FEATHERSTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Age, 14 March 1925, Page 3

FEATHERSTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. (“The Age” Special.) The monthly meeting was held at Martinborough yesterday, Cr. Q. Donald presiding. There were present Crs. W. B. Martin, D. Cameron, J. C. Bidwill, Guy Gillies, Jack Martin, J. Thompson and A. Matthews. An apology was received from Cr. J. McLeod. The treasurer reported receipts £3419 6s 2d, County fund account dr. £498 16s Bd, loan account er. £285 3s 7d, imprest account cr. £2B 16s 6d. Accounts totalling £2345 13s 4d were passed. J. Yeomans applied for four months’ leave of absence to visit his mother m England.—Granted. The Town Clerk, Featherston, wrote asking if the Council was agreeable to the Featherston cemetery bridge being erected as shown on the engineer’s plan. The engineer stated that the extra cost would be about £350. Cr. Matthews said he had three bridges to erect in his riding, and he would have to raise a loan. It was decided to agree to the deviation as set out. The Dry River Water Race Committee requested that J. and J. D. McMaster’s water charge be cancelled. —Agreed to. A further letter regarding the headworks intake was referred to the Martinborough Town Board. The Town Clerk, Greytown, wrote concerning the encroachment on North street, Greytown. The Council had previously granted Mr M. Maxton permission to erect his fence on the boundary. He had done so, leaving a half chain road. The Council raised an objection to the encroachment.— Resolved that no action be taken.

Bell, Gully, Mackenzie and O’Leary, solicitors, Wellington, wrote, as representing Mr D. Riddiford, stating that they must hold the Council responsible if damage arises from replacing Jenkin’s bridge with culverts. —Received.

A. Caselberg, Masterton, wrote drawing attention to the very bad state of the road from Whakapuni to Stoney Creek, and requesting that the matter be given careful attention.— Referred to the Councillor for the riding.

The Clerk, Waipawa County Council, wrtite enclosing request that Coancil co-operate in advising ratepayers and others to forward their goods wherever possible by rail, instead of motor, helping thus to reduce upkeep of county roads.—lt was unanimously resolved that the Council support the suggestion.

D. B. Carrick, Masterton, wrote drawing attention to the bad state of the road from the roadman’s whare at the White Rock turn-off to the “Homeburn” gate.—Referred to the Councillor for the riding. W. Smith, Eastern Ridings ranger, reported having dealt with 13 head of stock during the month.—J. Abbott (Western Ridings) reported having dealt with 57 head. Engineer’s Report. The engineer reported that tho work on the asphalt section of the Martinborough-Featherston road was not complete. Where the. second coat had been put on the work was all right—The chairman wanted to see the road between Tawaha and Martinborough pushed on as he was afraid of floods.—The engineer stated that the road had been built up, and if a flood did come they should not lose more than the surface. He would be ready to start with the grouting in a month’s time. General. Cr. Matthews reported on the protection work at the crusher plant. The engineer stated that one or two short groynes should be placed up-stream from the bridge. It was recognised that the weakest spot was on the Featherston side of the bridge, and the building of groynes arid a stopbank would divert the river to its proper channel and prevent erosion. The work would have to be done slowly arid the river watched. The chairman said he was afraid the river was getting under the willows and it would not be long before they fell in. —lt was resolved that the whole Council meet there on Friday next. It was resolved that the next meeting be held on Wednesday, April 8.

On the motion of the chairman, employes wages were increased by 1/per day. The question of rate arrears, £1675, was left in the hands of the chairman and clerk.

Mr A. C. Mason waited on the Council with a view to getting a road to some property which has no road access. Tho owner of_ adjacent property at present objected to give access, and Mr Mason requested the Council to take the road under the Public Works Act. He was quite prepared to guarantee survey and other expenses.—lt was resolved to get the County Solicitor’s opinion.