HOROWHENUA COUNTY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 89, 14 March 1934, Page 5

HOROWHENUA COUNTY.

MEETING OF COUNCIL. The monthly meeting of the Horo- | whenua County Council was held at Levin when there were present: Crs. G. A. Monk (chairman), C. P. Jensen, A. J. Gimblett, A. M. Colquhoun, J. It. Whyte, L. H. Best, G. P. Catley, and L. H. Atkins. Leave of absence was granted Cr. F. J. Ryder. The chairman of the Main Highways Board wrote with reference to a previous circular intimating that no subsidy was to be payable on any travelling allowance which might be paid by local authorities to drivers or operators of graders and other plant. The board now desired to inform local authorities that it was prepared to fix plant hire rates in respect to portable huts which may he provided to accommodate drivers or operators of I plant used in connection with ordinary highways maintenance. The decision will also apply to portable huts used on main highways for the purpose of housing tools. The letter was received. The manager of the Longhorn freezing works wrote stating that his firm had been advised by their cattle drovers that there was a dangerous cutting near the railway siding approximately opposite Mr A. Prior’s property, on the main road. It required a few battens to prevent cattle deviating from the road to the top of the bank. It was pointed out that cattle were inclined to climb to the top of the cutting and were liable to damage it in returning to tire road, if the council could arrange to put a small fence across the entrance to the cutting, this would be obviated. On the matter being referred to the engineer for his attention, Cr. Gimblett suggested forwarding the letter to the Main Highways Board to show that the road was not used only by motor traffic. It was a bad piece of road to take stock over, Ire said; and the letter would give the board an idea of the feelings of farmers. He added that there was another sharp corner a little further on. How the board had seen fit to leave the road in its present state while so many unemployed men are available was a puzzle to him. The works committee reported as follows : —-Deepening of Aratangata Drain: The committee have no recommendation to make regarding the deepening of this drain. In the opinion of the committee, the council s interest in the drain should be confined to maintenance under the existing arrangement with the settlers concerned until they are prepared to cooperate in placing tiro drain under the control of the Manawatu-Oroua River Board in like manner as the floodgate in the drain was installed and is controlled by that body. Formation and metalling of the HokioWaiterere Road: In connection with this request the engineer has furnished an estimate of the cost of the work involved, the total being £ll7 10s., The committee do not consider that it is advisable at present to construct any additional length of road.until the consideration of the estimates for 1934-35. Installation of culverts: The committee recommend the discontinuance of the granting of culverts free of charge to provide the ordinary approach to properties. In regard to culverts installed by the council over water-races, it is recommended that the policy of the council be to maintain the same out of the water-race account concerned. Regarding any new culverts required within water-race districts or elsewhere, the same be provided at the applicant’s expense, subject to payment being made before delivery. Purchase of new truck : The committee have to report having authorised the purchase of a 2s-fon truck with a 2yds carrying capacity. Additional shed at the depot: The engineer has been authorised to proceed with the erection of a shed at the depot for the purpose of housing plant, at an approximate cost of £IOO. After consideration by the council, all the clauses in the ' report were adopted.