RAETIHI

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19867, 15 June 1927, Page 15

RAETIHI

BOEOUGH COUNCIL MEETS. [ Special “ Chronicle ” Service. ] At the monthly meeting of the Borough Council there were present: The Mayor, Councillors T. Fagg, A. G. Laloli, W. Harris, G. Anderson, R. •Sigley, A. W. Ashwell, and J. A. V. Hencke. Valuations. The chairman said that the property ' owners who had applied for a re-valua- | tion of their property had been grantI ed same, and in some cases this showed i a cut of 75 per cent., which placed i other property owners in the Borough in a very unfair position. He objected to the revaluations on the grounds that an application had been made, over two years ago, for a revaluation of tho whole Borough, which the Val- ' nation Department had ignored. Cr. Harris said they must admit that the valuations in the main street were too high, and the Valuation Department should be requested to grant a revaluation. After this matter had been further discussed, it was resolved to apply to the Valuer-General for a revaluation of the whole Borough. The Council considered this matter was of sufficient importance to submit as a remit to the Municipal Conference. Other Business. Mr P. O’Eorke, on behalf of the North Wellington Timber Workers’ Union, applied to the Council to establish an unemployment register at the Council’s Office. —The request was refused. The Council agreed to suspend section 16 of the Motor Lorry Regulations, 1927, requiring motor lorry owners to enter up daily a return of miles travelled. The Public Works Department notified the Council that if the maintenance work on the Baetihi-Ohakune Road was not carried out in a more satisfactory manner, the payment of the subsidy must be withheld.

Messrs W. Jackson and C. C. Nation wrote complaining of the damage done to their properties by flood water and asked the Council to remedy the matter. It was resolved that the chairmen of the Works Committee, Legal Committee, and the Mayor interview the borough solicitor. Mr G. Anderson’s application for renewal of slaughterhouse license was recommended.

The Fire Brigade’s application for 500 ft. of fire hose was granted.

The reports of the Electricity and Works Committee were adopted. The treasurer’s statement of accounts amounting to £1165 Os 9d was passed.

CHILDREN'S FANCY DRESS BALL. The annual Fancy Dress Ball organised by the Ladies’ Anglican Guild, held in the Drill Hall last Friday evening, proved a great success. The attendance was not as large as last year, but the dresses, if anything, were of a higher class than in previous years. The judging was done by the public, who awarded the following prizes:— Boys’ fancy dress (under 7): A “Sleepless Knight,’’ John Punch 1, “Toy Soldier,” Andre Reipcr, *2. Boys’ fancy dress (over 7): “Coates’ Unemployed,’’ John Sikanen 1, “Monkey,” Don Davey, 2. Boys’ poster costume (any age): “Monkey Brand Soap,” Joe "Buyers, 1. Girls’ fancy dress (under 7): “Early Victorian,’’ Nola Coker 1, “Fairy,” Patricia Cummins 2. Girls’ fancy dress (over 7): “Butterfly,” Eileen Plunket 1. Girls’ poster costume: “Plume Benzine,” Nita Baracat. WAIMABINO COUNTY COUNCIL. The monthly meeting o fthe Waimarino County Council was held in the County Chambers on Saturday, when the following councillors were present: Messrs A. B. Harris, presiding, C. B. .Solly, T. E. McLean, J. Morton, J. A. Oliver, C. H. Ball. The Mangawhero Sawmilling Company applied to have its heavy traffic license fee, £72, to be set off against the maintenance of Field’s Track, and submitted an account for £l4 Bs, the cost of maintenance done from April 1 to May 31.—The Council could not treat the license fee as a set off against maintenance work and decided to pay the company the £l4 Bs. The Public Works Department offered £l5O, £ for £, to restore the damage done by floods on RaetihiOhura Road, pointing out that flood damage rate for the whole Dominion was very small. If the Council were unable to provide £ for £, how much could they provide?—The County decided to provide £ for £ on the portion of road from Orautoha to Fleming’s Camp, but could not see its way to provide funds for work beyond.

The Minister of Public Works advised that owing to limited funds available last year, it was not possible to authorise the amount of £5OO, as shown on the estimates for Makakahi Road. It was stated that a large sum of money would have to be expended before any great amount of relief could be given to settlers. The expenditure of £5OO would only permit work of a temporary nature and would not make any appreciable dif-

ference to the road to benefit outlying settlers. It is intended, if possible, to provide additional money on this year’s estimates, but no definite indications of the amount can be given until all the applications are in and have been considered.

The Rangitikei County Council advised the completion of metalling on the Hikitahi-Waiouru highway to the actual boundary. This leaves a distance of three miles 30 chains to be metalled to connect up to the metal at Waiouru. Of this distance 140 chains requires to be metalled at an estimated cost of £2OOO. The Taihapc people are anxious to have this road metalled and have undertaken to subscribe £2OO towards the cost, provided the counties concerned guarantee them an all-the-year road. Erewon and Ruanui ridings propose to further subsidise the £2OO subscribed by Taihape by £ for £ up to £2OO, and Ohakune, Raetihi and the County subscribe £lOO, and a subsidy of £3 for £1 from the Main Highway Board, which would meet the cost. The Rangitikei County would be prepared to control the whole road. It was resolved: That the Raetihi and Ohakune Borough Councils be asked if they will contribute towards provisions of £lOO jointly with the Council to metal portion of Hikitahi —Waiouru Road, and the Rangitikei County be asked to maintain the joint road.

Cr. A. B. Harris was elected chairman for the ensuing term. Crs. Ball and Morton were authorised to sign a memorial to His Excellency the Governor, taking lands in Blk IX., Karioi S.D., for the purpose of workers’ dwellings. Mr H. C. White’s offer of £l5 for the roadman’s whare at Pipinki was accepted. The disposal of motor trucks was left in the hands of the chairman.

Advice was received that the proposed alterations of boundaries of the Borough of Ohakune would take effect as from March 31, 1928.

Notice was received from Snooks and McAvinne of the assignment of the contract for gritting Valley Road, from Snooks and McAvinne to McAvinne.

The use of motor lorries of any description is absolutely prohibited on Oruakukuru-Karioi Road between the Parapara-Raetihi Road and the Oheanui Road junction, on the Mangaeturoa Road from end of present metal near Pipiriki, and on the Raetihi Road southward until October 1.

The engineer’s and ranger’s report were read and adopted.

The treasurer’s statement of accounts amounting to £1404 3s 7d was passed for payment.