LAST YEAR’S STORMS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 111, 12 May 1936, Page 9

LAST YEAR’S STORMS

ABNORMAL_FLOODING WAITOTARA COUNTY COUNCIL REVIEW OF PAST TWELVE MONTHS CHAIRMAN’S ANNUAL REPORT TABLED Reference to the serious flooding which occurred in the Wanganui district as a result of the abnormal rainfall was made by Mr. Win. Morrison, chairman of the Waitotara County Council, in his annual report, tabled at yesterday’s meeting. The report stated:— “The past year has been rather calamitous, inasmuch as two severe storms were experienced which caused considerable damage to roads. Unfortunately, when the rates were struck, no- provision was made for extraordinary flood damage. It is estimated that it will cost £5OOO to restore the damage. The Minister of Public Works has realised the difficulties that beset county councils and has premised a grant on the basis of £3 for £J. for flood damage repairs and for this assistance the council is extremely grateful. “In framing the estimates for the past year the council no doubt was guided by the surpluses of the two preceding years, which were the outcome of favourable weather conditions. No allowance was made for such a contingency as flood damage. “To live within the limit of the council’s finances it was a necessity to curtail work or to start the work so that payment would not come within the past financial year. In this connection the reconstruction and sealing of the Auckland-Wellington and Springvale-Francis Highways adjacent to the city boundary were not started and sealing work at Maxwell and reconstruction work at Westmere were purposely delayed until towards the end of the financial year; there will be payments amounting to £2270 to be met in connection with the uncompleted work. Gradual Improvements "The policy advocated by me, has always been one of gradual improvement by use of rates for maintenance purposes, by strengthening, improving and asphalting on a definite programme which is the only satisfactory solution of our road problems. It is evident that such a drastic reduction in the rates levied for the past two years has had a slowing effect in the keeping of roads to the council’s previous standard of maintenance. The deterioration of roads in the Brunswick-West-mere Riding is quite noticeable. A section of the Rangitatau East Watershed Riding within the Waitotara Riding is practically devoid of metal; this state of affairs has been fastened by the advent of motor lorries carting timber; the shell rock surfacing will nor, stand up to such constant and heavy carting. “The traffic census taken on high ways reveals that traffic has reached a higher level than ever before. “It is doubtful whether the present standard of alignment on highways, is sufficient to meet the demands for higher speeds for the ever-increasing number of motor-cars. There is an insidious demand by automobile associations for a greater banking of curves to enable cars to travel faster. “At present the maximum cant Allowed by the Main Highways Board for asphalt surfaces is one inch to the foot of width. In arriving at this cant the board took into consideration the use of roads by stock and heavy motor vehicles; it was though that would be a safe cant for that type of traffic. If the present maximum cant were raised it would be necessary for vehicles carrying two tiers of sheep to travel at a speed greater than 30 miles an hour so that it would keep their equilibrium. In this connection it is well for motorists to remember that the roads were primarily made for farm traffic by funds provided by county ratepayers. “This council has povided facilities to induce drovers to keep stock off main highways and it is pleasing to note that advantage is being taken of these facilities. Ragwort Menace “Help was given to the Agricultural Department to combat the everincreasing menace of ragwort; the council provided transport for relief workers to spay ragwort on native lands and has supplied sodium chlorate to ratepayers at a reduction of 25 per cent, on cost price. It cannot be stated that ragwort is under control—it certainly has been curtailed but the menace is still there. “■Comparatively few workers are now engaged in the county bn the No. 5 Scheme of employment. They have worked chiefly on the construction of the Pou tarn a Road and the widening of the Waitotara Valley Highway. From newspaper reports it is gathered that the Government expects local authorities to give relief works a forty-hour week on full pay and to pay a quota of their pay. I fail to see how this council could employ the men as there is no road work of an urgent nature that would warrant such a procedure. “The highways generally are in good condition; with the exception of the bridges along the Waitotara Valley Highway, bridges, generally, arc in fair condition. 1 suggest that a loan be raised to build the unsafe bridges on the Waitotara Valley Highway. “In my opinion the traffic on the Blueskin and Rapanui Highways warrants that they should be surface sealed. “The nationalising of the main arterial roads should help this council considerably and should make available a greater amount of revenue tor maintenance of by-roads. “The granting of stay order is seriously affecting the revenue of the council; to me it appears that we, in common with other councils, are unduly penalised by the orders. “The conversion of county loans was successfully carried out, the interest and sinking fund charges still remaining changeable to the several rating areas. “The several interest accounts on special loans show a debit balance of £ll3B. Special rates collected amounted to 82 per cent, of the special rates levied. Riding Balances “The credit balances of the several ridings at the end of the year are as follow: Brunswick-Westmere Riding, £697 12s 8d; Waitotara Riding, £1316

