RANGITIKEI COUNTY COUNCIL.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18665, 22 December 1922, Page 2

RANGITIKEI COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. The Council met on Thursday. Present: Crs B. P. Lethbridge (chairman), A. G. Simpson, H. B. Belk, G. If. Anderson,. P. Pedersen, A. Livingston, A, S. Coleman, K. Dalrymple and T. A. Duncan. CORRESPONDENC E. Department of Labour asking Council to fix day for half-holiday.— Council decided to appoint Wednesday as the half-holiday. State Advances, with Governor’s consent to loan of £6OO Owhakura Road and provisionally approved of same. Department of Internal Affairs acknowledging Council ’s objection to the application of the Taihape Borough Council Ifor Order-ln-Council under Section 355 of the Municipal Corporation Act re heavy traffic license fees. Same, re Council’s application to borrow for new rcjid at Totman’s Cliff, Omatane Road. Department of Lands and Survey, re vesting the Ohingaiti Cemetery site in Trustees. The Council to proceed to procure title of cemetery. Director-General of Health, noting the Gounod’s objection to expend £9OOO on a nurses’ home at Taihape. Minister of Public Works agreeing to the following proposals: Wangaehu River Bridge, Kauaga—roa £5OO (£1 for £2); 'Rangitikei River Bridge, Erewhon £lOO (£1 for £3). (Ngawhaka Road £5OO (£1 for £2). Waiaruhii Road £5OO (£1 for £2). Collier’s to Bell’s Junction £5OO (£1 for £3). Public Trustee advising payment of £2OOO on account loan of £20,000 Erewhon Riding and stating that no indication can be given when I he office will be able to agree to further £lO,OOO on account Erewhon R.'ding loan of £40,000. Publie Trustee declining to entertain Council’s application for loan of antecedent liability of £7200. Manawatu County Council advising that arrangements had been made with A.M.P. Society for loan for antecedent liability. Wanganui-Rangitikei Electric Power Board stating that the Board will undertake to remove existing private telephone lines if necessary but could not supply any new materials that may be required in connection with the re-erection of those lines. Wanganui Education Board stating that the question of payment of special rates in connection with school property is shortly to be submitted to the Supreme Court. New Zealand Society of Civil Engineers asking that the Council’s engineers be permitted to attend Conference at Auckland on February 19th to 24t.h.—Engineer and overseer were granted permission to attend. Fullerton-Smith and Co., re widening Bulls—Scott’s Road at Fern Ridge —Council agreed to conditions set forth with several provisions. Burnett, Mcßeth and Brown, forwarding a notice from Mr J. Warmer requesting the Counci l to take action to compel certain owners of land at Parewanui to deepen drains, etc.—Held over for a month. J. B. Campbell, requesting attention to portion of Moawhango— Napier Road.—The engineer and Cr Doole will meet Mr Campbell on the ground as soon as possible after the New Year. R A. Gower submitling the following names as Trustees of the Ohingaiti Cemetery: Jeremiah Loughnan, Samuel Lowry, David Stent, A. F. McKenzie, and R. A. Gower.—Council approved of Trustees. J. Bellis complaining of the high valuation on property lin the Taihape District and also state of road and watertables.—The Council instructed the engineer to call tenders for metalling Kaka Road. Taihape Borough Council asking for particulars of any arrangement that may exist between the County and the Borough as regards th® local pound. Director of State Forests advising that the Government will pay the Council £2500 for reconditioning the road from Utiku to Omatane. New Zealand Farmers’ Union re small birds protection Council decided to spend £5O. and to pay 3d per dozen for thrushes, sparrows, nimahs, and blackbirds’ eggs and that a receiving week be appointed for Marton, Taihape and Hunter—ville. DEPUTATION. Messrs F. R. H. Brice and J. G. Simpson waited upon the Council as a deputation from the Marton District A. and P. Association with

reference to the erection of a bridge over the Tutaenui Stream at the lower end of Lower High Street in order that the road can be formed and connected with Ngatawa Road. The County Clerk stated that the Marton Borough Coun.cS! was the controlling body and would need to take the initiative steps in connection with the building of the proposed bridge.

