WANGANUI COUNTY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 244, 15 October 1932, Page 12

WANGANUI COUNTY

THE MONTHLY MEETING GENERAL BUSINESS AND REPORT The Wanganui County Council met yesterday, Cr. D. Mackintosh presiding. There were also present Crs. W. Craig, J. J. Lisette, T. Mitchell, A. Collins, D. McGregor and J. Kennedy. On the application of the traffic inspector (Mr. Wilson), the clerk was instructed to ascertain the cost of hiring meters for the weighing of heavy traffic and the matter of deciding whether the council should obtain them on hire was left to the chairman and clerk with power to act. Matters in connection with the reestablishment of the Upokongaro ferry were discussed in committee following ah application by a deputation, consisting of Messrs W. Ford, C. H. Walker, and Howard, that the service be continued as in the past. A proposition is to bo submitted to the Waitotara County. In reply to a communication from the Waitotara County Council it was decided to advise that a re-valuation of land throughout New Zealand was desirable, but that the suggestions put forward by Waitotara in this connection were impracticable. It was decided to continue the present arrangement regarding the employ of a health inspector, working in with the Health Department. It was considered that the council could not be better served than it had been by Mr. T. Pargeter. The clerk reported that the reduction in contribution demanded in future would amount to £l2. In the past the county had paid £75 and in the future would be called upon for £63. A motion was carried supporting the request of the Tauranga County for legislation giving local bodies the option of charging a tax of up to £2 for sporting dogs, the object being to minimise the risks of sheep worrying. On the motion of Cr. McGregor, application is to bo made to the Railway Board to establish a crossing over tho road extending beyond the Fordell Hall. Or. Kennedy referred to the loss the settlers of Ohakune would suffer by the decision of the Wanganui Hospital Board to dispense with the services of the district nurse. On his motion it was decided to support the Waimarino Counby in its request to keep the nurse employed. ENGINEER’S REPORT.

The. engineer (Mr. R. R. Dawson) reported as follows: “Mangawhero Riding.—The Para para road is in fair condition throughout. The upper portion will require expensive metal repairs and it is only duo to the favourable weather condi tions prevailing during the last few months, that it was possible to main tain the road in its present state of repair. Light metal repairs have been effected on the Makirikiri Valley Road and a part of the Kaiwhaiki Road has been surfaced with pumice. A small bridge on the Parihauhau road had become unsafe for traffiv and it is now replaced by a concrete culvert and fill ing, which work will bo completed within a few days. The Mangahowhi Road is now open for traffic, and is being further widened where a slip was recently dislodged. It was found necessary to improve the drainage system to the council’s cottage at Pitange and this work has been carried out. “Mangamahu Riding.—The Wan gaehu Valley Road has been opened for traffic north of Mt. View and further widening is now being carried out. A deposit of comparatively good grit has been located on the council’s property at the junction of Field’s Track and Wangaehu Valiev Roads which it. is proposed to utilise for repairing these roads. The Wangaehu Valley Road has been fenced at Taipo Creek. This road requires to be metalled north of this point, however. The Highways Board allocation of funds for the current year will not be suflkfient to subsidise the cost of the work. “Purua Riding.—The roads in this riding are in a fair state of repair and the alignment of the Mangamahu Road at Reid’s Hill is being improved. “Knitoke Riding.—The No. 1 Line is in good condition and only minor surface repairs have been necessary during the winter months. Side roads are also in good order and light metal repairs have been effected as required. “ Kankatoa Riding.—All roads are in good condition. It is proposed to replace a small bridge on the No. 3 Line, near Gordon Park, with a culvert and filling, which work may be commenced at, an early date. “Morikau Riding.—The Wanganui River Road north of Paparoa stream is being cleared of slips for which part time unemployed labour is being utilised. Extra labour is also employed similarly for the repair of roads at Ranana and Jerusalem. “Upper Wangaehu Riding.—Metal repairs are necessary on tho lipper Wangaehu Valley Road and for this purpose it is proposed to employ tho counvil’s lorries for obtaining grit at the junction of Field’s Track.” The nwort was adopted.