COUNTY AFFAIRS.

Wairarapa Age, 10 August 1929, Page 3

COUNTY AFFAIRS.

MEETING OF FEATHERSTON COUNCIL. (“The Age” Special.) The monthly meeting of the Featherston County Council was held in the Council Chambers at Martinborough yesterday, there being present: Councillors Q. Donald (chairman), W. B. Martin (treasurer), G. Gillies, W. H. Mitchell, R. Smith, J. Thomson and R. W. Matthews. Apologies were received from Councillors J. C. Bidwill and D. Cameron. The financial statement showed: Receipts, £18,612 16s lid; bank balance, cr., £16,227 Os 9d; outstanding cheques, £134 19s «Bd. Statement of ridings:— Grey town, dr., £l2B 8s 4d; Otaria, dr., £258 Ils 6d; Awhea, dr., £263 3s lid; Martinborough, dr., £43 19s id; Featherston, cr., £22 4s 6d; Western Lake, cr., £403 18s 3d; Kahutara, cr., £2885 3s 9d; Tauranganui, cr., £672 7s sd; Pahaoa, cr., £195 8s Id. Accounts amounting to £5169 13s 9d were passed for payment. The Main Highways Board wrote suggesting that the combined local bodies of the Wairarapa Main Highways District appoint a traffic inspector, the cost to be apportioned on the same basis as the apportionment of heavy traffic fees. Councillor Martin reported that at a meeting of the Highwaya Council the matter was favourably entertained, and it was estimated that the first year would cost £790, of which the council would be asked to contribute £148; after that the cost would be considerably less. It was resolved that the. council fall in with the other local bodies. The Public Works Department notified that authority had been issued by the Commissioner of Crown Lands for £1345 for the bridges over the Awhea River. The clerk reported that application had been made to the Local Bodies Loan Board, but no reply had been received yet. The Health Department wrote advising that a system of regular dates for the visits of the Health Inspector be arranged and suggested the second and fourth Wednesday for that part -of the county adjacent to Featherston Borough, and the second and fourth Thursday for the portion adjacent to Martinborough. The proposal wae agreed to. The Public Works Department wrote asking for information regarding the position of the legalising of the Lake Ferry—Cape Palliser Road, which matter should be completed as soon as possible. The County Solicitor reported the matter would be finalised in a few days. The Secretary of the Wairarapa Progress League notified that a meeting of representatives of the various local bodies of the Wairarapa would be held on Friday, August 23, in the Municipal Chambers, Masterton, to arrange a more equitable distribution of auctioneers’ license fees. The time of meeting is to be advised later.—Councillor Martin was appointed delegate. The Greytown Chamber of Commerce wrote suggesting a meeting of two or three representatives of the council and a deputation of those interested, to discuss ways and means of improving the Woodside Road. The Western Works Committee were appointed to meet representatives of the Chamber. Mr. A. C. Major wrote drawing attention to the state of the suspension bridge over the Waiohine River leading to Mr. Knapp’s property. The matter was left in Councillor Thompson hands.

Four subscribers in the 188 telephone line wrote strongly objecting to the high maintenance rate charged this year and asked that it be reduced, as it had been advanced £1 6s per subscriber. The matter is to be considered before the next year. The District Engineer, Publie Works Department, wrote stating that the Main Highways Board had agreed that the construction work, consolidation, widening, etc., of the Kahutara highway may be put in hand immediately and provision is being made for £BOO on account on a £1 for £1 basis. Tenders are to be called. Mr. Ramsden’s tender for 600 yards of metal for the Ponatahi Road was accepted out of five tenders received. W. Smith, ranger for the eastern ridings, reported having impounded and otherwise dealt with 20 cattle, 1 bull and 11 pigs during the month, and J. Crawford, ranger for the western ridings, reported having dealt with 42 cattle, 1 bull and 4 horses. The crusher foreman reported having dealt with 1491 yards of metal at a cost of 4s 8d per yard. One day was lost through wet weather. The engineer reported as follows:— Kahutara Main Highway: The preparations in view of tar-sealing are well in hand; £BOO will be made available immediately for levelling and preparing from Te Moire onwards and tenders will be called for this week. Whakawerawera Stream Improvements: This work is now ready for calling tenders. Pahaoa Bridge: Plans for this have now been prepared. Dock Creek Bridge has been completed and the gang are now working on the Greytown-Martin-borough Highway renewing culverts and will be finished there this week. Chapman’s Bridge: The cost of the timber only will be £39. Crusher: To compete with the work this summer it will be necessary to make certain alterations at the crusher so as to produce more fine metal. The estimated cost is £129. it was resolvfcd that Mr. Hutchins be asked to remove overhanging trees at The Knoll. The engineer was authorised to make necessary alterations at the crusher, and also to widen a bridge on Main Highway No. 77. The clerk was instructed to take the necessary steps to raise a loan of £5OO for the Ruthven Glen and Ruahara Bridges. ' It was resolved that all applications for cushed metal must come before the council for consideration. The matter of heavy traffic on the Haurangi Road was discussed and eventually left in the hands of Councillor Smith to go into and report at next meeting. Councillors Martin and Gillies were authorised to sign the rate roll.