MANAWATU COUNTY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 245, 15 October 1937, Page 12

MANAWATU COUNTY

COUNCIL MEETING HELD BUSINESS OF THE MONTH The acting-chairman, Mr. Jas Boyce presided over the monthly meeting of the Manawatu County Council meeting held at Sandon on Tuesday. Other councillors present were; J. H. Perrett, R. A. Wilson, W. E. Pearce, A. N. Morcom, and D. W. Reid. Correspondence From the Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) forwarding a circular expressing his personal thanks and those of the Government, for the cooperation in regard to the King George V Memorial Fund.—Received. From the Native Department with reference to section 113, block XI, Mount Robinson survey district, Whakawehi block 113, stating that Mr. Taite T. Tomo asserted that live acres of it. were classed as a burial ground and that part of the land had been given for a road on condition that the land be exempt from rates. The department upheld the first contention, but could find no trace of the second. It was suggested that the rate demand for £34 18s 7d be amended.

The county clerk, Mr. A. K. Drew, reported that the section was 34 acres in extent and was valued at £34 an acre. The council decided on the motion of Cr. Wilson to exempt the five acres referred to from rates and to make a demand for the rates due for the remainder.

From the Public Works Department advising that the following bridges on main highways under the control of the council required attention to the longitudinal planking: Costall’s, No. 61, No. 162, and Hocken’s, all on the Rangiotu - Rongotea main highway. The matter was referred to the engineer.

From the Transport Department advising that the load-o-meters taken over from the council in February last had not been paid for, the machines having been transferred on the change of trailic inspection administration. It was understood that the Main Highways Board had offered £5O. The clerk was empowered to negotiate with the department, the council feeling that £5O was not adequate. From the Manawatu Automobile Association advising that the North Island Motor Union had recommended that posts at intersections be painted white to assist night driving.—The matter was left in the hands of the engineer to arrange for posts in the council’s area to be painted as suggested.

From the Awahuri Hall Committee asking that the council meet Messrs. E. O. Bond and A. G. Collins in connection with drainage and a light outside the hall. —Crs. W. E. Pearce and D. W. Reid were appointed with power to act.

From Mr. E. Christensen stating that the ratepayers concerned would be pleased if the banks along the sides of the Puki Puki Road were removed. They had been responsible for two accidents the letter stated.— The subject was referred to the engineer, who said the job was one for the council’s big grader. Bank Balances The treasurer reported that the county fund account was in debit, to the extent of £5819 17s 7d and the loan account held a credit of £3418 Bs. The receipts since the last meeting totalled £8687 Is lOd, £7151 J9s lid being rates, £22 7s 3d from licenses, and £1512 14s 8d from various sources. Tramway Manager’s Report The tramway manager reported as follows on the work of the tramway for the past month:—The items of traffic for the month were as follows: Metal, 379 cubic yards; minerals, 75 tons; merchandise, 1.1 tons; manure, 24 tons; firewood and posts, 1 truck; concrete pipes 24ft. by 12in. and general items, li tons. The earnings for the month were £lO5 0s 7d and the running expenses £l3l 0s Bd. In addition to the running expenses a sum of £76 17s has been spent on repairs and renewals to the line. Engineer’s Report The county engineer, Mr. 11. V. Bond reported as follows on the works undertaken during the past month:

“County Roads and Bridges.—Maintenance metal has been spread on the top end of Cemetery Road. One 18in. concrete pipe culvert has been laid in the Sanson Township. The tramway crossing at Pukenui and Ohakea intersections are being bituminised. Ohakea Road has been patched with metal. The handrails on small bridges on Speedy’s Line are being repaired or replaced where necessary. One 36in. concrete pipe culvert is being relayed after a washout. The watertables in cuttings on Te Rakehou Road have been cleaned. The road has been shaped up and metal has been spread making the road available for through trailic. Drains have been cleaned on Rakehou Road and patching has been undertaken. A 12in. concrete pipe culvert has been laid on Ranfurly road and maintenance metal has been spread. Drains have been cleaned on Kawa Kawa Road. The shoulders on the metalled portions of Bainesse apd Pykes Road have been cut back with the power grader. Sanction has been received from property owners on Taikorca Road for the easing of Hchir’s corner. The fence has t h r dad constant I y~fo r six years.- 1. was agreed to call tenders for the work and the making o’f the necessary arrangements was left to the works committee. Cr. Laing brought before the council the mater of starying dogs and made reference to a particular case. The town clerk intimated that the ranger had the dogs in question under observation so the matter was left at that. DOMAIN BOARD A short meeting of the Domain Board was held at the conclusion of the council meeting. The Commissioner of Crown Lands intimated his approval of the area set aside for the camp site and the scale of charges to be made for campers. These are as follow: Is per car per meal, 2s Gd per car per day, 7s 6d per car per week. Accounts amounting to £l3 0s lOd were passed for payment. The Mayor expressed the hope that the fence surrounding the site would be painted before the summer and thl works foreman intimated that I.’ > would be done.

been erected on the new line, the road has been pegged and most of the turf has been taken from the road line. Maintenance patching has been undertaken on Pykes, Bainesse and Kellows Roads. Patching has been undertaken on Rosina Line. Land drifts on No. 6 Line have been attended to. Maintenance patching has been undertaken on No. 1 and No. 2 Lines, Bowes and Spring’s Roads. “Main Highways. Drains and watertables have been cleaned on the Feilding-Awahuri Highway and surface patching has been carried out on this road and Stewards Line. Portions of the Rongotea-Longburn Highway have been scarilied and flattened. Approximately 200 cubic yards of maintenance metal has been spread on this road. A new drain 28 chains long has been cut to drain a portion of this road in the Kopane area. Metal patching has been carried out on the Tangimoana, Rongotea-Rangi-otu and Shannon Highways. Maintenance work has been carried out to the Shannon Bridge. A commencement will be made within the next few days on drainage matters on the Hima-tangi-Rangiotu Highways as provided for in the annual estimates. The realignment work now being undertaken with unemployed labour No. 13 scheme on the Foxton Shannon Highway is progressing very satisfactorily. The curve at the junction of Wilson s road has been completed and the cuttings have been lascined. A commencement has been made with further work in the vicinity. The proposals for the reconstruction and sealing of the Foxton Beach Highway were approved by the Mb in Highways Board and tenders for the work were invited and are returned herewith for the council’s consideration. “General. —The Pukenui crushing plant has delivered 614 cubic yards of crushed river metal and 304 feet of reinforced concrete pipes have been manufactured. Two building permits to the value of £1377 have been ’ issued.”