WAITOTARA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12259, 6 July 1909, Page 8

WAITOTARA COUNTY COUNCIL.

The usual monthly meeting of the above Council was held yesterday morning, when there were present —Crs. W. Ritchie (chairman), Handley, Robinson, Connor, Ross, Russell, Morrison, and Dempsey.

VALUATION. —The Valuer-General wired to the effect that the valuation of the Waitotara County had been estimated at £1,753,161 (including £93,607 on Native lands), and that the rolls would be forwarded shortly.

PIPE LAYING. "— Permission was granted to Mr C. B. Laird to open up about three chains of road near the Westmero Raiway Station in order to lav a pipe. NEW ROADS.—The Chief Engineer of Railways wrote, informing the Council of a, proclamation in the " Gazette" allocating certain portions of the railway reserve at Westmere which the Council is to take over for road purposes. CASTLECLIFF TOWN BOARD. — The Clerk of this Board wrote agreeing to take over the Castlecliff road loan of £612 163 and any special rates which might be in hand when the adjustment was completed. It was also suggested by the Board that the Council collect and retain the special rates in connection with the above loan, which were payable by Messrs Rhodes and Wilson, and that the Board should be freea from any liability on the Aramoho protectivo works loan of £1021. —The matter was referred to the Audit Department. ARAMOHO AMALGAMATION.— A copy of the report made by the Com missioner (Mr \V. Kerr) was forwarded by the Minister of Internal Affairs. In his report the Commissioner stated that he considered that the most thickly populated part should be brought under municipal administration. With the exception of the least thickly populated part, he recommended that the request of the petitioners be granted.

RIVER BANK ROAD.—It was announced that the Borough Council's contribution of £40 towards the cost of regrading along the tramway line had been paid.

GRAVEL PIT.—It was decided that part of Sections 2 and 3 of the Pakaraka Block, Nos. I. and X., Nukumaru Survey District, be taken over by the Council under the Public Works Act, 1908, for the purpose of a gravel pit, and that the chairman and Cr. Russell be authorised to sign the necessary memorial .

NGATURU ROAD.—Mr Wilson waited on the Board re forming this road. —It was decided that the foreman prepare ~an estimate of the cost, and that the matter would be dealt with at next meeting.

CASTLECLIF ROADS.—The Chairman and Clerk of the Town Board waited on the Council and requested that the control of the roads in the Board's district be delegated to the Board.

RATES. —It was decided/to levy a rato of 7-3 din the £, estimated to produce £G042, which will carry a Government subsidy of £1297. Crs. Handley, Morrison, and Connor dissented, favouring a three farthings rate. METALLING.—It was decided to call tenders for metalling 30 chains on the Koatanui Road. It was decided that metalling, not to exceed £9, be carried out on Quirk Avenue. OVERHANGING TREES.^-Certain ratepayers are to be notified to cut and trim overhanging trees. NOXIOUS WEEDS.—Resolved that notice be given to certain ratepayers to remove boxthorn, gorse, and briars. ACCOUNTS.—Accounts to the amount of £448 4s 3d were passed for payment. PUBLICANS' LICENSES.—TiIe sura of £75, being amount oi three licenses has been paid. FOREMAN'S REPORT. The foreman reported as follows: — Contracts.--Gravel carting at AraraoliOj and fencing along Tokomaru East Road contracts iiaya been completed The Imlay Extension road formation works should be finished in a few days, and this will complete all the contracts. Gravelling.—No arrangements having yet been come to regarding the maintenance and control of the Boundary Road, I have had some necessary slight repairs done and charged half the cost to the Castlecliff Town Board. Aim Aim. —It is advisable that the j question of a punt be deferred, pending receipt of further information. Bailance Street. —Nine chains of a i 30ft. formation has been made with the grader, at a cost of £3. The balance of the £25 authorised will be spent on the lower portion of the road. London Street.—Authorised works have been attended to, and at present a rough footpath is being formed. Seddon Street is being treated in the same manner. Watar Pipes.—Great inconvenience exists in Aramoho, where the artesian supply pipes are laid too close to the surface of the roads, and the grader frequently corner in contact therewith. These pipes should be at least two feet deep along formed reads, and 3ft. on unformed roads. ' Gates. —The gates along the Rauarapaoa Block Road should be removed, especially the one at Mr Talbot's house. Gravelling.—The time is' now opportune for the prosecution of gravelling works along the Main Road and River Bank Road. . Bridges.—The approaches to the small bridge at Flemington are in an insecure state. Tllo report was adopted •