HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNGIL

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8823, 15 March 1909, Page 7

HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNGIL

Tho ordinary monthly meeting of the above Council was held on Saturday. Present: —Crs. McLeavey (in tho chair), Tpmpsitt, Venn, Freeman, Stephcnson, Wateon, Windlcy, Prouse and Richards.

CORRESPONDENCE. From Department Lands, re missing papers, in reference to Bassott'e road, stating that, "they could not be found in the Land Office and the Department could not give any assistance- in. discovering their whereabouts. —Received. From the manager of the Boys' Training Farm, stating that the water race was not being used on the farm for any but legitimate puprposcs, and asking who made the' accusation that it was being wrongly used. From E. H. Cumerfield, Glen Tui, asking that a bridge b<> erected without delay over the creek crossing the Mangaono.road in the Kaitawa block. —Dealt with in the Engineer's reportFrom District Road Engineer, stating that an authority for £200 had been issued for the purpose of dray road formation and culvcrtingX from Kereru to Buckley, and the money would be available when the proper conditions would be fulfiled.

From Commissioner of Crown Lands, stating that the matter of the water races in Horowhenua East V.S. has been referred to the Crown Lands Ranger for a report.—Received. v From W. H. Field, M.P., acknowledging receipt of resolution re urgency of erecting the Shannon Post Office and stating it had been forwarded to the Postmaster-General. — The PostmasterGeneral replied to Mr Field acknowledging the letter. From McGregor Bros., Moturimu. asking that the road near their mill be attended to otherwise the road would be impassable again during the winter. —Cr. Venn pointed out that the Kairanga County Council had to deal with the matter.

Thirty-eight ratepayers wrote requesting that a polling booth be established au Peikiorangi (Otaki electorate) in future.

The Auckland City Council wrote asking the Council's co-operation to secure the repeal of section 25 of the Local Bodies Loans. Amendment Act.—No action taken.

From F. G. Weitzol, Wcraroa, asking permission to divert water race into his front.paddock and out to the street again at .hie mvn expense. —Referred to the co retaker.

From A. McChcyno Murray, agreeing to let Council make approach through his property from the Main road to tho Waihoanga .bridge on tho Council agreeing to pay £20 compensation, fence approach to bridge and erect gate at approach.—Left to engineer and riding members.

From Chief ~ Inspector of Noxious Weeds, acknowledging receipt of resolution, and stating the suggestion that inspectors .make themselves known to ratepayers was a good one and would be put into effect. —Received. From tho Rev. C. Smith, Anglican clergyman, asking that mortuary chapels bo erected in Otaki and Manakau cemeteries ; and' asking that these cemeteries be surveyed. The writer complained that there were no facilities for clergymen to robe in these cemeteries, and that as tho ground had not been surveyed a large number of tho graves had been laid north and south, instead of east and west, an arrangement which was especially repulsive,to the religious sentiments 'of many people.—Cr. Freeman explained that a-sum of money had been collected in the district named and had been subsidised by the Council. He did not think the money had all been 6pent, and ho would look into the matter.—The matter was left with Cr. Freeman.

From the Railway Department, 6tating that the crossing at the Shannon station yard was to be closed as it was objectionable. The Department, however, intended to put cattle stops opposite Vance street and provide a level crossing provided the Council would form and metal the approaches.—Agreed to. From E. Law, asking for the main outlet drain from Te Meria to be cleaned. —Matter already dealt with. From S. M. Baker, stating ■ that he intended to contest the Council's right to put tho road through his property at Koputaroa. LOSS OF RATES. The Minister for Railways wrote stating the Government had carefully considered the matter of reimbursing the County Councils foe: loss of rates through the Government taking over the Manawatu Railway, and stating they could not accede to it. A letter was also enclosed from Mr W. H. Field, M.P., to the- Minister, pointing out that no such reimbursement was asked for, but simply concessions in regard to special rates, a request which the former Minister (Mr HallJones) had favourably considered. Mr Field told the Minister ho would introduce another deputation on the point in view of this misapprehension. The chairman (Councillor Mc-Levey), and Councillors Tompsitt, Richards, Venn, and Windley were appointed to interview the Minister.

