FEATHERSTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Age, 12 March 1923, Page 3

FEATHERSTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. (Our Travelling Reporter.) The monthly meeting of the council was held at Murtinborough on Fri-. day. there being present Crs Q. Donald (chairman), \\. B. Martin, D. Cameron. G. Gillies, J. M. Martin, J. McLeod, H. Cook and A. Matthews. The treasurer reported that £19915s 3d had been received since last meeting, including £394 os 3d in rates and arrears. He reported that the county fund was dr. £l2lB 4s 7d. Accounts amounting to £2350 Os 7d were passed for payment. Messrs Te Whaiti and Sinclair wrote re the access to Whatarangi station, and asking the council to visit the locality.—lt was decided to inform the settlers that the council intended visiting the spot on Monday, March 26. The Greytown Borough Council forwarded the following resolution passed at its last meeting:—“That the Featherston County Council be informed that as the time has long expired during which the Borough Council agreed to pay a third of the cost of extraordinary expenditure at the headworks, such agreement is not in force, and should the county desire the borough to bear any proportion of such work a fresh agreement will have to be entered into.”—lt was decided that the matter be referred to the water-race committee to report back to the next council meeting. The- clerk to the Martin-borough Town Board wrote asking the council’s permission to take the necessary soil to cover the rubbish dump in New York street.—Left in the hands of Cr. W. B. Martin. A ratepayer wrote asking that the Lower Tauherenikau bridge be tarred and sanded.—The overseer reported that this work had been done.

Geo. Bank, an employee of the council, wrote asking for a bonus.— A bonus of £lO was granted. J- Phillips, “censee of the Lake Ferry Hotel, advised the council that the concrete tank at the hotel had collapsed and asked that something be done to replace it. —The matter was left, in the hands of Crs W. B. Martin, and Gillies to deal with.

Mr A. D. McLeod, M.P., wrote stating he was doing his best to induce the Minister of Public Works to agree to a transfer of a grant appearing on the estimates (Pahaoa-Glendhu track £5OO £ for £) to the Kai Kai Kura stream. —On the motion of Cr. W. B. Martin, it was decided that the council provide up to £2OO towards the bridge. Mr McLeod also wrote in reference to telephones, stating that he was hopeful of inducing the department to place 10 subscribers on each wire.— Received.

Mr A. D. McLod, M.P., wrote suggesting that the council purchase an area at Wantwood belonging to Mr Riddiford, and at present used as a holding paddock, for the purpose of placing a permanent man to look after the three roads that meet at this spot.—Mr D. H. S. Riddiford wrote offering the land (15 acres) at £l5 per acre. —It was decided that the land be purchased at the price offered.

The secretary of the Wairarapa Automobile Society wrote asking the council to reconsider the decision re the “Road Blocked” sign for emergency use on the Rimutaka Hill road. The Association also enquired if it was possible td, ’have the trees blocking the view at the foot of the Martiniborough, cutting removed, and drew attention td the narrow condition of part of the cutting.—The matter of putting up signs was left with the chairman and overseer. It was resolved that the owner be requested to cut back the trees complained of, and that the Western works committee report on the question of widening the road.

The overseer was given instructions to reduce the depth of metal on the Ruamahanga bridge and to tar and sand the surface.

The engineer reported that the only work in hand now on the Rimutaka Hill road was the completion of the approaches to No. 4 bridge and chains of metalling from No. 2 bridge towards Featherston. The Blue Rock stream bridge would be complex about March 17. The steam engine for the crushing plant had arrived. Ranger Smith reported having dealt with 13 head during the ’ month and Ranger Abbott with 43 neul.

It wa, s reporter! that the I’ppe” Tauherenikau bridge account was short by £B7O, and it was decided to take the necessary steps to raise the amount by loan.

It was decided that Mr Joseph Dawson be instructed to paint the four Pahaoa bridges at a cost of £6O.

The following tenders were accepted: —Bush Gully metalling, Lawrv and Burt, 3s per yard; Hinakura metalling, Lawry and Burt 5s fid* per yard. At the suggestion of Cr Gillies it was decided to put the grader over the road leading to the Kahutara bridge. Cr. McLeod mentioned that those settlers loading wool at White Rock had no legal road access to the beach and on his motion it was decided to write Mr Barton asking if he will sell Sufficient land for a permanent road from the existing road to the beach. OVERSEER’S REPORT. No. 1 Riding.—A bttle metalpatching has been carried out on the Morrison’s Bush road near Dick’s corner. Flooding _on the Waiohine road caused road metal to be washed off, and this is now being put back. "VI illows in the drain on Ward’s Line have been cut out and drqiin on Morrison’s Bush road ha s been cleaned. No 2.—Slips on Boajjf Bush Gully road have been removed and watertables cleaned and pipes have been put in again which were washed out. No. 3.—Metal-patching has been carried out on the Western Lake road, between Pa pa tab i and Waiorongomai. Sign-nost on this road has been repaired. No. 4.—Metal-patching hn« been carried out on Kahutara road, near Ruamahanga bridge. The con+.rncib of metalling Kahutara road. W.iwn the triangle and Mr Sntbcrlnnd’s property, will he comnletod i” about a fortnight. Have nKo pvt a light coat of metal on Te Maine 1 Tlhe new engine has arrived -t-nsher

and now is on the. site. Some time ago it was suggested to tar the Wianga bridge; I would like to know whether you still intend to carry out this work. No. s.—Usual surface work attended to. A number of slips have come down on Haurangi road; I have a man now removing slips and opening water-tables in readiness for metalling. Have also laid ouT about .60 elf road, which should be metalled before winter. Hill-Side road. Have replaced all rotten timber culverts with concrete ones, as road was dangerous. Am arranging for contractor to complete contract held over from last year. No 6.—No new work has been commenced during the month. No. 7. -Have had about 40 chains of metalling done on Tutururnuri Hill, where road has been suosiding. Have also had county dray patching and repairing to Tuturu-muri-Whakapuni river road. Timber is laid for new culvert on the Tora road. Have asked the contractor to complete contract on Sunnyside road. No. B.—Roads in» general in good order. Have had a 'inmoer of old timber culverts replaced in concrete. Other short culverts on the r. ost dangerous corners have oeen extended. Contractor is making good progress and expects to omplete about Monday, when he will -ommenee the Hinakura contract. No. 9. —Roads in ge terai in good order.