Woodville County

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 267, 12 November 1945, Page 2

Woodville County

At the monthly meeting of the Woodville County Council, Cr. E. D. Cattanach reported on a conference of the Hawke’s Bay county councils which he had attended. He made particular reference to rural housing and said the general opinion was that the position at present was most unsatisfactory. Members, he said, generally favoured the inauguration of a group system of housing by the building of State houses on county reserves. The provision of such houses would go a long way to assist in relieving the labour position because adequate housing would encourage people to live in the country. Cr. Cattanach also reported on the Hawke’s Bay meeting of the Hawke’s Bay provincial patriotic executive. He assured members that the expenditure of the money collected was being closely watched and would go to the soldiers and not be swallowed in high administrative costs. This was a primary consideration of the council. Cr. M. O. Grainger presided and there were also present Crs. W. Norman, W. Galloway, Cattanach, S. McIntosh and J. Mitchell. Leave of absence was granted to Crs. R. H. Morgan and A. Ramsden. The Woodville Borough Council wrote asking the council to endeavour to arrange that stock bound for the saleyards be taken by an alternative route from the present one.—lt was decided to reply that the council would make inquiries. Reporting on a conference of Hawke’s Bay county councils, Cr. E. D. Cattanach said that the rate for the Manawatu Catchment Board’s area was fully discussed and unanimous opinion against a flat rato expressed. It had been decided to forward a resolution to the New Zealand Counties’ Association asking it to frame a resolution of protest and forward it to each county council, with a request to hand a copy of it to the member for the district. Appreciation of the action of the manager of the Maharahara Dairy Factory (Mr. R. A. Joblin) in advising that the approaches to a bridge had been washed away was expressed by several councillors. It was reported by the chairman (Cr. M. O. Grainger) that the manager had telephoned him and informed him that floods had washed away the approaches to the bridge over the Oroua-Kiritaki stream. By the time the engineer had arrived on the scene, Mr. Joblin had placed a lamp in the roadway and had also stretched cheesecloth across to stop traffic. His prompt action was greatly appreciated. The chairman added that people who

performed such actions and gave warnings merited the thanks not only of the council but also of the general public. 1 The engineer and the staff of the council were also thanked for the line \vo r k they had accomplished during the flooding. The engineer (Mr. W. J. Hawkes) in his report stated that on the Wood-ville-Tamaki highway a fair amount of surface damage, had been done through flooding and this was gradually being repaired. No material damage to bridges was done on this highwaj'. Considerable damage was done, however, to bridge approaches on Freeman’s highway. A temporary span was put on the Raparapawai Stream bridge to enable it to be opened. The stream had now been diverted aud permanent work would be carried out as soon as material was available. A minor scour at the Oroua-Iviritaki stream bridge had now been remedied. Sheathing repairs on the Oxford Road bridge had been attended to and the approach repaired. The approach to Edward’s bridge had been washed out and a temporary approach had been made.

The power of police and post office officials to require the production of identity cards will continue for a further two years under the Emergency Laws (Transitional Powers) Bill, presented to the British Parliament on Thursday. .It is proposed to continue other defence regulations dealing with billeting and evacuation.