HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 11 September 1934, Page 6

HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

SEPTEMBER MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Horowhenua County Council was held in the Council Chambers, Levin, on Saturday last. Present: Mr G. A. Monk (chairman), Councillors L. H. Best, A. J. Whyte, F. J. 'Ryder, L. H. Atkins, A. M. Colquhoun, A. J, Gimblett, G. P Catley, C. P Jensen, Mr F H. Hudson (County Clerk), and Mr J. T. M. Brewster (Engineer). NATIVE EATING BILL. The .Rotorua County Council advised that a further meeting of the Committee appointed to deal with the question of Native rating had been held at Wellington and a draft bill submitted to the Prime Minister. The figures obtained and submitted with reference to Native rates for the throe years previous to March 31st, 1934, were: —Rates struck, £118,066; collected £17,638; outstanding £100,428, It was expected that a Draft Bill containing legislation on the lines proposed by tho, Conference would be received by the Government at an early date and circulated for consideration by the Committee. —Received. HIGHWAYS IMPROVEMENTS. The District Engineer of the Public Works Department wrote stating that consequent to special representations by the Chairman of the Horowhenua. County Council, the Main Highways Board had again considered the question of highways assistance towards the following works on the Levin to Palmerston North Main Highway:— Waoku bridge and deviation, Mangaore bridge and the reconstruction and two-coat sealing from Shannon to the junction of the paved road at Waoku stream.

As regards the Waoku deviation the Council would be required to carry out the survey, legalisation, laud compensation and fencing, but the Board would find the whole cost of formation and metalling. The cost of the Mangaore stream bridge and erecting the new Waoku bridge on the line of the deviation would be subsidised at the rate of £4 for £1 and this rate of subsidy would also apply to the balance of the work to be carried out between Shannon and the end of the pavement near the Waoku bridge and including any other bridges which may be involved on that particular length of road. The question of carrying out the balance of work on this highway would be considered as funds became available. The letter adked if the arrangement was acceptable and whether it was proposed to take advantage of the Unemployment Board’s scheme No. 10 with regard to the erection of the Waoku and 'Mangaore bridges, for which formal application should be made through the Public Works Department office.

The Chairman said that the letter was the result of negotiations of some months ago. The amount allotted on the estimates was not as much as the Council expected, and while the Board would not commit itself to find the ,full amount of the subsidy, when the time comes which would be in about two years, the Board would probably meet the Council and see the work through. It would (be wise to accept what was offered. The two bridges were in need of urgent attention and the Council should be prepared to go on with the wofk. In moving that the Board be thanked for the subsidy, Mr Morik said that it would mean that if the Council were called upon to find the balance amounting to from £175 to £2OO above the loan authority it would mean that the amount would have to come out of revenue.

Cr. Gim'blett said that he'appreciated the fact that the Chairman had brought the matter to the present issue, because it was through his energy that che work was now in sight. When the improvements were carried out the roads of the Horowhenua County would compare more than favourably with those of any other county in the North Island. Cr. Jensen supported the previous speaker, and it was decided to proceed with the work. CULVERT ERECTIONS. Mr H. C. Easton, of Shannon, wrote asking that a culvert be erected to his property as the old one was no longer of any use, the water flowing down the road because there was no get-away. Mr Best stated that Mr Easton was prepared to pay for the cost of the culvert, knowing the policy otf the Council. The matter was referred to the Engineer with power to act. Mr W. McKenzie, of Levin Road, Shannon, asked that the Council erect a new culvert at thej main entrance to his property, the old one having been broken by the Council’s lorry or roller when working on the sealing of the main highway. It was considered that if the culvert was broken by the County lorry then it should be replaced. The request was referred to the Engineer with power to act. DIVERSION OP WATER-RACE. Mr H. Shanks sought permission to divert a water-race situated between the Levin Dairy Co.’s factory and Bartholomew Road, four yards, to run beside a fence instead of in the paddock.—Referred to the Engineer. CAR ACCOMMODATION SOUGHT. The Koputaroa Hall Society suggested that the Council make the road outside the Koputaroa Hall more convenient for the accommodation of cars. Referred to the Engineer. (WANDERING STOCK, Mr A. S. Coulton, of - the Hotel Mahara, Waikanae, complained to the Council that cows were allowed to

wander on the roads at night and damage had ibeen done to property.. The letter suggested that the Council should ,take some action in the matter. Referred to the Engineer to take the matter up with the Ranger. WATER RACE THROUGH SALE YARDS. (The question of the undesirable state of the water-race running through .the sale yards was again discussed by the Council. It was stated that most of the drainage from the yards goes into the race. The Engineer was requested to further interview the owners of the yards with a view to having the nuisance stopped. IRREGULARITIES OF SWAMPUMD ROADS. The Chairman made reference to the irregularities appearing in the sealed surface of the roads in swamp lands of the County. During the past six months he had interviewed various en- j gineers with regard to a remedy, but no definite answer could be obtained." The concensus of opinion was that if anything was done it would be purely experimental. Extraordinary work would have to be done and the Council should approach the Highways Board to obtain some free money to experiment on a portion of the affected highway. The Chairman suggested that the Council ask the Board for a free grant of £250 to experiment on the road surfaee of the highway in the Waikanae swamp.

It was decided to approach the Highways Board for a free grant of 5250, as suggested by the Chairman.