RANGITIKEI COUNTY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 133, 7 June 1937, Page 10

RANGITIKEI COUNTY

BUSINESS OF THE MONTH COUNCIL MEETING HELD The Rangitikei County Council met yesterday, Cr. K. W. Dalrymple presiding. Also present were: Crs. L. Hammond, A. S. Coleman, R. G. Dalziell, H. A. Belk, A. Stuart, J. Brice, J. D. Lilburn, W. Doole and Mr H. H. Richardson (county clerk). Leave o£ absence was granted Cr. J. McHardy. Correspondence was received and dealt with as follows: — Minister of- Internal Affairs, thanking the council for its donation of £lOO towards the King George V. Memorial Fund.—Received. Department of Internal Affairs, re Local Bills and Local Legislation Bill, and asking the council to take early steps in respect of future sessions towards initiating any legislation which it may desire to obtain by means of a Local Bill. Public Works Department, asking the council to make applications in connection with any road works it desires provision to be made for on the Public Works Estimates for 1937-1938. New Zealand Counties’ Association, asking for the number of carpenters in council’s employ. —Left to engineer to report. New Zealand Counties’ Association, advising that the 1937 conference of the association will be held in the Masonic Hall, The Terrace, Wellington, on August 25, 26, and 27, and asking the council to supply name and address of its delegate, and stating that remits for discussion at conference be supplied not later than July 10.—Held over till next meeting. New Zealand Counties’ Association, advising that the Government has decided to observe Wednesday, June 9, as birthday of His Majesty King George VI., and that any employee having to work on that day except on emergency work —is to be paid treble rates of pay. Also stating that the Labour Department considers “casual” workers should be paid for this holiday.—Engineer was instructed not to employ any labour on King’s Birthday. An invitation was received from the Waitotara County Council to attend a conference on June 7, to discuss the question of amalgamation of counties.—The clerk, engineer and Cr. Stuart to attend. Taihape Borough Council, asking permission to encroach on old reading boundary a portion of the Taihape Scenic Reserve and the motor camp park with a new fence—Granted. Taihape Borough Council, asking the council to use its endeavours m having the work of metalling the Utiku-Mangaweka Main Highway expedited.—The council is endeavouring to have the work completed as soon as possible. Bulls Town Board, Taihape, Plunket Society, and Women’s Division Farmers’ Union, wrote asking for donation towards eftst of erection of a ladies’ rest and Plunket rooms at Bulls—lt was decided not to make any donation. Wanganui - Rangitikei ElectricPower Board, forwarding for public inspection a copy of resolution making special order authorising the board to raise a loan of £20,000 for extending its reticulation. Received. F. E. Hart, Bulls, applying for permission to erect a private telephone line along Tricker’s Road, Bulls Granted on usual conditions. W. S. Taylor, tendering his resignation from position of engineer’s | assistant.—Accepted with regret, and the engineer was instructed to make arrangements to fill the vacancy. Treasury, forwarding gazette containng copy of Order-in-Council consenting to the raising of the Mataroa-Namunui-Kaweka Roads loan of £2500.

H. N. Wilson, applying for rebate of heavy traffic licence fees in respect of three motor-lorries. Granted for the month of May.

