RANGITIKEI COUNTY COUNCIL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18248, 5 August 1921, Page 3

RANGITIKEI COUNTY COUNCIL

The monthly meeting of the above Council was held on Thursday. Present—Crs. B. P. Lethbridge (chairman), A. G. Simpson, W. Doole, A. S. Coleman, K. W. Daliymple, G. E. An derson, H. A. Belk, Alex. Livingston P. Peuersen and T. A. Duncan. CORRESPONDENCE. Inward correspondence was dealt with as follows : From State Advances, advising payment of £lOOO Upper Kawhatau and Hikurangi Bridges loan; £lOOO on account of Workers’ Dwellings loan, and £5OO Otaihape Valley Road Loan. Public Trustee, advising payment of £lOOO on account Puanui Riding road loan. Public Works Dopartnent, advising payment of grants :--£lOO Inland road, £lO5 Braemore Settlement road, £654. 4s Mataroa road, and £154 15s Waia ruhe road. Public Trustee re the Erewhon Riding loan of £20,000, and stating interest would be £6 per cent, instead of 51 per cent. —Agreed to. Department Internal Affairs, advising _in creased fees for the audit of public bodies’ accounts. Public W’orks Department, stating that as Air McDonald will not agree to his consent being amended, the piece of road through his property will have to be legalised under Section 101 of the Public Works Act.—-Steps in this direction to be taken. Public Works Department, re status of Lethbridge Town District in the proposed electric power district.—The Lethbridge Town District is to be included in the Rangitikei County. Minister of Public Works, re Ruatangata Road, Haunui Settlement, stating that he was awaiting report of Com missiom Public Works Department, forwarding authority for grant of £BO on account of Okaka Road Same, stating that the balance of money will not be paid on Inland road loan until the stories are broken. Railway Department, stating that nothing has yet been done by the pro*l>erty owners in the vicinity of level crossing at Turakina to lower the hedges which obstruct the view.—Left in hands of overseer. Medical Officer of Health, approving of the issue of permit to 4»ppenhemies and Co. for a sausage factory at Wini«qta.—Clerk’s action in granting permit approved. Wanganui Hospital Board, stating that the question of removing the secoffice to the hospital is being gone into; also forwarding an account of maintenance levy for year ending 31/3/32, £BOO7 3s; and capital lew, £378 Os 2d; total, £8385 3s 2d, arid stating that the valuation of the district was £20,087,642, and population 50,102, and that the levy was equal to *l9s 5d on every £lOOO capital value. WangJinui Borough Council, stating that it could not support the proposal to remove the secretary’s office to the Wanganui hospital. M aimarino County Council, agreeing to removal of secretary’s office. Ashburton County Council, forwarding a resolution in regard to the high rate of interest on money.—Endorsed by Council, Cr. Dalrymple dissenting. Wanganui and Inland District Development League, stating that conference will assemble at Wargauui on the 27th inst. 1). Galloway, applying for permission to lay a tram line along Creek Road, Mangaweka.—Left in hands of engineer to deal with. Thomas Bushby, re the clearing of obstruction from the creek bed in Mr R. J. Moore’s property fronting Wellington Road. —Clerk to reply that it is impossible for Mr Moore to clear out creek now, but that Council will see that the matter is attended to as soon as water is out of the cieek. N.Z. Counties’ Association, stating that it is proposed to hold the conference on September 28th, 1921.—Resolved that Air Atkinson be written to, pointing out shortness of time given for preparing of minutes, and stating that Council is of opinion that at least a month should be allowed for consideration of the Alain Roads Bill. —The chairman was appointed delegate. Commissioner of Crown Lands re overdue rates on returned soldiers’ sec'tions. —Resolved (chairman —Cr. Coleman) that the matter be referred to Counties’ Association Conference as a remit Public Works .Departnwit, ajsking the Council to undertake expenditure of grant of £1298 on Pukehoa Soldiers’ Settlement.—Resolved that Council ui> dertake work of reading and bridging o<i behalf of Lands Department. W. Drewery, re Watershed Road cottage.—To be attended to when funds are available. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The engineer (Air S. Alaix) reported as follows: — Raugitira Riding.—Roads are in fair border. Wangaehu Riding—Contract No. 516, water tunnels and fillings, Whareroa Road, have, been completed satisfao torily. As soon as weather permits 1 propose to have the fillings metalled. 1 have not been able to arrange a meeting with Air Campion, re selecting a new site for Okirae roadman’s hut. However, I hope to do so, during the present month. Otairr Riding—Fair progress has been made with formation contracts on JHaur niakariki road. Braemore Soldiers’ Settlement.

