RANGITIKEI COUNCIL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19990, 5 November 1927, Page 8

RANGITIKEI COUNCIL

COUNCIL BUSINESS MONTHLY MEETING HELDY'*! niCw " Shronicls " Service.] Nov. 4. "Hie County Council to-day. there being present —Cr. A. G. Simpson (chairman). A. Stuart, J. Brice. A. S. Coleman. W. Doole. H. A. Belk. G. E. Anderson. K. W. Dalrymple, and IL GDal zi ell. The Petrol Tax. Mr A. G. Simpson, chairman of the Council, forwarded the following telegram to rhe Hon. K. S. XV illiams. Minister of Public Works, on the passing of the petrol tax: —“ Desire to express entire approval of proposals brought down leying petrol tax. Congratulate you on introduction of this wise measure, which is deserving of -appreciation of whole community." The Hon. K. S. Williams replied as follows:—“Many thanks for your kind wire. Your opinion very much appreciated.” Before proceeding with the ordinary business of the Council, the petrol tax wa< referred to members of the Conn eil. who expressed themselves in favour of the tax. and it was resolved: •‘That the Rangitikei County Council views with great satisfaction the decision of the Government to impose a petrol tax of 4d a gallon to go towards the upkeep and construction of the roads and highways used by the motorists. The Council further considers that this tax is the most equitable that could be imposed and is not excessive. ’’ Cr. Stuart stated that the Council was greatly indebted to Mr Mair lor the trouble that he had taken in preparing his main highways scheme. Although it had not been adopted, it was no doubt indirectly the means of the petrol tax being brought into existence. He moved that a hearty vote of thanks be accorded Mr Mair (engineer) for the trouble that he Lad taken in preparing his main highway scheme. Cr. J. Brice seconded. Mr Mair thanked the Council, stating that it was very gratifying that bis services had been appreciated. Correspondence. The Commissioner of Crown Lands wrote inquiring if local assistance towards the proposed Greystoke scenic reserve had been decided upon. —Referred to committee, comprising Crs. Coleman. Brice. Dalrymple and Stuart to report upon, and Commissioner to be asked to hold the matter over a further three months . The Post and Telegraph Department asked the Council to metal the Okaka road to facilitate mail service.—Council will keep the road open as far as practicable. The Railway Department disapproved of the names suggested by the Council for streets in railwav settlement, and suggesting Queen Street and Princess Street.

Pullerton Smith and Co. wrote, forwarding plans of a road deviation at Turakina level crossing, with owner’s consent to land being acquired for road purposes. R. Mackay wrote, asking consent of the Council to the lease of a piece of Mr A- W. Amon’s land fronting the Rangitikei River. —Agreed to. E. H. Ryan, A. H. McLeay and R. S. Treadwell’s applications to erect private telephone line to their properties were agreed to. The Council approved of newly-elect-ed members of the Bata Coronation Hail Committee, as follows:—Messrs A. G. Simpson. A. J. Raltiff. J. Drummond. F. Haywood. G. Harvey and G. W. Kelly (secretary ) and Miss Meads. Moanaroa Township. The Council consented under sub-sec-tion 5 of section 12 of the Land Act, 1924. to the proclamation of streets in Moanaroa Township and to the affixture of the Council’s seal by the chairman and Cr. Dalrymple to such consent provided the Bulls Town Board procures from the Government a communietion in writing addressed to tho Rangitikei County Council that the Council will not at any time be called upon under sections 157 of the Counties’ Act or any similar enactment to make such streets. Engineer’s Report. Mr S. A. E. Mair reported:— Rangatira Riding.—Bata-Sil verb ope roads have been trimmed up with No. 2 power grader, and top-dressed with Kakariki lines where necessary. Rough portions of Aidworth Road have been scarified and reformed and top-dress-ed with tine metal. Broken timber culvert on Ngei Main Road has been renewed with concrete pipes. Sharp corners on highway betwen Silverhope and HunterviHe are being widened. Tenders have been invited on behalf of the Department of Lands for surface drainage at Putorino Soldiers’ Settlement.

Wangaehu Riding.—Old bridge on Kakakapa Road has been renewed. Protective fence on Okirae Cliff has been thoroughly repaired. A oncrete culvert is in hand on Okirae Road to replace a broke# timb'-r culvert near Melville’s. General repairs have been

rarried out on Ohauinoko Road. Bad places on Mangahoe Road have been taeined.

Otairi Riding.—Pow.-r grader No. 2 las trimmed up main highway, Hun tervUle to Mangawcka. Otairi and West Roads have been put in order with horse grader. Metal repairs have been carried out on Cook and Ongo Roads. The plans for Vinegar Hill bridge have been received from the Public Works Department, duly approved. He proposed to invite tenders immedaitely to close at December meeting of Council. Te Kapua Riding.—General maintenance has been carried out throughout the lower Phohonui. Additions to road man’s cottage at Rongviti are in hand, the work being done by Council’s employees. A small two-roomed hut has >een secured from the Otaihape Freez■’ig Coy., and removed to Makohine Xalley Road for a single roadman. Awarua Biding.—Metal repairs have carried out on Utiku-Mangawcka Ti&ain also on Omatane Road. Good progress has been made widening bad corners on this highway near MrGuinn ’s Point and at Manui.

