COUNTY AFFAIRS.

Wairarapa Age, 10 August 1935, Page 6

COUNTY AFFAIRS.

MEETING OF FEATHERSTON COUNCIL. The monthly meeting of the Featherston County Comical was held at Martinborough yesterday, there being present: Councillors Q. Donald (chairman), R. Smith, R, W. Matthews, J. Thompson, Guy Gillies and A. B. Martin. Apologies for absence were received from Councillors McLeod and Cameron.

The treasurer reported the following receipts since last month:—Rates, £790 9s 3d; unemployment, £277 12s Id; licenses, £BB Os lOd; heavy traffic fees, £296 6s lOd; rents, £l5 15s; transfers, £297 6s 4d; miscellaneous, £lB Is 3d; total, £1783 Ils 7d. The Mastertoii Borough Couficil wrote stating that it was dissatisfied with the allocation of heavy traffic fees during the past two years and requesting that, the matter of future allocation be reconsidered, and asking for the council’s views on the matter. A letter was also received from the Commissioner of Transport in reference to amended proposals for the allocation of having traffic, fees.

It was decided to reply to the Masterton Borough Council that as proposals had been put forward by the Transport Board, the council preferred to make no comment in the meantime.

The secretary of the Wairarapa Automobile Association wrote drawing the council’s attention to a section of road leading to the old Pahautea settlement, which was subject to flooding and asking if the council could do anything to relieve the position. It was also asked that the council extend a culvert on the Featherston side of Mr. Gooding’s property, on the Western Lake Road, or to give the association permission to erect a post indicating the edge of the culvert. It was decided that no action could be taken regarding the first request, but that the request for permission to erect a post be acceded to.

A petition was received from eleven settlers, asking that the road leading through Gum. Grove to Coe’s lane be properly formed, metalled and bridged. It was urged that this was the main connecting link between the Western Lake Bead and. South Featherston. The engineer estimated the cost of completing the road at £l2OO, and it was decided to reply that no amount had been placed on the estimates for the work. Four settlers of Kahutara, wrote regarding Bidwill’s Big Drain, stating that a breach had occurred in the bank of the drain at a point on Mr. E. Playle’s property, where the fluming runs under it, with the result that several acres of each of their farms were continually under water, ‘and had been so for several weeks. As the matter was of great urgency, owing to likelihood of further floods widening the breach, they considered it expedient that something should be done immediately. The contention of the petitioners was that the council was liable. The question of liability was discussed, and the Western Works Committee was deported to., go into the matter and report back to the council. The Commissioner of Unemployment wrote, acknowledging receipt of a letter advising that the County Office safe had been blown open and that amongst the money stolen was a sum of £5 drawn to pay relief workers. The board regretted that it was unable to accept any liability for the loss sus L tained.

H. J. Hutchings, The Knoll, wrote asking if it was possible to have Fenwick’s drain on the Battersea Road cleaned out as the water was damaging his crops. It was resolved to ask Mr. Fenwick to clean out the drain. Ranger Crawford reported having dealt with 59 head of stock during the month, and having registered 59 dogs. The County Clerk (Mr. Hardinge) and the Assistant-Clerk (Mr. Clark) were given permission to attend the annual conference of the Institute of Clerks.

Accounts amounting to £4435 15s lid were passed.

The engineer submitted an estimate of the cost of repairing damage done in the county by the excessive rainfall in June. The estimate was £2590, of which £l4OO was for the renewal of bridges and culverts. It was decided that the chairman wait on the Minister of Public Works asking for assistance towards affecting the repairs. The engineer reported that the Morison’s Bush drain had been completed by the unemployed as far as Cross’s Line, and that the fence on the county frontage had been set back and repaired. The gang was now following the drain of Cross’s Line, deepening where possible up to the limit indicated by Councillor Thompson. The Traffic Inspector reported on breaches of the traffic regulations and was instructed to institute prosecutions:

Metalling contracts let to Hurst and Sons, F. L. Farr and Garrity Bros, were confirmed.

The County Clerk reported on the recent burglary in the County Office, when £B3 17s 2d was taken. The matter of procuring another safe was left in the hands of the Clerk and Treasurer.

The tender of W. Johnson (Featherston), £230 14s 7d, was accepted for the erection of a dwelling at Western Lake.