Pohangina Valley

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 63, 16 March 1936, Page 10

Pohangina Valley

COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING A meeting of the Pohangina County Council was held on Saturday. Present: Crs. S. J. Strahan (in the chair), M. Arbon, J. Mackenzie, J. T. Montgomery, W. McKay, T. E. Craino and W. Howell. Also in attendance were Mr. D. Watson (county engineer) and Mr. A. E. Orgias (county clerk.) Power Lines and Trees Tho Manawatu-Oroua Power Board wrote asking the council to send two delegates to a meeting at Palmerston North on February 24 to discuss the question of damage to power lines by trees. Th chairman reported that he and Cr. Howell had attended the meeting. He had not supported the power board’s proposals which ho considered wero too drastic. An amendment had been put, however, which had received unanimous support. The original resolution was for giving the power board tho right to compel owners of trees adjacent to power lines to fall them or pay the cost of tho work if done by the board. Tho amendment was to the effect that power boards shall cut down dangerous trees and compensate the owners. The responsibility of keeping trees and hedges trimmed was to rest with tho owners of such trees and hedges. He considered that the care of the lines was for the public good and ho felt that the cost of removing trees should bo borne by the general funds. It seemed unfair to put a man to a lot of expense because the power board had decided to run the line near his shelter belt. Cr. McKay said that lie was disappointed that the council’s representatives had not supported the power board’s request. The board had no intention of dealing harshly with anyone. Tlfb majority of land owners had complied with the board’s request to cut back dangerous trees and the board asked for power to deal with those who refused to do their bit. The recent storm had caused great inconvenience to many bccauso of the trees which should have been cut back long ago. Cr. Howell said he had supported Cr. Strahan as he considered that the powers desired by the board were too drastic. The amendment had had the support of most of tho other power boards. Ho understood that new legislation was being prepared to deal with the matter. Hospital Finance Manawatu County Council wrote asking for support to a resolution that State lotteries be inaugurated to assist hospital finance. The letter pointed out that about £IOO,OOO was required to bring the Palmerston North Hospital up to the desired standard, and it was felt that the cost was becoming too heavy to be borne by rates alone. Cr. Mackenzie said he did not favour the proposal. The gambling spirit was all too rife as it was, and in any case ho did not think it was the night system for running a hospital. Ho moved that the council decline to support the proposal.

Cr. McKay said he did not favour lotteries as a means of financing hospital maintenace, but was prepared to support the proposal if it was amended to deal with construction cost only.

Or. Howell said the question had been before the hospital board on several ocasions, but it had not been favourably received. If limited to hospital construction work only he would support it. Tho chairman said he hoped that in the near future a national health insurance scheme would be in operation which would relievo counties of some part of the hospital expenditure.

Cr. Craine said that he had been in favour of lotteries to assist hospital finance, but if a health insurance scheme would finance the maintenance, he felt the counties could provide for construction. Ho advocated holding the whole question over until the provisions of the insurance scheme became known.

On the motion of Or. McKay seconded by Or. Arbon, it was decided “That this council does not support the resolution as worded by the Manawatu County Council but favours lotteries for hospital construction and favours the inauguration of a health insurance scheme to provide for maintenance.'' General Mr. McKenzie, Engineer in Chief, Public Works Department, wrote thanking the council for its expression of sympathy.—Deceived. Mr. 11. A. Seifert wrote asking wkut regulations govern the transport of logs from the Totara Deserve. It. was decided to inform Mr. Seifert that the road was Class 111 and as long as load limitations were complied with, there were no other restrictions. At present, however, the temporary bridge at Church hill was limited to live ton loads. The New Zealand Counties Association wrote in reference to tho N.Z. Drivers’ Federation’s endeavour to bring county drivers under an award. Feeling that such an award would prove unsuitable and expensive to county councils, the association was opposing the award and asked for infor mation regarding the wages and conditions of the county’s drivers. It was decided to supply the information and to support the association’s attitude.

