MANAWATU COUNTY

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7013, 12 September 1929, Page 3

MANAWATU COUNTY

Meeting of the Council The Manawatu County Council met at Sanson on Tuesday, Councillor W. E. Barber (chairman) presiding. There were also present, Councillors J. Boyce, D. tV. Eeid, H. H. Hunt, W. E. Pearce, J F. McKelvic, and J. H. Pcrrett.

Correspondence.

The following correspondence was dealt with: —

From the Transport Department requesting the council’s requirements in traffic signs.—Bcsolved to -withhold action pending the receipt of definite information finalising traffic signs. From Canterbury Progress League dealing with the reported intention of tho Government to withhold the annual grant of £200,000 to the Main Highways Board from the Consolidated Fund. —The chairman remarked that in consequence of protests the Government had altered its “tune” and the subsidy -would be paid as to heretofore. As the question of charging interest on grants to the Highways Board was involved, the council agreed to support the request of the Progress League to make a protest to the member for the district.

From the Foxton Chamber of Commerce forwarding copy of letter sent to the Prime Minister protesting against the proposal to withhold the Highways Board subsidy of £200,000, the primage duty and the land taxation proposals. —On the motion of Cr. Boyce, it was resolved to support the protest and write in a similar strain to the Prime Minister.

From New Zealand Counties’ Association regarding tho proposal to create a second main high-ways board for the South Island.—The letter was received as the council had already protested against the proposal. From Department of Public Health, forwarding quarterly report stating that beyond four cases of infectious disease notified, nothing had occurred to warrant special mention. —Beceived.

From the Manawatu Beliance Co-op. Dairy Company regarding traffic danger signs for the Bangiotu bridge and reporting that the Manawatu Automobile Association was prepared to pay a proportion of the cost. The company desired to know whether the council would assist in providing the signs.— Agreed to. From the Manawatu Automobile Association expressing appreciation of the greatly improved state of the maintenance on the Palmerston North-Foxton road and also of the completed state of the Mt. Stewart road. —“It isn’t often we get a pat,” laughingly remarked the chairman in moving that the letter be received. From the Chairman of the Bainesse School Committee making suggestions as to the disposal of a certain road reserve opposite the school proporty. — It was decided to consider the suggestions when the new road formation work was completed. From B. iJ. Wilton, Oroua Downs, seeking the co-operation of the council in proposals he submitted for the draining of his farm land. —The engineer to report. From G. F. Beck, Himitangi, making proposals for the metalling of about ten chains of Kellow’s line. —The engineer reported that temporary repairs had been made.

From B. A. Wilson, Bulls, requesting that the road leading to his property off the Beach road to Foxton heads be opened up and formed for traffic. —Eeferred to the chairman and the engineer to inspect and report.

Treasurer’s Report.

The treasurer reported upon the county finances as follows: —County fund account, debit, £5411 5s 9d; Main Highways loan account, credit, £4OB 18s 7d; loan account, credit, £645 18s 4d; net debit balance, £4356 8s lOd. Amounts available for expenditure: Sandon Biding, £373 6s 6d; Mt. Stewart, £135 5s 3d; Waitohi, £427 15s lOd; Bongotea, £374 Is lid; .Carnarvon, £691 17s 2d; Kawa Kawa, £205 6s 4d; Awahou, £493 19s 6d.—Received.

Rate Collector’s Report.

The County Rate Collector (Mr. A. Anderson) reported as follows: — The total amount of rates received since the demands were sent out is £7352 5s 9d. This amount .is approximately £I4OO less than that collected during the same period last year. The demands were sent out a month earlier and the response is fairly satisfactory. The amount of general rates received for each riding is as follows: —Sandon, £394 8s 7d; Mt. Stewart, £574 13s 3d; Waitohi, £756 10s 3d; Rongotca, £BO4 19s 6d; Carnarvon, £7Bl 13s 6d; Kawa Kawa, £836 19s Id; Awahou, £1430 18s 3d; total, £5580 2s sd. Hospital rates, £I2BO 0s 8d and specials, £466 15s, were collected during the same period. Sundry arrears make up the balance of amount stated above. Arrears of rates are coming in very slowly. In receiving the report the council agreed that the position was satisfactory.

Tramway Manager’s Repott.

The Tramway manager (Mr. A. K. Drew) reported as follows: — The chief items of traffic for the month of August were: Grain, 161 tons, minerals and manure, 2574 tons; general merchandise, 69J tons; cheese, 92 crates; stock, 12 trucks; eggs, 171 crates; metal, 4,992 cubic yards (ex Terrace End), and 1,220 cubic yards (ox crusher). The accounts show a credit balance of £474 3s lid. Received.

Bate Roll Alterations.

The following alterations were made in the County rate roll: A. J. Le Crcn to Mrs. F. E. Harris, part section 361, Carnarvon; estate Andrew Casey to Mrs. A. Brown, lot 54, Carnarvon; Abraham and Williams to E. Robinson, 'lots 1,2, 3,4, section 465, Foxton; estate A. C. Wilton to E. Quinn, lot 79, section 384 Carnarvon; W. Redmayne to Reg. Radmayne, aprt of lot 1 of 3s and part of 4s, Fairfield Estate; A. M. Burrowes to I. A. Cockburn, section 221, 328/30, 324/27, Sanson; T. Wright to E. J. H. and M. Derham, part sections 40 and 41, block 11, Te Kawau; Albert Barty to M. L. Davison, section 61, Tangimoaha; Ethel Barty to M. L. Davison, section 72, Tangimoana; estate M. Boyle to O. E. Stratford, lot 1, section 306,

Carnarvon; T. Sanson to-L. P. Flood, part section 117, Sanson. Traffic Inspector’s Report. The County traffic inspector (W. W. Berry) reported as follows: — Attention had been given to those persons who have not made any attempt to cut their gorse and lupins and if the work is not carried out informations would be preferred against all offienders.

The second instalment on heavy traffic licenses is now due and it will mean keeping a close watch on all lorries to see that the instalments are paid up. The regulations provided for the instalments to be paid by September 7. One person for allowing stock to wander would be summoned to appour at the Bulls Court. On the Marton race days, two men were stationed at Bulls bridge to regulate the traffic during the rush period. Regarding Mr. Campbell’s application for permission to erect a fence across an unused road Awahuri, it had been ascertained that the owner of the property on one side had refused to allow a fence to be erected as she considered it cut off access to her property. Building permits to the value of £722 10s had been applied for and fees amounting to £2 5s collected. —Received.