The chairman stated that the Council would not raise any objection or go to a Commission. If tne bridge was to be erected there was no doubt an amicable arrangement would be come to between the contributing bodies. Cr. Coleman stated that the erection of the bridge would 'be a matter of great importance to the borough and would relieve the traffic on Wellington Road. RESOLUTIONS. It was resolved: (Chairman Or. Livingston).— That application be made for legalisation of Toe Toe Road. (Chairman Cr. Livingston).— That application be made to the Railway Department to have the lease of Ohingaiti Pit Siding re- , newed from January Ist, 1923 to I June 30th. 1923. | (Cr. Simpson Chairman. That the matter of the purchase of the ranger’s motor cycle be left in the hands of chairman, clerk and inspector with power to act. (Crs. ’ Anderson—Livingston).— That the Rangitikei County Council consents to a deviation of the Otailiane Valley Road through the Awarua 4C 158 Block XIII. Ohinewairua Survey District. That steps be taken to purcnase supplies of rabbit poison, to be sold in small quantities at cost price to ratepayers. That Council purchase from Mr L. IR, McKelvie the area of land growing macrocarpa trees and containing ' about 2J acres, at Rangitikei Rlvot | protective works, at £4O per acre. I That the inspector be instructed to I have the Wangaehu Station Road cleared. That Gough Street, Crofton, ne not leased at present. That the inspector be authorised to have goats rue at Kakariki cut. That the action of the committee in agreeing to purchase two sections in High Street, Marton, for £lBO, be confirmed. That the County Office be closed from Christmas Day until January 6th. That Miss Batten be granted a bonus of £l2 on account of much extra work done. ENGINEER’S REPORT. Mr Mair reported: Rangitira Riding.—Rata Roadman’s cottage has been completed satisfactorily. Wangaehu Riding.—Wat weatther has caused several slips and washouts in Turakina Valley and at Kauangaroa. Repairs are in hand. Floods in Upper Mangahoe have scoured out the road in several places. Ths grader is now repairing this damage. Owners on Mangahoe Road line have been given notice to clear gorse from roadside, but, as usual, little is being done. I have inspected the land at Arawata offered .by Mr Alex Sutherland for a roadman’s paddock. This is a strip of good alluvtai, unfenced land lying between the road and Mangatipona Stream just below the concrete bridge on Okirae Road The section would average about eight cha ns long by two and a half chains wide, and at present is mostly in gorse but would be easily cleared. It is a very suitable section for the purpose but would require considerable fencing to make it secure. As the Hon. Minister for Public Works has notified that the snbsdy of £5OO £1 for £2 on account of £2500 for Wangaehu Bridge at Kauangi roa ts available for expenditure, I have submitted drawings, etc., for approval and propose to call tenders for the work to close at the next meeting of the Council. Otain Riding. Blundell’s Bridge has been comnleted satisfactorily but as the wet weather has delayed metalling the approaches, the bridge has not yet been openeo to traffic. I have let hauling of repair gravel on Braemore Roads to Mr Manson, and a start will be made directly after New Year. Concreting tunnel at Maju'ba Hill has been completed and the outfall shute is being built. I hope to get embankment made next month to replace temporary bridge. Gravel repairs on Hunterville—Vinegar Hili Road are in hand with No. 3 truck. Hunterville Depot has been replenished with Ohingaiti ballast. Repairs have been effected to Pourewa Bridge at Kaikarangi. Ta Kapua Hiding The wet weather has caused a number of slips over this riding and several roads have been blocked. Repaire are in hand. No. 2 grader has trimmed up Ta Kapua Rads and is now at work about Koeka. The Commissioner of Crown Lands advises that 4J acres of Section 30, Papapanui is now available as a site for a roadman’s cottage. Ruanui Riding.—Owing to wet weather, poor progress has been made with metalling contracts in Ruanui. 23 chains have been spread on Ruanui Collier’s Junction Road. No work has been done on Waiaruhe Road. I have been unable to get a satisfactory tender for metalling on Owhakura Road. Fair progress has been made metalling Ngawhaka Road, 37% chains being laid on far end. A large culvert has collapsed opposite Goodrick’s and a papa tunnel will be driven next month to replace it. Ogilvie Bros.’ No. 1 truck slipped over the bank and was somewhat badly injured. Ths is covered by insurance excepting the first £lO, and at the request of the .Motor Union Insurance Co., Nichol! Bros, took charge of the truck and now have it under repairs. For a variety of reasons, Ogilvie Biros, are not making sufficient progress with contract 500 B to ensure it being completed by the end of February next. I wish to ask the Council for further instructions as the contractors do not seem able to carry out the definite instructions given. The Commissioner of Crown Lands advises that Section 19, Waiaruhe Road. conTaiivng 3 acres is being reserved for a roadman’s paddock Erewhon Riding.—Fair progress has been made with the contract metalling on Moawhango-—Erewhon Road, 50 chains being completed for tue'-month. Drawings, etc., have been completed for Rangitikei Bridge at Erewhon crossing and as the Minister has advised that the subsidy Is available proposals will be submitted to the Public Works Department ax once for approval and

