HAURAKI PLAINS COUNTY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4492, 15 November 1922, Page 1

HAURAKI PLAINS COUNTY

WOBK OF THE COUNCIL. THE MONTHLY MEETING. The Hauraki Plains County Council met in the reconstructed office at Ngatea on Monday, the following being present: Mr J. C. Miller (chairman), Crs C. W. Harris, T. McLoughlin.. A. Chatfield, C. W; P.arfitt, W. GHayward, J. F. Mayn, E. R. Whitechurch, apd Messrs E, Walton (clerk) and J. Higgins (engineer). Mr 11. Hare, recently elected to the Council, attended by request. He did not officially take his seat as his appointment has not yet been announced as the result of the official count of the returning officer. Mr Haro was given a hearty welcome by the councillors, and he suitably replied. Messrs J. Hopkirk and Co. wrote recommending a tar sprayer should the Council be requiring one. The letter was received.

Mr Hailyburton Johnstone offered to dig a drain of 140 chains from Ngatea bridge to his corner for £75, the drain to be sft wide, 4ft deep, and 2ft bottom, the spoil to bp thrown back 3ft from the drajh. It was decided to reply that if Mr Johnstone would hold his offer open the Council would consider it later in the season.

The Bank of New Zealand, Thames, with reference to the antecedent liability, stated that it could place a loan consisting of debentures at 6% per cent, and commission % per cent. Cr. Mayn said there was a vote of £3OO on the Estimates for the Maukoro Landing road, and he moved that, the engineer prepare plans and specifications and make arrangements for the work to be proceeded with. The motion was carried.

Cr. Ohjatfietd spoke with reference to a drain on the eastern side of the road between the Netherton store and school, and queried whether the drain was necessary. He moved that the engineer report on the advisability of filling in the drain.—Carried. On Cr. Harris’ motion the engineer was instructed to spend up to £lO on shelling part of; Mahuta, Road, Waitakaruru.

Cr. McLoughlin said that the grant of £4OO on tlie Ohinewai Road was one of £2 to £l. He contended that a free grant had been promised by the Minister. It was decided to remind the Minister of this fact.

Cr. Parfitt maintained that the chairman should be a representative at -the Counties Conference, at which the Main Highways Bill would be discussed. The councillors agreed to keep the matter in mind as it might affect the county. It was decided to ask the clerk to use every , effort to get the Public Works Department to have Edwards’ deviation, Tahuna, completed. The engineer was authorised to prepare a survey of the Maukpro deviation bridge and approach roads and to make a rough sketch of the bridge. The engineer was given power to go on with- necessary preliminary works- at the Hikutaia quarry. HIKUTAIA STREAM. The Thames County Council advised that it considered the work the Plains Council intended doing to the Hikutaia stream would not benefit the Thames County, which could therefore not. contribute to the cost. The Ohinemuri County Council advised that it had authorised the contribution of £4O towards the cost of clearing the Hikutaia creek. It was decided to thank the Ohhlemuri County Council. WHAREPOA FERRY. Mr E. C. Dally applied for a reduction of rent for the Wharepoa ferry, as owing to the opening of the Kopu ferry the traffic had decreased. Cr. Chatfield moved that the letter be referred to the ferries committee for a report.—Carried. Cr. Chatfield thought the traffic at the ferry was not as heavy npw as it was a short time back. ORCHARD EAST ROAD. The resident drainage engineer at Kcrepeehi, Mr E. Taylor, advised that the Minister for Lands would sanction the payment of the Council’s contribution towards the cost of metalling the Orchard East Road put of the Hauraki Plains Settlement account, provided that the amount is repaid by the Council at the rate of £2OO per annum, including interest, at 5% per cent., and sinking fund, and to repay the whole amount owing directly the first road loan is raised. The Council’s contribution was £1450, tlie first payment of £2OO to be made tin’s year, Cr, Chatfield said the usual mode of procedure was to take a poll, then raise a loan. In this case they would be raising the Joan first and taking a poll afterwards. Cr. Hayward said that if the Council did not accept the offer the Department would remove the plant. The cost, to metal the road once the plant had been removed would be much greater than at present with the plant on the spot. On the motion of Crs, Hayward and Harris it was decided to accept the Department’s offer, the cost, to he borne by the riding in which the road is. WATER SUPPLY.

Messrs R. W. Holmes and Sons, civil and mechanical engineers, Wellintgon, offered to undertake any engineering duties in connection with the proposed Hauraki Plains water supply scheme. It was decided to reply that the chairanar. would interview a representative of the firm when he visited the district.

HEALTH INSPECTOR’S SALARY. The Department of Health advised that the Council’s subsidy towards the salary and travelling expenses of the Department’s inspector was increased from £5O to £9l per annum, the increase to be dated, from July 1 last. Cr. McLoughlin moved that the Council, ask the reason for such an increase. Cr. Chatfield seconded, and tjlie motion was carried. NGATEA BRIDGE.

Cr, Hayward drew attention to the fact that the bolts oh the Ngatea bridge were -slack and required tightening up. It would also require tarring and painting. It was decided to ihave Cr. Hayward’s suggestions carried out. NEW DEVIATION PROPOSED. Cr. Mayn said the settlers- in Patetonga had been interested in a deviation—the extension of the Patetonga road to the Ngarua road. He proposed that the Council approach the resident Lands Department engineer and request that provision be made for the extension of the Patetonga road to the Ngarua road, and bridges be constructed where necessary. It was a most necessary road. The county engineer agreed that it was an essential, road. A motion was carried on the lines suggested by Cr. Mayn. KOPU FERRY. The clerk, Mr E, Walton, reported as follows in connection with ferries: “The Kopu and Wharepoa ferries have -been engaging the attention of the Thames County Council, which, according to the newspaper reports, is seeking a conference with, you ani the Thames Borough Council with regard to the ferries. Perhaps you may think it advisable to appoint a committee for this purpose and define its powers.” A letter from the Thames County Council on the -subject suggested representatives of; the two councils meeting.

The chairman and Crs. Harris and Chatfield and Mr Walton were deputed to meet the Thames Council.

Cr. Harris said if there was a ferry at Pipiroa, Thames County-—the Thames Borough, at any rate —should help to pay for it, BY-LAWS. In his report, under the heading of “By-laws,” Mr Wajton states: “I have the preparation of these now in hand. They are made by means of a special order, which entails the passing of a resolution at a special meeting and confirmation at a subsequent meeting (special or ordinary) held not sooner that 31 days and not later than 70 days after the special meeting. I suggest that today you fix a special meeting for 10 a.m. on Monday December 11, 1922 (which is the date Of the next monthr ly meeting), or if? there is likely to be much discussion on the subject, for Monday, December 4,. 1922.” It was decided to discuss tihe bylaws at a special, meeting on Monday, December 4, MIRANDA ROAD, