MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLII, Issue 11633, 7 September 1918, Page 5

MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL

The Council met. yesterday nt Sandon. Present: Sir James G. Wilson (chairman) ami Ors. Yv. .1. Pliil 1 ips, H Hammond. S. Penny, H. H. Hunt, J. Boyce and W. Barber. CORRESPONDENCE. Inward correspondence was dealt with as follows: F/om Under-Secretary Internal Affairs Department, statins’ that toe fund for the National Association of French War Orphans wouldclcse oir lath August From Minister of Public Works, stating that local authorities are making payments to contractors, workmen and owners of teams for carrying out works under Government subsidies at rates much in excess of what the Department is paying for similar works carried out under the supervision of its own officers, and attached conditions under which work entrusted to local bodies under grants or subsidies must be accepted —Received. The District Health Officer reported ou a case of diphtheria in a house situated ou'Samlou Road, and suggested that certain improvements should be carried out—Notification sent to owner to carry out Department's suggestion. F'om Under-Secretary Department of Internal Affairs, re issue of permits to solicit or receive contribntons or to raise money for a war fund, and stating that no permits would be granted until the funds in question had received his approval. From Assistant Under-Secretary Internal Affairs Department, re application for permission to levy a rate on a uniform scale in the Oroua Downs, Drainage District— Notification to apply for permission to strike a uniform rate to be advertised.

From Valuer General, posting roll for the Makowhai Drainage District—Received.

From Waitomo County Council, with a further circular in reference to ' representation of natives on County Councils —Referred to Counties Association.

Prom secretary of Rangiotu Farmers’ Union, drawing attention to the danger of approaching motors to the school entrance at Rangiotu : also that depth pegs should he placed at intervals along Main Drain Road, and also in dips at Rangiotu station—Agreed to and overseer to report as to how the danger to children at Rangiotu ana Bainesse schools can bo averted.

From B. Gray, drawing attention to outlets on two culverts on the Awahuri-Feildiug Road —Overseer to report. From Messrs Haggitt & Elliott, solicitors, stating that Mr Duncan Fraser had instructed them that if the proposed diversion of water on the Frecklington Lino is persisted in by the Council, Mr Fraser will have no choice but to exercise his undoubted rights and claim an injunction and damages—Referred to County Solicitor. From S. Hutchinson, stating that the culverts leading across the road past his property, between Oroua Downs and Himitangi are too small, and agreeing to pay half the cost of labour for enlarging same. —Agreed to. From A. Brooke Taylor and A. P. Easton, complaining of wandering stock on roads—Overseer to take proceedings. The following alterations were agreed to on the rate roll F. W. Wisnofski to O. H. Shailer, M. Desmond to W. H, Bryan, W. Hopping to S. L. Digging, J. Crowe to S. Johnson, E. G Knight to R. Person,|W. Richmond to E. L. Short, same to L. T. McLean, O. Watson to E. Flynn, K G. Richards to F. 11. O. Watkins, E. Meehan to Feilding Jockey Club, A. Adams to H. J. Fox. G. Read further wrote in reference to the damage to glass in cases during transit on tramway— Guard to put in written report. A bonus of £5 was granted Fireman Gedge, who goes into camp in November. Messrs 0. H. Petersen & Son waited on the Council and asked for an increase to 4s Gd per yard for carting, quarrying and crushing metal. It was resolved (Ors. Hammond—Hunt)—That the increase he granted.

ENGINEER’S REPORT. Mr A. G. Hickford reported Sandou Riding.'—The usual road maintenance work has been done in this riding, such as carting metal on Ohakea, Speedy, s and Eagan’s Road, for repairing weak places and holes. Rongotea Riding.— Nothing of very much importance has been done in this riding during the last month beyond carting repair metal for the Rongotea- Longbnrn, Kopane, and Mill Roads. Kawa Kawa Riding.—A three horse team was employed the greater part of last month carting repairs along the Main Drain Road between the "end of the Taikorea Road and Glen Orona. An extra team was employed carting sand and crowning up a portion of Kellows Line Metai lias been carted and weak place patched up along the Palmeraton-Fostou road.

Carnarvon Hiding.—Mr S J. Suited has completed his contract for delivering metal on Campions Line. 1 have patched tip the worst holes along Bosina and Elver Bank Road and also trimmed np Campions Line with the road grader. I have made arrangements or the trimming and grading of Bosina and River Bank roads also a portion of the FoxtonSandon Road.

Awahou Biding.—We have now completed repairs|to the Whirokiao Road as far as the metal available would cover. There are yet soma weak piaces near the Whirokino Bridge >that require metalling, but owing to the c-usher not working we are not in a position to supply metal for this work or any other works until the coal is available for running a special ballast train. As requested hy the Council I met Mr B. G. Gower, and Mr J. Chrytall at the Kari Kari with reference to the block in the mils drain in front of Mr Gower’s property and about two chains from the Kari Kari drain. The block in question has been placed in the drain by some person to form a crossing over the drain to Mr Johnston’s property now leased by Mr Gower. The water is dammed back by the block to the extent of 15 to 18 inches on Mr Chrystalls side of the drain. I am not quite satisfied even if the block is removed Iliac it will relieve Mr Chrystal of surface water to any great extent as there is very

little fall, and the difference in height of the water on each side of* the block is caused by Die supply being cut off. If the block is cut out the water on the low side will gradually back up till it reaches tho level of the main outlet which is only about 30 chains from the end of the mile drain and is connected by the Kari Kan drain. The mile drain is along a country road and about half the length is controlled uy the Montoa Drainage Board ami the portion where the block exists is cleaned out by tire adjoining pro-perty-owner. General —During last month we crushed approximately 1010 cubic yards of metal, which has been delivered ar the various sidings between Foxou and Pukenuui, but owing to the shortage of coal wo have stopped crushing till we can get a supply. TRAMWAY M ANAGEKS REPORT Tho expenaitmo exceeded tho earnings by £173 15s d. but included in expendiure were items amounting to 177 Os 3d for new rail fastenings and sleepers.

The chief items of traffic were.— Minerals tons, merchandise 110 Pi tons, timber 2035,000 square feet metal 040 cnoic yarns, fares amounted to £3 17s Sd. The water tank “G” class locomotve Ims been iupsected by the Locouiottive Foreman of Palmerston North and forwarded to Petoue Workshops for repairs. The 'new valves purchased have come to hand, The firebox of the “Mauwatu” has been causing trouble for some time and during the month owing to a bulge developing in tire left side plate I got the Insp c ctor of Machinery to make a special examination. ,

The dog spikes purchased from the Austral Trading C 0., have ccme to . hand. Fireman Gcdyo has been passed for military service and goes into camp in November. Ho wishes to leavj at the end of present month. The Oroua River Piotective Works at the Awahuri Bridge.'—We have now completed the first groyhe near the bridge the total cest beng approximately £79 is. As the cost of putting the groyne lias exceeded our estimate we considered it advisable to call a meeting of the various councillors interested to inspect the work and decide whether it would be advisable to place a second groyne further up the river. After some discussion on the matter the Councillors present agreed, to the construction of the second grojme being proceeded with. • , Tramway.—At the present time several of the men are employed on the Line between Ghakea and Pukeuui Siding removing decayed sleepers, packing up and straightening the line, also replacing fishplates, bolts and spikes where required. A large number of decayed sleepers have been removed and replaced along the 281 b track between Taikoren and Oroua Down Sidings. I have secured lOcwt of lirat claast rar ay spikes which I intend to use on the Himutangi curve at an early date.