HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8537, 18 March 1908, Page 7

HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

ORDINARY MEETING. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Horowhenua County Council was held in the Council Chambers, Levin, en Saturday last, there" being present—Crs. H. J. Richards (chairman), Tompsitt, Freeman, Venn, Watson, Prouse, Stephcnson, and McLeavey. CORRESPONDENCE. Correspondence was received from the Oroua Carrying Company, Ltd., Feilding, offering to sell a Straker steam waggon, which cost £ICOO. for £700. A winding gear was attached. The waggon was being sold as the roadf. in Oroua last winter were so bad that they would not stand the traffic. From the Scifcrt Flamilling Company, Ltd., enclosing half cost of cleaning a drain along the county road, and suggesting that the whole drain should be made of a regular size. From George E. Johnson, offering to act as dog-tax collector in the Tokomaru Riding for the ensuing year From Mr D. M. O'Connor, asking for ro'ad access to his property, section 8, block 16. Shannon. From N. and P. Rosenbeck, Shannon, asking to have the road continued from opposite Mr Horn's house on ' the Heights road to section 7, block 3. They had no means of getting at their property except by crossing other people's. From the Manawatu County Council, asking that delegates bo appointed to meet them in conference on the subject of necessary repairs to .the Wirikino bridge, and requesting the Council to pass a resolution agreeing to the M?.IUJ w ?.tu Council taking control of the bridgeFrom same, enclosing £500, first payment towards the Manawatu Council's contribution to the Shannon bridge construction. From S. M. Maker, Koputaroa, asking to be allofrcd to occupy the slopes on cither side of the road near the Waoku creek bridge, on which to experiment with the sowing and growth of the grass known as Paspalum dilatatum, cither by itself or in combination with other grasses. He understood the paspalum was of great value on hilly land. From Fred Linsell, Shannon, asking the Council to erect the 30 chains of fencing on the Kara road, as was agreed upon when the* land was taken for road purposes. From O. P. Pederson, drawing attention to the bad state of Shannon East road; it had been in a bad state for the past seven months. From the Wellington and Wairarapa Charitable Aid Board, saying that it was desirable .that all cases of charitable aid should be visited, and notifying that Miss Kirk had been appointed inspector, and that she_ would visit the Horowhenua district during the present week.

From the Levin Borough Council, drawing attention to .the extreme danger to the borough from allowing undue diversion of the water races above the town, and enclosing the following resolution: — " That the County Council be requested to take action against any person or persons diverting the water above the borough boundary." From the Foxton Borough Council, notifying its willingness for the Manawatu County Council taking control of the Wirokino fridge. From Messrs Saunders Bros., stating that the contractor for the .Shannon bridge was removing soil for bridge approaches from their property, and advising that they had a right to be consulted, and that they would require compensation for what had been removed. They also advised the Council that the workmen were entering on private property and removing spoil at the Council's risk. From Messrs Charles B. Robinson, Peter Oag. and T. 11. PowJes, requesting the Council to lower the culvert on the County road at Shannon, near where the Buckley drain takes its source, and stating that the unsatisfactory state of the water level caused about 50 acres of land to be detrimentally affected. From the Makerua Estate Company, asking whether the road from the main road to the railway line, between sections 24 and 25, block 5, Arawaru Survey District, was open for traffic, and stating that they contemplated arranging with the Manawatu Railway Company for putting a crossing over the lino at that point. From William S. Park, Levin, advising that he had received instructions froin Mrs McGaulcy to claim compensation for land taken for road purposes, and stating that his client would accept £30 in settlement. From the Wellington Hospital Board, claiming £1122 4s, the- amount the Council is to contribute this (j'car for hospital upkeep. GENERAL. The engineer was instructed to attend to Mr Edward Law's request to have drains cleaned near his property. With reference to Mr D. M. O'Connor's request for access to his property and for access to His tenant's property,

