COUNTY AFFAIRS.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13074, 7 October 1935, Page 2

COUNTY AFFAIRS.

ROAD OVER RANGE.

EXCESSIVE UPKEEP. In the unavoidable absence of the chairman (Cr. A. IV. Bis set) Cr. H. R. Whitt a was appointed chairman at Saturday’s monthly meeting of the Pa hi at ua County Council. There were also present Crs. C. Hodgins, T. Fouhy, Felix Bolton, F. 1Horne, F. V. Bryant, C. Lassen and J. R. Nelson. The Kairanga County Council, under date September 11th, wrote: “Your letter of 21st ultimo was laid before a meeting of my Council yesterday. As far as that portion of the Pahiatua road is within the boundaries of the Kairanga County, the Council have already made application to the Main Highways Board that same be declared a main highway. Under the present circumstances, the Board have agreed to make a contribution towards the additional cost of maintaining the road as a detour road during such time as the Manawatu Gorge is blocked, but no finality has as yet been reached in the Council’s request for the road being declared a main highway. “The Council fully appreciate your Council’s views in the matter of maintenance charges, and are fully in sympathy with any representations your Council may make to have the roads referred to in your letter taken over by the Main Highways Board, and maintained by the Board. The Council is prepared to assist you to this end and appointed its chairman (Cr. D. Hollis) to discuss the matter with the chairman or representative of your Council. Under the circumstances 1 would suggest you advise my chairman when it would be convenient for the matter to be discussed.” It was decided that the County chairman and clerk be appointed to meet the chairman of the Kairanga County Council in the matter of maintenance and upkeep of detour routes, caused through the Manawatu Gorge Road being blocked. GENERAL. As the outcome of a circular letter from the Public Works Department it was agreed that the consulting engineers be instructed to direct all contractors dismantling bridges where new structures are erected on highways and where Public Works votes were made, to supply the Council with a schedule of all such timbers so dismantled in ordeo that the requirements of the Public Works Department might be fulfilled. The Council resolved: Ti That the New Zealand Counties’ Association be advised that this Council regrets its decision in the matter of represensations concerning re-survey of roads: that its decision is not understandable to this Council ; that the Association be asked to advise if the Council has legal redress where an occupier fences in portion of road reserve and the Council in consequence is forcer to incur costs in re-defining the correct road boundary.' ’

Mr A. Rutherford sought permission to use a portable plant to crush limestone in the Makuri and other parts of the County.

On the motion of Cr. Lassen, seconded by Cr. J. R. Nelson, it was decided (by five votes to three) to give permission to crush limestone on the roadside provided that lie obtains the consent of the County overseer before commencing operations, and as directed. Mr B. R. Ebbett, Kaitawa, was given permission to cross the road with a private telephone line, provided the County overseer approved. The Council supported the proposed action of the Masterton County Council in applying to the Minister of Transport for a determination of the disposal of heavy traffic .fees, brought about by the action of the Masterton Borough Council in failing to pay over its heavy traffic fees.

It was decided that the fence at Makairo on which Mr J. D. Piper has made representations be repaired. The Tararua Electric Power Board authorised the work of .shifting the position of the power poles at the Mangatainoka River bridge and the work is to be commenced without undue delay.

Mr W. Newton, of Mangamutu, applied for the lease of one end ot the deviation at Ruawhata and the matter was referred to the riding member (Cr. F. V. Bryant) and the overseer.

The Wairara pa Hospita I Board forwarded a schedule of fees written off amounting to £3,955 13s 3d. Mr Cl W. Falconer’s request for the drain running along the roadside in front of his property at Mangatainoka to be cleared was referred to the overseer, with power to act.

The Council decided to purchase £5 worth of health stamps to assist the local campaign. A letter from an outside employee asking for Is per week rise in wages was received. Accounts amounting to £4,775 7s 3d were passed for payment.