WHANGAMOMONA.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 133, 28 July 1911, Page 8

WHANGAMOMONA.

MONTHLY MEETING OF

COUNCIL

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Whangamoinona County Council took place last Wednesday, vhen (there were present: Crs. A. Meredith (chairman), Roberton, Mcllroy, Anderson, it. McCluggage, Jones, and Davis. Engineer's Report. The engineer (Mr K. C. Robinson) reported as follows: The building of a cattle pen in connection with Huiakama pound is nearly completed, and the boundary fences are being strengthened. The fencing of a dangerous bend in Ohura Road near To Wera has been completed.

Applications have been called for the position of surfaceman in the Whangamoinona district, and will be placed before you at this meeting. As instructed, I have inspected tho portions of road recently handed over to the Council. I found that the Mold and Mangaowata Roads were clear of slips, and that with the exception of the fillings being rather narrow the formation had been satisfactorily carried out. The Futikituna Road which is handed over from Kohuratahi Road to top of Saddle, has slipped considerably, and at the time of inspection (July 6th) it would have taken about £lO to clear it. Since then I have little doubt but that further slips have occurred. . The length of Whangamomona Road handed over (from Foarangi Road to tunnel) slipped extensively, but the Public Works Department is again, clearing it. In connection with this matter, I think it would be only reasonable that the Futikituna Road 'should bs cleared, further, that the'attention of the Government bo drawn to tho fact that the winter is a.most unfortunate time for vesting the control of newly formed roads in local bodies. The two or three spells of heavy rain experienced some little time back caused heavy slips to come down on Junction Road, and it is at present in a serious state of disrepair, I have had a surfaceman working on it recently, but it would take a man for at least two months to put it into anything like order. • Considering, however, the unfortunate financial position of the road, coupled with the, fact that practically all the traffic over it is from another county, I think it would be sufficient to keep it properly open for bridle traffic only until a better season of the year for carrying out repair work. " The foremen have been during the month carrying out general maintenance and repair work on the several roads in their ridings. The Strathmore foreman has repaired the metal on Kirai Road near its junction with the Ohura Road. The Whangamomona foreman has the matter of repairs, to the lower portion of the Futikituna Road in hand. The report was adopted. Correspondence. From the Minister of Railways, informing the Council that he cannot see his way to comply with the request of the Council re reducing the rate and a half on imported hardwood limber.—Received. From Malone, Anderson,and Johnstone, County solicitors, re electors’ roll.—Received. From Malone, Anderson, and Johnstone, County solicitors, ro adjustment of boundaries, informing the Council that there is no necessity for a fresh election, the councillors for the old ridings becoming the councillors for, the larger ridings.—Received. From the Department of Lands and Survey, Now Plymouth, re “thirds” from section 2, block XV., Fouatu, informing the Council that the Land Board on the 18th inst. resolved that it ,sees no reason to alter its previous decision.—Received. From the Public Works Department, Wellington, re expenditure of grants to roads from the Government. It was resolved on the motion of Cr Meredith seconded by Cr Roberton, that the Council is not prepared to undertake the construction or maintenance of bridle tracks, but is prepared to expend grants on properly constructed dray roads, and thereafter to maintain same. 1 ■ From Mr Hodder, asking the Council's permission to remove about 12 loads of earth from the roadside opposite the hotel site. It was decided to leave the matter jn Cr Davis’ hands. ' /?■ d From the Council’s ranger (Mr Burnett), asking for a pound key.—The poundkeeper be authorised to supply the ranger with an extra key.—carried. From Mr Holtz, asking for permission to cut a deviation through Mangaotuku stream.—Crs Jones and Meredith moved that Mr Holtz be informed that tho Council lias no power to deal with the matter.—Carried. From Mr Horace Coleman, re Hniakama residence, asking the Council for a refund of deposit on the ground that he thought all the ground was in same when tendering. Crs Mcllroy—Davis: That the Council regrets it cannot see its way clear to refund deposit paid. From W. T. Hodge, asking for compensation in respect to accident received by him through his horse falling on new metal placed on tho road, in which he received severe injuries. —Crs Meredith—Anderson: Though the Council regrets the accident it cannot .see its way clear to make a payment of this nature, and can recognise no liability for same.—Carried. From tho secretary Now Zealand Counties’ Association, Wellington, re Conference, informing the Council that the sitting of the conference will take place at 10 a.in. on 'Tuesday, August 22nd, in tho Sydney Street Hall, Wellington.—Received. DcjrMatian. A deputation of cemetery trustees

waited on the Council with reference to the cemetery, asking the Council if it could do anything with surveyi"g tho cemetery into sections. It was decided on the motion of Cr Roberton seconded by Cr Meredith, that the engineer he instructed to prepare an estimate for surveying same in accordance with tire trustees’ wishes, and will be informed of same at the next meeting of the Council. Mr T. A. Bradley waited on the Council with reference to leasing a small piece of road reserve, about one acre. It was granted at a yearly rental of 10s. Riding Business. Strathmore' Riding.—Cr Meredith moved that applications bd called for a poundkeeper for the Strathmore riding, applications to close at the next imeoting of the Council. Central Riding.—lt was decided that the necessary work to form a pack track on Futikituna Road below Vera Road be clone. Tahora Riding.—lt was resolved that the foreman do necessary work on the Mangaowata Road. Central. The engineer was instructed to interview the Public Works Department engineer regarding slips near Ngatimarn station with respect to clearing same, it being out of the Council’s length of road.—Carried. Applications for the position of surfaceman were received from W. Wright, James Savage, Victor Klee, ,E.' McCormack, and an application bearing ho signature. The application of Mr V. Klee was accepted. On the motion of Cr Anderson, seconded by Cr Meredith, it was decided that tho Public Works Department be written to, drawing their attention to the fctate of tho Futikituna Road, asking them to place it in good order before handing over, and also advising thorn that in this, and in fact all eases, winter is a most inadvisable time in which to hand over newly formed roads.

It was unanimously agreed to increase Mr J. Coulter’s wages to 9s per day.

On the motion of Cr Roberton seconded by Cr McCluggage, it was decided that each member of tho Council make applications re expenditure of “thirds” in their respective ridings on roads under comity control at present, and that tho chairman interview tli6 Minister of Public Works re the threat to confiscate the other “thirds.” Cr Anderson moved that the engineer be instructed to make suitable arrangements with Mr Grayling re putting the Whangamoinona Road in order for wheel traffic as far as the Foarangi Road. This was seconded by Cr Meredith and carried. It was decided that in future the riding electoral rolls be deposited for inspection in the various post offices in the' district. Accounts amounting to £497 18s 9cl were passed for payment, and the Council adjourned.