» Slips have been cleared off Maki no and Inland Road North, also off Makopua Road. Approach to Upper Kawhatau Bridge has been fenced and slips cm approach are being cleared. Newlyformed Bangitane Road is being cleared of slips and repaired. Erewhon Riding. —Finger-posts have been erected at the important junctions on Tai h ape-Napier Road via Erewhon and Pukeokahu. Metal repairs >n Wainui-Moawhango Road have been

completed. Ruanui Riding.—Mt. View Road has been repaired. A start is being made immediately to grade up the unmetalled part of Hihitahi-Waiouru Highway. He had secured a set of rubber wheels for the Fordson Tractor, and this will now be suitable for hauling the grader instead of using a team of horses. Sawmillers are back loading metal for repairs on Ruanui and Waiaruhi Roads. General. —The Public Works Department Estimates for current year include the following new subsidies in addition to unexpended balances carried over from last year:—Makohine Valley Road south, £1 for £2, £100; Matawhcro to Mangaohane, £1 for £l. £250 on account of £500; Rangitikei River to.Otupae Junction, £1 for £l, £400; Toe Toe Road, £1 for £l, £-50 on account. Main Highways. —The contractor for deviation of Bulls-Wangaehu highway at Turakina railway crossing has recommenced work. Kakariki.—The mill has been closed down for part of the month for a general overhaul of the machinery and erection of new receiving hopper. The plant is now in good running order again and crushing has recommenced. Overseer's Report. Mr A. Thoms reported: — Rangitoto Riding.—The grader has been over all the Main Highways in the riding about once in each week. Portions of the Bulls-Turakina highwav requires a thin coat of Kakariki chips on it as the road is getting bare owing to the damp weather causing the chips to bind down. The graders have been over practically all the roads in the riding. The following is the approximate cost of the new work recently carried out on the section of the Bulls-Wangaehu main highway, also way. £562; section of Bulls Taumarunui main highway in the Rangitoto riding: Section of Bulls-Wangaehu main highway. £562; sectio nof Bulls-Taumarunui main highway, £630.

Otakapu Riding. —The graders have been working on both the highways and county roads. Several men have been working on the Turakina Beach Road for some days and have improved it in places. A few more days will be spent in doing up some of the worst places. Some of Searl’s men who took a new contract to complete Searl’s

contract have commenced work and are making fair progress. The road through the Turakina township is getting bare and requires some more chips to prevent pot holes, etc. The Mar-ton-Turakina Road in this riding is in rather bad order.

Porewa Riding.—The graders have been over most of the roads in the riding, and generally, they are in fair order. Mr Howard is deepening a drain on the side of the Kakariki Road below his homestead, which will take away the water and improve the road. He is doing all the work of cutting the drain, but asks that the Council should keep the drain cleaned. Lower End Wangaehu Biding.—The Turakina Valley Road as far as the Mangarara Stream is in fair order. Lower end Wangaehu Biding.—The Turakina Valley Road, as far the the Mangarara Stream is in fair order. Lower end Rangatira Riding.—Repairs have been effected on the Porewa and Onepuhi Roads, and generally, they are in fair order. Traffic Inspector’s Report. Mr H. J. Fowler (traffic inspector), reported on the question of setting a speed limit for motor-vehicles on a portion of the Tutaenui Road, Owing to this having become quite a residential area, with many gateways opening on to the road and also on account of the number of children who pass down the road each day to school, as well as ordinary pedestrian traffic. The speeds indulged in by motorists were a menace to safety. He pointed out that there is no footpath, so that foot traffic has to use the road. There had been two collisions there in the last few months between vehicles coming out of gates and others passing along the road, and enquiries showed that both could have been avoided had there been less speed. He would recommend that a limit of 20 miles an hour be set from the borough boundary to the bend just north of the golf links gate. He had also considered the advisability of setting a limit on a portion of the Calico Line Road and would suggest that a 20-miie limit be placed on that portion from the borough boundary to a point opposite the accommodation paddock.

Five motor drivers’ licenses were issued during the months, the fees collected amounting to £1 ss, bringing the total to date to £366 ss, and the number issued to 14€5. Three heavy traffic licenses were issued, the fees amounting to £2l 15s 4d. The total received from this source is now £975 5s 3d. Finance. £ s. d. Dr. balance after last meeting 18,959 6 10 Payments during month 464 5 7 Receipts during month . 1,728 19 11 £17,694 12 6 To-day’s payments .. .. 3,306 5 8 £21,000 18 2 General Business It was resolved that the traffic inspector should wear a suitable uniform when controlling traffic on special occasions. The Minister of Labour is to be ask♦•d to include in the Industrial Conciliation an«i Arbitration Amendment Bill a provision that county councils be exempt as recommended by the Counties Association. It was decided that a speed limit of 25 miles an hour be placed on a portion of the Tutaenui Road from the town • boundary to the golf links and that the necessary steps be taken to have the notices erected. It was decided to notify the owner of land adjoining Baggett’s Road at Wangaehu that the gate across that road must be removed wtthin six months from date. The action of the engineer applying for a subsidy for metalling Whaka Road was confirmed. A meeting of ratepayers is to be called in connection with the suggestion to metal the Toe Toe Road in terms of section 109 of the Public Works Act.

The Council approved of the engineer’s proposals to metal the Waiouru Road provided the £l5O to be found by the Council is contributed equally by Ruanui and Erewhon ridings. Owing to the proposed petrol tax coming into force shortly and that more roads will be al located as highways the engineer produced a statement of roads which he suggested should be main highways. After a lengthy discussion it was decided to hold the matter over till next meeting.