THAMES COUNTY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4464, 8 September 1922, Page 4

THAMES COUNTY.

MEETING OF THE COUNCIL The usual monthly meeting ofl the Thames County Council was Held pn Wednesday, the following being present: Crs. H. Lowe (chairman), A. Alley, W. Brunton, P. - Faithful, R. Cox, and J. McCormick. The Hauraki Plains County Council advised that it could not see its way tp contribute’ towards the cost of the erection of a dip at Taup. The Whangamata Settlers Association sent .a letter approving the transfer of the grant of £3OO to the Whan-gamata-Hikutaia road, and asked the Council to proceed with the laying off of the work and the expenditure of the gryint on the WhangamataParakwai section. —Consideration was deferred.

The Lands Department advised that new titles were now in the course of preparation for the subdivision of the

native lands affected, as shown on a plan of the roads through the Waipatukaha Block. The Department wished to know if the County Council was going on with the taking of the road, and if so, would the Council take the necessary steps to complete the matter.

The Thames Borough Council forwarded .a copy of a report, in connection with the use of water at the electrical power station.

The chairman’s action was approved, and it was decided that a copy of a letter considered by the vrorks committee and a report from Mr Hodge be sent tp the Borough Council. The Auckland Provincial Agricultural Educational Committee asked for support in a proposal to establish a farm school at Ruakura'. The proposal was supported, and the chairman was elected to represent the Council on the committee. It was decided that any persons erecting houses in the Thames county without permits be prosecuted. DONATIONS TO FUNDS.

The secretary of the Sir Arthur Pearson Memorial), Fund asked for a donation, funds being squired to extend the work of the Jubilee Institute for the Blind in Auckland. Cr. Faithful said he would like to contribute, but did not see how the Council could do so, as it did not have the money. It was decided to take no action, though several councillors expressed regret al. this action, as such a worthy object deserved every sympathy.

The joint secretaries of a flund- instituted by the Oihinemuri and Piako County Councils for the purpose of making a presentation in recognition of Mi- F. M. Strange’s services in connection with the Thames Valley Electric Power Board asked for a contribution. Subscription lists were also enclosed. Cr. Cox : We have just turned down one worthy object and we can not contribute to this. Of course we all: recognise his valuable services. Cr Faithful expressed a similar opinion. The chairman said the retirement of? Mr Strange was a loss to the power board. Several councillors offered to take a list each. EAST COAST RAILWAY. The Auckland Railways Development League sent a circular stating that the Government should be urged to complete the Wailii-Taurahga section of the East Coast railway. The chairman said they were all in favour of railway extensions, but “the Government could not make bricks without straw.” When the money was available they would give th® matter all possible support. TREE PLANTING. The State Forest Service pointed

out the importance of tree planting and asked for orders for stock lines. The chairman said that if the Council had a place where trees could be planted it would be a great advnatage to accept the Government’s offer. Cr. Faithful was of the opinion that the Government should go in for. tree planting on a large scale, as there were thousands of acres of land suitable for nothing else. MATATOKI QUARRY. Mr F. E. Powell advised that the survey had been completed of the Matatoki quarry, which should prove a. sound proposition if 10,000 cubic yards of metal could be quarried annually, His report on it would be sent to the Council as soon as it was ready. It was decided to visit the quarry. DOG REGISTRATION. Cr. Cox : How are people getting on with the registering of dogs ? A Councillor : They are not registering them at all. Cr. Cox: These dogs are a “bally nuisance.” He would dike to see a ranger appointed. They would then ■have more dogs registered. Another councillor s.aid he would like to see the poundkeeper take charge of .the unregistered dogs. It was decided to authorise the poundkeeper to take the matter in hand.