MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9161, 10 March 1910, Page 2

MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING

The ordinary monthly meeting of the above was held yesterday. Present —Crs. J. G. Wilson (chairman), J. Henson, R. B. McKenzie, G. Kendall, J. H. Dalton, T. Masters, and W. E. Barker. FINANCE. The Treasurer's report was received as follows:—The balances in the various Ridings are:—Sandon Riding, £17 ss; Mt. Stewart Riding, £12 18s sd; Waitoki, £41 19s Id; Ron gotea, £35 11s 5d ; Awahou, £22 10s 3d ; Whirokino, £59 10s sd. Amounts over-expended, Carnarvon Riding, £90 0s lid ; Kawakawa, £90 15s. CORRESPONDENCE. The following letters were received: From Paymaster-General, notifying that £4 13s paid-ons had been paid into the Council's account.

From the Public Works Department, in reply to the request of the deputation from the Council to grant permission for the extension of the tram line to Greatford, stating that the Government was advised that the Rangitikei Bridge at Bulls is not sufficiently strong at the present time for the proposed railway traffic. In order to render the structure safe for such traffic the wrought-iron lower chord/ tip verticals, and truss braces, with the exception of the end one, require increasing in strength by 34 per cent. The timber transoms supporting tho decking will require increasing in strength by 15 per cent. As regards your other questions, the Government has no power to grant provisional rights to construct a tramway under " The Tramway's Act, 1908," until the requirements of that Act have been complied with, as until that lias been done it is impossible to know what objections, if any, may be made to your scheme. Under these circumstances, therefore, the Minister regrets he is'unable to give you the permission asked for. If, however, it would facilitate matters, the Department would be prepared to provisionally examine the detail plans of the proposed tramway extension, and also the draft order-in-Council to authorise the same, in anticipation of your Council carrying out the preliminary requirements of Part I. of the second schedule of "The Tramways Act, 1908." Such examination would, of course, not limit the right of the Department to make further revisions upon the plans _ and draft order being formally submitted to his Excellency the Governor after the said statutory requirements have been carried out. The question as to whether or not permission can be granted to the County Council to connect its tramway with the Government line at Greatford is one for the consideration of the Minister for Railways, and your proposal has been submitted for the consideration of the Railway Department accordingly, witli whom it is suggested you should communicate. The Chairman explained that he had again communicated with the Minister of Railways in the matter. Cr McKenzie said he had spoken to the Minister of Railways, that morning, not being aware of "the correspondence received, but 'Mr Millar had not yet considered the question. If they could not get the connection with Greatford, they would have to consider the Rongotea-Feild-ing proposal. From the District Health Officer, again complaining of the drain in the Sandon township.—Tho County Clerk had reported on the matter. . From Valuation Department, forwarding account of £22 12s 6d for valuation roll.

From Labour Department notifying that Wednesday had been gazetted the half-holiday for shops.

From Kairariga County Council, forwarding account for maintenance of Awahuri bridge. From Mr W. H. Collingwood, Returning Officer, stating that the question of electing Harbour Board representatives by some easier method will be dealt with next year. From Cr. Barber, notifying that he had let the following contracts: —C. Peterson, Contract A., 8s 6d; 8., 6s 9d.—Approved. From Messrs Bell, Gully, and Cooper, notifying that action would be taken to recover £27 5s 4d, rates over-paid by Bell and Levien.—Mr Innes to defend.

From Mr C. G. C. Dermer, Cloverdene, asking if pennyroyal was a noxious weed, and complaining of numerous patches along the Awahuri road.—The clerk had informed Mr Dermer that pennyroyal was a noxious weed, but the question was one for the Government Inspector. From Bulls Technical School Committee, asking Council to appoint representative.—The Chairman appointRATE ROLL. The following alterations to the rate roll were agreed to: —W. T. Bowater to L. A. Bowater, lot 19, part sections 84-5, Sandon,; A. F. Vowlees to M. A. Dobson, part 50, section 384, Carnarvon; J. M. Purcell to E. J. Cleary, lots 24-5, section 384, Carnarvon ; R. M. Gaekin to \V. Cockburn, section 319, Carnarvon ; B. Ellerm to H. Wood, lot 12, section 85, Carnarvon. KAIKOKOPU DRAINS. Mr O'Grady waited on the Council in reference to his drainage contract, pointing out that he had got \ clown a foot out of throe feet, but the sand was too much for him.—lt was decided that Crs. McKenzie, Dalton, and the overseer ehould visit the drain on Monday next. From Horowhenua County Council, asking for contribution towards maintenance of Shannon Ferry Road.—To be asked what proportion the Manawatu Council is expected to contribute. REPORTS. The County Clerk reported on the drain in Sanson township, and the Overseer was instructed to fill the drain up. TENDERS. On the motion of Cr. Barber, seconded by Cr. Henson, it was decided to call tenders for drain cleaning in Whirokino division, and for grading hill on Brown's line. ACCOUNTS. Accounts totalling £940 6s 8d were passed for payment. DEPUTATION. Mr J. Harris waited on the Council in reference to the state of the drain on River Bank line, and it was decided to clean it out, as , Mr Harris was willing to pay half the cost. BUSINESS DONE. It was decided to ask'the Drainage Board if they would find an outlet, for the water, if the Council puts a culvert in Tompkins' line. OVERSEER'S REPORT. The Overseer reported as follows: — Sandon Riding.—Mr E. G. McDermott has not yet commenced nis contract of supplying metal on the roads in this Riding, but expects to commence next week. In reference to the flood water at the Ohakea corner •