Councillor Stcphenscja said ho had tried his utmost to get the Council to have the work done. In fact, he had gone so far as to say that ho would endeavour to have the engineer removed and someone else employed that would do it. He had that morning received a letter saying that the work had not been done. He handed the letter to the chairman to read. The engineer said the work had been done. The contractor had told him that the work had been done, but Mr O'Connor's request now was for a dray ' road. He was aware that the contractor had done some work by making the road passable. Councillor Stephenson said the Council would see his position; he had given his word of honour as a councillor that the work should be done, and it was absolutely right it should be done. The land had been taken, and it was agreed a road should go through. It was eighteen months since the work was promised, and he would' certainly move to shift the engineer if the work was not done. The engineer said the contractor would bo in town that afternoon, and the Council could then ascertain precisely what had been done. Mr G. E. Johnson's offer to act as dog tax collector was accepted. Messrs N. and P. Rosenbeck's letter was hold over till next meeting; in the meantime they are to bo advised to interview the councillors for , their district, Messrs Venn and Stepheftson. The engineer was instructed to erect fences on the Kara road, as requested by Mr F. Linsell. It was resolved to offer Mrs McGauloy .£2O as compensation for land taken for loading purposes. Mr S. M. Baker's request to be allowed to sow paspalum dilatatum grass on the roadside was left to the chairman and engineer to deal with. The engineer was instructed to interview Messrs Robinson, Oag, and Powles with reference to their letter about lowering a culvert, and to report at next meeting of the Council. The clerk was instructed to inform the Makorua Estates Company that the road they mention in the Arawaru district was open for traffic. Messrs Sounders Bros.' letter re moving soil was ordered to be sent on to the engineer for the Shannon bridge erection. It was decided to allow Mr Giles to move a gate to the end of his section. Mr A. E. Taylor was appointed caretaker of the Hauterc water-races—dis-tributing raced only— at a salary of £25 a year, the appointment to bo subject to a month's notice by either party. It was resolved, on the motion of Cr. Piouse, seconded by Councillor Watson, that the. Council agrees to the Manawatu County Council having control of the traffic bridge at Wirokino, and that thn chairman of this Council and Councillor Davics bo delegates from this Council to confer with the delegates from the other bodies interested, to meet H,t a time and place to bo- fixed by the Manavatu County Council. It was resolved that the Council take the necessary steps to complete the title

to the Gladstone road through sections Nos. 11, 12, 13.. :., , On the motion of Cγ. Watson, seconded by the chairman, it was resolved that legal steps be taken to give effect to the exchange- made with Mr J. TV Kent for a road to.the Ngatiwa bridge,' and that a survey be made to ascertain the areas. The engineer's report was rend and adopted. PROPOSED RIVER BOARD. Mr E. J. Armstrong wrote suggesting that a Royal Commission should be applied for to determine the constitution of River Boards to govern the Oroua, Manawatu, and Pohangina rivers—the area to bo rated —and all questions bearing on the subject. Councillor Venn said, as the CouncjJ's delegate, he did not wish to be bound down hard and fast at any meetings that might take place, but ho would certainly like a few pointers. It was questionable whether they should support such a Royal Commission. Only such lands as were affected should be included in the river district. Otaki and Te Horo had no connection whatever with the Manawatu, and it would be wrong to allow those districts to be involved. It sccmod to him that the prevailing idea was to have the banks of the river risen, but he thought it most important that mean? should bo evolved for getting the overflow of the rivers to the ocean in as direct a way as possible. He did not wish the Coucil to be confused. There were in reality two bodies brought into existence; the first proposed to cut a water channel onlv, but it seemed to have died a natural death. To second body seemed a much more important affair; they appeared to think the only thing to do was to bank up the river. From careful observation ho believed it would be necessary to put a bank 300 ft high to keep the water in in some places if no overflow channel were cut. The banking up in the upner reaches would flood out. people in the lower reaches. Councillor Prouse said so very much depended on what the land was going to be used for. If for flax a little water would not bo regarded as of much consequence, but if the price of flax was to render its manufacture unpayable, the land would be wanted for dairying, and it would have to be kept free of water. Councillor McLeavey did not see that it mattered what the land was utilised for: it was quite necessary to keep it as. free from flood water as possible. River flood was neither good for flax f growing or dairying. Councillor Venn thought the delegate should take particular care to see that districts not affected bv the rivers should bo kept out of the River Board area. as they would in no wav bo benefited. It was resolved, on»the motion of_Cr. Stcphenson, seconded by Councillor Prouse. that the Council's delegate to the Palmerston Conference, re River Board, or Boards, formation, be instructed to support no scheme that did not embrace an overflow channel from the Manawatu to the sea.