Tekapua Riding.—Small bridge on Taheke road has collapsed, and will be renewed during the month with local timbers. Sawmillers have ceased carting timber on Rongoiti Road, and repairs will be put in hand when weathei permits. Two men are engaged quarry ing shell rock on Namunui Road. Tenders have been invited for additions to roadman’s hut, Kaweka Road. Ruanui Riding.—Contractor for Contract No. 500 “A,” metalling MataroaRuanui Road, has continued developing Ledward’s for carting when read permits. Quarrying contractor in Kaimatawi quarry, has continued stripping and quarrying, and has 1000 cubic yards of rpek ready for carting contractor. Building contractor has finished Turangarere and Raketopauma cottages, and has all timber stacked on ground ready to commence Mataroa cottage. It is necessary for Cauncil to fix the rent to be paid for these cottages. Tenders have been invited for fencing roadman’s reserve, Turangarere. Erewhon Riding.—Repairs to Alea-whango-Napier road have been completed on east of Rangitikei river, and are in hand on west side. Timber carting from Jensen’s mill, Pungataua, has done considerable damage to the metalled road, and their carting has been stopped till repairs, estimated to cosd £5OO, have been completed. The aaw millers have failed to execute the bond which has been lying at Taihape for their signature. Stringent measures must be taken to safeguard this: road, otherwise it will soon be ruined. Gov ernment approval has been obtained for formation proposals on Afatawhero road, and five small contracts drawn for the work. Arrangements have been u IPpleted with Public Trust Office for uimoneys. and work is beirjyr put o pee

Awarua Riding.—Cr. Belk and self inspected Kotukuraeroa Road, and satisfactorily arranged differences with Air Bartosh. Afessrs Pritchard and Sons are erecting a sawmill on Afakohine Valley Road, Alangaweka. Their timber will be carted over a weak road partly metalled with burnt papa, and Totally unfit to carry heavy sawmill traffic, i have notified them that Council will require security that their traffic will not damage the roads. Another sn ail sawmill is being erected at Afairn by Al: George Brotherton, Alangaweka. He has also been notified that he must indemnify the Council against damage to roads. General.—Petition re constitution of Power Board has been circulated during the month, and very generally signed throughout the county. OVERSEER’S REPORT. The overseer (Air Thoms) reports: — Rangitoto Riding.—No. 2 motor truck has been delivering metal for re - pairs in this riding. ‘Where the roads were badly cut the metal was spread direct from the truck, but in most cases it has been dumped on the side and will be used for patching when weather con* ditions are suitable. With reference to the Greatford School Committee’s application to have pipes put in drain along the road in front of the school, the drain is about 2 feet 6 inches deep and 110 feet long, and would require a six-inch pipe. The cost of the work would be as follows :—lOO 6-inch pipes at’6os per 100, £3 6s; carting. 15s 6d; labour, £1 8s; total, £5 0s 6d. During the early part of the month the Rangitikei river started to scour away the bank right above our protective works, i took a gang of mon and spent five days protecting the top point of the old protection works wjiere it bends back towards Bulls. This formed a groyne well out into the river; three days later a fair flood came down and the main stream shifted about four chains out from the bank. Otakapu Riding.—The motor truck has delivered repair metal on the BullsTurakina and Alakirikiri roads. It has left to do some work near Bulls, but will be back in this riding shortly. I estiii’ace the cost of taking off point and. widening the road near water trough on Union Road at £B. Porewa Riding.