KAIRANGA COUNTY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 297, 13 November 1934, Page 8

KAIRANGA COUNTY

MONTHLY MEETING

The monthly meeting of the Ivairanga County Council was held to-day, when Cr. D. Collis presided. Others present were Crs. Jos. Batchelar, M. A. Moody, R. A. Mercer, C. Anderson, M. W. Voss, and P. G. Mildon. Leave of absence was granted Cr. W. R. Hopcroft. • ENGINEER’S REPORT.

The engineer (Mr L. C. Pickering) reported as under on the works carried out during the month: Taonui Riding.—A commencement of the banking in connection with permanent improvements to the IvaivangaBunnythorpe Road has been made, good progress having been recorded, although suitable material for such work has had to be carted. Owing to the scarcity of sods in the locality in which banking is proceeding, a temporary bridge over the Gorge drain has been put in to assist in obtaining these. The shaker machine has been working at the Awapnni river beach, the metal screened having been used in patching the flanks of tarred roads. A gang of men have been cleaning kerbs, channels and horse tracks of College Street. Foxton Line tar patching has now been completed to Rangiotu. Noxious weeds have been grubbed on College Street, Maxwell’s Line and Melford Road. The truck is at present carting direct to roads from the river beach at Karere. The motor grader has been over the more important roads only. Mangaone.—The banking of the gasworks corner with pit metal to standard specifications has been completed and rolled, a primary coat of cut-back bitumen having been applied. Sly’s corner has now consolidated and will be similarly treated when completed. Progress with another curve is also being made. Formation work on James s Line at Bunnythorpe is now completed, and the gang have been shifted to Adsett’s on similar work. The following drains have been cleaned out: 19 chains, Napier Road; 12 chains, Cleveley’s Line; 25 chains, Setter’s Line. The stripping of the pit and screening or metal at James’s Line lias been continued, metal being used in the building up of curves on Napier Road. Ihe blinding of the “bleeding” primary coat on the Kairanga-Bimnythorpe Road lias received attention during hot days. A'minor mishap which might have ended disastrously occurred on the Kairanga-Bunnythorpe Road, the steering gear of the motor grader becoming suddenly locked with the result that the machine landed in a large drain opposite Mr Shaw’s and v“® driver had to receive medical attention although his injuries were not as serious as at first anticipated. Unly minor damage was sustained to tne machine. The riding truck has been patching roads as required. Fitzlierbert. Further progress with opening up of Scott s metal pit at Aokautere has been made. Over 120 chains of drains have been cleaned on Fitzlierbert East Road. The old West Road and Tiritea Road have been cut out and widened, further progress has been made with banking of No. 60 highway, 75 chains having been completed. Scarifying and picking out of large stones has been proceeded with, 35 chains near Linton and 40 chains on Keeble’s flat having received attention. The laying out of Scott’s Road extension has been completed and work in moulding up the road formation and hanking is now proceeding. Trucks have beSn carting screened metal for metalling of byroads, and carting crushed metal to scarified lengths. The motor grader has been over the main road only. The report was adopted. The following statement of bank balances was presented by the clerk (Mr N. I. Nielsen):— County fund No. 1 account, dr. £3992 0s 2d; county No. 2 account (plant), cr. £10,165 0s 9d; county No. 3 account (tarred roads), cr. £4Ol 15s 4d; Fitzherbert riding culverts and bridges loan, cr. £ls 13s 7d; new Fitzlierbert bridge lean, cr. £2699 £s 2d; Linton Domain Board, cr. £lO9 os sd; Fitzherbert West water race management account, cr. £lO4 Is lOd. —Received.

The following statement of riding expenditure was tabled: —Taonui riding : As per estimates, £2181; expended to date, £927 13s lid; balance, £1253 6s Id. Mangaone riding: As per estimates. £3581; expended, £1319 16s 6d; balance, £2261 3s 6d. Fitzherbert riding: As per estimates, £2565; expended. £938 17s 9d; balance, £1626 2s 3d. —Received.

