POHANGINA COUNTY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 62, 9 February 1933, Page 4

POHANGINA COUNTY

MEETING OF COUNCIL

The monthly meeting of the Pohangina County Council was held in the council chambers at Poliangina yesterday, when there were present: Crs S. Stratum (chairman), W. Howell, T. Close, T. Craine, G. M. Arbon, W. T. Pratt and J. McKenzie.

COR R ESPONDENCIS.

From Mr E. C. Spelman, Patanui, asking for permission to erect a pumping plant on the roadside near Dundas Creek, and also - requesting that permission he granted to cross the road with piping.—Subject to the approval of the engineer the request was agreed to.

Mr J. Wills, Poliangina, wrote requesting permission to shift a fence on the roadside near the Poliangina Hall. —The matter was left in the hands of the county engineer and the member for the riding to attend to.

From A. Radford, Palmerston North, advising that an accident had occurred at Utuwai, recently, in which his son had been injured, as a result of the latter’s motor cycle coming into violent contact with a private telephone line which was lying across the road. llle writer requested that the council see that all private lines be supported by strong poles and that they bo kept in safe condition.—lt was decided that a letter be sent to Air Radford sympathising with him, and intimating that measures would he taken to ensure the safety of traffic on county roads. A circular letter from the Commissioner of Unemployment intimated that the eradication of ragwort by relief labour was still permissible, although, in some quarters, it was thought that the arrangements in regard to the utilisation of relief labour ceased on December 31 last. The circular pointed out that ragwort eradication could still be carried on under schemes No.’s 4A and 5 (“over the fence”) payment of wages in the latter case being met from, and governed by, the usual allocation. Single men at present in camps might—at the discretion of the employing authority—he employed on such work which might be available at a reasonable distance from the camp.—The letter was received. The chairman: “There are men available and the use of their services in this direction will be made.”

From tlie District Engineer (Air H. H. Sharp) intimating that a requisition had been submitted to the head office for the monetary authority in connection with the To Awa bridge. The council should await the formal issue of the authority' to spend not more than £2OO, the letter added.— Received, the chairman stating that the formal authority would have to he waited for. j From the former Minister of Finance,' Mr W. Downie Stewart, acknowledging receipt of the council’s letter supporting the Kaiapoi Borough Council in its request that legislation he brought down to compulsorily reduce the rate of hank interest, and stating that the representations would receive consideration.—The letter was received. A councillor: “Probably the letter has found its way into the waste paper basket by now,” the Minister having resigned.” A circular letter was read from the Commissioner of Unemployment advising that when scheme No. o workers went off the register on to private work, or on to any other schemes, the money allocated for them for that week must remain unexpended and bo returned to the Unemployment Board, and must on no account he diverted to provide additional work for other scheme No. o men. “It is essential,” it was stated, “that the transfer of men from scheme No. 5 to other schemes should be made effective so far as allocations are concerned with the least possible delay. Also, when men do not turn up on scheme No. 5 jobs on their lue days, the money allocated for them for that day, or days, must also he returned, and must not he used, except in the case of sickness of the worker, to give them work later in the week, or for giving additional work to

other men.” The letter also stated that an inducement should be offered to men to accept private work by reducing tlie requalification period of registration in certain cases, in no cases must the period be reduced to less than one week.—The letter was received.

Dr. Barnicoat wrote stating tliat lie was driving northwards along the road through Apiti and a council lorry was behind ' him. The writer was keeping well to the left side of the road. The lorry was travelling faster than the writer’s car and overtook him, bur collided into his car in passing and the impact bent and damaged the mirror apparatus which juts out Iron) the windscreen. Dr. Barnicoat said he had pulled the car to a standstill and saw the driver of the lorry looking back, but he did not stop, although complainant beckoned to him to do so. Dr. Barnicoat then pursued the lorry and asked the driver to stop. Asked why he had run into the car the lorry driver denied having made any contact with it. The writer stated in his letter that there were two other men on the lorry at the time.—Received. The chairman stated that the driver in question had since left the employ of the county and that it was impossible for tlie council to do anything in the matter now. It was decided that Dr. Barnicoat be advised accordingly. The Commissioner of Unemployment wrote regarding inspections to he made in connection with contracts under scheme No. 4b. “Up to the present, the inspection of contracts under the hoard’s 4b scheme has been carried out by field officers of the Departments of Land and Survey, and Agriculture. Owing, however, to the increased volume of the normal duties of these officers, it is no longer possible for them to continue such inspections in the Pohangina County,” it was stated. “In this respect the board desires to know whether you could suggest a suitable county councillor possessing the necessary experience of farm development work, who would he willing to voluntarily assist the board in this way. The position, of course, would be honorary, but the board would be prepared to refund any actual and reasonable expenses which may he incurred during the course of such duty. Under section 2 of the Finance Act (Nck 2) 1932 provision is made for a councillor to act in such a capacity without prejudice to his position as a comity councillor. If you are unable to suggest a suitable man I shall be glad it you will advise me whether it would" he possible for the county engineer to undertake these inspections which perhaps, could he so arranged that the engineer could cover the ground during the course of his ordinary duties. As recent 4b applications are being delayed owing to this dislocation, I shall" be pleased if you will favour me with an early reply and any assistance given will be appreciated.”—Received. Several councillors intimated that they could not spare the time to perform the duties of inspector, and it was resolved, on the motion of Cl'. Howell, that the county engineer act in the capacity of inspector

