COUNTY COUNCILS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 244, 14 September 1932, Page 4

COUNTY COUNCILS

MANAWATU COUNTY

REPORT OX WORKS.

Tlie monthly meeting of the Mana■wntu County Council was held at Sanson yesterday, Cr. Barber presiding. Also present were CYs. McKelvie, Pearce, Boyce, Reid, Perrett and Morcom.

CORRESPONDENCE

From the Minister of Employment, setting out particulars of a scheme for vegetable growing for unemployed.— It was decided- to refer the matter to the Sanson committee.

From the Main Highways Board, advising that it had decided to regard the renewal of culverts not exceeding 6in. square or 6in. in diameter as maintenance.—Referred to the engineer.

From the Public Works Department, suggesting that local bodies should give more time to the matter of traffic tallies at road junctions so ns to arrive at the average amount of traffic. Tt was suggested that a full time tally for at least three days be taken at Sanson and the traffic observed from all directions.—Referred to the engineer for action if the occasion warrants it at any time.

From the Public Works Department, advising that, owing to the limited amount of money available for the Public Works road estimates, it would be impossible to treat this year's estimates on the same lines as in the past and. further, that there was no guarantee of any money being available for new road or bridge works this

year.—The county clerk reported that the matter had already been dealt with by the executive, one road only lieing affected. The council endorsed the action of the executive.

From the Public Works Department, forwarding particulars of the rates of wages decided upon for subsidy purposes available for local authorities.— The council agreed to adopt the new rates of pav as from September 1. 1932.

From the Transport Department, forwarding a circular memorandum containing particulars of the newly drafted motor regulations and amendments to the present regulations.—Referred to a committee for investigation and a report.

From the Transport Department, regarding the classification of roads in the county, suggesting that the council favourably consider the adoption of class 3 as the maximum standard for roads in the Manawatu county, it he ing considered that construction and maintenance costs would be kept at a reasonable figure, while such a classification would amply meet the transport requirements of the county.—Left to the engineer to prepare a report for the council.

From the Department of Labour, Palmerston North, forwarding details in connection with the Unemployment Board’s scheme to augment the allocation under Scheme No. 5 by blending it with Scheme No. 2.—Received. From the Oroua Downs Dairy Coy., requesting the council's permission to lay pipes along the road through which to discharge the whey from the factory.—Referred to the engineer for a report. From the Rongotea Cemetery Trustees, asking the council to prepare a turning place for cars at the Rongotea cemetery.—Referred to Cr. Mo room and the engineer, with power to act. From Mr E. Brown, Foxton. requesting the council to give some attention to the drain on No 6 Line.—Left in the hands of the engineer, with power to act.

ENGINEER'S REPORT

Mr H. V. Bond, county engineer, made the following report on the work of the month :

“Ridings: In the Mt. Stewart riding a gang of men Rre working on Lee's Line, cutting out water tables and widening cuttings. Grading has been continued where necessary. One corner has been cut back on Cemetery Road and drainage matters attended to. Grading and general maintenance work lias keen continued in the Sandon riding. The surface of Taylor’s Line has been reconditioned sinco flooding occurred. The cuttings on Cemetery Road have been completed as far as possible. Several chains of water table aro being formed in Taipo Road, in the Waitohi riding. General maintenance, grading and draining has been continued. A white traffic fence has been erected at Leen's corner, Ivopane, and a little filling has been undertaken. The filling at this point will be continued as opportunity occurs. In the Rongotea riding, surface metalling has been proceeded with on Sanson's and Kaimarerau roads. The usual draining and grading has been continued. Several roads have been graded in the Carnarvon riding. The metalled and unmetalled portions of Whale and Shailer’s roads have been shaped up: culverts and drains have been cleaned. Koputaru Road has been lightly surface metalled. In the Kawa Kawa riding, surface metal has been spread on Couper’s, Taikorea and Mangawhata roads. The usual drain cleaning and grading is being continued. Downs Road has been trimmed up and sand blows covered. Grading and general maintenance work has been continued in tiie Awahou riding. On Poplar Road the metal was washed out bv flood waters, but has since been replaced and graded. Spring's Road has been attended to since the flood. Surface metal has been spread on Bowes and Spring's Roads.

''Highways: On the Rongofea-T.ongburn Road a few chains of shouldering lias been done and a little surface metal has been spread. The protection work at the Oroua River Bridge was damaged during rhe recent flood, and repairs will be undertaken as soon as possible. The deck repairs to the_ Whirokino Bridge have been proceeded with and a great improvement effected. The Whirokino Road is in fair condition but will be very soft for some time to come. The Shannon Road has been surface metalled from ICarikari Road to the Manawatu River Bridge. Some corners are being cut back and improved. All main highways have been maintained

and grading has been carried out where necessary.

“Tramway: The general maintenance of the track has been continued. Quite a number of sleepers have bad to be replaced at llimatangi and Rosina. The sheepyards have been repaired.”—Adopted.

RATE ROLL,

The following alterations to the county rate roll were authorised: —■ H. Prentice to E. M. Toms, pt. sec. 268, blk. I, Moutere; Hugh Akers to H. Sanies. Hiniitangi 3a, No. 1: E. L. Bali-Guymer to C. V. Cioehetto, pt. sec. 128. Camphelltown; P. V. Pegden to P. O'Regan, section 128, Sandon ; A. Giles to W. R. E. Mitchell, see. 34, pt. secs. 30/3, township of Carnarvon ; C. Gould to Bank of New Zealand, sec. 216, Rongotea Township; R. E. Dixon to F. Yanko, pt. sec. 387 A, bIk.XIV, Te Kawa.u S.D.; C. R. Dunford to J. R. W. Dunford, lots 7B sec. 3, Puketotara 334 '5. TREASURER’S REPORT.

