WAMATE WEST COUNTY COUNCIL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 14 November 1924, Page 8

WAMATE WEST COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING

The Waunate West Oounty Council met at Manaia yesterday. There were present: Councillors E. Long (chairman), A. Gamlin, P. Mourie, W. Le Fleming, J. S. Mackay, J. Leslie, J. Stevenson, and Messrs. J. A. Hansen (engineer) and V. H. Hobdav (clerk). . J THE MONTH’S WORK. 'Hi'* engineer (Mr. J. A. Hansen) repi’i-ted that after re metal ling and tar-grouting ■ Rama Road he had the pWf. to the Upper Glen Road, where ••‘■oo vards of stone were cni-h----"“'1. T hii.s had been spread, there beill rr sufficient to reface over 45 chains which had been wiled and targrouted. The crusher wMs at present ,at work';' on Mr. Parker’s Nor-

manhv Road contract, and should finish early next, week. Boilers were being bricked in in readiness to start with the season’s tar work. Several days’ work had been done in the filling across the new concrete culvert on

the Normanby Road. Good progress Had beep made with the Faupokomii bridge, the boxing for the beams being just about finished. Metal patching had been carried out on the 'Menu, A urea. iSkeet and Rowan Roads. With the chairman s con-

sent, he had taken four days off to attend a conference at Hastings on the 30th October. Whilst away he had had his car, put in the paint shop and repainted.—. Adopted. COUNIT VALUATION

The clerk reported that in response to a .telegraphed request received from Mr. 0. J. Hawken, M.P.. he had replied stating that the last county valuation had been made on'April 1, 1929, which showed an increase of per cent, oh the previous valuation made in 1913.

The chairman intimated that he had interviewed; Mr. Hawken in Wellington concerning the matter and had urged the necessity for revaluation. Tu comparison with other courPies he lhonght that on the present yaluation, were paying an excessive Lvx. His opinion that every cffoit should be made to put the tax on a more.equitable basis met with the full approval of the council. NATIVE RATES.

The Bill dealing, with Native rates Iras nbreed on the table, and during the discussion, it was pointed out that all persons in occupation of Native lands were liable for rates. WANDERING SiTQCK. ' Referring to the fesolution adopted at the previous meeting concerning, the appointment of a ranger and dog tax collector. the chairman said that a@ the results of further inquiry instituted m conjunction with the clerk, he thought it would be inadvisable to put the resolution into effect. Difficulties concerning the control of the rnuger’s duties and the authority to which he would be responsible would grise if a ranger were appointed to in a dual capacity for the Town Board .and the county. He instanced the possible contingency in which the ranger might be requested by a county ratepayer to impound stock licensed to graze by the Town Board. position' could be met,' however, by the appointment of a ranger separately by the board and the council. Cr. Le Fleming pointed out that when dealing with stock in the town area the ranger would be under the control of the Town Board, and similarly would be responsible to the council when in the county area. Comparing the case of cows which licensed and working bullocks with straying farm stock, Or. Stevenson said the former, on account of becoming trained to road usage were l«ss likely to give trouble. He further thbught that some consideration should be given to- the requirements of town owners respecting the grazing of their oows on the roads, but objected -to the practice sometimes adopted by farmer* who turned stock on the roads during the winter season.

The chairman supported this opinion.

The action of the chairman in delaying giving effect to the previous meeting’s resolution was endorsed, and it was decided to call for applications for the position of county ranger and dog tax collector, the chairman and Councillors Mourie and Mackay being authorised to deal with the applications. The / adjourned discussion of the Waimate Plains Seaside Society’s request that a portion of the amount payroie to the council in respect of rent from the unfenced road leading across Or. A. Gamlin’s property between the .Tien Road and die beach be made available for seaside improvements was resumed.

Cr. . Gankin intimated that though at one time it may have been reasonable tc levy a trental charge, he did not consider this was the case at present, owing to the big increase in traffic during recent years. He was caused much inconvenience owing to. drivers ol vehicles leaving the gates open, and he .vould now prefer to have the road poned. He had every sympathy with the object of the society, however, and had given his consent to the erection >f bathing sheds on his property on sites to he selected by the society. In explanation of his iremark passed at the previous meeting, Cr. Le Flemng said that no reflection on Cr. Gamiin was intended in the suggestion that he was morally bound to meet the rental charge. It was merely intended to convey the opinion that Cr. Gamlin. as he had not notified his inention of discontinuing it, would carry ">ii with his previous action. Cr. Stevenson said that Cr. Gamlin vas to he commended upon the admirable public spirit displayed, bu;t xolained that in the absence of a contrary report it had been naturally concluded that he was still prepared to meet the rent.

Cr Mackay considered that the pubic should be grateful to Cr Gamlin. for the privileges he had allowed. The chairman thought that Cr. GamJin had been exceedingly considerate : n giving permission to cross his property, and for the erection of the '’■ads. Few property, owners would have conceded as much even if paid •or it.

Rc'e’-ring to another aspect of the question mentioned by Cr. Gamlin, the mgincer. speaking on behalf of the said that in instigating the ..-.pvrW, nt the title, which had disclosed the presence of a small area of Crown waste land alongside the river, the societv had not meant to ’i fr bt Cr. Gamlin, to whom the so- • '’tv wee conscious of their indebtedness for courtesies received. The action bad been taken by Mr Bennett solely with the idea of ascertaining the Corel. position.

Cr. Stevenson drew attention to the oe,T)>ilarifcv of the beach as a seaside report, and said it was time proper access was afforded. Though he had no desire to cause Cr. Gamlin inconvenience, the speaker considered that the council should have the road opened. It would he only fair, however, to allow Cr. Gamlin to choose

between having the road opened or continuing the present arrangement. Cr. Gamlin preferred to have the road opened. Reviewing the matter, the chairman said the council must decide whether Or. Gamlin should be charged rent in future. Personally, he did not think the charge should be made. In the event of the road being opened, it would also be necessary to ascertain who was responsible for locating the exact route.

His opinion regarding the Tent was approved by the council, it being decided to write off any arrears,' and to make no further charge until further notice. The chairman, the engineer, and Crs. Mackay and Mourie were subsequently appointed to- go further into the matter and ascertain the responsibility for locating the route. GENERAL. Messrs Welsh, McCarthy, Beechey and Houston, solicitors, Hawera, returned the-.petition for the proposed South Taranaki Electric Power District, and, referring to the advertised notice to ratepayers who have not signed, requested that the petition be kept at the comity office for the convenience of those wishing to sign.—Replying to- an inquiry, the chairman said that the signatures already received were in excess of the actual number required. Notification concerning the reduced railway freights on benzine was received from the acting-stationmaster at Hawera (Mr E. J. Guthrie). The tender fo-r clog collars at 7d each received from the Kaupckonui Co-op. Dairy Factory Co., Ltd., was accepted, it being resolved to firoeure the number required in excess of/that already in stock. !

Accounts totalling £731 2s 8d were passed for payment.