RATES STATEMENT.

The following rates statement was presented : Taonui riding.—l 933-34 rates unpaid, at date, £122 7s lid; arrears prior to 1933-34 unpaid, £62 6s 9d; total £lB4 14s Bd. Mangaone: 193334 rates unpaid at date, £174 10s 8d; arrears prior to 1933-34 unpaid, £lB9 19s sd; total, £364 10s Id. Fitzherliert: 1933-34 rates unpaid, £285 0s 6d; arrears prior to date, £135 5s 3d; total £420 5s 9d. Grand total unpaid, £969 10s 6d.

Year 1934-35. —Total levied : Taonui riding, £6490 15s 9d; Mangaone, £4212 16s 7d; Fitzherbert, £4301 8s 9d. Paid to date, £279 19s 9d; outstanding, £14,725 Is 4d.

CORRESPONDENCE.

The Wainfariri County Council wrote urging that the council vigorously oppose any alteration to the existing county voters’ franchise.—lt was decided to support the request. The Kiwi Cricket Club made an application for financial assistance, its members being engaged in work in the interests of the council. —A grant of £2 2s was made.

The Main Highways Board, in pointing out that there were 500 bridges in urgent need of renewal in the Dominion, stated that the board had decided that, if its prior approval had been obtained, it would grant a subsidy of £2 for £1 to local authorities who especially engage a registered engineer . in private practice or utilise the services of the Public Works Department, if available, for tlie purpose of preparing plans and specifications of highways bridges under certain conditions.- —Re. ceived, a member remarking that it was a pity this had not come into force before the Fitzli-erbert bridge was commenced. Cr. Anderson added that it was a good idea and would he of benefit to the county when other bridges were undertaken. Messrs Jacobs and Grant, Palmerston North, on behalf of a client, wrote requesting that the county take over and dedicate that portion of the Tane Road to a point close to the entrance of the toll bridge—Following a discussion wherein it was mentioned that the county would be required to take over 30 chains of road, it was decided to decline the request. The Public Works Department advised that it would meet the council’s representatives in Palmerston North on Saturday, December I—The clerk reported that he had advised the board that the county desired to discuss the further reconstruction of the Kairanga-Bunnytliorpe Road, the Longburn-Rongotea Road, and also matters relative to the new declaration of Milson’s Line. The chairman invited all the members to be present. Mr G. H. Hampson, Linton, sought permission to move the fence between the railway and Scott’s Rond about 12ft nearer the road- for graz-

ing purposes. —The request was granted. The Bunnythorpe cemetery trustees made an application for a further subsidy of £7 10s towards the cost of the completion of a comprehensive scheme of improvements at the cemetery.—Crs. Anderson and Mercer spoke in support of the request and it was decided to make the grant. The Main Highways Board forwarded a list of items whereon the payment of subsidies was not permissible in highways claims. —In connection with this matter, the New Zealand Counties’ Association advised that the Matamata County Council had objected to the deletion of tlie subsidy on loose tools used for highway purposes. It was pointed out that in many instances tools were used for the whole of tlioir useful lives on one main highway and the action of the board meant that the whole of the cost of the tools would have to bo borne by the local authority in all cases. The engineer reported that no claims had been made by district county councils for at least four years past. The letter was received.

The Commissioner of Transport advised that arrangements had been made to supply lists of all applications coming before the No. 6 Transport Licensing Authority to trie counties interested. —Referred to the engineer for his attention. The Awapuni ranger reported having impounded 30 head ol stock during the month, while the Fitzherbert ranger reported having impoimued 17 head.' —Received.

HALF-HOLIDAY GRANTED.

It was mentioned that, provided the council was prepared to grant its. permanent men a half-holiday to participate in the celebrations to mark the return of Squadron-Leader McGregor and Mr H. G. Walker, the Labour Department would grant the No. 5 men a holiday also. _ The members agreed to accord their permanent men a half-day.