PATEA COUNTY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 58, 10 March 1937, Page 9

PATEA COUNTY

THE MONTHLY MEETING CONTROL OF RAGWORT (Own Correspondent.) i Ragwort control came under discussion at the Patea County Council meeting yesterday following’ on the inspectors of stock at Wanganui and Hawera advising that, more stringent measures would be taken against otfenders in the future, and the district Public Trustee at Hawera complaining, on behalf of Mr. Lennox, or Kohi, that adjoining property owners failed to control ragwort, with a result that his property was covered. “I am quite satisfied that we are not getting anywhere as we are going,” said the chairman (Mr. W. G. Eelton), and will not until we appoint our own inspector.” Cr. Hurley: “Inspector Anderson, of Hawera, is doing good work.” The engineer: “Not in your district.” Stock on Patea Bridge The engineer said a definite time ' schedule for the control of stock trafl fic over the Patea bridge was to be 1 drawn up and submitted to the coun- > cillors and to the Patea Borough > Council. After discussion the suggested hours for stock on the bridge were before : 7.30 a.m., between 9 and 9.45 a.m.. 11 j ?..m. to 12 noon, between 4.30 to 5 i p.m., and after 6 p.m.. and. while [ stock is in occupation during those ; hours motor traffic to be barred. These suggestions are to be for- ; warded to the Patea Borough Council , and the Alton-Whenuakura Farmers’ • Union, for comment. Mangawhio Lakes District The chairman reported that a committee had met farmers in the Mangawhio Lakes Road district, ' where a comprehensive scheme was very necessary. All but. one of them had agreed to sign a petition to have a separate rating area struck for maintenance of the road. Mr. A. V. Dassler had offered £lO towards improving his access. It had been suggested that application be made to the deoartment for a £3 for £1 grant instead of the £1 for £l. “The position will have to be proceeded with,” said the chairman, “as these people have no access.” The council should concentrate upon getting a drain and any road work done which should be such that would become part of the major roading scheme. It was decided to accept Mr. A. V. Dassler’s offer of £lO. the money to be allocated to necessary alteration to the watercourse to enable temporary maintenance to be done to the road, and the council concentrate upon getting a drain. The State Advances Corporation asked for improved road access to Mrs. Macartney’s farm at Opaku. The engineer said it was a terribly bad road but he did not think anything more could he done. A grant had been spent on it and it had gone nowhere. It was decided to reply that the road was open nearly the whole of the year, and as the council had spent large sums of money trying to keep the road open, far in excess of the rates, they had made every effort to give reasonable acces. Notification was received from the Public Works Department that in future local bodies would be charged for all engineering services and works which were carried out by the department. The Labour Department forwarded a copy of the gazetted notice appointing Saturday at the statutory closing day in the Patea County. The Acting-Commissioner of Transport stated that county councils would be authorised to issue warrants of fitness in respect of their own vehicles in cases where they maintained a garage which received the approval of the department. No action was taken. Mr. W. F. De Roo, medical officer of health, advised that he was relinquishing his duties and tendered thanks to the councillors. Mr. W. S. Steel ,of Auckland, was authorised to act as medical officer of health in the county. Insurance Premiums At the suggestion of Mr. Belton, It was agreed to forward the following remit to the New Zealand Counties’ Association: “That information be obtained from all counties, showing the amount paid in insurance premiums for the various classes of risk for the past three years and the amount of claims for the same period under the same headings, with a view to discussing the possibility of obtaining special rates for county councils comprehensively.” The next executive meeting of the Counties’ Association is on March 19.” Diversion of Waitotara River The clerk reported that he had written to the Waitotara County Council advising them that trees in their county were diverting water in the Waitotara River and causing serious damage on the Patea County side and endangering the Waitotara Station Road, and notification should be given owners to remove the obstructions. No reply has been received. Authority was given to the engineer to call tenders for the erection of the new Puraroto Road bridge and the Pearce’s bridge, Makakaho Road, providing the proposals submitted to the department were approved. The point was raised that bridges over 20 foot span became a charge on the whole county, but this was deferred. Arrangements were completed with Tupito Maruera for the supply of shingle from the Pariroa Pit, reported the chairman. Engineer’s Report Mr. J. N. Anderson, county engi- ■ neer, reported as follows for the | period ending March 6, 1937. I “Kapara Riding.—During the latter ihalf of February there was a hign ! flood in the Waitotara River and the Valley Road was blocked for several days. The principal damage was caused by silt, which was very heavy on the low sections of the road ana there were several slips that gave trouble. One bad one has developed near Taumatahi and will take a good deal of work to put right. “Moumahaki Riding. General ■ maintenance has been attended to on i all roads. A. J. Chard and Sons are i making good progress with the for- ' mation contract on Aiken’s Road, ana

given good weather will finish some time this week. “Waverley Riding.—The shell rock course on Karahaki Road has been completed and about 50 chains of shell rock has been laid on Kohi Highway. The whole of the Kohi section will be completed by the middle of the present week. The offset grader completed the grading of the bush roads and ordinary maintenance has been attended to. “Otoia East Riding.—The offset grader is working on Maben Road, but has been much delayed by bad weather. Back’s Road has been prepared for sealing and the sealed sections of Kaharoa Highway have been patched. Ordinary maintenance has been attended to on all roads. “Otoia West Riding.—Hursthouse Road has been prepared for sealing and the priming coat. The contractor for sealing work on Ball Highway, Hursthouse Road, Kaharoa Highway and Back’s Road is due to start this week but the work depends entirely on the weather. All roads have received necessary maintenance. “Main Road.—Ordinary maintenance on the main road is still being carried out by the county. “Waitotara Pit.—The crusher is working fairly satisfactorily and the output for the past month was approximately 1000 c.yds. The quality of material delivered is excellent.” The engineer also stated that he had attended the Civil Engineers' Conference, which had been interesting and beneficial. Those present were Councillors W. G. Belton (presiding), D. Hurley, R. J. Watt, J. Lupton. J. Peat, W. Back, C. Campbell, W. H. Watkins, Mr. G. J. Broker (county clerk) and J. N. Anderson (county engineer). An apology was received from Cr. W. J. Gibbs.