Mr A. K. Drew, county treasurer, reported as under on the countv finances: —County fund account (debit), £12,677 Os lid; main highways loan account (credit), £76 3s 9d; loan account (credit), £1377 18s 3d; net debit balance, £11,222 18s lid. The amounts available for expenditure in the various ridings were _as follow: —Sandon riding. £3ll 8s id; Mt. Stewart, £237 14s sd; Waitohi, £249 11s sd; Rongotea, £334 7s Id; Carnarvon, £154 8s lOd; Kawa Kawa, £372 16s lid; Awahou, £195 8s 6d.— The report was adopted.

HOROWHENUA COUNTY

MEETING OF COUNCIL

The monthly meeting of the Horowhenua County Council was held at Levin, there being present: Crs Monk (chairman), Best. Whyte, Ryder, Atkins, Colquhoun, Gimblett, Catley and Jensen. Writing on behalf of the estate of the late Mr E. F. Yuile. the trustees stated that the only convenient access to the estate’s farm property, of 915 acres near Shannon was by Pretoria Road, which connected with the main north-south highway just south of Shannon. Pretoria Road was only partly formed and metalled, and was unusable by vehicles in its present condition except for approximately the first mile from the highway. The estate property lay at the end of the road. Tlie beneficial owners proposed, on the termination of the present lease, which would expire on July Ist next, to take the property over and conduct it as a dairy farm. This would mean considerable transport of fencing and building materials and daily use of the road. The Public Trustee had been remiested to take up with the council the matter of having the road completed and metalled for its full length. Information was sought as to the prospects of having the work done by July 10, 1933. A request for consideration to he given to Pretoria Road in front of his property was received from Mr J. Pirovnno, who stated that there was 20 odd chains which required metalling. He 'suggested that a little of the work be done each vear. Even this would he a great help to him, as well as to others, as it was almost impossible to use the road.—After a discussion it was resolved that the matter be referred to the councillors for the riding and the engineer. Messrs R. M. Lange, R. J. Barber and C. W. Hnnsmann, of Shannon, forwarded a letter stating that the top end of the Kaihinau Road required metal to enable the cream lorry to come in and lift their cream. It was essential that the metal he laid forth- \ with, as they were in danger of losing a service that was vital to their interests, as the road in its present state was dangerous for a heavy vehi- | cie. Attention had b*»en drawn to i this portion of the road before the win- I ter, but nothing had been done to relieve the position in tlie interval.—The application was supported by C’r Best : and it was referred to the councillors for the riding and the engineer, with power to act. Acting on behalf of Mr G. H. Stiles, tlie owner of certain land in Block

VIH., Mt. Robinson, S.D., Mr A. J. McLeavey applied for a lease of the piece of unformed road reserve lying between Mr Stiles’s property and the railway reserve, and so much of such road reserve as lies between the foot of his lands and the point where Waterfall Creek, or the main Makerua Drain, passes under the railway line. —Referred to the engineer for a report. Mr H. C. Rrent, telegraph engineer, Palmerston North, wrote stating that it had been noticed that employees of tlie council, in carrying out the work of widening the road portion of the highway and deepening the drain, had impaired the stability of poles numbered 416 to 419 inclusive, situated about half a mile south of Tokomaru. He asked to be advised as to the position and whether the council would rectify the matter by the restoration of some of the soil removed, or whether it preferred the department to furnish it with an estimate of the cost of lowering these poles.—The engineer explained that the road was not widened, but the shoulders had been taken off and the old drain had been cleaned out to give drainage to the road. The drain was in the same position as before the main highway construction was undertaken. The department had put the poles in the wrong place, in that locality, and lie could not- see that there was any liability on the council.—lt was resolved that the engineer confer with Mr Brent on the ground.

Mr A. A. Bond, Koputaroa, wrote asking if he could have permission to re-fence the piece of land on the side of Kukutauaki Road from the Heath-erlea-Koputaroa Highway to Mr Gay’s gate. The engineer stated that tliis was the same piece of land that the late surfaceman had been given permission to fence. It was on a by-road. —The request was granted. Application was made by Mr C. M. O’Sullivan, Manakau, for a culvert and two yards of shingle, to enable hint to gain entrance to his propertyon the Waikawa South Road.—Left in the hands of Cr Atkins and the engineer, with power to act. CYs Colquhoun and Gimblett were authorised to sign the contract for the construction of the new Muhunoa East bridge, at the price of £IOBO. The council granted applications received through Cr Atkins for the making of two turning-places for the cream lorry on the Post Office Road. Manakau—one at Mr Miles’s gate and the other at Mr Lean's gate in the vicinity of the subwav.

A deputation consisting of Messrs Bowling, junr., and Heremia waited on the council to make representations regarding the state of the road which was constructed by voluntary labour to give access past Mr Saint’s property to the Native farm settlement at Muhunoa East, this road having become impassable at times for traffic. Cr C'atlev introduced the deputation. After the deputation had retired, it was resolved that the councillors for the riding, with the engineer and the clerk, meet the settlers on the ground, and that they report to the council. The health inspector’s report was adopted.