COUNTY COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 46, Issue 14118, 12 May 1920, Page 6

COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Masterton County Council was held in the Council Chambers yesterday afternoon. The State Advances Office wrote sanctioning the loan for the Wainui-o-mapu road. Messrs Gawith and Logan wrote m connection with a deviation on the Wangachu road, on behalf of Mr McKenzie. —The Council decided that necessary steps be taken to legalise the road and to close the old road. Messrs Seaton, Sladden and Pa.vitt wrote re the plans for a proposed road on the estate of Mr A. J. Cooper at Lansdowne. —The Council decided to accept the formation of the new load, subject- to the approval of the engineer and overseer. Messrs Seaton, Sladden and _ Pavitt. forwarded a report on the condition of Dorset’s bridge, near Mauriccville, and pointed out the unsatisfactory condition of the structure. —On the motion of Or. Wilton it was decided _ to arrange for a loan for a new budge of reinforced concrete at an estimated cost of £1350, and that steps be taken to approach the Government for .a. grant, as it is situated on an arterial road.

A report was also received in' connection with the proposed bridge at lvaituna over the Waingawa, at an estimated cost of £2476, including the construction of a certain portion of road on the Carterton side of the river. That sum did not include compensation for land—The Council decided to forward the plans to the Wairarapa South County Council for consideration. If the‘Wairarapa South County Council replies favourably, the Council decided to make the necessary arrangements for proceeding with the work. Regarding tlu* proposed Rorokoko bridge, the Council •'decided to apply for a- subsidised grant from the Public Works Department, and also for the new Taueru bridge as well. The Lawrence County Council wrote in connection with the methods of raising revenue for contributions t& Charitable Aid Boards, and requesting the cooperation of the Council in having the present Act amended. —Received. The Council decided, on the motion of the chairman, to lodge a legal objection against the present proposed boundaries in connection with the amalgamation of Lansdowne and Masterton, and that the matter be placed in the hands of Dr. Trimble. The motion was seconded by Cr. Armstrong and unanimously carried. The chairman remarked that it was impossible to consent to the strip of land coming in near the Waipoua bridges. The Council could not consent to such a course, and be believed that it had a very good defence.

A letter was received from the Feath erst on County Council regarding the upkeep of the, Rimutaka roads and bridges, and it was decided to approve of the Council’s allocation of 31 per cent, and of-the work now in progress, although it did not approve oi any future maintenance contribution. It was resolved to thank the Castlepoint County Council /or agreeing to contribute' its portion towards the proposed Taueru bridge. Mr J. H. O’Hara wrote requesting permission to erect a motor shed on the Brancepeth ro!id at Poroporo. The matter was left in the hands of the member for the riding and the overseer to deal witn. .

Mr W. Dalziell wrote in connection with a contribution made by Mr J. L. Murray some years ago, and recommending its repayment, as the money had not been expended. —-This course was agreed to. FINANCE COMMITTEE.

A- meeting of the finance committee of the Masterton County Council was held at the County offices yesterday morning. Cr. Armstrong - was in the chair, and there were also present Crs. Welch, Wilton and Dalziell. The treasurer’s report showed a credit balance of £532 19s 10d. Receipts since April 13th last amounted to £545 5s 3d. The overdraft in the general account stood at £2519 16s, cheques outstanding £369 5s 7d, and accounts presented £1616 ,16s 3d. The overdraft after the payment of accounts was £4505 35s lOd. OVERSEER’S REPORT. Opaki Riding. —The metal repairs on the Opaki district road is completed. I have thfee teams repairing the Waingawa to Camp road, and three teams patching the Masterton, Wairaata and Lansdowne roads. The County staff is engaged at present putting hard wood blocks in the Ruamahanga bridge at Opaki. Te Whiti Riding.—l have had the watertables cleaned out on the Pakaraka road, and a 10 x 12 x 30ft culvert put in on the Masterton-Gladstone road. The pipe culvert on the Te Ore Ore estate road is completed.

Rangitumau Riding.—The engineer and myself inspected Dorset’s bridge and decided to erect a new one. The old bridge is not worth repairing. We bored for a foundation for the new one, and found papa at a depth of loft. Upper Taueru Riding.—The metalling contract on the Te Ore Ore-Bide-ford road is completed, as are also the necessary repairs. Uriti Riding. —Masterton-Waimata road: The metalling repairs from the Taueru to Mr Mace’s property are being carried out by day work. It requires four small culverts replaced on this road. Wainuiouru Road: The metal repairs oil the Weraiti-Stro»yar road will be completed' in a few days, weather permitting. The engineer and myself visited Kaituna to locate a site for the new bridge over the Waingawa river. We found a very good site at the juncture of the two streams. The river is narrow at this point. We tried to sink for a foundation, but could not get down any depth, owing to water and boulders.