in winter-time flooding the road, it i will be necessary to make provision to carry off the water by putting in a two-foot concrete pipe culvert 66ft long, and the work should be put in hand as soon as possible. Mr McNae is progressing favourably with hie contract of supplying metal on the Cemetery Road. Mt. Stewart Riding.—Mr F. Rink has completed his contract for grading and metalling the Tiroroa Road satisfactorily. A good deal of extra work has had to be done on this contract in the shape of forming and metalling approaches to private, entrances, lengthening altering . grades, and batters on side cuttings and extra metal. Rongotea Ridings.—The usual repairs have been effected in tho shape of filling in ruts on Banks' Line and cleaning out drain on Jones' Line. A good deal of trouble is caused by flood water in winter-time along a low-lying portion of Tompkins' Line. The present drain is not large enough to carry off the water in winter-time. The water is backed up on to private property on one side of the road until it flows over the road and floods the property on the other side. In my opinion the Council should put a large pipe culvert across the road, and request the Oroua Drainage Board to open up an outlet for the water, as the present drain is inadequate to take away the flood-water, but before anything is done the Oroua Drainage Board should be approached in the matter. Kawakawa Riding.—The usual repairs have been completed in tho shape of trimming in ruts and breaking stones on the Taikorea, Kellows, Main Drain, and Pykes' roads. It would be advisable to take up the old bridge opposite Mr Duncan's on Couper's Line and put in large pipes. Messrs Mather and Boyle have commenced their metalling contract on Main Drain Road. The Oroua Drainage Board have, contrary to my agreement with the Engineer, deposited a large quantity of spoil on the side of the Main Dram Road which is creating a public nuisance. The spoil has been placed on the edge of road and above the present level of road, with a result that every shower of rain washes a considerable quantity of silt and mud on to the road, and almost makes the i road impassable. Mr Armstrong, Engineer for the above Board, assured me that the spoil should be placed clear of the metal road with a good between the spoil and road, but this has not been done, and I think it would be only reasonable to request the Board to , scoop out a water-table from the edge of metal five feet wide with an even grade on the bottom along the length of road where the spoil has been deposited. Awahou Riding.—The usual repairs have been effected on the FoxtonShannon Road in the shape of filling in holes and putting in two small culverts. Mr Petersen is progressing with his contract of supplying and delivering metal on the Foxton-Shan-non Road. T. Cordue was making good progress with the Wakapuni drain until the recent rain flooded him out and caused some delay. Whirokino Subdivision. —Mr 11. Behrent has almost completed his contract of grading and claying the sand-hill on No. 2 Line. There are several drains which should be cleaned out in this district before the winter. Carnarvon Riding.—During the month the newly metalled portion of the Foxton Road has been trimmed up, the new bridge at Makowhai is just about completed. Mr Jensen is progressing favourably with his contract for supplying and delivering J metal on River Bank Line. R. Sexton is pushing on with his drain contract, and will have the work completed about the end of present month. Mr P. O'Grady is not getting on as well as may be expected with his drain contract at the Kaikokopu lakes, the water is troubling him a good deal, and in some places the sand runs in almost as fast as they can throw it out. He has not yet reached the proper depth, and I am very doubtful if he will be able to get' down. E. Algar has also commenced his drain contract. Tramway Report.—The Linemen have completed the Himatangi curve. Owing to the sandy nature of the earthwork the whole embankment has been blinded with turf to prevent it drifting under the sleepers. The bridge across the Makowhai creek requires attention as soon as possible. The trestle has decayed away to a great extent, and I would recommend the Council to put in two new piles and rakers. It would be. advisable to lay down the rest of the "401b rails at the top of the Carnarvon incline j before the winter. We have on hand sufficient sleepere to do the work. The linemen are now employed taking out decayed sleepers near Oroua Downs and packing up the line.