WAIMARINO COUNTY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 12, 15 January 1936, Page 3

WAIMARINO COUNTY

MONTHLY MEETING HELD GENERAL BUSINESS [ From Our Own Correspondent. J The monthly meeting of the Wuimarino County Council was held on >Saturday, when there were present: Crs. D. J. Berry (chairman), !•'. Bettjeinau, C. L. Duigan, IK. Lilburn, J, A. Morton, I’. Wise and G. H. I’nce Noxious Weeds. The county engineer, Mr. H. Hogg, reported that in accordance with tne request g*£ the last meetiug in company with Cr. Wise lie had invesligateu Die complaint about barberry spreading at I’ipiriki. They found the weed was oad on property on the Uwairua Koad and the vicinity. Councillors expressed th;: opinion that barberry was a. menace to i tue district and should be kept under control. It wa a decided to- call the attention of the inspector of noxious weeds to the matter aud ask that toe take action. • What about variegated thistle?” asked a councillor. Cr. Duigan said this weed was certainly spreading down country and was becoming a. pest in several parts. Cr. Lilburn had seen some infested places on the Parapara Kcud. It was pointed out that the county had placed this weed ou the third schedule of the Act and the Agriculture Department was expected to see that the Act was carried out. “Is the council satisfied with regard to what is being done about ragwort?” asked Cr. Morton. It was contended that one inspector could not cope with all the requirements of supervising the eradication on Government property iu* well as inspection of private lands. It was suggested that an assistant inspector be appointed by the council. The chairman pointed out that the council had decided not to take over the control of the eradication of noxious weeds aud it had no authority to send a man on to a persons place to inspect it. Councillors decided that the ranger should take note of any property he sees on which there is ragwort and

report it to the inspector or the council. In reply to a question the county clerk (Mr. Mabbc-tt) said there was about half a ton of sodium chlorate still on hand. Should the demand warrant it was resolved that the council procure additional quantity. Blocked Drain. Mr. F. Hauseu, Raetihi, wrote asking the council to take steps to have a drain cleared on the boundary of hrs propertv. At present it was a menace and a death trap to stock. He asked the council to place conditions the same as they were before the council constructed the drain. It was resc-lved that the engineer should inspect the place and report to the next meeting of the council. Kahuna Access Road. The Minister of Public Works wrote stating that he had carefully studied the proposal contained in the application of Messrs. Wright, Stephonsou and Cc-., for access to Kahura station, t might appear that tue cost of formation aud metalling a suitable read would be in excess of the improved value of the property but he was willing to review the position in accordance with the urgency accorded the proposition by the council when submitting applications for consideration on next year’s estimates. Messrs. Wright, Stephenson and Co., also 'forwarded copy of the minister’s letter sent to them. They stated that Mr, Wright would interview the clerk on the matter. As Mr. Wright had not yet seen, the clerk c-r the council it was agreed to hold over the matter until the next meeting. Minister of Lands. The Minister of Lauds, Hon. Frank Langstone, wrote conveying to the chairman and membeiß. of the council his appreciation of their resolution 01 congratulation ou his appointment » s Minister of the Crown. He assured the council that his office would enable him to take an even greater interest in many of the problems confronting his own electorate and King Country generally, aud it would be his pleasure to give personal attention to any matter of public interest which the council might bring before him. Mr. Langstone also reciprocated the season s greetings sent from the council. Revaluation of County. The valuer general advised that arrangements were now being made to carry out a revaluation of the county to take effect as at March 31, 1937. Councillors expressed pleasure at this announcement and hoped that some or the existing anomolies would be done away with. Pipirlki. The engineer reported that tne Owairau Koad is now cl-ear of slips and is, generally speaking, in goc-d order, there are however, narrow sections along the main bluff that will require widening before next winter as the road is extremely dangerous when wet. Good progress is being