It was not considered necessary to pass any resolution on the subject, but it was decided thnt, any person unduly interfering with the water-races above the borough of Levin should bo prosecuted. SPECIAL MEETING. A special meeting of the Council was held at noon to confirm a resolution declaring certain roads to be main county roads. Cr. Venn proposed an amendment, which was carried, to postpone the adoption of the special order proclaiming main roads till next mooting, with a view to arriving at sonic legal, reasonable, and equitable system between the ridinsrs -for maintaining such main roads. Mr Vv. 11. Field. M.P.. wrote saying that, the cemetery for Waikanac could no longer bo delayed. After some discussion ihe matter was referred to the councillors for the district, with noivcr to sot. ENGINEER'S REPORT. SHANNON BRIDGE. In re proposed deviation near Shannon bridge, I fcciit to the Survey Odico and got a tracing showing the subdivisions of the land from the lower end of the township of Shannon to the Manawatu river. I have put a dotted lino on the tracing showing the line of the proposed deviation. You will find that the deviation would reduce the distance from Shannon to the bridge by about 17i chains. I don't anticipate it would be necessary to- purchase any land, as more land would be abandoned than taken, and another thing to be considered is, the construction of "the road would greatly benefit the land it goos through by providing drainage. I have taken levcta from the end of the bridge to the lowest part of the ■> proposed road, and I find there arc about 45 chains that would have to be raised 3ft 6in. It would also be necessary to put in sufficient flood openings to lot the water that overflows from the Manawatu river near the outlet, to the Tokomaru through in as short a time as possible in flood time. For that purpose I have provided two 20ft spans. It would also be necessary to put in two more culverts. I estimate the cost as follows: —

To clearing and stumping 45 chains, at 40s £90 0 0 To cutting side drains for providing the material to raise the road 45 chains, at £5 10s 247 10 0 Forming 13 chains, at 30s ... 19 10 0 Flood opening and culverts, 6600 ft jarrah, at 30s 97 10 0 Metalling 58 chains, at 50s ... 145 0 0 £599 10 0 WIROKINO RIDING. The roads in this Riding are still in fair order, but a large quantity of maintenance metal will soon be required. I have provided for a larger quantity in the estimates than usual, as the main road is getting very bare. The metalling contracts, Levin-Foxton and Heatherlea roads, arc getting on all right. The carriage of metal by rail from Ohau to Koputarua station' has proved most unsatisfactory on account of the disorganised state of the railway service for the last month. I propose with your leave to relieve the contractors of their contracts. It is unfair to keep them hanging round Koputarua day after day doing nothing. Another thing-, the metal is very expensive on account of the, increase of freight. If the Council ia to go in for steam traction, I think it will be much cheaper to take it by road. TOKOMARU RIDING. In this Riding the roads are fair at present. I got some of the worst parts attended to last week. I have called tenders for metalling the Shannon East road, and they are due to-day. This is the worst piece of road in the Riding, and would be practically impassable in wet weather. The contractor for the No. 2 contract, Tokomaru Valley road, is just about finished. I will try apd 'get another mile ready and call' for tenders for next meeting. The Toko-' maru streets contract, metalling and forming, will be finished about Monday or Tuesday. The contractors will then go on with the metalling of Totara Street pretension up to Mr Rowlands' place—Farmer.