Oroua County

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6626, 13 August 1931, Page 5

Oroua County

MEETING OF COUNCIL The Oroua County Council met at, Feilding yesterday, Or. A. Campbell (chairman) prosiding. There were also present Crs. T. Green, W. McLennan, A. B. Shannon, W. Greenhow and D. MeElroy. Correspondence

The following correspondence was dealt with:—

From the Woodville County Council, suggesting an official opening of the upper Gorge bridge, and asking if the council would contribute towards the cost. —It was decided to contribute up to £3, provided other interested local bodies agreed to come in on the same basis.

From Mura Te Tomo, of Onepuhi, asking that the council employ natives as relief workers to clear gorso on unoccupied sections at Tokorangi.—lt was decided to refer the matter to the Native Lands Department. From F. G. Milne, asking that Lincoln road, Ashhuns't, bo put in order. — Referred to the engineer. From the district engineer, Public Works Department, stating that £3OO would be placed on the estimates this year for the re-erection of a roadman’s cottage at Manawatu Gorge.—Received. From the Treasury, forwarding £524 3/3, balance of subsidy on rates. —Received.

From the Main Highways Board, forwarding £lllß 13/7, refund of maintenance on main highways. —Received. From the Main Highways Board, stating that in all probability the work of completing the scaling of Kimbolton road would bo authorised, but in the meantime only maintenance work was to be proceeded with. —The chairman felt that the board’s procedure was not in accordance with the principles or highway construction. Still, ho did not have any fears as to the sealing work not being gone on with. The position with regard to highways finance would, however, require to be closely watched. From the Main Highways Board, giving details of reductions that would be necessary in maintenance estimates. —• The chairman said that the intimation was disappointing in face of the fact that the allocations were previously agreed upon. He would be visiting Wellington with the county engineer on Saturday and would endeavour to find out the reason for the reduction. It was agreed to leave the matter in the hands of the chairman. Treasurer’s Report The treasurer reported as follows: Total rates levied, £14,120 3/2; collected, £BO7 12/3; outstanding at August 12, £13,312 10/11. Total Tates outstanding over the past three years: Native, £785 16/8; Crown, £66 15/; European, £1284 10/8; total, £2135 2/4; collected, European £BSB 5/2; balance outstanding, £1276 17/2. Riding expenditure; Western riding, £686 11/8; Eastern riding, £799 17/1. Bank balances: General account, dr. £1620 5/1; highways loan account, cr, £869 10/7. Rate Roll The following alterations wero made on the county rate roll: W. A. Tegg to W. Cade; J. Board to S. W. Ralfe; W. J. Shannon to K. M. and M. Shannon; S. Shepherd estate to H. W. Shepherd; A. J. Bornes to W. J. Dew; A. Wycherley to G. A. Wycherley; J. Jensen to B. E. Romley; H. R. Fulton to A. K. Mitchell; H. Morton to B. J. Elgar and H. E. Adam; C. T. Coombs to V. Hills. Engineer’s Report The county engineer reported as follows: “Eastern riding: Although July was exceptional for the amount of rain that fell, little damage was occasioned. Several slips came down on Siberia road, and tko water tables, particularly, on the hills, required frequent attention. On the Manawatu Gorge road a total of 39 slips came down. For the greater part, however, they wero small and were quickly removed. At the largo slip which occurred early in the month there still remains some dangerous overhanging rock which must be brought down before the slip is completely cleared from the road. The work of redecking the lower Gorge bridge has been commenced. Under the No. 5 unemployment scheme work has been proceeding satisfactorily. The footpaths on Pohangina and Feilding roads have been trimmed and the work of levelling the roadside round the Ashhnrst racecourse is now proceeding. Several men have been detailed to assist with protection works along the banks of the Manawatu river. The Public W’orks Department has advised that tenders may now bo called for the erection of Spur road bridge. “Western riding: Owing to continued wet weather the crushing plant has not been put in'operation, and consequently little progress has been made with the preparation work on Kimbolton road. Gravel repairs have been carried out on Makino and Mangaone roads, and watertables on the latter road have been attended to. Several slips on Reu Reu and Arapata roads have been cleared. Arrangements have been made to complete the gravelling of the short length of formation near the Waituna stream on Reu Reu road, and authority has now been received from the Public Works Department to complete the balance of this road. This work, howhave been employed on widening and improving corners on Rasmussen’s road ever, can only be put in hand in the dry weather. Men under No. 5 scheme and widening West street hill.’’