I made in clearing the slips from the I Biver Road, A vehicle track was first I cleared through the slips; these arc J now being completely cleared from the ; roadway. Ruatiti District. The county engineer reported that overhanging scrub has been cut on nicholson’s Hill, Ohura Road, and general attention given to the roadway, this section now being under the control of the council, the Public Works Department having completed the lepaim to the flood damage. Fairly extensive, work will be necessary to reinstate the bridge near Lynch’s Erua Koad. This work has been deferred owing to the condition of the road leading to the site. A heavy .subsidence near the metal pit, has caused considerable trouble. A suitable toe has been built to hold the slip. The section of the Mangatiti Road between the Murumuru Koad, and the “sunken road” has been handed back to county control. It has been necessary to renew the timber covering to a papa cut below this section, and clear sli|v from same. Further work is necessary nn the Makino Track beyond Lynch’s; this will be attended to as soon as possible. Cr. Bettjeman asked how many more surfacemen would be required in the Ruatiti riding to look after the roads that had now been handed back to the county council. It was clear that the riding funds could not bear the expense of keeping up these roads and something would have to be done in the malter. Ratepayers intended approaching the Government for assistance. The engineer said he would supply Cr. Bettjeman with full particulars as soon as possible. Appreciation. Cr. Lilburn said he wished to pass on 1o the engineer appreciation expressed by tome ratepayers in the Parapara riding. There was no doubt a splendid job had been made with the Uhotu Road and settlers were well pleased. The engineer said that chains had been used on the grader and a satisfactory job made, but the trouble was that the country was liable to flips. The grader and a gang of workmen have ben employed in trimming up the formation on the Ohotu Road which was in a very unsatisfactory condition being badly scoured and out of shape. The formation is now in reasonably good order, there will, however, be considerable work necessary in watertabling practically the whole distance. The Matahiwi Koad is also being worked similarly where practically the same conditions obtain. The widening of the corner near the Uruakukuau Koad junction with the Para para Road is now completed and metalled. Further corner reduction will be necessary on this section of road atf soon as convenient. The power grader has been used with good results on the Parapara Koad which is in good condition, and has stood the strain of the holiday traffic remarkably well. Thei-e is not, up to the present, any indication of a commencement with the metalling. Slipe have been cleared and the usual maintenance work done. Ohakune Beads. Mr. P. Walsh waited on the council with regard to the requirements if logs were carted over some of the roads to the mills. The council heard Mr. Walsh and decided that no obstacle should be put in the way of industry but the property of ratepayers must be protected. Mr. Walsh promised to give further particulars to the engineer who was instructed to make arrangements to his satisfaction with regard to a deposit for damage to the roads and strengthening bridges. The engineer reported that the Ohakune Road has been frequently worked with the power grader with the result the road is in good order notwithstanding the hvavy volume of traffic during the holidays. The new surfacing between the Maugawhero bridge, and the bitumen has set down fairly well considering the dry weather; conditions on the surface will improve after a certain amount of rain has fallen. The small grader has been used to dress up the Lakes, Mangahouhou and other roads in the locality where good work has been done. The re-alignment of the Waiouru Road near the Rata Maire Road junction is now completed where a very marked improvement has been produced; the ugly bends being practically eliminated. j Surfacing the existing bitumen roaci way will be put in hand as soon ns the necessary arrangements can be made to carry on the work. Repairs have been done to a defective bridge on the old Ho;opito j Road, and the usual maintenance work done on other roads. General Deg registration fee was fixed at 2s 6d for sheep and cattle dogs, and 10s 6d for others, and Mr. K. McKenzie was appointed registrar. It was decided not to take any action with regard to the half holiday which will be left as last year. The council’s share of heavy traffic fees for the quarter t wa* £73 8s 3d. Approval was expressed of the Lc-an Conversion scheme and a special meeting agreed to pass the necessary resolutions to put it in operation. Subsidy on rates amounting to £654 9s lid was received from the Government.