WANGANUI COUNTY COUNCIL

Wanganui Herald, Volume L, Issue 14960, 8 July 1916, Page 6

WANGANUI COUNTY COUNCIL

A special meeting of the Wanganui County Council was held yesterday for the signing of the balance-sheet. Following this came the usual monthly meeting. Present—Messrs T. ABamber( chair), D. Ross, A. Mackintosh, D. Mackintosh, A. Robinson, W. J. Poison, Collins, and Hine.

TO USE TRACTION ENGINE.— Messrs McDonald and Edwards asked permission to use a traction engine on Warrengate and No- 1 and No. 2 lines. —The chairman remarked that the Council should control this class of motor traffic. The Council should proceed with caution, as traction engines would damage the roads. It would be a hardship to some settlers if the traction engine was barred, as it was needed to thresh their grain. —Permission to use the engine was granted subject to the permission of the engineer and the member for the riding.

KAITOKE SCHOOL.—Councillor Poison, on behalf of the Kaitoke School Committee, drew the attention of the Council to the state of tho drain in the vicinity of the school.—The matter was referred to the Engineer.'

HE RECRUITING.—The Acting-Chief Postmaster wrote stating that letters re recruiting to and from the Council could be posted without prepayment of postage.

ENEMY SUBJECTS,-The Patea County Council forwarded a resolution re barring men of enemy parentage from service with the New Zealand Reinforcements.—The resolution was received, the Council deciding to support same.

TREE PLANTING.—A letter was received from the Lands Department reeardi'i ■ State assistance re tree planting.—The letter was received and discussed.

UPOKONGARO FERRY.—The report of the Committee was adopted. Councillor Ross said the ferryman was now in he hospital with a poisoned hand. Councillor Poison said he Council had to pay £2 10s a week depreciation of plant, and had to supply the ferryman with a free house. The ferry costs were more than they should be, but the settlers of the neighbourhood would not be satisfied if the ferry closed. It would be advisable for the’Counoil to keep the ferryman’s house in repair, as should the ferry be closed the house would be handy for a roadman. Council Robinson pointed but that the approach would require repairing. The cost of making concrete cobbling approaches would be 5s 3d per square yard. If the settlers went into the matter in the same light as they looked upon farm improvements here would very likely be good roads.

RIVER BANK ROAD.—The Mangawhero Road Board wrote, suggesting that the Wanganui and Waimarino County Councils be asked to appoint a committee to meet a committee, from that Board to consider the best means of gcthug the Wanganui River feoad (left bank) opened up from Upokongaro, and that Messrs Neiison, Campbell, and Baines be appointed to represent the Mangawhvro Road Board.

ENGINEER’S REPORT.—The Engineer reported that on No. 1 Line and side roads the road metalling was making fair Regress. A ferro-concrete top had been put on the culvert of No. 1 Line near Knitoke. The roads in the Kaukatea Riding - were in goed repair. Alterations had been made in the Upokongaro ferry, so as' to minimhc the risk to vehicles going on and off. The approaches had been silted over by the recent flood. This had made the negotiation of motor traffic difficult. He proposed to widen the approach and to put down a concrete cobble surface, which could be conveniently kept clean. In accordance with instructions, the coat of maintenance of the Mangamahu Road had been kept down, 25 miles being supervised by one surfaceman. With the assistance of casual labour the road was kept open. He had decided that, as the settlers had given small portions of land up-stream from the present bridge, a new bridge be constructed there. To avoid a steppage of traffic, the old bridge will be kept open. WAIPAPU BRIDGE.—The chairman reported that the Waipapa bridge had been constructed at a. cost of £9B 17s 6d. The estimate of the engineer for this work had been £96, and the lowest tender .£173. This was passed as being very satisfactory. FINANCE—The bank balances were; Dr. £5860; cr., £l2B lls 7d and £l3l 2b - ' v.'.L.. ■