Horowhenua County Council

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 11, 14 January 1936, Page 4

Horowhenua County Council

MONTHLY MEETING. The •first monthly meeting of the Horowhenua County Council in the new year was held in the Council Chambers on Saturday morning, the Chairman, Mr. G. A. Monk, presiding. Thero were also present Crs. L. H. Best, J. R. Whyte, F. J. Ryder, H. G. Bryant, C. P. Jensen, A. M. Colquhouu, A. J. Gimblett, and D. K. Guy, and Messrs F. H. Hudson (clork) and J. T. M. Brewster (engineer). STATUTORY HALF-HOLIDAY.

From the Deputy Chief Inspector of Factories, a letter was received callingattention to section 15 of the Shops and Offices Act, 1921-22, by which the Council is called upon to hold a special meeting, in January, for the purpose of deciding what working-day in the week should be the statutory half-holiday for shops in the Council’s district, and to notify the Minister of Labour of the day so decided upon.—Received.

HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION ESTIMATES.

The District Engineer of the Public Works Department wrote requesting that the Council arrange to supply detailed estimates of cost when submitting for approval proposals for works upon Main Highways, in place of tho lump sum submitted in the past, with a view to the compiling of a schedule of material unit rates throughout the Dominion. —Received.

IMPROVEMENT TO KAIHINAU

ROAD.

Signed by R. J. Barber, J. B. Gordon, J. J. Neame, R* M. Lange and J. W. Newton, a letter was received drawing the attention of the Council to a cutting on Kaihinau Road, Shannon, which, because of its narrowness, to-, getker with the width and depth of the water-table, was maintained to be a danger to traffic. The Secretary of the Shannon Cooperative Dairy Co., Ltd., also wrote requesting that consideration be given to the possibility, of improvements being carried out to the Kaihinau Road, as the Company was experiencing considerable difficulty with its lorries when collecting cream. On several occasions serious accidents had been narrowly averted, and the letter stated that the corners required taking back a little and the road widening where vision was obscured.

The engineer remarked that provision had been made in the year’s estimates for at least two of the more dangerous corners on the road to be taken back, but that weather conditions had as yet been unfavourable to the work being carried out.

Cr. Best said that the portion of the road referred to in the first letter had not previously been considered, and at present constituted a potential dangerspot. He considered that representatives of the Council should meet the settlers concerned with a view to ascertaining what improvements they most urgently desired. Upon tho motion of the chairman, Crs. Whyte and Best, together with the engineer, were delegated to meet the settlers accordingly, with power to spend up to the amount provided for upon tho estimates in desired improvements. NEW BRIDGE AT POTTS ROAD. In a letter to the Council the Secretary of the Automobile Association (Manawatu) expressed appreciation of the new bridge at Potts Road, Levin, and the improvements to the highway in the vicinity, these works proving of great benefit to the motoring public. — Received. ATTENTION TO CULVERT. Mrs. E. E. Kilgour and Son, Manakau, wrote requesting attention to a culvert giving access to their property, and also to the drain fronting their property.—Referred to Cr. Bryant, together with the engineer, with power to act. WATER-RACE COMPLAINT. W. G. Drysdale wrote further complaining of the state pf a water-race passing through his property and requesting the Council’s attention to the matter. He asked for a remission of maintenance rates, expressing his willingness to himself keep that portion of the race in order. —Referred to the engineer for the race to be. kept in order as required. The request for remission of rates was not entertained. FIRE DANGER AT WAIMEHA BEACH.

W. N. Jones, Waikanae Beach, wrote drawing the attention of the Council to the fire danger existing at Waimeha in view of the grass growth and suggesting that action be taken to prevent the unauthorised lighting of fires upon the roadside. The writer suggested that he be appointed in an honorary capacity as ranger, with authority to approach persons lighting fires in dangerous spots or pitching camp on prohibited areas.

The chairman remarked that, although at present, owing to rains, the (ire danger at Waimeha beach township was not great, the question brought before the Council had a bearing upon two difficulties in evidence in the locality, namely, the fire danger through camps which were erected upon vacant sections and ’on the roadside, and the danger to public health. The question was applicable to all beach towns throughout the County, and depended upon the advisability, in v)ew of the fact that the Council’s staff could not give daily attention to such matters, of appointing local residents as honorary rangers.

Cr. Colquhoun moved that no action be taken, and being seconded by Cr. Best, the motion was carried. DOG REGISTRATION.

It was decided that for the ensuing year dog registration fees within the County be fixed at 2s 6d for cattle days and 10s for house and sporting dogs, Mr. E. W. Goldsmith being named as Eangor. ENGINEER'S REPORT.

The engineer, Mr. J. T. M. Brewster, submitted the following report to tho meeting:—

During the month only routine maintenance bas been carried out on district roads. The rights to cut grass seed on the Toads was let prior to tho holidays. Main Highways. —The contractor has completed formation work on No. 60 Main-Highway at Pott’s Hill. The building up of depressions on No. 1 Main Highway _ cvgr_ .the. .Waikanae

Swamp section is proceeding satisfactorily. It is expected that work will commence soon on No. 60 Highway, reconstruction, Levin-Shannon section. No. 511, Waitarere Beach Highway cut badly on portions of the old formation. During the holidays all unpaved Main Highways have been kept in reasonable condition with the grader. 1 General.—The Roadman’s cottage at Tokomaru has been repainted. Tho cottage at Koputaroa has been painted and two rooms papered. Unemployment No. 5 Scheme. —Levin (over tho fence), 14 men, 11 farmers, £2l 2s;; Waikanae (over tne fence), 1 man, 1 farmer, £1 Is; total £22. 3s. The report was received.