T. H. Homes (Bulls), L. K. Mcßeth (Marton), and John Klue (Hunterville) were granted renewal of slaughter-house licences. A vote of £2 2s was made to the Huntervile Town Board for Coronation Day celebrations. The question of carrying out work at Turakina Town Hall was referred to Cr. Stuart and the engineer with a view to reducing the expenditure and report to next meeting. Provided the Main Highways Board is agreeable, the council will acquire a piece of land from the estate of A. Williamson for improving the road corner near Bonny Glen. The engineer’s plan for the straightening of the Pukepapa Hill on Pukepapa Road was approved of. The question of heating the new county buildings was referred to the building committee with power to act. The noxious weed inspector’s reports were approved of. It was decided not to purchase the cottage and land at Upper Tutaenui. The estimates for the year were then considered. Finance. Statement of accounts at June 3, 1937: Credit balance after last meeting’s payments, £7135 Ils 9d; receipts since last meeting, £1672 9s 9d —£BBoB Is 6d. Payments since last meeting, £3007 Ils lOd. Credit balance before to-day’s payments, £4785 4s lOd; credit balance after to-days payments, £lOl5 4s lOd. Engineer’s Report The county engineer, Mr. S. A. RMair, submitted the following report: Rangitoto Riding.— Metal repairs have been carried out on Tricker’s Road and in weak places on Parawanui Road. On Santoft Road there is a reserve for metal, laid off when the estate was submitted, but has never been dedicated to the council. It is now becoming infested with gorse. It is on a bad corner of the road, and it would be a distinct advantage to acquire title to the reserve and straighten the road. The balance could be fenced and planted with trees. I have written to the Rhodes trustees re having the reserve vested in the council, but have not yet had their reply. Forty-nine varieties of willows have been received from the Christchurch Domain Board through Dr. Allan of the Plant Research Department. These are being planted at Kakariki with the view of testing the ’best varieties for river protection work. Otakapu Riding.—Lower Wangaehu and Turakina Beach roads have been trimmed with grader. A large culvert on Wangaehu Valley Road north

is being lowered to give settlers proper drainage. Council have supplied pipes to replace the timber, and the labour by those interested. The contractor has completed his contract for cleaning the drains in this district. An old culvert on Williamson’s Road has been replaced with 18-inch concrete pipes. Tenders have been invited for repairs and painting T<rakina Hall, also for proper sanitary additions which were required by the Health Department. Wangaehu Riding.—General maintenance and widening is being carried out on Turakina Valley Road. As Playle’s pit is practically exhausted of available metal, the gorse is being cleared, and it is proposed to plant it with trees. Repair metal has been spread in bad places on Taurimu Road. Scrub has been cleared back on Makohau Road. Mangahoe and Turakina River Roads have been repaired. Metalling work and replacing the culvert washed out on Ohaumoko Road has been held. up by bad weather. As the weather has improved .the contractor has made a fresh st;\l with the work. Porewa Riding. Upper Tutaenui Roads have been trimmed with grader and a slip cleared off Mt. Curl Road. A rough portion of Jefferson’s Road has been reformed with the grader and dresteed with fine metal. With Cr. Coleman I inspected the portion of Wing’s Road proposed to be widened by taking more land. We are of the opinion this is not necessary, and the parties interested have been advised accordingly. Repairs have been made to a small bridge on Nga Tawa Road. Reconstruction of Kakariki highway is drawing towards completion ready for the final metalling. The Public Trustee has advised me that he has approved of the acquisition by council of land for widening the corner of Fern Flats highway at Hansen’s corner, but a Court Order will be necessary at a cost of £3 Bs. Rangatira Riding.—A rough portion of Ngei Road has been reformed with the grader and dressed with shell grit and fine metal, also a portion of Leedstown-Parekaretu Road. Aidworth and Log Whare Flat Roads have been trimmed and repaired. Otairi Riding.—Ongo Road has been repaired. Hautawa cutting at Otairi has been cleared up. Good progress has been made with Ongo Stream bridge at Braemore. As some of the steel rods were too short, these have been adjusted successfully by electric welding, and the deck assembly should be completed this week. Haumakariri Road has been trimmed up. Satisfactory progress has been made clearing and straightening Pourewa Stream at Poukiore, and roads in this locality have been trimmed up. Old footpath at Ohingalti has been reformed and metalled. Good progress is being made with the reconstruction of the Pourewa Stream bridge, High Street, Hunterville Township. Concrete posts are now ready for fencing the stock reserve at Poukiore, and the work will be put in hand at once. Awarua Riding.—Metal repairs have been carried out on Mangaweka-Te-Kapua, Toe Toe, Potaka, Gorge Papakai Roads and about Utiku and Ohutu. Rangitane Road Is being trimmed up and repaired. The bridge foreman was to put in hand this week repairs to Rangitikei River bridge at Taoroa, and Taoroa roadman’s cottage, but under doctor’s orders he Is confined to his bed. Good progress has been made with comprehensive repairs to Gibbs’ bridge over the Hautapu at Utiku. The concrete towers to replace the wooden ones on the west bank have been completed and are under their load. The east end has been lifted on to temporary scaffolding, and concrete towers are being erected. It is proposed next month to widen a dangerous corner at the junction of Gorge and Puhirau Road.'t. Tekapua Riding.—The bridge foreman has completed repairs to Mangapapa Stream bridge on Pukemapou Road. Metal repairs were started on Turakina Valley Road above Pukeroa, the metal being obtained from the public works’ crusher. However, owing to excessive wet it could not be crushed fine enough, so the work has been suspended till the weather improves. Metal repairs have been carried out on Koeka, Mangamahoe, Pukemapou, Murray’s Track and Wairepu West Roads. Repairs are in hand on Mangamahoe Road. The metalling on Mangamahoe and Te KumuMangaone Roads, being carried out by the Public Works Department, has been suspended owing to wet weather.

