COUNTY MATTERS.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 August 1921, Page 2

COUNTY MATTERS.

HARI HARI PUBLIC MEETING. The County Party which included the Chairman (Mr. B. Ward) Cr. Jeffries, and the County Clerk and Overseer, visited Hari Hari on Wednesday afternoon, and made an inspection of the Petersen Road works. In the evening there was a public meeting at the hall, upwards of fifty settlers being present. Air Ward was voted to the chair, and expressed his pleasure! at being in the district again. He referred to the work the Council was doing, and stressed the importance of helping the district as much as possible. It had an assured future before it. The representatives of the Council were present that evening to hear what requests or complaints they had, and he invited the settlers to ventilate any district matters. For the coming year they would have to look forward to a lessened allowance in the way of special grants, and would have to he prepared to help themselves. One of the important district requirements he understood was Kakapotahi bridge to link up with the Bold Head road. There was a proposal to go before the ratepayers on this matter, and he detailed the loan scheme, particulars of which have l>een published already. In the past the Council had helped materially with Mikonui river bridge,, which was a great boon to traffic, and he had felt it was a great honor to be associated with the opening of that bridge. Referring specially tb Kakapdtahi bridge, Air Ward said the construction of the bridge would he a lever to secure the construction of Bold Head road. The scheme .was a sound one. and he advised the settlers very strongly to support the loan proposals when called upon to vote on the issue on polling day now fixed for September 22. Mr Jeffrie's said when elected to the Council, one of his chief planks was to have Bold Head road constructed. Along with his colleague he had gone into the present scheme, and said the stepping stone to the road, was the construction of the bridge. That would give them a shorter cut to Ross, and direct connection with cheaper transport facilities by rail. The completion of the Otira tunnel in fifteen or sixteen months’ time would bring them within eight or nine hours of Christ- ■ church, v'liere there would he alw'ays a market for their surplus stock. They would have available for their use the private enterprise which was carrying the railway connection to Bold Head road, and he asked the support of the settlers to the loan proposal. The rest of the road would then be a small matter. Air 0. Hende asked if the gravelling of the road would he done after the tramway rails were down. The Chairman said the rails would be no obstruction to traffic and there was a provisoin to carry out the gravelling by means of the tramway. Mr Evans spoke on the same subject, also, likewise referring to general County matters, including rating, .a§ affecting the district. Air Thiele asked what action had l>een taken in reference to rating on unimproved value. The Chairman said he had been asked to take a petition round the Arakina District, but. the settlers were not responsive, and no action was taken. Speaking on the subject, the County Clerk advised the settlers not to take any action with regard to rating on unimproved values while the present valuation was in force, as the unimproved values were neither reasonable nor uniform. He suggested the matter he deferred till the new valuation was available when the matter could be gone in from an. economic point of view as affecting the settlers who were the chief ratepayers. Air McKay asked why the rating district for Kakapotahi bridge did not go further south than AVaitangi river. The Chairman said they wanted to be fair to all, and other rating proposals were in mind in regard to bridging AYaiho river. A question was asked, why the distriet roadman was taken off the County roads and put on to load expenditure. The reply was ,that- the arrangement was temporary. District road repairs would not lie neglected. The Overseer would remain in the locality for a couple of days and any necessary work would have attention. Messrs Hansen, Minehan Bros., AlcKav and others asked several further questions in regard to % loan proposals and Bold Head road. The Chairman replied and promised t° supply a copy of the new agreement with Stuart and Chapman Ltd. _ Mr St George commented adversely on the structure being erected as a roadman’s residence. 'Hie Chairman said he would look into the matter, but understood a presentable building would he erected. Air Hewer and others asked several questions about the wandering _ stock nuisance and the manner m which Dm Ranger carried out his duties. Inc Chairman said if any complaint about neglect of duty were brought forward the Council would same. All cases were being dealt with' as reported monthly to the Council. \ workman enquired why his pay , was held up. The Chairman asked . that the account he rendered to tne ! overseer and if the Council found W . work had been done the claim would he met. . , The workman said “Never _ mind , about the work, I want to he*paid for ! the time I put in.” (Laughter). The meeting closed with a very hearty vote of thanks to the County Chairman and his colleagues for their attendance, and an assurance that the loan pro--1 posals would be well supported at Hari Hari .