19 May 1933, Page 6

HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

SOUTHERN DISTRICT MATTERS. The following business relating to the southern portion of the district was transacted at the monthly meeting of the HoTOwhenua County Council, at Levin on Saturday:— GRASSING OF METAL PIT. Writing with reference to the estate of Arabella Hadfield, the Public Trust manager at Levin (Mr G. W. Wilson) stated that a request had been received from Mr T. Fraser, the lessee of the estate’s property at Waikanae, for refund of the sum of 13s 9d expended by him on seed for re-grassing the bare area left by the Council after levelling operations in its former metal pit. The matter of refund appeared to be one for the Council’s consideration. The Chairman said he was opposed to the application. The Council had had an agreement with the Public Trust Office to pay it £4 a year for the lease of the pit and a penny a yard for all the metal removed; the stripping that was saved had to be restored to the floor of the pit. The Council had done that, and had removed the fence back to the line. There had been no question of the Council having to grass the land again. He said that the Public Trust, as trustee of this estate, had been well paid. It was agreed, at the Chairman’s suggestion, that no action be taken in the matter. ; WAIKANAE BEACH ROAD. A letter was received from Mr W. H. Field, M.P., in which he stated that, in order to complete the sale of three acres fronting Ngarara Road, to l£r B. D. Gilmer, a resolution was required from the Council, under Section 128 of the Public Works Act, 1928,' declaring that the provisions of that section shall not apply to the Moana or Waikanae Beach Road fronting part Section 78 Ngarara West A, containing about 16 acres. The same course was taken in respect of Section 23 Ngarara West A, on the opposite side of the Beach Road, when an acre of that section was sold some time ago.

. Section 128 requires that, before a property can be subdivided, it must have access to a legal road a chain wide. Local bodies are given power to grant exemption from the Section in certain cases.

The Chairman said there was no reason why the same exemption as granted in the previous case should not be granted in this one.

On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Cr. Best, it was resolved to declare that the provisions of Section 128 shall not apply to the portion of road concerned in the application. WAIEANAE RIVER EROSION.

Mr Field also wrote stating that serious erosion by the Waikanae River took place during the last flood, at a. point behind where Mr Aston lived, at the lower corner of Mr Field's Section 23 Ngarara West A Block, and threatened to extend and wash away portions of the Native and other sections lower down the river. A number of fine native trees had gone into the river. He had in the past spent successfully large sums in the protection from further flood damage of not only Section 23, but Sections 19 and 20, lower down the river. Owing to the ruinous state of the farming industry, he found it impossible to undertake the expense of river works which would be rendered necessary by the recent erosion. The chief danger was to the adjoining Sections 21 and 22. Section 22, 10 acres, was own'ed half by himself and half by Natives, and the whole of Section 21 was Native-owned. He asked if the Chairman and the Engineer would make make an inspection with a view to deciding what protection works might be necessary to prevent further damage if posible. After referring to unemployment relief, 'Mr Field stated that he assumed that he would have to make some contribution. The Chairman said he did not know that the position particularly affected the County. He did not think that the road was in any danger. However, if good land went down the river, it was rateable value The Council might allow the Engineer to make an inspection in company with Mr Field and give him any advice in his power as to what should be done. The Chairman did not think that the Council should commit itself in any way. If any works were done under any unemployment scheme, it would have to be done by Mr Field under No. 5 scheme “Over the Fence." It was out of the question for the Council to make any contribution. It was decided that the inspection suggested by the Chairman be made. WATER AT TE HORO. Mr. G. M. Tolhurst, Te Horo, wrote inquiring whether he could put a waterrace from the Mangaone stream out to his back paddocks and back to the Mangaone in his own property. Visiting the site of the dam on April 19th, he noticed that the recent flood had done considerable damage to the dam, and he thought it should be repaired at once, to prevent more expensive repairs later. Further, Mr Tolhurst sought permission to make a waterhole for stock near the blacksmith’s shop at Te Horo. There was a stream running past the shop, and he would like to divert it for a yard or two into a paddock adjoining and back again. The water level was about three feet from the surface, so he would have to dig a trench that depth to let the water run freely.

The Chairman said that apparently there would bo no harm in the applicant carrying out what he suggested. The diversion of the Mangaone Stream was apparently on the opposite side .to the Council’s water-race system, and it was a matter for Mr Tolhurst. With regard to the tapping of the stream that ran past the blacksmith’s shop,

that stream was on the road and a drain was dug, and the matter did not present any difficulty. The Chairman moved that the Engineer meet Mr Tolhurst on the ground, and with power to act. The motion was seconded by (Mr Catley and carried.