OROUA COUNTY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 293, 8 November 1934, Page 4

OROUA COUNTY.

MEETING OF THE COUNCIL

The Oroua County Council met at Feilding to-day for its monthly meeting, Cr. A. Campbell presiding. Also present were Crs. W. Greenhow, A. B. Shannon, T. Green, and W. McLennan, Apologies for absence were received from Crs, R. J. McDonald and 0. MeElrov.

CORRESPONDENCE. From the Valuation Department advising that following recent sittings of the Assessment Court a number of property owners had served notice on the Valuer-General requiring him to reduce their valuations and asking for particulars of the rates levied. —The clerk reported that the details required had been furnished. From the Wa.imairi County Council asking the Oroua Council to oppose the proposal to amend the voting qualifications in counties by substituting universal suffrage for the present system. —“I think we can support this,” remarked tli'e chairman, “for there is no doubt the suburban counties are going to ‘get it hot and strong.’ In fact I would go further and amend the Dominion suffrage,” the speakef- added. The council agreed to support the Waimairi County Council. From the Bunnythorpe Cemetery Trustees, reporting on works done and asking for a further contribution of £7 10s. —Approved.

MAIN HIGHWAYS. Notification was received from the Main Highways Board that its representatives would meet the council on Saturday afternoon, December 1, at the Feilding Borough Council offices to discuss matters in connection with main highways in the county. The chairman suggested that the council again place before the board the sealing of Makino Road, but Cr. Green urged that the revival of the Onepuhi bridge be placed before the board. The bridge, he said, was in a bad state and unless something was done the council would find itself involved in a costly matter. The chairman wondered whether the board would entertain proposals in this regard, stating that the policy of the board was to be guided by traffic tally results, and the Makino Road figures showed heavier traffic than on the Onepuhi Road. Cr. Shannon supported Cr. Green, remarking that the board should treat requests on their merits.

The chairman said he had no objection to the matter being put before the board, and he reminded the council that all members were free to attend the conference with the board.

ENGINEER’S REPORT. The following report was submitted by the engineer (Mr R. L. Harding): Eastern Riding.—Gorge Bridge: The ‘decking is being respiked throughout. The Bunnythorpe Road bridge ha? been completed and opened to traffic and the old temporary bridge has been taken up. Mangaone bridge: The abutments and pier and beams of this bridge have been completed and the work of placing the decking reinforcing is now in hand. Improvements to corners on Siberia Road have been finished and the men arc now at work on corners on Ulysses Road. The corner above the water trough on Feilding Road has also been completed and a filling and culvert on Forlong’s Road has been widened.

Western Riding.—Two old culverts on Junction Road have been replaced with concrete pipes. Work at the Kakariki crusher has now ceased. -Work has been resumed at Short’s pit and gravel has been delivered. Kimbolton Road: Repairs to the sealed surface are now being carried out. Work under the No. 5 scheme has proceeded. At Halcombe the work has been principally confined to the laying down oi a tennis court on the reserve. At Feilding the formation of Lethbridge and Managh’s Roads has been proceeded with, also the road and ford across Kiwitea Stream on Forlong’s Road.

TREASURER’S REPORT

The treasurer reported : Total lates outstanding, (three years): Natives, 31/3/34, £753 16s 8d; Crown, £6O 15s; European, £9Ol 2s 6d. Total rates outstanding, three years, £1715 14s 2d. Collected: European arrears £421 4-s 3d, outstanding, November 8, 1934, £1204 9s lid. Amount of rates levied, 1934-35, £9558 12s 6d, collected to date 11/10/34, £1309 13s 7d, outstanding, £8248 i2s lid. Riding accounts : —Expenditure on maintenance: Western riding, £IO6B 15s 6d ; eastern riding, £955 18s lid. Bank balance: General Account (dr.) £730 4s 4d.

The following alterations were made on the county rolls: Est. T. IT. Bredin to E. F. C. Jolinski; W. G. Johnston to G. F. Jonston.

The engineer’s and treasurer’s re ports were adopted.