OROUA COUNTY

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 143, 21 May 1925, Page 10

OROUA COUNTY

MONTHLY MEETING OF COUNCIL.

(From Our F(aiding Correspondent.) The monthly meeting of the Oroua County Council was concluded yesterday afternoon, Cr. Campbell presiding. CORRESPONDENCE. The private secretary to the Prime Minister wrote conveying sincere thanks to members of Orbua County for tlioir kind expressions of sympathy.—Received. The State Advances Department advised that tho council’s application for a loan of £250 for tho Gorge nood had been granted, and forwarded application form and debonture. —Received. The Public Trust Office advised that tho terms under which a loan of £2500 for road works would be entertained were 6 per cent, interest, term 20 years, with a sinking fund of 2 per cent,, with no right of interim payment.—Received. The A.M.P. Society wrote stating that it was unable to entertain application for loans for'“some time to oome, as all surplus money was pledged.—Received. Tho Muin Highways Board forwarded authority for work on the Palmerston North-Ashhurst road. —Received. GORGE ROAD. The Gorge Road Board of Control forwarded a statemont of receipts and expenditure, also an estimate of the cost of completing the work. The increased expenditure would mean, explained tho chairman, a further contribution of £7OO.

Cr. McElroy, as the representative of the council oil the board, said that tho Government originally asked the board to reduce the estimate by cutting into the hill instead of erecting pillars, but the board’s engineers reported against the suggestion. Difficulties unforeseen had arisen which, together with increased costs of law material, had meant that the original estimate had been exceeded. The various matters were explained in detail by Cr. McElroy, who said the position was that the board must decide whether to carry on with the assistance of the contributing bodies or close down and throw the responsibility of completing the road ion to the Government. There was, however, a further option and that was for representatives of the contributing bodies to form a deputation to the Government, and the speaker thought they would carry more weight than a deputation from the board itself. Tho chairman said ho was strongly of opinion that the board should definitely state that they were not prepared to find any further money and take the stand that the Government be forced to take the road over and complete it. Cr. Vincent thought that tho Government should take over tho road and complete it in tho same manner._as it had done the Paekakariki hill and Ngahauranga Gorge. Cr. Greenhow said there was one aspect that should not be lost sight of—that the Government had suggested a width of road of 18 feet, while the Control Board made it 21 feet. He approved of the deputation being from the contributing bodies and not from the hoard itself. Further, at tho Woodville end the road was being made even wider than 21 feet, so there was no chance of tho road being completed at a less width. In the same connection the Woodville Borough Council wrote forwarding copy of a resolution suggesting that the Gorge road bo declared a Government road, and that in tho meantime no further expenditure be incurred. After some further discussion the chairman moved that this council is of (he opinion that representatives of the interested local bodies should wait on the Government and insist on it taking over the road. —Carried. Cr. McElroy was re-appointed as the council’s representative on the board. GENERAL. An Ashhurst resident complained about wandering stock at night, and an investigation is to be made with a view to taking legal proceedings against the owner of the stock. It was also resolved to obtain monthly reports from the county rangers. The council decided to advise the Kiwitea County that it agreed to the allocation of the cost of the work of renewing Haynes creek bridge, but considered that tho plans were for a too elaborate structure.

The chairman, the engineer and„Cr. McElroy were appointed to represent the council at a joint meeting o£ local bodies to be held in Palmerston North on June 4th to consider matters in connection with the operation of the Main Highways Act. Mr J. T. Handley, of Halcornbe, waited on the council with regard to the imposition of the ten per cent penalty on his rates, which had not been paid on due date, lie said that he had not received the demand notice, and therefore ho felt that ho should not be called upon to pay the penalty. After the chairman had pointed out that the office had sent out notices. Air Handley said that he was not satisfied with the position, and would defend any action for the recovery of tire penalty. Currie Bros., of Ashhurst, wrote concerning the formation of a road at the back of the Ashhurst station, estimated to cost £165, and it was resolved to undertake tlie work as soon as possible, as it was recognised that it would prove of benefit and convenience to tho settlers in the district.

Tho following alterations to tho rate roll were approved: J. H. and J. G. Davis to 11. Holroyde ; G. Stevens to J. R. Temperley; 11. Smith to Wm Gibson; Commissioner of Crown Lands to J. W. Ci'ooke; A. G. Chaytor to W. J. Smith; G. Kreeghor to A. Krecgher; P. Hanlon to Abranam and \Villiam3.

ENGINEER’S REPORT. The engineer reported inter alia: —Taonui riding: The work of replacing in concrete the old culverts in this riidng has been completed for this season, six culverts having been replaced. Tho roller is at present at work on the top end of T'aonui road. About 400 yards 6f gravel have been placed on Bunnytborpe road, and on Reid’s Line. The Taonui-Bunny-thorpo road has been trimmed with tho grader. Hiwinui’ riding: The regrading of the small hill on Bunnythorpo-Ash-hurst road has been completed, and sufficient gravel placed thereon to carry through tho winter. Tho two large culverts on Midland road and one on Ulysses road have been replaced in concrete. About 200 yards of gravel have been carted out on Upper Watershed road. Repairs have ulso been carried out on the Palmerston North and Gorge roads. Tho roads have also been trimmed with tho grader. Otangaki riding : Tho greater portion of Palmerston North road has received a top dressing of fine screened gravel which should effect a considerable improvement to the running surface. This road has also been trimmed with the grader. The work of asphalting footpaths in Ashhurst has been stopped, and 1 consider no further work of this sort should be attempted until next summer. Aorangi bridge: After a thorough inspection of this bridge, I find that, in addition to the work already carried out, it will bo necessary to replace three cords and 110 blocks to make tho bridge reasonably safe. Tho timber has arrived, and the work is now proceeding. I estimate the cost at £320, although as the work proceeds it is quite likely that additional repairs will be found necessary. The bridge as a whole is in a bad state, and although it may bo patched up to last for sovoraJ years, I am of tho opinion that stops should be taken to make provision for its renewal at an early date.