MANAWATU COUNTY

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 284, 4 November 1925, Page 3

MANAWATU COUNTY

MEETING OF COUNCIL. Tho monthly meeting of the Manawatu County Council was held at Snndon yesterday when there were, present: Sir James Wilson (in the chair), Crs Hunt, Harbor, Penny, Fagan and McKelvie. An apology for absence was received from Or .Boyce. CORRESPONDENCE. From tho Department of Internal Affairs advising that His Excellency the Governor-General had received a cablegram furnishing particulars of the forthcoming Armistice Day celebrations to be observed in London and asking that the two minutes’ silence be observed by all local authorities as from 11 a.m. on Armistice Day.—The council signified its. intention to observe the two minutes’ silence. From the Main Highways Board pointing out that, under the motor lorry regulations, provision was made for lorry drivers to enter in a book, provided for the purpose, the mileages travelled and tho locality of operations. Tho erection of notice boards indicating the county boundaries would assist in such direction. The board was prepared to subsidise the first cost on a construction basis and subsequent cost of upkeep upon a maintenance basis.—Agreed to. From tlio Alain Highways Board advising that, where it was necessary to divert highway traffic via a detour road, it would subsidise tho cost of maintaining such detour road in the same condition as it was usually maintained by the county.—lt was decided to include the Wliirokino road under this classification. From the Alain Highways Board advising that it would assist local authorities in the purchase of plant and machinery, specifications of the plant required to be forwarded to the board which would call for tenders for same. —The scheme was considered very favourably and when the occasion arises the assistance of the board will be sought. from the Public Works Department advising that it had been resolved that the contributions to local bodies towards the maintenance of main highways would be increased during the current year from £1 for £2 to £1 for £1 contributed by the local body as from April Ist last. The increased grant, it was pointed out, was not to relievo local bodies of expenditure, but was to be used for the purpose of improved maintenance of the highways. Closer supervision would, in consequence, be exercised by the board.— Received, an invitation to bo extended to Air Hannah, district engineer, to pay a visit of inspection to the county. From the Public Works'Department forwarding entrance form for examination of overseers to be held probably in the second week of December.—Received.

From tho Railway Department forwarding quarterly report of the council’s line and suggesting certain improvements thereto.—Left in the hands ; of the engineer. From the Railway Department directing attention to the necessity of carrying out repairs to bridges i and 4 immediately.—The engineer reported that lie had the matter m hand. From the Christchurch City Council in reference to a pronouncement made by the Prime Minister relative to the constitution of a board to which all applications for loans by local bodies would be referred to determine whether the proposals tor which the power to raise money was being asked were in the best interests ol tne requisitioning locality, or of the county, the writer stated that liia council viewed with apprehension any suggestion that the Government should interfere with or restrict the rights of the ratepayers of any local body in raising money for local purposes. The council, however, favoured the establishment of a board for the purpose of funding local bodies’ loan requirements with a view to the stabilisation and equalisation of interest rates and charges upon loans. The council’s support in entering a protest to tho Government’s proposed action was invited.—On the suggestion of the chairman, the matter was held over pending a direct announcement by tho Government. From tho Christchurch City Connicl objecting to the suggestion that additional inspectors be appointed to administer, from Wellington, regulations in connection with the control of cinematograph machines and the storage of films, and asking tlio co-operation of the council in the lodging of a protest.. —Received. From E. N. Young, secretary Alnnawatu Heads Library, inviting a donation from the council.—The opinion was expressed that it was not a county matter and the letter was accordingly received. The secretary, Wellington-Nelson provincial court of the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition, writing under date of October 5, reported that the work on the court was now well in hand. In view of tho fact that payments! had commenced it was necessary that the council’s contribution be received.—The clerk was instructed to forward the county’s donation. RATE ROLL. Tho following alterations to the rate roll were authorisedA. S. Dench to D. Gustofson, lot 1, sections 311/6, Te Kuwait; R. Waller to Airs C. T. Waller, part sections 387 and 267 a, Carnarvon ; estate E. Short to Wanganui Education Board, part 1, lot 1, section 384, Carnarvon; Huxford anil Turner to Lyle Chandler, lot 24, part 26, section 315, Carnarvon; estate H. J. Dove to E. A. Dove, lot 51, section 86, Sandon ; E. R. Quinlan to H. E. Fieldhouse, section 265, block lII'., Alakowliai. ENGINEER’S REPORT.

