THE POHANGINA

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6815, 21 January 1929, Page 3

THE POHANGINA

County Council Meets

When the Pohangina County council met on Saturday, there were present Crs. S. Strahan (chairman), O. Brooking, W. Howell, T. Close, W. Stewart, M. Arbon and T. Piatt. Correspondence. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Company applied for registration of the Apiti saleyards and enclosed the fee.—Registration was granted. The Commissioner of Crown Lands ordered that the council cease cutting timber on sections 6 ail'd 7. The engineer (Mr. D. Watson) stated that the Crown Lands office contended that the county had no right to cut tho timber on the sections, but it had such right. All the timber for the Piri Piri bridge was taken off the land but there was not much left now.—The council decided to inform the Commissioner of tho fact that the council ha'd authority to take what timber it required. In connection with access to sections 11 and 12, block 7, at the northern end of the Apiti-Norsewood road, Hon. G. Cobbe wrote stating that it seemed some blunder had been made and the £250 propose'd as a grant for the work had been appropriated for survey expenses in connection with the suggested Apiti-Norsewood track. A conference with the Minister could bo arranged if necessary but he intended to see him, himself, ns soon as possible, end discuss the matter. If a mistake ha'd been made, the council should not bo put to the expense of going to Wellington.—Received. Hon. J. G. Cobbe also sought information regarding tho Tunipo track (Umutoi).. He asked for an opinion as to the better route, adding that when he had overtaken his official work, he would like to run round tho country and thus obtain a better knowledge of it.—The council expressed pleasure at Hon. J. G. Cobbe’s intention to visit tho county aud the engineer was instructed to get into touch with him on the matter of his visit and tho delayed grant for the construction of McNae’s road.

The Department of Agriculture notified that the question of noxious weeds in county had been referred to the district inspector for his action. Received.

Highways Upkeep. The Tauranga County council’s request for support of a resolution urging the government to pass legislation in the direction of copine with highways maintenance by direct tax on motorists, met with approval. - "If the motorists are not going to pay for the roads,” stated Cr. Howell, "who is? The ratepayers can’t afford any more.” Ho suggested that the Tauranga resolution be supported and further, that some straightout allocation should be asked for by the county to meet the cost of backblocks roads. Cr. Strahan agreed that the man out back was in a very unfortunate position. The motorist should not complain of the tax, as he wms getting the benefit of it. Motoring to-day was a pleasure to what it was- a fgw years back. The motion was supported. Engineer’s Report.

General: The Country engineer (Mr. D. Watson) reported as follows: —The river protection work near Ferry road, which was carried out some mouths back, is holding well an’d has been effective in cheeking any further erosion. I would suggest that the council visit the river at that point and consider the advisability of erecting a stopbank, as owing to the changed position of the river, it is quite possible for it to overflow in the direction of the small bridge on the Ferry road. The cost of the work would be little an’d would mean that the bridge, vrhich is advanced in decay, could be taken away, as only concrete piles would be required. An electric power plant had been installed for driving the new stone crusher, which is now ready to start work, an'd a most satisfactory trial has been made with the machine. The Council offices, sheds and portable wkares, and the engineer’s residence, have all been painted. As requested by the Public Works department, I have forwarded a proposal for work required to givo access to sections on Apiti and of Norsewood road.

Awahou riding: A fenco has been erected round the metal pit at the junction of No. 3 line, and the creek which has been cutting under the same road has been straightened. Tho concrete culvert on No. 1 line has been repaired. A small amount of metal should be put out at the top of the hill as soon as an opportunity offers. Some metal was carted and spread on the main highway and No. 2 line. The large grader will be run over most of the roads in tho riding.

Coal Creek riding: The contractors for tho deviation on Apiti-Kimbolton main highway have started, and are making good progress with the work. The road formed for carrying the traffic, in the meantime will require some more gravel. The roadman on the Bidgo road has been engaged most or his time cutting back scrub and raking in metal. Practically, work of a similar nature has engaged the attention of the permanent man at Apiti. Mangaone Hiding: Some gravel for repairing Finnis, Pollock’s and Bidge roads was carted out and spread. Owing to the face of the hill slipping on Pinnis track, about SO feet of 9inch concrete pipes were let into the watertable, to carry the storm water and prevent the road being blocked to traffic. Some riverbed metal* was caTted and tho large grader run over the main highways. The drain at the concrete culvert was cleaned out to the river.

Mangapikopiko Hiding: Clearing slips and attending the usual maintenance work about Norsewood road and Table Flat have employed the

permanent surfaceman during the past month. Pohangina Biding: The main highway was trimmed up with the large grader and repaired where required with fine gravel. The other roads have been cleared of slips and widened out in places. Some of the decking planks on Beehive bridge were broken by a heavy lorry. I have placed an order for somo jarrah timber, and on receipt of same, repairs will be effected. Tamaki Biding: After diverting the stream at Digger’s ertsek, the bridgo was reinforced with sheeting planks. Some improvements were also carried out at To Ekaou stream to prevent further erosion at the bridge. The cutting on Opawe road has hecn completed. A concrete culvert was qmt in and the road cleared of slips. Tho main road has been widened out on the hill near Opawe creek. Urnutoi Biding: Some gravel for repairs on Table Flat an’d Urnutoi North roads was carted by the permanent surfacemen. A concrete pipe culvert was put in on Makoura road und the metal cartage by motor truck completed. I Treasurer’s Report. £ s d Cemetery account Cr. .. 70 15 11 Loan account Cr 1091 22 No. 2 account Cr 443 12 9 County Fund account Cr. 1927 10 8 Cash on hand 1462 6 1 Accounts for payment .. 1648 16 5 Position of Bates. Bates levied for year £5692 15s lid, collected £5593 17s Bd. outstanding £3098 18s 3d. After the meeting, councillors inspected the stonecrusher recently installed at the Eaumni bridge.