WAITOTARA COUNTY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 84, 10 April 1934, Page 10

WAITOTARA COUNTY

THE MONTHLY MEETING GENERAL BUSINESS AND REPORT The monthly meeting of the Waitotara County Council was held yesterday, Mr. W. Morrison presiding. There were also present Crs. A. R. Richardson, R. Laird, H. G. Birch, A. G. Goldsbury, L. T. Jones, 11. Farley, T. Alexander and J. Cameron. The chairman explained that the Highways Board would not consent to an expenditure of money on a share of the cost of tar-sealing a portion of a main road bowser station within the county. It was felt that the precedent thus established would lead to hundreds of applications from all over the Dominion. It was decided to advise the bowser proprietor accordingly, and furnish an estimate of the cost of the work. If the owner was prepared to find a proportion the council would then consider the matter again. Further reference was made to the fencing of the Poutama Road line, and Mr Stone’s offer in this connection was accepted. Messrs Marshall, Izard and Wilson, county solicitors, wrote confirming the verbal opinion given by Mr W. A. Izard at the last meeting in connection with a recent amendment to the Valuation of Land Act. Mr Izard had stated that the county, if desiring to take advantage of the amendment, would not be precluded from doing so if it avted when next striking rates. Mr J. P. Ward wrote agreeing to accept the position of dog tax collec- , tor within his own district, and his appointment was confirmed. The Government Statistician wrote asking help from the county in the matter of compiling various statistics. The matter was referred to the clerk. The Valuer-General wrote advising particulars of new valuations fixed on certain properties on the owners’ own applications. It was decided to offer no objection. A resolution was passed forbidding the use of chains on motor trucks on the Kauarapoa Road during the period from May 1 to September. The length of road forbidden was fixed as that from the Kauarapoa Bridge down. Engineer’s Report. The engineer (Mr. T. Dix) reported as follows: — “Auckland - Wellington Highway.— Good progress has been made with the metalling contract in mile 13; the work has been discontinued temporarily as the roller was required for other work. Three formation contracts in mile .12 are about completed; the fourth contract will not be completed for about three weeks. It is proposed to invite tenders in about a week’s time for metalling the roadway that is being made in mile 12. The shoulders along the asphalt pavement have been repaired, and the highway was regularly graded. ‘‘Brunswick-Westmere Riding.—Good progress was being made with the metalling of Western Line and Blueskin roads until the roller was taken away to other works; the metalling will be resumed when the roller is again available. The foundation course of shell rock on the Morarau and Tokomaru East roads has been completed and it has been consolidated by rolling. The second course of metal is being spread on the Morarau Road. The new metal on the Rapanui highway has been blinded. Fifteen chains of the HeadsMosstown highway have been remetalled. The Rapanui SpringvaleFrancis and Heads-Alosstown highways, Clarkson Avenue, Seafield and Virginia Roads were graded. A new road, 15 chains in length, has been formed and metalled at Papaiti opposite the under slip on the Riverbank Road. Lupins were cut along Cameron Road; watertables along Tokoinaru East and West roads were cleaned. The Westmere cottage and the depot building have been repaired, and the chimney at the Brunswick cottage, which was damaged by the recent earthquake, has been reconstructed.

“Waitotara Riding.—One gang surfacemen are clearing overburden in the Waitahinga pit, another party is widening a sharp point on the Taparangi Hill - Rangita'tau - Watershed highway. The contract for repairing the Mangaone and Opunakenui Bridges-Waitotara Valley highway has been satisfactorily completed; the highway was graded and metal patched. Good progress is being made in taking off corners under the No. 5 scheme. The Rangitat.au West Road was graded and the Maxwell Station and Bushy Park roads were metal patched; slips were cleared and watertables cleaned along the Junction Rond. “Mosston Riding.—Springvale - Francis highway, Fox and Peak Roads, Fit 7 - herbert Avenue and Parsons Street were graded; drains along Surrey Road are being cleaned. Curves on the Springvale-Francis Highway between the Church Corner and Bluegum Hill are being rebanked; drains along the highway were cleared and footpaths were regritted. Tokomaru Riding.—The metalling of the Rangitatau-Watershed, south of the Kauarapaoa Junction has been completed by the Public Works Department; the highway, north of the June tion, is being reshaped. Slips have been cleared and watertables cleared along the watershed, Ahu Ahu, Taunoka and Kauarapaoa roads. ”