PATEA COUNTY COUNCIL

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160725, 11 August 1920, Page 7

PATEA COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTHLY meeting. The usual monthly meeting of the Patea County Council was held at Patea yesterday, Cr. W. J. Belton presiding. There were also present Crs. G. McGregor, A. Elmslie, J. M. Hurley, M. Murphy, J. Walker, J. Gibbs, and Taylor. Ball Road.——The engineer was authorised to estimate the cost of putting the bridge on Ball Road into good order. The Public Works Department has offered to grant £l2O if the bridge were repaired and the Council assumed control'. It was pointed out by some Councillors that the birfse was of benefit to only a few ratepayers. Moore’s Property.-—A letter was read from the Waitotara Council asking for re-consideration of the Patea- Council’s decision not to merge Moore’s property iri the Rangitikei district into the Waitotara County. It was stated that ihore was a likelihood of a sawmill going on to the property, and that the Patea County roads would be used more frequently in future. It was decided not to alter the Council’s former decision. S?t urday Half-Holiday.—Replying to the Palmerston North Borough Council’s circular advocating a universal half-holiday on Saturdays, the Council stated it could not suppoit the proposal, preferring to leave tlie matter to the respective local authorities. Tuki Road. Hamison Bros., Waverley, wrote complaining of the condition of Tuki Road. —Left in the hands of the engineer. Motor Traffic. Complaint was made by a Waverley resident regarding the excessive speed at which some motorists travelled through the township.—lt was decided to refer the complaint to the police. Crusher.—lt was decided to purchase a crusher for £75 from the Wanganui Borough Council. Revoking Proclamation."— Cr. Murphy gave notice of his intention to move at next meeting: “That the proclamation declaring the road from the Waitotara river bridge to the Manawapou be revoked and that there be ho main road in the county.” Delivery Truck.—a committee was set up to consider the purchase of a truck for delivering metal. Rangitatau Road.—A deputation of settlers interested in the early completion of the Rangitatau Road is to proceed to Wellington shortly to ask the authorities for a grant. The deputation is to be supported by representatives from the Council. ENGINEER’S REPORT. In the course of his report the County Engineer stated:— Main Road and General.—Metalling on the main road has progressed slowly during the month owing to the .short supply of metal arriving from Belmont, only about 100' tons coming to hand since last meeting. From information I have received privately it is understood that the increased railway rates will make this metal too costly to rail to Patea and in any case the supply is far below our requirements. About ten chains of metal was laid on the old factory frontage and tarred, and a start made with a further section, hut the wet spell last week stopped the work and the metal was dumped. Maintenance metal for the road just north of the Ball road corner is now to hand, and this will be done as soon as possible. No work has been done on the Manutahi Gorge contract for the month, the balance of the pipes for the main culvert not being to hand. A few smalj slips were removed from the Gorge cutting for the month and minor repairs carried out. The scarifying and rolling "of the road from Der’rett’s to Patea Hill is now completed though a portion has cut up with the wet weather, the work being done during ' a dry spell. Necessary patching has been done on the road along the Racecourse section, and repairs to the tables on the Whenuakftra Hill completed. Sixtf-six notices re gorse on roads have been issued and a number of other offenders in this respect noted, and these will be sent out this week. I propose to go over the whole county this month and notify all offenders. Patea West.- —The contractor has carried on the formation of the Spence road as far as pqssible without the pipes which will not be to band for a week or so. Tbe cutting on the seaward side is nearly completed. The metal on the Lower Ball road has been blinded with pit metal and a good job made. In company with Crh Gibbs the work asked for on the Lower Ball road was inspected and agreed on, Messrs Watt Bros, offering to supply horses necessary for about a week’s scooping and grading. This work has not so far been started. Watt Bros, have since asked for horse feed while the horses are on the roadwork.

Patea E.—Several slips have been opened out on the main road, and this is now passable for light wheel traffic, though a lot of work is still required to make a good job. Repairs have been carried out on the Otauto road by the surfaceman on the main road,,and arrangements made for the survey of the deviation at Otauto, as advice has been received that this road has not been surveyed previously. Waverley.—An inspection of the back roads of Waverley Riding was made soon after last meeting. The bush roads of the Karahaki are in good order. Fair progress is being made on the Okutuku junction, hut parts of this length are still very rough. The Kohi Gorge is beginning to cut up especially at the bridge approaches. Good work is being done on the Okutuku road. Very good progress has been made with the claying of the Beach road at the Waverely end. Moumahaki. —Two big slips came down on the Lakes length soon after last meeting, and as the surfaceman for that length had left the job another man was taken to clear the

road. This man left after eight days’ work, and arrangements have now been made to clear the slips; good progress is being made. The settlers have completed the overhaul of the ‘Weraweraonga road and track. £49 2/- was spent on the road and £l2 on the track work. A number of slips came down on the Motoroa Gorge and Bush roads. Kapara.—The Lower Waitotara road suffered severely during the heavy rain, some large slips coming, down on the length between Maitlands and Leahys, and two men are engaged in removing same. The upper length to Leiths escaped fairly well. The Aharda road is in passable order and the new surfaceman is making good progress with repair work. The Upper Waitotara roads did not suffer to any extent, and only a few slips came down on the Kaimanuka saddle and on the Alakakaho road. The road at the washout at Tauraatahai has again slipped and after an inspection in company with Cr. Murphy it was not considered advisable to proceed with the contract, and this has therefore been cancelled. It will he necessary to put in a heavy wire netting groin at this pla'ce to divert the river from beneath the road before any permanent work can be done. Steady progress with the erection of the Upokonui bridge is bAing made, one chord being completed and Everything in readiness for pile-driving.