—Very little work has ben done in this riding this month. The roads are in fair order, but “ pot holes” are appearing and will require attention during the coming month. Lower End Wangaehu Riding.—Only ordinary maintenance work has been in progress during the month, and the roads are m fair order Air Nicoll is grubbing his gorse, .which will improve the roads. Lower End Rangatira Riding.—These roads are in fair order. General.—There are strong indications that the Rangitikei river will change its course about a mile above the Onepuhi Bridge, and go back under the new span. I would suggest that the old river bed on the north-east end of the bridge, containing a little over two acres, be fenced and planted with willows and macrocarpa trees, and that the large willow trees along the eastern bank, about 10 chains above the bridge, be felled and allowed to hang on their stumps so that the tops will take root and grow. RESOLUTIONS. .Crs. Pedersen —Anderson : That it is impossible to metal Kakariki road, Mataroa, this summer out of loan, but every effort will be made to put it in good order and keep it in. Chairman—Cr. Doole : That Air Lour be notified that the amount due by him for royalty re timber carting must be paid within 14 days, otherwise the Council will be obliged to. take legal steps to recover. Crs. Pedersen —Anderson : That the rental to be charged for the roadmen’s cottages built "out of loan money be at the rate of 6 per cent, per annum on the capital expenditure. Crs. Doole—Belk; That J. K. Jensen be notified that he must cease to conduct heavy extraordinary traffic on the Taihape-Atuairi and Aloawhango \ alley Roads. Crs. Doole —Duncan : That J. K. -Jensen be given notice to repair the damage he has done to the above roads at once. Cr. Belk—Chairman: That G. Pritchard and Sons, of Alangaweka, be given notice, under the by-laws, to find security for £5OO against damage to County roads by sawmill traffic, also George Bretherton, of Alangaweka. for a security of £2OO for same purpose. Crs. Coleman—Dalrymple: That the attention of Alarton Borough Council be drawn to the fact that the hedges on the roads at the Pukepapa railway crossing and the junction of Henderson’s and Pukepapa roads make it impossible to see cross traffic. Chairman—Cr. Coleman: That the overseer make inquiries as to the owners of the land above the Onepuhi Bridge, and that he be authorised to proceed with the work of planting. Cr Dalrymple—Chairman : That land in vicinity of river protective works where available, be planted with suitable trees for the works of protection, and that the owners of stock found trespassing on Council’s reserves, near Bulls bridge, be prosecuted. Crs. D. Doole—A. Livingston: That in view of the substantial and necessary reduction of valuations made in the lower ridings of this county by the Assessment Court, that it be a strong recommendation from this Council that the Valuation Department reconsider the whole of the land values of the Rangitikei County at once, with a view to an equitable reduction, as these values were made during the boom. RATES. The following rates were struck for 1921-22 :—Rangitoto Riding : European value, £1,141,084, rate 9-16 d; Otakapu. £914,027, at id; Porewa, £1,083,138, at 11-16 d; Wangaehu. £888,621, at id; Rangatira, £1,039,303, at 11-16 d; Otairi. £897,552, at 13-16 d; Te Kapua, £l,269,749, at Id; Awarua, £1,219,396, at Id; Erewhon, £580,868, at Id; Ruanui, £969,203, at 1 l-6d. FINANCE. Dr. balance after last making’s payments, £9911 17s 3d. Receipts during month :—Grants : Braemore, £lO5 ; Inland, £100; Alataroa-Ruanui, £654 4s; Waiaruhe, £154 15s; refund Upper Kawhatau and Hikurangi bridge loan., £1000; rent, £l5 12s Id; licenses. £l2 ss; dog tax, £3B 7s 6d; rangers’ fees, £3 10s; refund for grader work, £l7 16s; miscell txneous, £4. 12s 8d; arrears of rates and 10 per cent., £125 0s 4d and £4l 14s lid—£2272 17s 6d ; total, £7638 19s 9d. To-day’s payments, £6126 Is 2d; dr. balance £13,765 Os lid.