HOROWHENUA COUNTY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 194, 16 July 1935, Page 12

HOROWHENUA COUNTY

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Horowhenua County Council was held at Levin on Saturday, when Cr. G. A. Monk presided. Others present were Crs. L. H. Best, J. 11. 'Whyte, F. J. Ryder, C. P. Jensen, A. M. Colquhoun, A. J. Gimblett, and D. K. Guv. An apology for absence was received from Cr. L. H. Atkins. MANGAORE STREAM. A deputation from the Makcrua Drainage Board consisting of Messrs H. Seilert (chairman), T. D. Lynch, and J. D. Aitchison waited on the meeting to invite the council to join a deputation from the Shannon Borough Council, the Buckley Drainage Board, and the Makerua Drainage Board which purposed interviewing the Minister of Public Works to urge that steps be taken to have the Mangaore Stream fittingly protected and the break in the bank, which had developed, repaired. The deputation was introduced by Cr. Best. In explaining the position which had arisen, Mr Seifert pointed out that some years ago the Public Works Department had introduced the Manganao hydro-electric scheme and had diverted a considerable amount of water on to this side of the range. A certain amount of banking along the Mangaore Stream had been carried out, and while only a small portion of it was in the Makerua Board’s area, should a flood occur a considerable area from which the board gained its rates would be seriously affected. He considered that all the bodies concerned should co-operate in respect to putting the banking in order and authorise one body to supervise its care in the future. It was the contention of the other three bodies involved that it was the duty of the Public Works Department to safeguard the area. Mr Lynch pointed out that the engineer at Mangaliao had admitted that there was ten times as much water now coming down the stream as originally. The bank was outside the board’s area and the members failed to see why the board should bo the party required to repair the break. The chairman asked why the site of the bank was altered. Mr Aitchison : It was at the request of the Public Works Department, but why I do not know. Cr. Gimblett: Where is the break?

Mr Aitchison : Below the bank near the Manawatu River. Even the mouth of the stream has closed tip bv some five feet by tho deposit of gravel which has been brought down by the increased flow of water.

Cr. Best said that, if ho were not mistaken, tho Public Works Department recompensed tho settlers above tho bridge originally, and he doubted whether they would now assume any liability in respect to damage resulting from flood waters coming over. Mr Aitchison: Compensation was given to those settlers above the main road, but not below. Mr Seifert: Wo came to ask you to join with us for there is a danger of your road becoming submerged and the route blocked.

Cr. Ryder asked whether it would bo possible to install a silt trap, Mr Seifert stating in reply that while the banks were very narrow this might be possible. Following upon the retirement of the deputation, the matter was dealt with in committee, it being decided to refer it to the works committee so that an inspection could be made of the site. HOKIO BEACH ROAD.

Tbo Hokio Development Association wrote drawing attention to the state of the road leading to the beach settlement, pointing out that it had been covered with floodwater from the Hokio Stream for some time —a trouble which had been recurring each year and which was becoming worse. The chairman pointed out that obstructions in the stream were largely responsible. The difficulty was to secure the power to enter tho property to remove the obstructions owing to a large portion of the area being native land. He suggested that the council approach the Native Department so that the natives could be employed on the work, tho latter body to apply to the Unemployment Board for a subsidy. Possibly, if necessary, the council would uiutertake the work of supervision.

Cr. Gimblett considered the suggestion was an excellent one, for he was satisfied that the levels would permit of the work being satisfactorily accomplished. Cr. Jensen maintained that until the levels wore, definitely ascertained the position was doubtful and might recur annually. The chairman : I would not suggest tho levels being undertaken until the attitude of the Native Department is ascertained. Cr. Ryder said that there was ample fall and the suggestion was a happy one. Cr. Gimblett moved that the Native Department be approached on the matter. Cr. Colquhoun seconded, and when put to tho meeting the motion was carried. CRAW’S ROAD.

The Kairanga County Council wrote inviting the council to bo represented at an inspection of Craw’s Road. “There is some doubt as to the legal position of the road, present width, etc., and it was decided to meet the parties interested on the ground to discuss matters,” added the writer. “As the road runs through both counties it was accordingly decided to invite representatives of your council to meet us, and we would ask you to submit a date suitable to your memk°Cr Whyte remarked that there were some’ 40 to 50 chains of road involved and it was decided that Crs. Whyte and Best meet the kairanga representatives. CORRES pQ NDENCE

The Public Works Department advised that no further local tallies would he subsidised by the Main Highways Board, beyond the winter tally, without special approval.—Referred to tho engineer. The New Zealand Counties’ Associa-

tlon wrote advising that the annual conference would be held in Wellington on August 28 and asked that the name of the delegate and the remits to be submitted be forwarded by Saturday next. The New Zealand Institute of County Clerks advised that the annual meeting of members would be held on August 27, and Mr G. A. Monk (chairman) and Mr F. H. Hudson (clerk) were authorised to represent the county at the respective gatherings. Mr W. E. Coley, Makerua, wrote requesting that a few yards of metal be spread on the road leading to his property.—Left to the engineer to attend to.

