COUNTY COUNCILS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 10, 11 December 1930, Page 9

COUNTY COUNCILS

MONTHLY MEETINGS. POHANGINA COUNTY COUNCIL. The Pohangina County Council met yesterday, Cr. Stralian presiding. Also present were Crs. Arbon, Kniglit, Craine, Close and Howell. Cr. McKay was granted leave of absence. ItOAD TO CAMP SITE.

A letter was received from the board of directors of the Y.M.C.A., Palmerston North, stating that the association was not in a position financially to make a grant toward the cost of repairing the bridge on Patterson’s Spur Hoad, leading to tho camp site at Totara Reserve. The secretary, Mr C. Wood, pointed out that the association was doing its best to keep down a large overdraft, and as it had no endowments or profit-earning agencies, it was felt that no further expenses should be incurred. It was suggested that if the council would carry out the required repairs during the camp session any labour required would be supplied. Cr. Arbon said that he had inspected the road recently. The surface was in good order, but the stringer of the bridge was dangerous. A notice had been erected at this point stating that the bridge was unsafe for vehicles over two tons. .

It was decided to forward a letter of thanks to the Manawatu Automobile Association for a donation of £lO toward the cost of repairing the structure.

The engineer said that the road was safe for ordinary motor traffic, but not for heavy traffic. It would be possible to effect temporary repairs for £lO, which would make the road safe for traffic during Christmas, but permanent repairs, with a concrete stringer, would cost £35. Cr. Arbon said that the riding was not in a position to contribute anything toward the cost. Cr. Knight said that the road was kept open for pleasure. He advocated a contribution from the county funds. Cr. Craine: Why should the county pay? Cr. Arbon : The riding cannot. Cr. Howell: I sympathise with the suggestion, but must oppose it on a matter of principle. The engineer said that there was no legal objection. The engineer was instructed to carry out the work and charge the cost to the general fund in the meantime. FINANCIAL. The treasurer (Mr Orgias) reported credits in the following accounts: Cemetery £7 18s 8d (on deposit) £9O; loan £379 10s 4d (deposit) ±1400; plant £6Ol Is 3d; county fund £I3BB 12s sd, less current accounts £425 16s 3d; credit balance £962 16s 2d. TE AWA BRIDGE. Hon. J. G. Cobbe forwarded a copy of a letter from Hon. W. B. Xaverfaer, Minister of Fublic Works, regarding the proposed Oroua River bridge at Te Awa. The text of the communication was as follows: —“With reference to your interview with Messrs Craine and Johnston, of Pohangina, I have now to advise that 1 have further considered the request for an increased Government grant toward the cost of erecting tne bridge. The representations made oil that occasion have been given very earnest consideration with a view to meeting your wishes if at all possible, but, having regard to all the circumstances, especially in relation to the bridge problems of the country generally, 1 regret that 1 cannot see my way clear to provide a higher rate of subsidy than the £1 for £1 already decided upon. It appears that the requirements of the district will be adequately served by the erection of a structure capable of carrying a six-ton load, and I am of the opinion that the measure of assistance which has been offered may be regarded as very favourable by those who are most interested in tho matter. You will remember that Mr Craine was anxious to have some information concerning the sinking fund in respect to a loan for the bridge, and I have ascertained that as the type of structure allowed for in the estimates of £3600 consists of rolled steel joists on hardwood piles, it is customary for the Loans Board to regard the life of a bridge of this nature, for sinking fund purposes, as 30 years.” Cr. Craine said that a sinking fund for 30 years would substantially lighten the burden on the few ratepayers who would be concerned in the proposed loan.

The engineer said it would be essential to apply to the Loans Board for sanction, then take a poll of ratepayers. The matter was left in the hands of the engineer. UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF < SCHEME.

A copy of the communication from the Eltham Borough Council, setting out the scheme of the Mayor, Mr J. T. Bridger, for relieving unemployment and developing unoccupied lands, was before the council. —No action was taken. GENERAL. Hon. J. G. Cobbe advised that he was bringing the views of the council regarding the control of railways under the notice of the acting Prime Minister. Mr L. M. Hansen, was dog-tax collector. OROUA COUNTY COUNCIL. The monthly meeting of the Oroua County Council was held-at Feilding yesterday, Cr. A. Campbell presiding. Ako present were Crs. McElroy, Greenliow, Green, McLennan and Shannon. An apology for non-attend-ance was received from Cr. McDonald. CORRESPONDENCE. From the Main Highways Board, advising that an additional £IOOO had been provided for the maintenance of the Manawatu Gorge Road. —Received.

From the same, agreeing to the acceptance by the council of the tender of a New Plymouth firm for the tar sealing of Kimbolton Road at 2s 4d per square yard.—Received. From the Eltham Borough Council forwarding particulars of a scheme of settlement of unoccupied lands at Rotorua for the relief of unemployed married men.; —The council discussed the matter briefly and decided to hold it over till next meeting in order to gain further information regarding the scheme.

From the Audit Department stating that the county balance-sheet had been examined and was being returned free of “tag.”—Members expressed their satisfaction at the information. ENGINEER’S REPORT.

Mr R. L. Harding, county engineer, reported as follows: —“Eastern Riding: On the Bunnythorpe-Ashhurst Road, an old wooden culvert lias been attended to. There still remain on this road three old culverts that will shortly require replacing. , The new. filling on Pohangina road at the foot of Spur Road hill has been fenced and gravelled for tho full width. Durham Street, Asliliurst, has been scarified, graded and remetalled. Some gravel repairs have been carried out on Siberia Road, Henaghan’s Line and Grove Road, and water tables have been cut back on the Coly-ton-Aslihurst Road and the Watershed Road from Ulysses Road to Spur Road. On the* Lower Manawatu Gorge Bridge all damaged hand railing has been renewed and for the greater parts of

its length all gravel has been stripped from decking. Western Riding: The widening of the road opposite the Halcombe cemetery has been completed and will shortly be gravelled. All curves on the Feilding-Halcombe Road for two miles from the borough boundary have been banked and the remetalling of this length will shortly be commenced. Preparation work on the first two miles of Kimfiolton Road has been completed and the first coat of road oil will be applied next week. The screening and delivery of gravel for this work are now in progress. Gravel repairs have been carried out on the balance of this road and also on Makino and Mangaone Roads. Plans for the completion of the formation of Reu Reu Road have been completed.”—Received

TREASURER’S REPORT. The treasurer reported as follows: —Total rates levied, £14,920 13s 4d, collected to date, £5750 3s lOd, outstanding, £9170 9s 6d. Total rates outstanding for three years: Natives, August 31, 1930, £783 16s Bd, Crown, £66 16s 9d, European (mainly absentee) £2l 4s; total outstanding, £B7l 16s sd. Collected, European, £5 19s 3d; outstanding May 14, 1930, £865 17s 2d. Riding accounts: Western Riding, £1857 19s lid; Eastern Riding, £lll4 11s sd. Bank balance: General account (dr) £451 7s 3d; Highways Loan account (cr.) £498 14s Bd.—Adopted. THE RATE ROLL. The following alterations were made on tbo county rolls. —A. F. Jefferies, Robt. Currie and S. J. Jefferies to John Thomas Thompson and Eliza Ellen Thompson; M. C. Schormann to George Henry Holdcroft; Dorothy Alice McLennan to William Malcolm McLennan; P. O’Connor to Dinah Balfour; Chas. MacDonald to Gordon Garnett Edward Nicol.