Erewhon Riding. Taihape-Napier Road east of the Rangitikei River has been trimmed with the grader, and the grader is now doing the portion west of the river. Metal repairs have also been carried out on this portion. Contractors are making good progress with the roadman’s cottage at Timahanga. This should be completed in about three weeks. Owing to an error in the original survey, it has been necessary to make a new survey of the proposed stock reserve at Moawhango before the title can be obtained and fencing put in hand. Ruanui Riding—Metal repairs have been carried out on Upper Turakina Valley Road and Taihape-Mataroa highway. The latter has been trimmed with the power grader. Several old wooden culverts have been renewed with pipes. I have received a satisfactory tender from Mr. A. Allen to drive the water tunnel to replace the Namunui Stream bridge on the Taihape-Mataroa highway, also for the formation work. These have been submitted to the Main Highways Board for approval. It is necessary to re-align this road for some chains, and I have submitted proposals to the owners for an exchange of road lines. A survey will be necessary. The question of closing old Ross’ Track has been investigated. I find that the original Ross’ Track is the present road, and the supposed abandoned road is the usual road reserve left along the stream by the Crown when subdividing land for settlement. As this

is not required for county purposes, it can be closed by arrangement, or exchanged for another road line. I suggest this should be done If possible.

Crushing Plants: Kakariki. This plant has worked steadily during the month supplying orders for chips, concrete metal and a short run of railway ballast. A good flood during the month replenished the pond with excellent ballast and has left a larger portion of the river running past the works in a central and desirable position. Shortly it is proposed to overhaul the Hecla crusher, meantime keeping up supplies with the Lightning. With the object of improving the class of chip for bitumen work, I am investigating the modern chushers, and propose shortly to install another machine

Pipeworks.—The pipe and post making plant has worked full time and has caught up with orders. A full stock of well cured pipes is now on hand, but as the Main Highways Board are bringing pipes from outside for the State highway work within the county, it may be necessary to work the plant only intermittently in future.

Utiku Crushing Plant.—This plant has been working steadily, and is producing about 50 c.yds. per day, but not enough to supply requirements. Next summer the metalling of NamunuiKoeka Roads will draw many thousands of yards from this plant, so I ptopose to duplicate the crushing units. Investigations are being made to secure the most suitable type of crusher for the material handled. The Priestman cub excavator for this plant has been ordered, and should be here next August. Estimates—County, Main Highway, and Public Works’ estimates for the current year have been prepared and are before the council for approval. In all public works, provision has been made in estimating for 30 per cent, increased costs owing to shorter hours worked, increased wages, materials, etc., and payment for travelling time. Provision is also made to restore the road surface to their former standard, as during the last two years under the weather conditions obtaining, the general maintenance of all roads has been inadequate. The public are demanding better surfaces, and these can only be maintained by more intensive maintenance, which means more expenditure. Gorse On Roads. Through the years of depression in only the most flagrant cases has the responsible owner been made to clear gorse along his road frontage. However, such persistent complaints are being made about the spread of gorse on roads, that I am having prepared a schedule of all owners who have gorse on their frontage. Statutory steps will then be taken to enforce the council’s powers in their entirety.

