Oroua County Council

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 112, 13 May 1941, Page 8

Oroua County Council

LITTLE FLOOD DAMAGE TO ROADS At Thursday's meeting of the Oroua County Council, presided over by Cr. A. Campuell (chairman), the engineer (Mr. K. L. Harding), reporting on the recent heavy Hood in the Alauawatu River, stated that it did very little damage to county roads. ‘Raukawa Road from the lirst terrace to the river and portions of Siberia Road were under water and closed for traffic. Siberia Road was open again by Monday morning and on Tuesday RauK&wa Road was made passable. Although this latter road was under a consiuerable depth of water the only damage done was the scouring oi some of the surface gravel and the depositing of silt on the road. Although the damage to roads was light privaie property in this area suffered very severely. Near the lower end of Siberia Road the river has caused considerable erosion and is now only about li chains from the road fence. “River erosion is one of the most serious matters this country has to contend with, ” said Cr. Campbell in discussing the proposed Rivers Control Act, 1941. Comment on the Act was deferred to the next meeting. The Palmerston North Hospital Board’s 1941-42 estimates were received, the covering letter intimating that the council’s levy had not been increased despite more activity owing to war conditions. Actually tne levy is £2O lower than last year. Cr. Campbell said that, even though social security was claimed to bring about a reduction, he was confident that there would be an increase. He had been pleased to note that the Minister of Health had stated that ho considered the time was near when a change in hospital maintenance would have to be made, and much of the required provided from the Consolidated Fund. Cr. Green pointed out that the hospital had been loaded with extra expense, having To provide an. emergency ward for soldiers. He felt the care of the soldiers should be the burden of the army authorities. Cr. Campbell considered rating lor hospital maintenance was not equitable as certain sections of the community had not been obliged to contribute. Continuing, Cr. Campuell said that next year the rating would be heavier as this year’s estimates were based on the valuation taken in 1917. Sinco then values had been increased and rating would be based on the new valuation next year.

A letter was received from tlie "Valuation Department advising of objections received agaiust tho new county valuations. Tne chairman stated tnat few objections to the capital value had been lodged but several ratepayers considered tae unimproved values were too high. The capital value of tho county had been increased by a quarter of a million. The council decided to appoint an assessor to represent it when the Assessment Court sat to hear objections. Donois of blood were called lor in a letter from the National Service Department. The chairman commented it was obvious that, should the war be prolonged, all the blood given by donors would ue needed. It was mentioned that anyone desiriag to give blood should get in touch with the local branch of the service in Palmerston North. That the proposed capitation grants for Home Guard unit expenses would be based on attendance rolls at parades was mentioned in a letter from the National Service Department, which stated that units would be reimbursed in respect of expense to tho extent of 75 per cent.