MANAWATU COUNTY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 243, 14 October 1938, Page 3

MANAWATU COUNTY

COUNCIL MEETING HELD (From Our Own Correspondent) SANDON, Oct. 12. The chairman, Mr. W. E. Barber, presided over the 'monthly meeting of the Manawatu County Council held at Sandon yesterday. Other councillors present were: Messrs. J. H. Perrett, R. A. Wilson, W. E. Pearce, Jas. Boyce, A. N. Morcom and D. W. Reid. The following correspondence was dealt with by the council:— From the Main Highways Board forwarding an agreement for completion relative to the advance of £2875 by the board to the council in connection with the Foxton Beach mam highway.—The chairman and Cf. J. H. Perrett were authorised to sign tn. agreement and affix the seal of the council. From the Department of Health advising that the delegation ot power to the council of appointing trustees for the Sandon cemetery was now revoked, and the Manawatu County Council were appointed trustees. From the Main Highways Board approving of the purchase through the board under terms of hire purchase for two years, of a truck and hoist. From the Department of Internal Affairs forwarding information concerning legislation passed last session affecting local authorities, and arising out of its activities.

From Mr. D. S. Kingston, Awahuri, seeking permission to erect a stopbank to keep the flooding from the Makino Stream off his property, whicn was rendered practically useless u; these occurrences. —Granted subject to compliance with the conditions laid down by the engineer. From the Manawatu Oroua Electric Power Board stating that the cost ot providing water pumping stations al Kitchener Park (Awahuri Road > would be £73 10s Bd, and the revenue required on a 10-year guarantee was £9 3s lOd per annum. This, it was stated, was to supply water to properties whose access to this for stock would be cut off by the new highway. From the Public Works Department forwarding copies of agreements entered into with settlers on the Awahuri Road in connection with the taking of land for the reconstruction oi the main highway there. From the headmaster of the Feiiaing High School (Mr. L. J. Wild) expressing appreciation of the council's action in providing a culvert at the entrance to the farm property on Sandon Road. From the Kairanga County Council with regard to the subject of hospital finance, advised that it had been decided to postpone until after the election the proposed deputation to the Government. From the Manawatu branch of the New Zealand Crippled Children’s Society thanking the council for its donation of £lO, and the Palmerston North Free Ambulance Service wrote likewise in return for a subscription of £5 towards its funds. From the Wellington Provincial Court Committee of the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition, acknowledging the council’s decision to make a contribution, and explaining the position concerning validating legislation. Engineer’s Report The county engineer, Mr. H. V. Bond, reported as follows on the works carried out during the pasi month: — County Roads and Bridges.—An old culvert has been replaced with concrete pipes on McDoneils Line. Maintenance metal has been spread on Ngaio, Weightmans, Kakariki, Ohakea, and Fagans Roads. Excavation work is now proceeding on the Terrace Road and will be continued until it is completed and in a condition suitable for traffic. Surface metal ha.been spread in the Sanson Township where necessary. One old wooden culvert on Lees Line has been replaced with concrete pipes and one small cutting has been widened. Watertables have been cleaned on Rakehou Road. Measures are being taken to avoid the re-occurrence of the washout on Bones Road. A concrete pipe culvert is being placed with a reinforced concrete head wall and the road will be raised at that point. Maintenance metal iia.been spread on Fairfield, Rowes, and Pennys Line. The curves on Penny? Line are being corrected by the addition of crushed pit metal Drams have been attended to on Green ano Taipo Roads. Maintenance metal has been spread on Hammonds and Tompkins Lines. Kellovvs Line between Taikorea Road and the HimatangiRangiotu Highway is being improved by grading, although only a portion of this length of road is metalled, it is now possible for traffic to traverse the whole distance. Metal has beer, spread on Downs Road. The Lake Road extension contract is proceeding satisfactorily, 20 chains of formation work being completed and pit metai from Pukenui is now being spread Maintenance metal has been spread on Puki Puki Road, Rosina and Whale Lines. Sand filling has been carried out on Mile Dram Road. Surface metal has been carried out on Kari Kari and Bowes Roads. A concrete pipe culvert has been laid on Linklater Avenue.

Main Highways.—Rangitikei River maintenance metal has been spread on the Foxton-Shannon main highway. The reconstruction work on the Foxton Beach 'main highway is progressing steadily. Formation work is complete for a distance of 103 chains and base metal has been spread for 88 chains. A commencement has been made with the excavation of the swamp area. Top course metal for this road is now being delivered from Pukenui by the tram. A turhing place for vehicles is being made at the Rangiotu Post Office. A survey has been made and engineering plans prepared for the Mangawhata deviation on the Rongotea-Kangiotu Highway. When approval is received from the Main Highways Board, the work will be proceeded with. Maintenance metai has been spread on the RongotcaLongburn. Metalling on the Tangimoana Highway has been continued where euttings have been widened. ! The reconstruction work on the Mt. Stewart main highway is proceeding ■ satisfactorily. Tne cutting and filling ; on the Feilding end has almost been completed and the road is now on the new alignment. The curve at the . junction with Mt. Stewart has been commenced. Pipe culverts have been aid. Crib walls are being constructed at the Mangaone Stream on the Feilding-Awahuri Highway. Concrete pipe culverts and drainage works have been constructed and cuttings have been commenced in the vicinity of , Stewarts Line and Kitchener Park. I General.—Gorse and noxious weeds, I etc., have been cleared in plantations

on the 'x-.v.-n Belt. The Mt. Biggs reserve plantation is being similarly dealt with. The concrete work in connection with the fireproof room at the county office has been completed. When it is sufficiently dried out, the interior and exterior finishing will be proceeded with. The two county cottages at Sanson are now well in hand. The concrete foundations are finished and one frame is partially erected, the other frame will be up in a few days. The Pukenui crushing plant is working satisfactorily, concrete metal being the main item of output during the months of September. At tne present time the plant is producing concrete metal and crushed pit metai. The latter being used for the Lake Road Extension and for the top course on the Foxton Beach highway. The output for the month of September was 2650 cubic yards. A plan of the Makowhai drainage area has been prepared, also of a flood area on the Feilding-Awahuri Road. The tramway staff has been delivering metal to Foxton and other points along the track and although during September it was not running continuously, it is expected that two long trips

per day will be undertaken from nowon for some considerable time. The maintenance gang have been engaged in the repair of the track.