COUNTY COUNCIL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4439, 12 July 1922, Page 3

COUNTY COUNCIL.

hauraki plains. THE MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Hauraki Plains County Council was held in the office of the clerk (Mr E. Walton) at Ngatea on Monday, Mr. J. C. Miller (chairman) presiding over the tollowing: — Crs. W. G. Hayward, G. Death, J. F. Mayn, C. W. Parfitt, A. Chatfield, T. McLoughlin and E. R. Whitechurch. Mr. H. M. Skeet, Commissioner of Crown Lands, advised that no trace could be found of the original for a section for a workman’s cottage. However, he was in possession of the full facts as to the Council’s desire in the matter The application would be placed before the Land Board for further consideration. —Received. Mr. A. J. Baker, district Public Works Engineer, wrote stating there was some money available for improving the Mangawhara Road, but it was not considered that satisfactory results would be obtained by carrying out extensive work till the winter was over. It was proposed to note an item on this year’s ■ stimates to provide for opening the road as a stock track and if the money was forthcoming, arrangements would be made to push on with the work early next season. —Received. Tne Taieri County Council submitted for support, a copy of a resolution expressing dissatisfaction with the incidence of taxation in regard to the maintenance of hospitals in the Dominion. It unduly taxed holders of rural properties and it was urged that the Government make the cost of these institutions a charge on the Consolidated Fund.—The resolution was supported. The State Advances Office informed the Council that an Order-in-Councilhad been obtained for the proposed loan of /30,600 prescribing the rate of interest that may be paid on of the loan to be not exceeding 6% per cent. Mr. H. Poland, M.P., wrote stating he would give the Council’s resolution to support the Waimia County Council’s motion regarding the tyre tax his best consideration when it came before Parliament. Mr J. B. Judd, Thames, asked for permission to remove some sandstone from the point at Mr James Fagan’s property. It would improve the road at that particular point. The matter was left to the engineer to deal with. Mr. James Maxwell, Turua, was granted permission at his own cost and subject to the engineer's approval to clean out and deepen drains on his road frontage. Mr. T. W. Rhodes, M.P., advised that he would do his utmost to have the grant for the Pipiroa Bridge renewedjupon the estimates. Unfortunately the Government in common with most local bodies was suffering from “tightness of the chest”.

The Public Works Department, Paeroa, advised that ,£l5O had been authorised fcr improvements on the I'aeroa-Tahuna Road. Tde State Advances office informed the Council that the balance of the Tahuna Roads Loan of /2.350 would be remitted at an early date. In reply to a requtst from Mr. Halliburton Johnston for the cleaning out of drains it was decided the Council could not accede to the request. STRAYING STOCK. The Ngatea branch of the Farmers Union notified the Council that a number of cattle were straying on the roads between the Factory and and Rawe Rawe. A number of the cattle were unhealthy and were causing anxiety among the settlers. Cr. Parfitt- What’s the poundkeeper doing? The Clerk: I think there are one or two bulls and the pound won’t hold them. It was decided that if the Ngatea branch of the Union would submit evidence, the Council would prosecute. UNUSED ROLLER. Messrs Booth McDonald and Coy disclaimed any liability whatever for storage, loss or depreciation in in connection with the Austin Motor Roller which was still standing at the Paeroa Railway Station. The Roller was assembled and taken over by the County engineer, Mr. Dillon, who instructed the firm’s mechanic, to take the roller to it’s present position. The Council had paid ,£4OO to date. The matter was left w’th the chairman and clerk to deal with. MAUKORO DEVIATION. Mr. Silcock. Tahuna, wrote saying an impossible position had been reached with the Maukoro Deviation and again offered a gift of land. It was regretted the Council could not accede to this offer. Nineteen Patetcnga and Tahuna settlers in tne vicinity of the Maukoro Deviation petitioned the Council to take steps to further the completion of the Maukoro Deviation, The petition suggested that a deputation from the Council and settlers should wait on the Prime Minister and the Minister of Public Works and endeavour to arrive at a settlement re legalisation and fencing of this road. The clerk said a number of the petitioners had not paid their rates. Cr. Parfitt said the Council could not take any action till the petitioners had paid their rates. The matter was held over till a final decision was obtained from the minister. Mr. L. May, Paeroa, asked for information regarding fencing and legalisation of the Maukoro Deviation. It was stated that the information had already been sent to the Department. Community singing was first introduced on to the Plains at Kerepeehi on Friday evening,