GENERAL. The county clerk (Mr Orgias) brought ii]) a matter regarding the insurance of “over the fence” workers, and pointed out the council’s liability in respect of accidents to relief workers engaged in such employment. He suggested that a joint policy be taken out by the council and the farmer who engages a man under the plan. In cases where the farmer already holds a comprehensive policy, it would b© necessary to have the council’s name included in the'policy as co-employer. Jt was moved by Cr. Howell, and seconded by Cr. Close, that “in future anyone desiring to employ any worker under the No. 5 scheme (‘over the fence’) must pay the premium on a policy of insurance in the joint names of the employer and the council.”— Carried. J

I Cr. Pratt intimated that a complaint had been received by him regarding the condition of McNae’s Road and the engineer was instructed to visit the road and give it any attention required. Cr. Arbon made mention of the fact that wandering stock on county roads

was still being allowed by farmers, and that action should be taken against offenders in order to safeguard motorists against accidents. “The presence of wandering stock on roads has been troublesome for some time past and despite the fact that offenders have been warned the practice persists,” lie said.

A councillor stated that although no serious accident had occurred the practice would have to be stopped.

In connection with the rates due to the council a discussion took place regarding the imposition of the 10 per cent, penalty.—Cr. Pratt stated that some farmers would not pay •until they knew that the period of grace had expired, and notice should be given advising that the penailty was being added.—lt was decided to wait and see how the rates came in during the next three weeks.

Authority was given to the clerk to take his annual holidays as from Monday next. During his absence the county council’s offices will be closed. TREASURER’S REPORT.

| The treasurer’s report was as follows: —Credit at Bank of New Zealand, cemetery account, £l4 9s 4d; (deposit), £6O; loan account, £528 13s 4d; plant account, £1496 19s 2d. County fund account: Accounts presented for payment, £1315 11s ill, less already paid, £75 7s 6d, £1240 3s 7d; debit at Bank of New Zealand, £386 19s lid, plus outstanding cheques, £63 10s, £450 9s lid, less since lodged, £l6l 8s lid £289 Is Od ; debit balance, £1529 4s 7d. Ridings expenditure: Awaliou: £205 2s 2d; Alain Highway, £326 8s 4d, less subsidy, £205, £l2l 8s 4d; total, £326 10s 6d. Estimate: £605 1 ss; balance, £279 4s 6d. Coal Creek: £375 8s Id; Main Highway, £lB2 Is 7d. less sulisidy, £63 v £ll9 Is 7d; total, £494 9s Bd. Estimate: £752; balance, £257 10s 4d. Mangnone: £255 0s 9d; Mangaone Alain Highway, £137 11s Gd, less subsidy, £BO, £57 11s 6d; Taonui Alain Highway, £52 13s, less subsidy, £39 9s 9d, £l3 3s'3d; Ferry Road Alain Highway, £22 14s, less subsidy, £l6 13s 6d, £5 11s 2d; total, £331 6s Bd. Estimate: £763; balance, £431 13s 4d. Alangapikopiko: £592 2s 9d; Alain Highway, £lB4 12s 9d, less subsidy, £124. £6O 12s 9d; total, £652 15s 6d. Estimate: £918; balance, £265 4s 6d. Pohangina: £276 2s 7d; Alain Highway. £B9 15s 6d, less subsidy. £55, £34 15s 6d; total, £3lO 18s Id. Estimate: £662 ss; balance, £351 6s lid. Tamaki: £76 12s 7d; Alain Highway, £349 15s 4d, less subsidy , £262 10s, £B7 5s 4d; total, £163 17s lid. Estimate: £487; balance, £323 2s Id. Umutoi : £705 6s. Estimate: £960; balance, £254 14s.

The report was received and accounts amounting to £1315 11s Id were passed for payment.

ENGINEER'S REPORT. | The county engineer reported as under :—“During the past month a good quantity of gravel was carted out and spread by the two motor trucks. The power grader was put over Awahnu, Ashhurst-Pohangina and Ferry Road highways. Apart from this j work, only the permanent surfacemen. ] with the men who are working under j No. 5 scheme, were employed over the county. The permanent men have all had instructions to get on with the work of cleaning out watertabies and cutting shoulders off, to prevent storm water scouring the metal. The river- | bed metal carted in Tamaki was about | 900 yards, and was spread, where most 1 needed, on the recently declared ! length of highway. About 75 yards were stacked on the roadside near Dundas culvert. A small amount was also carted for repairing Opawa Road, some of which was dumped for future use. Any day now should see the metalling in this riding finished for the present year. Some of the decking planks on Te Ekaou bridge, which were broken by heavy traffic, have been replaced bv new timber. It is proposed to immediately proceed with the cartage of metal for Taoimi-Rau-mai highway. T would suggest, on completion of this work, that some of the pld bridges be thoroughly overhauled, as some of them are known to require strengthening.”—Received.