COUNTY COUNCIL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 36, 4 June 1947, Page 4

COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING FURTHER BUSINESS Further items from the May meeting of the County Council which were held over from last issue were as follows: — Edgecumbe Drainage A letter was received from R. J. Mercer and eight others petitioning the council to have the large drain in front of their residences piped and filled in for the following reasons:—

1. The depth of the drain varies from 4 to 7 feet which makes it very dangerous for children. 2. In summer the drain is a breeding place for mosquitoes and smells strongly. 3. When the council workmen clean the drain it becomes deeper, making a greater depth of water necessary for the water to flow because at every power pole the drain has been filled in and piped. The floor of the drain is at least nine inches deeper than the floor of the pipes.

4. The drain is very wide and cattle fall in and get stuck. The drain referred to is that running from Hall and Stewart’s depot towards the railway station, Edgecumbe.

It was resolved that application be referred to Crs. Hunter and McCracken and the Engineer to meet the settlers and report back. Fertiliser Cartage

A letter was received from Brabant Bros. Ltd. stating that the company was carting large quantities of Super on the Whakatane-Waiohau-Galatea route, part of which is' a County road, of lower classification than the main highways. Owing to a shortage of trucks and the difficulty of keeping the wharves cleared, the council was requested to issue a temporary license to carry seven tons per six-wheeler truck, which would give a maximum of approximately four tons weight on the back axle of a six-wheeler. It was understood that the company keeps within the weights permitted by its heavy traffic licenses. The Chairman reported that he had granted a temporary license in accord with the request. It was resolved that permission be granted at the councils pleasure for extraordinary manure traffic 1 ton (on the same basis as timber traffic) in excess of the Galatea Road classification—that royalty be 5/per trip. Cr Cawte recorded his opposition to this recommendation. Councillors stated that mill trucks were going back empty whereas they had helped Brabant Bros, out by carting the super on their re-

turn trip. The wear on roads con-

sequent to the passage of the larger number of trucks. The terms of the license would apply only to G.M.C. trucks which were capable of carrying the extra load. Women on Council A letter from the Eastern Bay of Plenty Federation of Women’s Institutes read as follows: “In further to a remit passed at our recent Council meeting, the Executive Committee of the above Federation would like to place before your Board this consideration. We would be pleased if you would allow a place set aside for women so that women could stand against women and not against men on your board. Thanking you for. your consideration in this matter.” It was resolved that the Federation be advised that Statutes governing elections will not permit of the Federation’s proposals but that the Federation be advised it is in order for any adult woman to be elected to any local authority. Harbour Board Representative

A letter from the Tauranga Harbour Board re a Matata riding representative referring to the council’s letter was received. The chairman and Mr Wilson would be able to attend meetings at any time in June with the exception of the 7th to the 14ith. Resolved that meetings be held on the 23rd June at Manawahe at 10.30 a.m. and Matata at 2.30 p.m., that in the chairman’s unavoidable absence Cr Hunter deputise for him and that ratepayers be advised by circular of these meetings. Ohope Rubbish Collection The County Clerk reported that Section 33 of the Health Act 1920 provided inter alia as follows: (1) Every local authority may, and, if so directed by the Board of Health, .shall, undertake or contract for the efficient performance of the following services within its district or within any part thereof, that is to say:— (a) The removal of house refuse or other rubbish or waste matter from premises and the collection thereof. Section 123 of the Counties Act

1920 provided that the Council could _ levy a uniform annual charge, which charge for all purposes would be deemed to be a separate rate to cover rubbish removal costs. Such levy would apply to all properties which had a house/or houses, erected thereon. It was resolved that the County Enginee*r report on the estimated cost of the proposed service. Hospital Board Estimates . ‘ The secretary of the Hospital * Board forwarded a copy of the board’s estimated receipts and payments for the ensuing year. The levy made on the council was £5,122 Os 7d as under: Capital £594 17 7 Maintenance 4,527 3 0 Tyres The Secretary of Industries and Commerce stated that the Thames District Tyre Controller had brought to its notice an application for tyres V lodged in the name of the council. An examination of the tyres had disclosed that three were in perfect condition and two could be retreaded. However, the method of completing the application form was hot one which normally would be expected of a local body in that it was completed in pencil script and the designation of the Signing Officer is not shown. Was application lodged with the council’s knowledge and approval, and if so, the reason for same?

It was resolved that the County Engineer be requested to refer the letter to the mechanic for report. Cr McCracken stated he considered that all orders for goods should be “O.K.’d” by someone in authority before going forward. Waimana Cemetery

J. A. Mitchell on behalf of the Waimana Cemetery Trustees, asked for a grant of £2O towards the cost of putting in a satisfactory drainage Scheme at the Waimana Cemetery. It was resolved that £2O contribution be made, as a charge equally on Waimana and Nukuhou Riding funds.