OVERDUE RATES. ■ Councillor Venn complained that certain ratepayers had been served with a notice to pay their 10 per cent, extra on rates which were overdue, just after they had paid the overdue rates, otherwise they would be summoned. He deemed this somewhat arbitrary, and thought the 10 per cent, extra should be carried forward on to next year's rates. The acting clerk said that it was held by such an authority in municipal law as Mr Martin to be impossible in point of law to recover this 10. per, cent, extra when once the main rates were paid, and this opinion was backed up by a magistrate's decision. Councillor Venn said the position was a disconcerting one. Evidently the claim was only a bluff. He thought that another opinion besides Mr Martin's should be obtained to let the Council know where it was. He moved in the meantime that no receipt be given for rates six months' overdue unless accompanied by 10 per cent, extra. The motion was carried. ENGINEER'S REPORT.

The Engineer reported as followe: — Te Horo Riding.—The formation work of the Rikiorangi-Mangaone road is now all but finished; it was favourably reported on the 11th by the Government Inspecting Engineer. Hastie is getting on well with tho minor bridges. There are four of them completed, and two more are well under way. There has been a little delay over the supply of the hardwood timber for the larger bridges. I propose to call for tenders (labour only) for the work. The formation works on the Gorge road is getting on very well; contract No. 4, metalling about 27 chains, will be finished in a few days. I am preparing the plans for a 55 feet span for the Pukeatua stream ("Roaring Meg"). I will get the necessary metalling and formation done on the Te Waka [.road (Smith's) as soon as I get the t: Straker wagon at work. Otaki Riding.—l have called tenders for the work of lowering and widening the Waikawa bridge, and they are duo to-day. I arranged to get another girder of the same dimensions as those in use when in Wellington the other day; this, with the two that we have got in stock, will enable us to have five instead of four under ( the roadway. Wirokino Riding.—The metalling of the Florida road is now completed satisfactorily. I am re-forming and widening a portion of the Muhunoa road (eastern end). I propose to get the metal repaired when the forming is done. I have got Potts road re-formed, and it is now in good order, but, of course, it will cut up again if it is not metalled. I find that we will encroach on a very, small porti.on of Mr S- M. Baker's land with the proposed straightening of the Tavistock road. I would suggest- that a

committee of .the Council wait on him and try ,i"d . make some arrangement, fnilincr. which notice be served on him that, the land will be taken under the

provisions of "The Public Works-Act." There is only a perch thereby taken. Tokpmaru Riding.—The roads in this riding, especially in the, Makerua neighbourhood, are going to pieces. The long spell of dry weather is responsible for it. A fairly large supply of metal will have to be provided for this part of the road in next year's estimates. The of the corners behind Mr Docherty's, on tho main road, is'effecting a great improvement, and is giving great satisfaction to everyone. The work of cleaning tho drain complained of by Mr Coy has been done. I have served legal notices on ' tho' occupiers along the ManawatuKukutauki and Buckley streams, requiring them to proceed with the cleaning out of the watercourses within- 14 days. GENERAL. The Chairman stated that the straker wagon was being fitted up at Wellington, and would be available shortly. The Chairman was appointed acting treasurer during the illness of the clerk, Mr McCullough. Messrs Saint and D'Ath, Kuku, appeared to ask the Council to construct a road to their properties at an estimated cost of £260. —After discussion the deputation agreed to raise a loan if the Council subsidised to the-extent of £100. It was resolved : — That a cheque for £180 be paid to tho Railway Department for construction of opening through railway at Graham street, Shannon, and ,that the Department be asked to refund any surplus, the Council estimating the work at £130. That Mr Carmody be allowed £30 towards cost of clearing slips on the QtakiGorge road contract. That unless those at or near Shannon served with notices to clear oui their drain's do so within 14 days the inspector proceed to do the work. That a condition of the use of water from the Levin waterrace special district be that the users must have part or the whole of their lands included in the special district. That the Chairman's action in accepting the tender of F. Carmody for the last section of formation of the OtakiGorgc road at £110 be confirmed. That roads in Te Horo riding be closed to stock,after March 31. A resolution was moved by the Chairman, and seconded by Councillor Venn, conveying the Council's sympathy _to the bereaved in the recent Penguin disaster, and their admiration of the bravery of the rescuers.