Main Highway Reconstruction Works. —Provision has been made on the current year’s Main Highway construction estimates for: GreatfordKakariki *metalling, £700; Curls bridge-Upper Tutaenui reconstruction, and one coat sealing, £6000; Tura-kina-Marton second coat surfacing, £4000; Marton-Cliff Road reconstruction and one coat sealing, £3000; Ongo Road re-alignment, £1000; Onepuhl bridge, land and protective works £450. The first five items bear a subsidy of £3 for £1 and the last £2 for £l. Noxious Weeds Mr. John Robinson, Inspector of Noxious Weeds for the northern county, submitted the following report.—No special areas have been covered during the hionth, but an inspection has been made of isolated properties where weeds at the height of the season were evident, but in most cases settlers are realising that it is to their interest and benefit in every way to attack the weeds in a systematic and determined manner. The past season has been anything but favourable for the eradication of noxious weeds especially where sodium chlorate has been used and in many cases rain has fallen almost immediately after being sprayed. In most districts there has been an abundance of feed which made it very hard for owners to locate ragwort, especially on the higher levels, where it grows very stunted. Settlers generally have shown a desire to comply with the Noxious Weed Act; but the usual dilatory few are still in evidence. Owing to the lateness of the year ragwort is fast disappearing and should cause no further trouble this season, although young plants are still to be found in most districts. Mr. A. W. Trotter, also reported: Hunterville Districts, Poukiore, Watershed Road, Vinegar Hill, and Mangaonoho.—Blackberry has been cut at Mangaonoho railway station and adjoining sections. A third inspection has been made on all properties where notices have been sent out to destroy weeds during the summer months. These districts are now in good order. Putorino, Rata, Porewa, and Onepuhi.—Odd plants of ragwort are still showing through along the Rangitikei River from Rata. Owners of big patches of blackberry at Rata are cutting or using flame-throwers. Several small patches of blackberry and sweetbriar on Maori sections and at Porewa railway station have been cut. Mr. Meyer has completed cutting several big patches of blackberry on his property at Onepuhi. Mr. Arkwright has three men employed cutting same at Overton. Bulls and Crofton Districts—Hemlock is again showing through in these districts, but is unlikely to seed again during the winter months. Good work has been done by two farmers

! on the Rangitikei river bed destroying ! blackberry with a tractor and harrows j which have been specially made for ! the job. I now intend to confine my i time during the coming month to the I registration of dogs, and gorse growI ing on roadside. I . | ANNUAL MEETING ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN At the annual meeting of the Rangitikei County Council on Thursday, Cr. W. Doole proposed Cr. K. W. Dalrymple as chairman for the ensuing term. He had filled the position very (creditably. An even-balanced mind and a good grip of the affairs of the council he had given every member every consideration which was accepted in a tine spirit. In seconding the motion, Cr. A. Stuart considered that with the new legislation and altered laws it really required a chairman to devote all his time to the position. The ratepayers were lucky in having a chairman to look after their interests in the manner in which Cr. Dalrymple had attended to his official duties. The motion was carried by acclamation. Cr. Dalrymple returned thanks for the honour accorded him. Having travelled a good deal lately and taken an interest in the administration of other councils he realised that the affairs of the Rangitikei Council were well carried out. With the splendid co-operation of the councillors the task of chairman had been made much , easier. They would have to be very careful with their policy in the future, as he considered there would be a number of difficult problems for the council to solve on account of the new regulations and legislation being placed on the Statute Book.