POHANGINA COUNTY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 10, 10 December 1936, Page 30

POHANGINA COUNTY

MEETING OF THE COUNCIL. The monthly meeting of the Pohangina County Council was held yesterday. Those present were Crs. S. J. Stralian (chairman), J. Mackenzie, W. Howell, T. E. Craine, and W. McKay. Leave of absence was granted Crs. M. Arbon and J. T. Montgomery. CORRESPONDENCE. The Public Works Department asked that reports be forwarded on repairs needed by concrete bridges as | well as wooden bridges on highways ill the county. Any necessary repairs to timber bridges, it was added, should be carried out immediately provided the cost could be met out of the existing allocation for maintenance of the highway concerned.— It was stated that the reports had been supplied. The .Public Works Department forwarded advice that, because of the advance of the standard of work in bridge construction, the wages of clerks of works would be subsidised where the construction of bridges Was subsidised by the department.—Received.

The Department of Internal Affairs forwarded a resume of legislation passed in the last session which had a bearing on local body affairs. —Received. The Transport Department wrote in respect of speed limits and allied matters, stating that the Minister of Transport (Hon. R. Semple) wished special attention to be given reckless or negligent driving, careless or inconsiderate driving, the 30 miles an hour speed limit in built-up areas, and also the provision that a motorist should be able to stop in half the visible distance of the road ahead. — Received. Mr E. J. Harkness (Piri Piri) wrote asking that immediate attention be given a defective culvert on a road leading to his property. —Kept in the hands of the engineer to ascertain whether the culvert is on private property or not, with the proviso that if it is on a public road the work is to be carried out. The Manawatu County Council advised that the group traffic inspector had recommended that, in view of the great increase of motor traffic in tho coming holidays and possible danger being caused Ijy long grass at corners on main highways obscuring the view, such grass should be cut back.—Left in the hands of tho engineer for attention where necessary. A request that the Tunipo track be repaired, especially the upper end, was received. It was signed by Messrs J. D. Cawood, A. V. Cawood, P. W. Jensen, L. V. Sixtus and W. Russell.—The engineer was instructed to have the necessary work carried out. NORSEWOOD ROAD. Stating that a free grant of £2OO Irad been made for the extension of Norsewood Road to give access to a section occupied by Mr J. M. Forbes, the district engineer of the Public \Vorks Department at Palmerston North (Mr A. R. Acheson) suggested that the work be undertaken immediately after Christmas. A letter was also to hand on the same matter from Mr Forbes, who complained that although a free grant of £2OO had been made six months a.go the work had not yet been commenced. The chairman commented that this was the first occasion on which the council had received official notification of the grant having been made. Tlie only previous notice of the grant had been contained in a letter from Mr Forbes. Or. Mackenzie remarked that the council would be doing free work for the department, and Civ McKa.y commented that evidently the council would, not be paid for the engineer’s time or the use of council tools. Cr. Howell thought that the council should not quibble over the matter, but have the work done. The grant had been made. Cr. McKay moved that the work be let under contract. Mr D. Watson (engineer) explained that it might lie that the cost of taking out, quantities and drawing up specifications would be greater than just supervising the undertaking. The department had ascertained that about £4O in “thirds” would be available also for the work. Cr. Mackenzie said that the road referred to would not bo tho only mat-

ter having a call on the “thirds” mentioned. Cr. McKay withdrew his motion and it was decided, on the motion of the chairman, to empower the engineer to confer with the district representative of the Public Works Department as to the best method of doing the work, a report to be submitted to the next meeting. AM ALGAMATION SCHEMES. The Department of Internal Affairs forwarded a copy of the Local Government (Amalgamation schemes) Bill introduced in Parliament last session. Cr. McKay thought that the council should investigate the position in regard to the three rabbit boards within the county. Cr. H owe 11 said that although immediate action was not imperative, the subject should be kept in view. The chairman said that a case in point for amalgamation was that the council declared certain plants to be noxious weeds, yet though one rabbit board recognised the whole of the council’s decisions another did not. On the suggestion of the chairman, it was decided to hold the matter over for a period, it being thought that there might be further developments later. GENERAL. The council decided, on the motion of Cr. McKay, seconded by Cr. Howell, that the council offices be closed in future on Saturdays. It was also decided that the offices be closed from December 123 to January 13. . The ranger reported that he had impounded 18 cows and seven horses during the month. The chairman extended the season s greetings to the councillors, administrative officers and staff, Cr. Howell replying on behalf of the council and returning the good wishes. The treasurer (Mr A. E. Orgias) reported that the credits at tlie bank were: Cemetery account, £4B 12s Bd, loan account, £443 Is 6d; plant account, £330 8s Od. The county fund account was in debit to the extent oi ! £1460 13s 6d. The rate payments were as follow: Rates levied for year, £7356 18s; collected, £467 2s 8d; outstanding. £6889 15s 4d; arrears of rates at March 31, 1936 £522 3s; collected, £147 4s sd; outstanding, £374 18s id. Hie estimated expenditure was £7432. and the amount spent to date, £4553, leaving j a balance of £2879. ENGINEER’S REPORT.

The report of the engineer was adopted, a.s follows: ‘Awaliou liding.—Gravel to repair No. X and 2 Lines was carted and spread. The trader was run over No. 439 highway and Awahou South Road. It is expected that a start will be made early in the coming week to widen a narrow length of the main highway through the Totara Reserve. As a very large quantity of filling will be required, it is proposed to obtain a fair amount from the south side of Dundas Creek by cutting back the projecting bank. Coal Creek riding: Two motor trucks are at present carting and spreading gravel on Ridge and London s Roads. Overhanging scrub on Ridge Road was cut back. Repair gravel was put out at Ngaputahi, while slips and watertables were also cleaned up. limber and all other material for renovating the roadman’s cottage on Londons Road is to hand, and a start will be made during the week, gravel on No. 53 highway was raked in. Mangaone riding: The old timber bridge on No 438 highway was removed and about 100 yards of gravel carted to fall over the new culvert and repair the road. Slips were shifted and the road ti mimed up with the grader. . The heavy grader is at present shaping up Zig Zag and Finnis’s Roads. Most of the flood damage on Fmnis s Road has been repaired, (trading wins done on No. 78 highway. Mangapikopiko riding- An additional 641 yards of pit gravel, making a total of 1107 yards, were carted and .spread. Gravel on No. 53 highway was raked m with the grader, Pohangina filing: I"<°highway and Pohangina \ alley Road were trimmed up with the giader. p and a good length of intertables were cleaned out, Tamaki riding: Slips on No. 439 highway were shifted. A start will be made Lo widen the road and cut hack a bad projection in the lotora Reserve. Flood damage on Arbon s Road was repaired and some improvements effected to Takapana and Upawe Roads. Umutoi riding: Metal was carted a.nd spread oil Table Flat Road. Metal and filling to repair Malcoura Road will be put out during the coming week. Mt. .Richard, Makiekie and Makoura Roads were shaped up with the heavy grader. _ Slips blocking Tunipo Road were shifted.”