POHANGINA COUNTY

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 114, 10 April 1930, Page 9

POHANGINA COUNTY

MEETING OF COUNCIL. The monthly meeting of the Pohangina County Council was held yesterday, Cr. Strahan presiding. Also present were Crs. Howell, Close, McKay, Roulston, Arbon and Knight. SUPPLY OF HANDBOOK. The Government Statistician, Mr M. Fraser, advised the council that the recent decision regarding the sale of the Local Authorities’ Handbook must stand. The council had complained against a charge being made for this publication, in view of the fact that the bulk of the information it contained was supplied by the local authorities. Mr Fraser pointed out that a change had recently been made by the Government whereby the distribution of all publications had been taken over by the Government Printer, and it was quite out of the question for the Pensions and Statistics Office to pay annually the £270 which would, be involved in providing each local body with a copy of the handbook. Cr. Howell: They ought to cut out Hansard and supply the handbook free. It was decided to order a copy. PROTECTION TO BRIDGES. Referring to the maintenance of wooden bridges, the district engineer, Mr R. H. P. ltonayne, advised that in addition to the usual maintenance more attention was essential in removing grass and scrub from near abutments and piers. In addition to rot set up by bridge timbers being continually damp, there was also the danger of fire in the summer. Fire buckets and a length of rope should be kept in a suitable locker on all big wooden structures. The chairman: This county complies with most of these requirements. Cr. Knight: Except the fire buckets. Cr Close: A kerosene tin would do. Cr. Howell: We would need to put a chain on the fire buckets. The engineer: Fire buckets certainly appear to be a very wise precaution. We have already had an outbreak of fire on a bridge at Tamaki. The engineer was instructed to inspect the bridges and equip the more important ones with fire buckets. RIVER EROSION. Writing with reference to river protection near the llaumai bridge, the district engineer stated that another inspection of the erosion had been made. In a case of this kind, the council would be well advised to obtain advice of Mr F. C.. Hay. Provision should be made on this year’s estimates for river protection worKs at this place. The chairman observed that the employment of an outside engineer would take a lot of responsibility from Mr Watson’s shoulders. The engineer thought it likely that a Government subsidy would be forthcoming if an outside engineer was employed. .. , Ur. Close said that he was confident that the council’s engineer was competent to carry out the work. Mr Watson said he was quite prepared to refer the matter to an outside expert. Cr. might said that he was fairly conversant with the formation, and the river appeared to have little effect on the real papa. The shale was being cut out certainly, but he thought there was no cause tor immediate concern. “I know that I have been the only one against protection on that side of the river, as 1 consider it quite unnecessary,” said Cr. Knight. Cr. Close suggested that the engineer get in touch with Mr Hay and see what arrangements could be arrived at. The council also secure an estimate of the cost. Cr. Roulston: I think it is a waste of time and money. . A motion on the lines of Cr. Close e suggestion was carried, the engineer to report to the council. Cr. Knight: Tamaki riding will have to put its rates up this year, and will have to double them if this scheme is adopted. BRIDGE AT TE AWA. Replying to a communication from the council regarding the deputation of settlers which waited on the council at the lust meeting with respect to the proposed bridge over the Oroua River at Te Awa, Hon. J. G. Cobbe wrote stating that he was referring the question of a subsidy on a light traffic bridge to the Minister of Public Works, and would communicate with the council laer. The clerk was instructed to write to the Kiwitea County Council asking it to accept a deputation from the Pohangina Council at the site of the proposed bridge at Te Awa, and to carry out an inspection. FINANCIAL. The treasurer reported credit balances on the following accounts: Cemetery, £9B 3s 8d; loan, £984 4s lid: plant, £6Ol Is 3d; county - fund, £4951 4s lid;.total, £6634 14s 9d. Outstanding cheques totalled £45 9e 9d, bringing the balance to the credit of the council to £6589 6s. Accounts totalling £1304 8s 2d were passed for payment. GENERAL. The engineer was authorised to cooperate with the Manawatu Automobile Association in the erection of sign posts in the county. On the motion of Crs. Close and Howell it was decided to thank Mr Whitehead for the gift of metal for No. 1 Line. . j It was stated that an application had been made to the Public Works Department for a continuance of the present Pohangina Valley highway through to Apiti. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The engineer (Mr D. Watson) reported as follows on the operations of the past month: —Awahou riding: Gravel on the main highway was raked in with the power grader. Repairs to llaumai bridge were effected by screwing up the rods and tar-eealing the deck planks, etc. Tho roadman’s cottage has received two coats of* paint, and part of the interior was also renovated. Coal Creek riding: The permanent surfaceman was employed carting gravel and attending to general road maintenance work. 1 have arranged to have a fence erected at the approach to London’s ford bridge. Mangaone riding: A gang of men is employed excavating, widening out, nnd extending the cement pipe culvert on Taonui-Raumai highway. The grader was run' over Ashhurst-Pohan-gina and Ferry roads. Mangapikopiko riding: Repair gravel was carted and spread on Ridge and Makoura roads. Cement pipes are to hand and the work of replacing the old bridge on Makoura Road, which would be too costly to repair, will be attended to as soon as possible. The permanent man has been engaged cutting bends and widening out Table Flat Road. Pohangina riding: Gravel is being carted by motor trucks to widen nnd build up a length of the main road above the township. Tamaki riding: About 200 yards or gravel were carted from Piri P'Ti bridge and spread on Delaware

Flat. A small amount of pit gravel was also carted out on Opawe Road. Overhanging’ scrub was cut back and watertablel cleaned out on the main road. Umutoi riding: The caterpiller grader has shaped up Umutoi North, Piri and Norsewood roads, but as most of the roads are very hard for grading the men are at present employed cutting back corners and widening out where the roads are very narrow. Eight old wooden culverts on Makoura Road were replaced with concrete pipes, and gravel for repairing was carted by the surfaceman. Very good progress has been made with the work on Tunipo Road. Most of the clearing off and widening out is finished, and about 300 yards of gravel were carted. The long concrete culvert and retaining walls have been built. Two truck loads of concrete pipes were delivered on the t’ob and a good number of them have >een put in place.