KAWHIA COUNTY COUNCIL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 307, 29 October 1910, Page 5

KAWHIA COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the above Council was held on 15th insfc. Pre-sent—-Crs W- J. Shaw (chairman), J. Kearns, A- W. iidliott, P. T. Davits and J. Noonun. Pirongia We?t Pond. —The Public Works Department notified the Council that this road had been proclaimed a county roacl. Kawliia-Pirongia Road.—This road was declared a Government road by order of the Governor-in-Council.

Kinohaku-Waiharakcke Road.—The Public Works Department stated thai. in consequence of the representations of the recent deputation £405 10s had been authorised, in addition to -£iL< also available, which would be sufficient to complete the work, and no doubt the work would be carried out as speedily as possible. -The chairman stated that nothing had been done so far.- —Letter received.

Kawhia-Pirongia Road.--The Minister for Public Works wrote that he would look into the matter of erecting a bridge over th« Mangaiti stream.— Letter received.

Kauri Road.—The Public Works Department informed the Council that votes for this and Timklin's road would receive consideration. Received.

Kawhia-Pirongia Road. The Minister for Public Works, in reply to the Council's inquiry, stated that it would only be necessary to supply specifications for metalling works to be forwarded to the District Engineer. Lemon Point -Te JMaika iioud. — District Engineer seated that work on the road had been let, and would be proceeded with immediately. Cr Kearns complained that nothing had been done so far, although he under stood that the contract had been let.

Oparau Loans. The Treasury wived that the £21)00 and .\MOOO loans on the Oparau and Okupata mads had been provisionally approved. -Or Davies said that unless there was a subsidy he was afraid the loans would not be gone on with. —The. chairman and ( r Noonan stated that it wns practically useless writing to Weliingtoo, and it was very doubtful if the Minister ever saw the letters. Their experience at Wellington convinced them that a personal interview was absolutely necessary to bring the district's requirements to the Minister's notice.--Cr Davies endorsed this opinion, and proposed calling a meeting of ratepayers to consider the matter of sending a deputation.—Crs Elliott and Davies moved that the necessary steps be taken to raise these, loans, which was carried.

Hospital.—The Inspector of Hospitals forwarded a circular letter regarding the prevention of spreading of contagious diseases and providing sanitation, suggesting co-operation of the Health Department and local authorities in the matter.- The mattei was held over for consideration until the Council had more information at their disposal. Mail Service.—The Chief Postmaster acknowledged receipt of the Council's suggestion in regard to a more convenient mail service from Kinohaku. It was pointed out that the desired change had been effected without anybody knowing much about it. Noxious Weeds. —-Cr Davies brought up the matter of noxious Weeds. Blackberries were spreading alarmingly and were becoming dangerous, particularly in the northern portion of his riding. ' He moved that the attention of the authorities be drawn to the manner in which these weeds are

spreading. Engineering Expenses. —Cr Davies said he considered that now they had a permanent engineer, roads which have Government grants should carry their proportion of engineering expenses. He moved that engineering expenses should be. charged up in proportion to the amount spent.-—Cr Kearns said he would oppose the idea. Some, roads had been metalled and were complete; ratepayers on such a road would pay nothing towards the engineering expenses.--The chairman thought that the proposition w\.uld involve a tremendous increase in office work. Grants were likely to be authorised for all roads, and taking one year with another no hardship would be given to anyone.—The clerk explained that the cost of administration was already distributed in proportion to where the work was going on and in proportion to the rate collectable from each riding. -On the motion of Cr Elliott it was resolved that engineering charges should be met proportionately from the general rate. Instructions to Engineer.---It was decided that all grants at present available should be expended aa quickly as possible, which would include the metalling on the main road.

i Engineer's Report.----A:; I have only : recently commenced my duties here as i engineer to your Council, I have not i had time to become sufficiently aeI quainted with the county to be able to 1 compile a satisfactory report, but will l endeavour to outline as far as possible | what is now being done in regard to ; the expenditure of Government grants. ; Plans and specifications, which were | drawn up by your late, engineer (Mr ! Armstrong) for widening 81.Go chains i of the Pirongia West road and 13.50 i chains of the Kawhia to Marakopa i river road, have been approved by the i District Engineer. In addition to I these I obtained the Public Works DeI partment approved plans for widening j 40 chains of the Pirongia West road, ! from which I have taken working 1 tracings, making a total distance of j one mile 41.65 chains of this road i ready for construction, and 1:3. o0 I chains on Kawhia-Marakopa river i road. Tenders are now being called I for these works and close at noon on j 29th inst. I have also prepared plans i and specifications for constructing two j large culverts on the Kawhia-Mara-i kopa river road, and have submitted j them to the District Engineer for ap- ! proval. These culverts are to replace two small temporary bridges opposite section 4, block 5, Kawhia South survey district, which are now in the last stages of decay and most dangerous to traffic. Further plans and specifications are now being prepared ' for widening and re-forming another i 150 chains of Pirongia West road and i 56 chains of Kawhia-Marakopa river : road, all of which will be submitted to the District Engineer for approval at an early date. On my journey to Kawhia I came via the .Pirongia to ' Kawhia road, and on being aclvired there was a (lovernment grant av;uli able for improvement of tins road, 1 I made particular r-..f:e m to it:' reijuirenients. 1 would not advice that the ! whole grant be expended at onto, ns

under prosoiif, weather conditions no good results could be obtained ; Hut J

think that if £ls to £2O were spent judiciously its present condition could be greatly improved, and I would advise that work to this amount be put in band as early a/, possible. i'he balance could be spent, perhaps a

month hence, in clearing water-tables, culverts, etc., and in general repairs of which this road is badly in need. —-The report was adopted escept that balance of grunt of £lsl on Kawhia-Pirongia road be expended in metalling.