COUNTY AFFAIRS.

Wairarapa Age, 15 July 1931, Page 7

COUNTY AFFAIRS.

MEETING OF MASTERTON COUNCIL. MARKING OF ROAD SURFACES. The chairman, Cr. W. I. Armstrong, presided at the monthly meeting of the Masterton County Council, held yester day. Others present were: Councillors H. H. Mawley, Gordon Lee, J. W. Colquhoun, J. W. A. Falloon and G. Moore. An apology for absence was received from Councillor J. McGillicuddy. The Overseer (Mr. B. L. Larsen) recommended that the following roads, at the junction with the main highway, be permanently surfaced for a distance of one chain: Lennies, Coopers, Loopline, Bourkes and the Waingawa to Camp. The recommendation was adopted and the work is to be carried out, but only half a chain is to be surfaced in each case.

The Main Highways Board adviser that it was prepared to subsidise the marking of black pavements with white lines on a£2 for £1 basis. The Overseer was given authority to mark sueh corners where visibility was bad.

A letter was received from the District Engineer, Public Works Department, stating that the Main. Highways Board had decided that where local authorities did not make an adjustment in their wages until after April 1, the old rates would be subsidised up to the date ’of such adjustment, which must not be later than April 30. In regard to local authorities which were bdund by award and the general 10 per cent, reduction made by the Arbitration Court, the subsidy would be paid on the reduced wages as from June 8, the date from which the Court reduction took effect.

The Main Highways Board advised that complaints had been made of the danger which existed on account of straying stock on main highways and that is had been suggested that traffic inspectors be given power to impound ■cattle. While the board did not favour the appointment of traffic inspectors, who were subsidised out of the Main Highways Account, 'as poundkeepers, it considered that traffic inspectors should regard it as part of their duty to take active steps to keep the highways clear of straying stock by getting into immediate touch with either the poundkeeper or constable with a view to having the carttle impounded. The Masterton Borough Council advised that it had agreed to accept 40 per cent, of the allocation of heavy traffic license fees as between boroughs in lieu of 50 per cent. The decision was accepted. A letter was received from the Department of Health stating that iji "iew of the special circumstances, it had been decided to make a 10 per cent, reduction, as from April 1, 1931, in the .amounts paid towards the salary and expenses of the county health inspector.. The council’s contribution at the reduced rate would be £72 18s, a saving of £8 2s per annum. The Conservator of Forests advised that the amount due to the council as “fifths” of revenue derived f-om State Forest Royalties during the quarter ending June 30, 1931, amounted to £37 6s.

The Secretary of the Masterton Cooperative Dairy Co. wrote requesting that cream lorries be permitted to iravel at 30 miles per hour. The Clerk (Mr. J. C. D. Mackley) stated that he had advised the Company that the council had always endeavoured to adopt a reasonable attitude towards traffic generally, but it was not prepared io .give any undertaking that concessions would be granted when it was not within its power to do so. The Clerk’s action was endorsed.

The Waitomo County Council wrote drawing the attention of the council to the difficulties experienced in connection with the collection of rates on land which is either owned by or mortgaged to the Crown. The Waitomo council enclosed a copy of a letter forwarded to the Prime Minister on the subject and requested that "f the Masterton council was similarly affected it should take the matter'up with the member for the district with a view to having remedial measures instituted during the present session. The letter was received.

The Masterton Borough Council advised, in reply to the council’s request, that it saw no reason why it should make a contribution to the cost of 'maintaining- Nursery Road. The letter was received.

The ranger reported having dealt with the following stock during the month: Cattle, 26; horses, 7; sheep, 14; pigs, 2. Fees collected for the month amounted to £3 16s. Fees received since April 1 amounted to £lO Is. The treasurer reported a credit balance of £8,281 4s 9d. Receipts for the month amounted to- £1,617 18s lid and accounts amounting to £5,608 15s 8d were passed for payment. OVERSEER’S REPORT. The overseer, Mr. B. L. Larson, reported, inter alia, for the month.

Opiki Riding, Wellington-Napier Highway: Scarifying and reshaping of this road at Mt. Bruce -has been completed for a distance of two- miles. Owing to very wet weather the road broke up before metalling could be completed. All the reformed portion of the road has now been metalled. Opaki Section: This section of the road has been metalled between the 4-5 M. with crushed gravel from the Mount Bruce crusher. The work of laying a foundation course of crushed metal has been commenced at Opaki. Boulders are being crushed at Te Ore Ore, unemployed labour being used. The Waingawa Camp Road: Contract for metalling is being carried out in a satisfactory manner. Rangitumau Riding: Bluff-Rangi-tumau Road: The metalling contract on' this road has been completed. The Waingawa Camp Road metalling contract has been completed on the 11-12 m. section. Dorset Road: Gravel has teen delivered to this road under contract. Upper Taueru Riding: Mamgaparuparu Road:—Contract for metalling

has "been completed in a satisfactory manner, a total distance of 2m. 60chs. having been metalled. Te Whiti Riding: Manaia-umdstone Road, contract for metalling has been completed in a satisfactory manner. South Road: Metal has been delivered to this road under contract. Masterton Tinui Highway: This road has been scarified and remetalled from the 4-sm. Wellington-Napier Highway, Waingawa Section: The erection of the groynes above the Waingawa Bridge has been completed. Utriti Biding: Blairlogie-East Coast Road: The contract for quarrying has been carried out in a very satisfactory manner.

Wainuioru Riding: Weraiti-Stronvar Highway.—The work of widening the rock cuttings at the 21m. has been completed. Unemployed Relief Works: Mount Bruce Cottage.—Fencing etc. in connection with this work has been com pleted and everything is ready for tree planting. Te Ore Ore Water Supply Drain: Approximately 25 chains of fencing has been. erected in connection with this work. A small bridge has also been put in. Te Ore Ore Estate Road: The filling required! opposite the school has been put in. The cost of installing a culvert has been avoided by turning the water down McLachlans Road. Wellington-Napier Highway: This work has been closed down all men transferred to the Paierau Road drains. Paierau Road Drains: To expedite this work a ganger has been put in charge and all available men put on. Forty chains of lhe drain has been deepened and widened to grade shown on plan; the work of shifting spoil from the edge of drain and building up road is in hand. Wellington-Napier Highway: Reconstruction at Opaki. In connection with the above work the following is being undertaken by unemployed labour. (1) Picking up and crushing boulders at Te Ore Ore; (2) picking up boulders at Waingawa; (3) supplying and loading blinding at Opaki; (4) spreading metal and blinding on road. Groynes, Waingawa River: Boulders for this work have been supplied by unemployed labour. Mount Bruee crushing The work of .supplying gravel to the crusher and stripping of the pit is being carried out by unemployed .’abour.