MANAWATU COUNTY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 271, 16 November 1945, Page 6

MANAWATU COUNTY

THE MONTHLY MEETING (0.C.) Sanson, Nov. 15, The monthly meeting of t|ie Manawatu County Council was held on Tuesday afternoon, the chairman (Cr. R. Craig) presiding over Councillors B. S. Lawrence, W. E. Barber, E N Rowe, N W Remnant, C. S. Hunt and B. Henderson. Correspondence. A letter was received from the Palmerston North Hospital Board advising as to loan proposals lor the Feilding maternity hospital to cost £45,000 and additions to the Otakj Sanatorium £2l,ooo.—Received. From the Foxton Borough Council asking for a contribution towards the cost of piping approximately 700 ft. of drain through the borough. The letter stated that the drain dealt with surface water from the county carried by the Awahou drain. The matter was referred to the Works Committee for investigation and report. From the Mt. Biggs School Committee asking for a load of metal in front of the children’s horse paddock. —Granted.

The Rongotea Co-op. Dairy Coy. wrote drawing the council’s attention to the menace to its property caused by an old disused building which had been put up for auction for removal, and the purchaser had failed to remove same. It was decided to give the owmer notice to remove, and also to notify the Health Department of the position.

Mrs. K. E. Campbell made application for the right to graze a portion of the road on Ranfurly Avenue, Feilding for an hour a day.—Referred to the council’s by-law's inspector for investigation.

Mr. W. T. Caithness wrote requesting permission to erect a fence along the road frontage to his property to enclose an area of six chains by eight yards.—Permission was not granted. The county engineer (Mr. H. V. Bond) reported on maintenance work for the month, and the flooding on the Foxton-Shannon Road during the period. A substantial culvert washout had occurred on Tangimoana Highway and repairs were in hand. The metal crushing plant had produced 3017 cubic yards of metal during the month.

The report of the tramway manager revealed that the earnings for the month amounted to £279 Is 7d and the running expenses were £316 Is 7d, showing a debit balance for the period of £37. Details of the traffic for the month were as follows: Manure, 2431 tons; coal, 70 tons; sundries, 1 ton; metal 1015 cubic yards. The county treasurer reported that the county fund account was at present in debit to the extent ol £2481 6s 2d, the loan account in credit £240 19s Id, while the reserve account was in credit £20,000. Receipts sirce the last meeting totalled £1504 4s 4d. The by-laws inspector stated that the position regarding wandering stock was satisfactory, although complaints had been received regarding stock on Taipo and Speedys Lines. He had interviewed the persons concern* ed ard the nuisance had been stopped. A discussion ensued regarding the closing down of the tramway and it was finally resolved that when the present arrangements for the supply of metal chips to Foxton by the tram is completed, that the line be scrapped and that the engineer be authorised to take the necessary steps to wreck same.

A deputation consisting of Messrs. D. B. Rowe and R. Scott, of the Rongotea Hall Committee, '‘--ailed on the council regarding the state of the hall, and with the request from the people of the district that the hall administration be handed over to an incorporated society. After discussion it was resolved that, provided the legal difficulties can be overcome, the council is willing to hand over the hall to an incorporated society of Rongotea residents for the purpose of administering a trust for the benefit of the district.

The county clerk reported on the increase of pay under the various awards and the amount over and above the estimates which would have to be found during the current year, as increases had been made retrospective from April 1, in all cases. As a result it was decided that all overtime at present being worked cease as from the 20th. instant. It was resolved 1o communicate with the Public Works Department requesting an assurance that the bulldozing work of levelling the ground in the Makowhai drainage area be completed this summer.