tenders invited next month for the work. A specification has been sent to Scotland tor the necessary wire ropes and these can be ordered by cable when proposals are approved. No. 2 truck is doing repair metalling on Walnut—Moawhango Roan. Owing to rain, poor progress has been made metalling Toi Road, Pukeokahu only 18 chains being completed. Sawmill traffic is again causing damage to Moawhango Valley Road at Punga-taua. Sawmillers have been notified to effect repairs at onoe, otherwise traffic will be stepped while the Council does repairs. Awarua Riding.-—Owing to a large slip blocking Makf.no Stream at Colenso and then bursting away, the 2 4 feet traffic bridge on Makino Road has been swept completely away, not a vestige being left. A temporary crossing is being made pending renewal of the permanent bridge. Specifications for metalling Inland Road South have been sent to the Public Works Department for approval and tenders for the work should be before you to-day. The Director of the Forestry Department has advised that his Department propose to give the Council £2500 for reconditioning UtikuOmatane Road and that the Omatane Timber Co., will contribute up to £6OO a year afterwards to repair any damage their sawmill traffic may cause. This has been approved by the Omatane Timber Co., so I have started to dump Ohingaiti ballast in Utiku depots for the work. As the Director wished to have the arrangement ratified by the Mr-bir.te'- end to save delay I have approved of it on behalf of the Council, and hope early in New Year to have authority to put repairs, etc., in hand. It is very necessary that there should be no further delay as the road is now showing signs of again breaking up under the heavy sawmill traffic. Good progress has been made with Upper Kawhatau and Hikurangi Bridges. The Hikurangi Bridge is about complete and all concrete work is finished in Kawhatau Bridge. The cost of repairs to Utiku—Manui Road has not yet been paid by the sureties. As I wish t.o put these repairs in hand after the New Year 1 recommend that proceedings be taken to recover the assessed damage. Kakariki Ballast Pit Formal application for a siding has been lodged with the District Engineer for Railways. This has now been forwarded on to Head Office with the District Engineer’s report, etc. OVERSEER’S REPORT. Mr Thoms reported: Rangitoto. Riding. Ordinary maintenance work has been in progress during the month. There has been rather too much rain to keep the surfaces of the metalled roads in good order. The chairman, Councillors Simpson and Dalrymple and myself met Mr Elliott at Scott’s and arranged to purchase the piece of land growing macrocarpa tree* near the protective works, at £4O ■per acre. The area is a little over 2 % acres. I have taken the levels and calculated the grades on No. 1 road in the subdivision of the Flockhouse Estate, and the work of forming the road has been commenced. The Bulls Bridge deck will require tarring and sanding during the summer months. As instructed I made enquiries with reference to Mr Windlebum’s application to lease (or rent) the short street adjoining the ground where the Crofton School recently stood. The school used the street as a paddock for holding the children’s ponies who rode to school. I would suggest that nothing be done in the matter until it is definitely decided whether the school is going to be rebuilt or not. Should the school not be rebuilt there, the Council could let it, but the settlers are quarrelling over the grazing now and I doubt whether the Council has the right to let it to any one person. I can now obtain a Western Midget Grader at £64, and would suggest that the Council purchase it as it will save its cost in a few months’ work.

Otakapu Riding.—The grader has been over practically all the roads in this riding and left many of them rather rough. The contractor for metalling Baggott’s Road is making fair progress with the work. The metal recently laid on the Wrangaehu Station Road requires some clay to bind it. I estimate the cost of this work at about £l5 and would ask for authority to have this work done. The Ruatangata Road is now ..m. very fair order. Pon-ewa Riding. The graders have completed the trimming of the roads in this Riding. The recent rains caused some pot holes to be cut on the main roads, but these are being attended to. A large slip came down on the east end of the Bridle Track wh/ch completely blocked traffic. A portion of the Upper Tutaenui Road between the Jefferson Road Junction and the cheese factory will have to be metalled this summer. I may state here that considerably -more metal will be required this coming season if the roads are to be kept strong enough to carry heavy traffic. Lower End Wangaehu Riding The grader has just completed tifmming the whole of these roads, and owing to there not being much traffic on them it takes some time to wear down smooth. When this is done they should be in fair order. Lower End Rangatira Riding.— These roads have been a tyttle neglected owing to the roadmen being required in other roads, but they will be attended to soon. STATEMENT OF ACCOUNT ENDING DECEMBER 21 1922. Dr. after last meeting’s payments, £18,922 13/7; paid during month, Railway .Department, £64 8/5—£18,987 2/. Receipts during month:General rates, £2,494 3/10; arrears, £293 9/11; 10 per cfent. £26 3/9: hospital Board Rate £066 10/2; Power Board Rate £l4l 7/8; vehicle license (balance) £23; motor registrations £7 15/; sales £3 1)4/6; miscellaneous £7 7/; hire of machinery £136 7/2; contract deposits £5B; royalty £lOO. rents 17/6; share bridge expenses £B6 10/8; refund from 'loan account £35; refund ballast pit account: Ngawaka Road £1,337 4/, Mataroa Road North £64 8/£5,481 19/21 Dr. balance before to-day’s payments £13,505 2/10; to-day’s payments £3,958 14/1. Dr. balance after to-day’s payments £17,463 16/11. Loan Payments: Ruanui £587 13/2, Erewhon £523 -7/, State Advances £79 17/. Total ,£ll9l 7/2.