17s; Mosston Riding, £574 2s 3d; Tokomaru Riding has a debit balance of £277 8s sd. “The general rates •were levied as follow: “Brunswick-West mere.—Struck, £3133 2s 6d; collected, £2732 3d; outstanding, £490 19s 6d ; percentage collected March 31, 1936, 87 per cent.; percentage collected March 31, 1935, 86 per cent. “Waitotara.—Struck, £2812 18s 8d; collected, £2756 6s sd; outstanding, £56 12s 3d; percentage collected March 31, “Mosston.—Struck, £253 17s sd; collected March 31, 1935, 92 per cent. “Mosston.—Struck, £258 17s sd; collected, £2OB 7s sd; outstanding, £43 10s; per centagc collected March 31, 1936, 82 per cent.; percentage collected March 31, 1935, 81 per cent. “Tokomaru.—Struck, £559 15s lOd; collected, £425 5s lOd; outstanding, £134 10s; percentage collected March 31, 1936, 76 per cent.; percentage collected March 31, 1935, 71 per cent. Hospital Rate “The hospital rate struck amounted to £2460 6s 9d and £2210 15s 3d was collected, this account less a credit balance amounting to £22 16s lOd. “The arrears rates collected last year amounted to £825 18s 7d us against £lO5l 4s 4d for the year ending March 31, 1935. “The Government rate subsidy received amounted to £1199 8s Bd, as against £1216 14s 2d received for the previous year. “The rate subsidy is paid out or main highways funds, and the amount payable to counties is 25 per cent, oi the rates collected up to June 30. It appears to mo that it would be a more equitable arrangement if the subsidy were based on the amount of rates levied and not on the rates collected. “The miscellaneous receipts and payments do not show any marked d.ffeience from those of the previous year, the salaries paid were less by £lO4 Bs, the general expenditure on road upkeep is £156 6s 6d less and tree planting is £397 Ils 9d less than the year before; the bank charges are £53 Is 9d in excess of the previous year. The hiro ot county plant amounted to £1798 4s “d as against £2336 10S 2d last Maintenance Costs “The cost of maintenance and construction work in the main highways amounted to £-’307 14s 2d for the past year and £2376 2s 5d the previous year. The following tables give the cost to each riding:— n _.,, “Brunswick - Westmere. 1935-ob, £946 12s 3d; 1934-35, £1449 16s 3d. “Waitotara.—1935-36, £1243 6s; 1934-35, £1440 7s lid. , “ Mosston.—l93s-36, £22 13s lOd; 1934-35, £4O 10s 3d. “Tokomaru.—1935-36, £95 2s Id; 1934-35, £445 Bs. ‘ ‘The amount expended on upkeep oi by-roads, £949 3s 9d, was less last year than expended the previous year. “The cost in each riding is shown as follows: — _ , ‘ • Brunswick-Westmere.— Y ear ended March 31, 1936, £1462 l£s 2d; March 31, 1935, £2252 14s 6d. “ Waitotara—l936, £3BO 4s 6d; 1935, £487 2s lid“MossLon.—l936, £l7l is 3d; 193 a, £I7U lis - . “Tokomaru.—1936, £3ol Ids sd> , 1935, £404 5s Bd. Serious Drainage Problem “The drainage of lands in the ‘ Springvale area, Mosston Biding, has become a serious problem. The council has done all in their power to relieve the situation, but there will bo no solution until the occupiers of rand provide suitable crossings over watercourse and keep stock from wandering in and damaging the drains. “In passing it is well to mention that the past year has caused more anxiety to me and aisp to the clerk than any year since the inception oi the system of main highways. There appears to be a brighter time coining to farmers if tegker prices guaranteed by the Govenment eventuate, without increasing the cost of production. “In conclusion, I wish to record my personal appreciation of the very valuable, efficient and faithful service rendered to the council by Mr. Dix, our very capable engineer and clerk, who has during his term of office been untiring in his efforts, aud has not spared himself in attending to the many duties which his position entails. He has been very ably assisted by Mr. Broadhead, who hag shown that he lias a very thorough grasp of the office work and has carried out his work very faithfully and efficiently. These 1 latter remarks apply to all the staff, both, indoor and outdoor, who have shown a commendable interest in their various duties. “Finally, 1 have to sincerely thank the councillors for their support and co-operation during the past year and I trust that whatever decisions we may make in the future, that they will be made not only for he benefit of our county but for the benefit of the (Dominion as a whole."