MANAWATU COUNTY

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6809, 12 January 1929, Page 3

MANAWATU COUNTY

MEETING OF COUNCIL. The Manawatu County Council met .at Sanson last evening when there were present Crs. W. E. Earber (chairman), ,T. IT. Ferret t, J. Boyce, 11. H. Hunt, D. W. Reid, W. Pcarec. Leave of absence was granted. Cr. J. McKelvie. Road Constniction. The acting-engineer (Mr. H. V. Bond) submitted the following report: Main Highways reconstruction.—Between Stewart’s line and Awahuri bridge 120 chains of side banking have been completed; 40 chains of this section lias also been metalled. The straightening of the road on Mr. Stewart is being pushed ahead. A contract has been let for the supply and delivery of metal for this road. Tho contractors for paving the San-son-Awahuri section are now erecting their plant at Awahuri bridge and expect to commence paving in about ten days’ time.

Foxton-llimatangi section.—Tenders were called for sections of the formation work on this road, but none of these were accepted. The work is now being carried out by day labour. A contract lias been let for the quarrying and loading of metal at tho Terrace End pit, and metalling operations will be commenced in about a week’s time.

Sanson-Bulls section.—The plans for the two short span bridges between Sanson and Bulls bridge will be completed in about a week’s time. I recommend that tenders be called for the construction of tbeso bridges immediately tho plans arc passed by the Main Highways Board.

Maintenance.—The usual maintenance work has boon carried out throughout the county, special attention being paid to grading on tho main highways during the holidays. With tho exception that Fyke’s road construction work is now complete there is nothing of importance to report. Drag line.—The drag line is now installed and the power turned on. With a little adjustment to tho screens this plant will be in full operation in two or three days’ time.

Cottages.—The five-roomed cottage is now complete with the exception of the outside painting. The four-roomed cottage will be completed in about a week’s time. Metal trucks.—The conversion of these trucks is proving a much longer job than was contemplated owing to the fact that a great amount of the old timber was found to bn in a very bad state; but every effort is being made to get them completed. Position of Kates.

Since last meeting the amount of current general . rates collected is £IOO4 9s 4d, made up as follows: Riding Collected Outstanding

Arrears of general rates collected during the same period amounted to £63 14s 7d. The Tramways. The chief items of traffic for tho month were:—Grain 23$ tons, minerals and manure 1424 tons, general merchandise 43 tons, stock S 4 trucks, wool 189 bales, eggs 144 crates, timber SGOO super feet. Fares amounted to 14s 3d. The accounts show a debit balance of £l3 2s 3d for the month’s working. The new axle box brasses for the “G” class locomotive have been fitted and the engine will be in commission early next week. The clerk reported in answer to a question, that the tramways were in a far better position than for some time past.

Road Traffic. The county inspector reported that a large volume of traffic passed over fire county roads during the holidays. There were two accidents, one, which ended fatally, on the main FoxtonSanson roa'd and another one at the corner of Sanson-Foxton highway and Speedy's line. Whilo dealing with tho motor traffic I would like to suggest to the council the desirability of getting permission from property owners to allow the roadmen in the different ridings to cut back hedges and trees where they are likely to obstruct the view of motorists at corners anvl cross-roads. I have discussed the matter with Mr. Bond and he is of opinion that it could be easily carried out. Under the Act the council is required to give two months’ notice in writing before any action can bo taken to compel an owner to cut back same. A fair amount of gorse and lupin has been cut during the past month. lam now concentrating on the blackberry nuisance and will issuo summonses where persons have not complied with the notices sent out requiring them to clear up same..

The Shannon Punt. The Public Works Department advised that as the new Shannon bridge was now open, the subsidy on the maintenance of the punt and also on the length of road between tho punt and the northern end of the road to the new bridge. What will happen to the punt now? asked Mr. Perrett. Tho county clerk suggested calling tenders for its purchase and if it could be got to Wellington it would be worth £SOO or £OOO. It cost a great deal more than that but the trouble would be to get it towed to Wellington. The chairman stated that, the punt had been closed down on December 24 and £lO a week was now being saved. The clerk stated that a man had been detailed to look after the punt in the meantime. Hares Protected. The Department of Agriculture wrote declining to agree to the council’s request to have hares removed from the list of protected animals in the county

but if anyone whose property was being damaged by the animals made application to the department to destroy them, it would receive immediate attention. Tho letter was received, the chairman commenting that tho only way out of the difficulty wa3 for every settler in the county to apply for permission to kill the hares. General. Mr. J. Hehir (Taikorea) wrote drawing attention to the state of the road adjacent his property and requesting repairs.—To bo attended to. Tho following alterations were made on the rate roll:—B. E. Durrant to V. G. and if. A. Neill, pt let 25 pt sec. 85 Sandon; C. P. and If. E. Good and hi. C. Verran to Manawatu County Council, lots 271/4 Sanson township; M. S. Harris to Mrs. G. 11. Harris, sec. 3SI Carnarvon; It. Chisholm to H. A. Seifert, lots 1,2 and 3 secs 320 and 384 Carnarvon; S J. Teaz to K. AV. A. Trcnkner, pt 'see 158 township of Campbell; A. N. McNae to H. A. Seifert and B. E. Keiller, pt sec. 109 and 114 Sandon.

£ s cl £ s <i Sanrlon ... .187 19 0 668 6 7 Mt. Stewart 319 16 4 297 15 7 NVaitohi .. . 92 2 0 670 4 0 Eongotea .. 260 14 10 741 2 5 Carnarvon .. 111 3 3 736 5 4 Kawa Kuwa 103 12 0 1/033 19 S Awaliou .. 91 1 11 419 11 9 1004 9 4 4567 5 i