HOROWHENUA COUNTY

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 35, 11 January 1926, Page 9

HOROWHENUA COUNTY

MEETING OF COUNCIL. The usual monthly meeting of the Horowhenua County Council was held at Levin on Saturday, Cr. Monk presiding. Others present wore: Crs. Bryant, Barber, Whyte, Catley, Jensen, Harlcncss, Ryder and Broadbelt. CORRESPONDENCE. From the Palmerston North Hospital Board, acknowledging the council’s letter in reference to the proposed loan for building purposes, and stating that the board was considering the details in conjunction with the Direc-tor-General of Health. When the exact requirements were known, consideration would bo given to the term of the loan.—Received.

From tho Department of Internal Affairs, enclosing report of the Commission which inquired into matters pertaining to the control of the Hokio stream.—Received.

From the Dairy Farmers’ Union, asking the council to reconsider its decision not to purchase birds’ eggs from children.—Received. , From the Public Works Department, advising that £SOO on a £1 for £3 basis had been approved in connection with the Waihonga suspension bridge over the Otaki river.—Received. In discussing the letter the chairman suggested that a deputation wait upon til© district engineer upon the matter. It was a deserving case and the council had not applied for much in tho way of grants. Also, it was a case in which all the burden should not fall on the local body. He moved that a deputation wait upon the engineer. This was carried, Crs. Monk, Catley, Jensen and the engineer being appointed. From the Public Works Department, returning plans and specifications in donation with the Waikanae-Otalci section of the Main Highways. If day work was to be done, permission must be applied for. —Received.

ENGINEER’S REPORT. The engineer (Mr W.;N, Anderson) reported inter alia as follows: -—Considering tho break in the period just ended owing to holidays, the work throughout the county has been carried out in a satisfactory manner. In the Tokomaru riding main roads are now in fair order, a further quantity of maintenance metal having been put out before tho holidays. Maintenance work will now be commenced on the district roads. The tractor with No. 2 grader finished work in this riding during the period. In regard to the proposed floodgate on the main road near Mekerua station, I inspected the land in the vicinity of the proposed floodgate and see no reason why Mr Christensen should not be allowed to erect same. Fair progress has been made with tho Aslilea-Temukanui road contract, but further work has been held up owing to a temporary bridge (over the main drain), erected by the Makerua Drainage Board, becoming unsafe for traffic. Tho engineers to the board have been notified of this matter but nothing has been done. I have, therefore, instructed the contractor to do any work necessary to put the bridge in repair and the Makerua Drainage Board will be charged with the cost of same. Work on Pretoria road will be put in hand almost immediately. Wirokino riding: I have nothing of importance to report on in this riding, everything being in very fair order. Plans and specifications of the Ohau west road extension have been forwarded to Wellington for approval and tenders will bo invited for same on their return. No. 1 crushing plant will bo in this riding in about two weeks’ time, when another start with the metalling of the Waitarero road will be made. Ranger: The ranger has reported to me as follows: During the period I have impounded 59 cows and 20 horses, most of which were secured at night. At present there are 22 informations to lay before the Magistrate’s Court on the 21st instant. There are some stock which have not yet been claimed and are still in the pound.”

WORKS COMMITTEE. Tho works committee reported as follows on matters held over for attention at previous meetings of tho council:—J. Swindlehurst, Shannon: (a) Road access, matter under consideration; (b) drain bordering property, on the arrival of pipes matter to receive attention. Messrs Cameron and Hennessey, Shannon: Complaint regarding condition of a bridge in the vicinity of Kara road, matter under consideration. Ohau branch Farmers’ Union, wandering stock at Ohau: Investigations have been made into the complaint with the result that satisfactory explanations" have been made in respect to the matter. Tho committee submitted to the council the following recommendations: 1. That in future owners of stray stock on district and main roads within the county be summoned without further notice. 2. That Mr R. Bevan bo paid tho sum of three pounds on account of metal placed on the road to his property which was acquired under the Public Works Act. 3. That in view of the general policy of improving angles on the main highway to make for additional safety for the travelling public, the Main Highways Board be approached with a View of obtaining their assistance in z-equest-ing the Railway Department to provide an overhead bridge south of Manakau which would be more in conformity with the scheme of improved highways. 4. That, in view of the Makerua Drainago Board carrying out operations which affect this council, a deputation be appointed from this council to interview the board at its next meeting to discuss the position. 5. That a working foreman be appointed to supervise formation work at Waikanae as directed by the engineer at the rate of 16s per day and that the wages of tho overseer, Mr Goldsmith, bo increased from 18s to 20s per day; also that such employees as are engaged at Waikanae on main highway construction work be paid at the rate of Is 9d per hour actual working time. In discussing the works committee’s report, Cr. Broadbelt said that he thought tho suggestion to appoint a working foreman to supervise formation work an excellent one. Although not wishing to “sweat” tho men, he felt that some supervision was needed. He thought that, in some cases, the council was not getting value ior money exponded. Ho had had complaints and wanted to clear matters up. The engineer pointed out that, unless he could have the names of the men complained of, ho could do nothing. As a rule complaints were made by people who did not understand tho position. However, he was prepared to investigate matters. Cr. Ryder supported Cr. Broadbolt’s remarks. The chairman thought that people making complaints should bo asked to put them in writing. He bad known people make general allegations but what was wanted was something definite.

The discussion then lapsed. In replying to a question by Cr. Whyte, in reference to the works com-

mittee’s report, the engineer alleged that the Makerua Drainage Board had failed to keep a bridge in repair, the consequence being that it was now in a very bad state. Cr. Catley expressed the opinion that, before any action was taken, the council should visit the scene and also inspect certain localities whore drainage operations were alleged to be interfering with the council’s property. Cr. Jensen supported Cr. Catley. Cr. Barber then complained of the action of the other members of the works committee in changing tlieir attitude. They had, ho said, supported him at the meeting of the committee and had apparently changed their views since. A wordy battle ensued between the various members of the works committee until called to order. Cr. Harkness then moved that no payment be made to Mr It. Bevan as suggested by the works committee. This was carried. Cr. Catley then brought the discussion back to tlio Makerua Drainage Board and moved that, before any deputation wait on the board, an inspection be made as suggested. This was carried unanimously. GENERAL. A number of Manakau settlers waited upon tho council with a request that a road be constructed through their properties. The length of road required was approximately 75 chains. The settlers were agreeable to forming a special rating area. —It was resolved that the engineer prepare an estimate of the cost of the work. With reference to the Taungatata bridge, tho chairman moved that the matter be referred to the works committee to report on. The engineer had reported that the work would cost £6OO. Tho motion was carried, tho report to be brought down at the next meeting. It was resolved that 10 per cent, be added to all unpaid rates after March 9. Accounts amounting to £7089 6s 2d were passed for payment.