The 'Shannon Borough Council wrote requesting a yearly grant towards the improvement of the Shannon cemetery, footpath construction being needed.— 11 was decided to hold the matter over for a month, the trustees of the cemetery to be requested to furnish a copy of their balance-sheet. Mr H. E. Williams, Tokomaru, wrote directing attention to the dangerous nature of the Karaka Street and main road corner, there having been, to the writer's knowledge, five accidents at tho point. —Referred to Cr. Whyte and the engineer. Cr. Whyte remarked that the property owner was prepared to assist by having the hedge at the corner cut back. The Minister of Internal Affairs (Sir Alexander Young) drew attention to the notice appearing in tho New Zealand Gazette fixing Wednesday, August 7, for the observance of Arbor Day this year and sought the co-opera-tion of the council so that Dominionwide recognition of the national importance of tree planting would be seen this year.—The chairman advised that no action had been taken by the council last year and he moved that the communication be received and advice be given that the council was in sympathy with the suggestion. —Carried.

The chairman of the Unemployment Board, in a communication to the council, asked for an expression of views as to the value of local or national assets which they had been able to create with relief labour under scheme No. 5 since its commencement. —The letter was referred to the clerk and tho engineer to supply information. . , , Cr. Guy and the engineer reported having inspected the Koputaroa Hall parking area and recommended that the sum of £lO be spent on improvements. —The council decided to adopt the recommendation. ENGINEER’S REPORT.

Tho engineer (Mr -I. T. M. Th'ovvstor) presented (lie following report in respect to tho work carried out m tho northern ridings during tho month: — Tokomaru riding.—Maintenance metal has been put on the fololwing roads: Ash-lca-Tcmukanui, Kingstonc, and Okuku. 'I he outlet from tho subway at 'lokomaru lias boon cleaned and tho drainage improved. Portion of the top end of Kailunau Road has been patched with rotten rock metal from the road bank. Slips have been removed from tho Heights Road._ A mneinch diameter pipe culvert on Heights Road became blocked during the heavy rams and the water ran down the road for severe chains, ovontually overflowing the sido and working away a considerable portion of the road formation. A 15-inch pipo culvert has now boon installed at this point and it is anticipated that no further trouble through blocked pipes will occur. '1 lie grader has been over various district roads. The bridge on Tokomaru Valley Road will bo erected at. an early date. Pipes have been delivered to instal a nine-inch diamoter culvert at the overhead bridge in Tokomaru township to deal with impounded water at tho eastern ramp. A collapsed wooden culvert on Kingstonc Road has been replaced with nine-inch diameter conercto pipes Whirokino.—Three groynes have been constructed in Makahika Stream on Gladstone Road at the upper bluff to detour tho stream from tho road bank which threatened considerable damage. Although these groynes might appear to bo on the expensive side one could not run tho risk of collapse of a lighter structure at this point as an erosion of the road would mean very heavy expenditure. Maintenance motaL has been put ou various district roads as required. A lorry has been engaged on tho upper portion of luorida Road carting spoil from a corner being cut back by labour supplied by tho settlers 1 have gone into tho matter of alterations of McLcavey Road railway crossing. I am of opniion that, the moving of tho crossing one chain to the south would not improve the visibility to an extent commensurate with the expenditure involved. If this work wero carried out it. would mean tho formation of two chains of road and metalling of same at a cost of approximately £3O. The moving of tho crossing would bo of little uso unless the banks on either side of the railway line to the south were cut down. Tho moving of tho banks to ensure an open vision of a train approaching from the south would mean the shifting of somo 4000 cubic yards of spoil which would have to be transported 15 chains. I am of opinion that tho traffic using McLcavey Read at the present time docs not warrant heavy exP °Tho Ll report was adopted, the opinion of the enginoer in respect to McLeavey’s Road crossing being supported. Main Highways.—During tho past month tho No 1 main highway north of tho Manawatu River has been closed to traflic on at least threo occasions necessitating tho whole of through traffic travelling via No. 60. As portions of No. 60 main highway are unpaved -the extra maintenance required would be considerable. I understand that the controlling authority of No. 1 main highway where the troublo occurs intends closing the road to all traffic at any time that water covers tho road. If this is to bo so, then a case exists for the completion of tho paving of No. 60 main highway. I have noticed recently that surveyors hove been engaged on No. 1 main highway, so porhaps a report of tho estimated cost of improvements may be to hand at an early date. The concreting of Mangaore Stream bridge on No. 60 main highway is completed and tho approaches under way. Tho contractor has made a start on Waoku Stream bridge. In connection with a letter from Mr R. L. Tinnier, of Shannon, regarding a floodgate at Kara Stream, I took the matter up with the Makerua. Drainage , Board, which body I am informed, constructed tho floodgate and I am now informed by the secretary that the Makerua Drainage Board does not accept any liability in the matter. I have inspected the floodgate and it appears that there is a grave risk of the pollapso of tho concrete 'wall under certain conditions.