WAIMARINO COUNTY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 140, 16 June 1931, Page 12

WAIMARINO COUNTY

MONTHLY MEETING HELD GENERAL BUSINESS. The monthly meeting of the Wai marine County Council was hold at Rae tihi on Saturday, when there were pre sent: Crs. C. IL Ball (chairman), H. A. Wright, D. 11. Strachan, G. J. Goldfinch, I). J. Berry, G. H. Price, A. S. Ashmore. Engineer’s Report. The county engineer (Mr. H. L. Hogg) submitted a report on the county works as under: In the Huikumu Riding portions of the Waipuna road has been sanded and generally improved. A commencement has been made with the water-tabling on the hill section leading from the Pipiriki road; this work, however, has been deferred for a time owing to other works requiring attention. The work will be re-commenced as soon as possible. Improvement work is being done on the Mangaeturoa road, including water-tabling, scrub cutting, etc. A survey of tho proposed new road line near Scott’s will be made and the plans and estimates prepared during the current period. It has been necessary to lower a 24in. concrete culvert at the lower end Pipiriki road, and widen the filling at this point. A set of pipes will be put in to replace a defective wooden culvert near Davey’s. The usual maintenance work has been done on the Wangaehu Valley, Field’s Track, and other roads. The broken weather has prevepted completion of the metalling contract on the Middle and Motete roads. Given favourable weather conditions a few days should suffice to complete. Should conditions be favourable the metalling on both roads under the No. 5 Unemployment Scheme, as soon as convenient, is proposed. Immediately the weather and road conditions improve further work on the Makakahi road will be done. In the Ruatiti Riding the broken weather conditions have prevented the proper consolidation of the sandstone base on the Ohura road metalling contract, thus preventing the laying of the metal finishing course. The traffic during wet weather has also had a destructive eif ect on the work. Au excellent job was made of the base course. Tho contractor proposes pushing on with the finishing course immediately the base course is consolidated. A Deputation. A deputation consisting of Messrs Mogridge, Peacock and Mitchell waited on tho Council with regard to the Mangaturuturu road, whica was stated to be impassable. The tramway was the only means of access. The school was a mile from tho main road and there were 42 children ou the roll. The water was running down the road. Settlers had to use planks to get across. It was decided that tho engineer inspect the road and if possible deal with tho trouble.

The chairman pointed out that it was a bad time of the year to do any for mation work. The council could not promise to find auy men under the No. 5 Unemployment scheme. Cr. Berry said that there were five settlers who were milking living on the road. The ratepayers had been very patient. Cr. Goldfinch said they should earmark the job for the unemployed when work under No. 5 scheme was re-com-menced. General. N.Z. Counties’ Association forwarded agenda of business to be brought before the executive and also a resume of the business transacted at the last meeting. Messrs Gully, Mackenzie and O’Leary wrote relative to the dangerous state of a bridge over the Tongawai stream on the Turakina Valley road. They had been consulted by a ratepayer regarding the matter. The bridge, it was stated, was used by a number of settlers. It is alleged the bridge is dangerous for horse traffic. There was a hole at one end of the bridge, the approaches are not safe and there are no sides to it. As far as the settlers are concerned the bridge is treated as a permanent structure. If an accident happened and injury occurred to man, horse or vehicle the council would be held responsible.— The engineer reported that he had inspected the bridge a fortnight ago and considered that the same was in a safe enough condition to carry the ordinary traffic of the district. A surfaceman had been instructed to repair the hole which has apparently recently developed. Plans had been prepared and it was intended to erect a new bridge as soon as possible when funds were available.

Local Government Loans Board advised that the board had considered the council’s application for permission to raise the Mangoeturoa loan at a recent meeting and had decided to refer the application back to tho council for further consideration, as it was of the opin ' ion that the scheme should bo postponed until such time as the present economic conditions improved. In view of the low prices received for primary produce the time was not opportune to pursue a borrowing policy tending to increase the liabilities on the farming community—lt was agreed that the work could only be done out of loan money. The Department of Health forwarded a circular memorandum relative to the appointment of sanitary inspectors and suggested that instead of making further appointments locat bodies should 1 consider tho advisability of making the widest possible use of tfie department’s inspectors with a view to lessening the cost.—Received. Mr. D. Craig intimated that, he was prepared to act as the council’s assessor on the Assessment Court in connection with the taking of land for a metal pit. The chairman was appointed to exercise the vote of tho county council in the election of a member of the Well ington Land Board. The Public Works Department advised that a further portion of the Ractihi Ohura road was now under the care, control and management of the council, a distance of 2 miles 60 chains. Two persons applied for permission to cart firewood by lorry on a road which was closed to motor traffic. It was stated that five unemployed would be kept in work. —It was decided that the council could not give permission to use lorry on any road closed to motor traf lie. The Treasury advised the payment, or £6/3/6 fines collected in the Magistrate’s Court at Ohakune for the quarter ending March 31, 1931. The Public Works Department intimated that a further portion of the Wanganui river road, left bank, had boon handed over to the car* ■' -■' manage«>ent of the council.

The Rangitikei County Council intimated that its inspector would not be able to continue the arrangement whereby its traffic inspector exercised certain control in this district owing to increased duties placed upon the inspector by the new motor regulations. He hoped to pay one more visit to the district before finally relinquishing his duties. A discussion ensued as to the best method of ensuring obedience to the traffic by-laws. Cr. Goldfinch considered an inspector for the local county and adjoining boroughs was necessary. He did not consider a part time inspector paying occasional visits was sufficient. Speeding and over-loading was carried out in his absence. If possible the county should have its own inspector. The chairman pointed out that the cost would be heavy. A loudometer to weigh lorries was necessary. This machine would have to be obtained. It would cost about £lOO. He had asked the Wanganui Council if it could let its inspector operate in Waimarino and the cost and conditions. Cr. Goldfinch remarked that a good man would secure many convictions and the fines would help to recoup the council for the cost. It was agreed to defer further consideration of tho appointment of an inspector until a reply was received from Wanganui. The Alain Highways Board advised that it was prepared to advance a proportion of cost of metalling on the Wangaiiui-lloropito highway due by the council. This money would be advanced for a period of 10 years with inter cst at the rate of 5J per cent. —It was decided to obtain further information as to whether the board would advance the whole of tho county council’s portion of the money. Tho Transport Department forwarded a copy of the proposed heavy motor vehicle regulations in substitution for motor lorry regulations. The Wanganui Hospital Board asked the council to advance a proportion of the levy calculated on last year’s estimate. —It was agreed that tho council pay tho board the sum of £350 on account of the levy for 1931-1932. Tho Health Inspector submitted a favourable report on the premises, and all regulations having been complied with, W. G. Wade was granted permission to open a butcher’s shop. It was decided to recommend the granting of slaughter-house licenses to Messrs. Allen and Co., F. Mathers, and I’. Herkt. The county ranger reported that he had impounded 19 horses, 2 cows and a bull. He had found 16 horses wander iug in one place. He had to obtain assistance to drive them to the pound at Ohakune.—lt was agreed to pay the wages of the assistant. Accounts amounting to £1934/2/10 were passed for payment.