HUTT COUNTY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 3736, 10 May 1899, Page 2

HUTT COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the Hutt County Council was . held yesterday, when the Chairman (Councillor F. Bradey) presided. In regard to the Paparangi road it was decided that the agreement forwarded by the Assistant Surveyor-Gen-eral he accepted and signed by the ; Chairman so far as regarded the portion of the road not included in the Johnsonville town district. It was also decided that a deputation wait on the Surveyor-General and request that the portion of the road in the Johnsonville town district be' declared to be not a county road. Messrs Gardner, Abbott and McManaway waited on the council and asked it to make the road into the Moonshine accessible for traffic, or to allow Mr Gardner to lay a tramline, as he was erecting a timber mill in the locality. It was decided that permission by written agreement be granted to Mr Gardner to lay a tramline, subject to the approval of the Inspector cf Roads, and to its being under the control of the council, to be determined at any time. The Johnsonville Town Board wrote asking that the question of altering the grade of the main road there might stand over till next summer, and that the Porirua riding might be divided into two ridings. It was resolved that the matter of the grade of the main road stand over as requested, and to reply in regard to the other request that the question of readjustment of

ridings is under the consideration of the council.

Messrs A. and C. Crawford wrote in further reference to the 10 per cent, (amounting to 2s 3d) collected from them on overtime rates. It was decided to reply that the 10 per cent, would he refunded if Messrs Crawford would have the property in question transferred from th'o Chinese to themselves on the valuation roll. It was resolved—“ That it be an instruction to the Inspector to prepare plans and specifications for a road connecting the county road with Otaihanga Station, and to call for tenders, to be opened at the next meeting of the council.” The Inspector reported that the £2OO grant for the Mungaroa to Whiteman Valley roads had been expended. The two roads were now connected, but it would take another £IOO to make 'a proper completion. The plans of the Moonshine road had been approved, and the work had been started, and ;was making good progress. He had graded and pegged out another lino of :road / at Belmont, which he considered jwas the best line that could be obtain!ed there. It was started in opposite 'Councillor Cavcrhill’s woolshed, and iwent north-easterly until it crossed the jpresent township road. Then it wound 'around the ridge until it joined the lother portion of the former road, where ithe old mill tramway ended. About six or seven chains of the road would pass through Messrs E. J. M. Stephenjson’s and W. Archer’s land. These iowners would not consent to the road, and therefore their land would have Ito ibe taken under the Public Works ; Act. All the other owners wore agreeable to the road being taken that? 'way in preference to any other. As soon as plans were prepared the work could ho started from the top end to 'where it crossed the road. It was recommended that the Paparangi road be [taken over from the Government, and 'that the work of repairs be put in hand as soon as possible. • With reference to protection' works at the Upper Hutt River, the settlers interested! had ■made good progress with the work. Ono groin seventy feet long had been made, and fifty-four feet 1 of another. In consequence of Mr N. Reid’s objecting to any groins being put in on his land, none had been got in as far up the river as ,the Inspector wished to go. There should be at least one at the top comer of his land. The Inspector did not think it would do Mr Reid’s land any harm, but rather good I .' Tho report was adopted. ; Consideration of the Paraparaumu drainage and Paikakariki road questions was deferred till the next meeting, on Thursday, tho 18th hist.