From Mr. J. M. Forbes, Umutoi, came a letter asking if there are any “thirds’’ available to improve the access to his property. The chairman stated that the sum of £34 12/1) was in the fund. The regulations governing the use of “thirds” were very strict and he suggested that Or. Mackenzie and the engineer inspect the road in question, after which the matter would be referred to tho proper authority. This was agreed to. Tho Safety First Committee wrote suggesting that the officer authorised to issue drivers’ licenses should be instructed to take every precaution to ensure that applicants had not sufl'cred injuries or illnesses likely to bo detrimental lo their driving capabilities since the last issn. of licenses. The council was also asked to rigidly enforce the by-laws governing cyclists. The council agreed to support any measures pertaining to road safety. Complaints wero received from Utuwai settlers regarding damage and inconvenience caused by stock grazing on the roads and asking the council to take some action in the matter. It was decided to advertise that the roads

are closed to stock and lo take action against owners who allow their stock to graze on tho roads. The question of building pormits came up for discussion. The chairman stated that apparently a number of people wero not aware that it was necessary to secure a permit before the work was started. It was decided to insert a notice in the Press to this effect. The appointment of Mr. D. Watson as building inspector was confirmed. Reporting on the, requirements for new work in tho next three years, the engineer estimated t’ a total cost at £4500, of which the council’s share would be approximately £2OOO. The question of raising moneys for new work by loan or out of revenuo was held over until tho next meeting. The engineer advocated the purchase of another grader, and after discussion, ho was instructed to make inquiries re cost of tho machine, and to report to the next meeting. Engineer’s Report The engineer’s report on the month’s work was as fololws:—Since my last report, with tho exception of most of the permanent surfacemen, tho whole of the council’s employees together with what additional labour obtained, have been employed in repairing damage dono to roads and bridges by recent floods. In consequence a good deal of general maintenance work, such as metalling, road grading, etc., has had to stand over. Owing to the shortage of suitable men to cope with tho work, in some cases tho work done to check erosions to bridge approaches has only been sufficient to prevent further scouring for tho time being and will require additional work as soon as an opportunity occurs. Tho temporary span of 30 feet that was hurriedly erected to connect up with Church hill bridge has been strengthened and a notice erected at both ends indicating that it is safe for five tons. Diggers’ creek bridge, where the approach and wing walls on the north end wero washed away, two spans of 24 feet each have been built with timber on hand. The building of a concrete pier and walls which are very necessary is being retarded owing to tho frequent floods interfering with the excavating and pumping out for a foundation. However, tho most difficult part of the work is well in hand. The work of repairing a washout near I’iri Piri that was started some time back but was unfinished as it was necessary for us to attend to the more important work of repairing damaged bridges, etc., is now nearing completion. The building of a concrete retaining wall and the filling is well under way. To divert the stream a 54 feet of 36 inch diameter pipe culvert was put in and 42 feet of concrete culvert of slightly larger dimentions was built. I have again inspected Robert’s bridge. It has two spans of 2S feet and the wing walls and sheeting on the abutments are very decayed. The ends of some of the stringers are rotten, and it is only the understruts that were added of recent years that'is holding tho bridge up. Most of tho decking is practically useless and would cost approximately £IOO to renew. A new structure should be built without delay, and would cost approximately £1250. In view of the heavy expenditure that the council is faced with in connection with bridge renewals and the possibility of receiving only a £2 for £1 subsidy from the Highways Board at present, I would suggest that repairs be effected that would prolong the life of tihs bridge for tho present. I expect we will have sufficient timber in hand to replace most of the decking and sheeting planks. The under structure could be strengthened. A good deal of work was carried out in protecting about four chains of the river bank from erosion near Raumni brdige. Timber required to renew the decking on Parson’s Ford bridge is on order and should be to hand any day. Treasurer’s Report The clerk reported as follows: — Credit at bank £2045 8/1. Of the estimated expenditure for the year a sum . * £4546 had been disbursed leaving a balance of £IO2B. The balances were as follows: —Plant account credit £506 8/6; Awahou Riding culverts £36 17/11; Coal Creek Riding culverts £IBO 18/5; Mangapiko Riding culverts £lO 18/2; Pohangina Riding culverts £OO 5/7; Tamaki Riding culverts £2OB S/ll; Mangapiko Riding bridges £156 2/4; Awahou Riding bridges £lO3 14/7; To Awa bridge £ll2 0/-.