The engineer reported :—Zhuiuon riding: During the past month metal has been ciirted and weak places repaired on Gust’s, McDonnell’s and Speedy’s roads which are now in fair order. A small wooden culvert was taken out and replaced with pipes. The lengthening of the culvert and widening ol Speedy’s road near the Ohakea Hall has been completed. Mt. Stewart: Maintenance work during the month consisted chiofly of carting repair metal on Feilding-Awahuri, Kowhai, aim Stewart’s roads. The road grader has completed trimming and grading liakchou road and is now employed grading out the water tables and trimming up Lee’s road. The surface of bridge No. 2, Feilding-Awahuri road is becoming uneven and requires strapping. This work should be done as soon as possible, the estimated cost being £2O. The fence along the embankment near Awahuri requires immediate attention and sholud be replaced with new material at the earliest opportunity at a cost ol £25. Bridge No. 46 over the Mangaone creek on Rakehou road requires l repairs to the decking. Rongotea: General repairs have been carried out on the various roads in this riding. A quantity of metal was carted and spread where required on RongoteaLongburn and McLean’s roads and also

Tompkin’s road. Ivawa Kawa: Metal is now being carted along Alain Dram road with tho dump truck from tho tram-line. We have now trimmed up Air Saunders’ road with the grader a little metal may lie required later on to put the road in first-class order. Carnarvon: Tlio contractors have completed their contract for supplying and delivering metal on Riverbank and Rosina roads. About 48 yards of extra metal was placed along a section of Riverbank road not included in their contract. The contractors at Tailgimoana arc making fair progress with their contract for forming and metalling roads and streets and under favourable conditions they will complete tho work during the present year. J have also taken levels of other streets in Tnnginioana extension and I intend preparing plans and specifications for tho Lands Department during the present month. Awahou : Repair work has been carried out along Foxton-Shannon road in the shape of filling in holes am, ruts. The fence along the Government drain on Wliirokino road should be put in order. An inspection of the right angle turn on Wliirokino road was made and it was decided to erect a protection fence on the side of the drain opposite to the turn in the road. An inspection was also made of the corner of the same road on tho Foxton borough boundary; the street pleading to the Wliirokino road is 150 links wido and Wliirokino road which junctions with Purcell street, is only 100 links wide. The latter street is formed and metalled on the south side of the road line and about six feet lrom the southern fence, which makes the corner very dangerous as an electric light pole has been erected in line with the west fence six feet from the corner on the edge of tlie metalled road in the borough and a telegraph pole stands about 28 feet from the corner oil Wliirokino road which also stands in the way of improving the corner. Bridges: There arc quite a number or bridges on Alain road that require painting and fencing on each side. There are four on Feilding-Awahim road and one on Stewart’s road. To repair the fences and paint these bridges would cost from £4O to £SO and including the bridges on Foxton-Sandon, Bulls-Awa-huri and Wliirokino road the cost would he approximately £l5O. River protective works: At the top end of tlie river protective works adjacent to the crushing plant, some of the stone crates slipped down slightly and cracks appeared on the top of the bank. When I discovered what was taking place I immediately set to work to strengthen the "protection by putting down some extra crates. '1 lie work is not yet quite completed but we have made the position secure. Slone crusher: Crushing operations were very satisfactory' during iast 'month, 1913, cubic yards of stone being dealt with. Alain highways: The engineering and survey of Bulis-Sandon section will be completed during the present week. There are several culverts to be lengthened and live new culverts required, four of concrete and one of pipes. It is also proposed to carry the storm water around O’Brien’s corner with a 12-inch pipe line for a distance of three chains- as an open drain would be dangerous and would also require considerable attention. Tramway: A short section of damaged rail is being removed and replaced south of Alakowliai siding. Decayed sleepers have been taken out in several places along the line south of Sanson, and a quantity of ballast was used to pack up slack places along the line whore required. It was decided that the Horowlienua Power Board bo requested to move the pole at the junction of Purcell street and Wliirokino road as suggesed by tlie engineer, while the latter was also authorised to have the necessary repairs mentioned in his report attended to. TRAFFIC INSPECTOR’S REPORT. The traffic inspector reported, inter alia, that, during the past month, he had been engaged in patrolling the county.and collecting the dog tax. In regard to goaso on roads, a few yettlers had cut a chain or two but had then left olf and he proposed issuing summonses against them. Since his last annual report the following amounts had been collected by him: —Heavy traffic under by-laws, £SO; heavy traffic tinder motor regulations, £289 13s 6d; vehicle licenses under by-laws, £4; drivers’ licenses, Motor Vehicles Act, £196 10s; fines under by-laws and motor regulations, £ll9 ss; hawkers’ licenses under by-laws. £5; dog tax to date, £104; total £768 8s 6d. GENERAL. It was decided that an electric blower be installed at tlio smithy. Mr W. A. Waters, engineer to the Alanawatu-Oroua Power Board, is to be invited to visit Sandon to demonstrate the system of feeding at the crusher plant. Public notice is to be given that legal proceedings will bo taken against all persons allowing stock to wander on the roads. Accounts amounting to £2072 Is Oil were passed for payment.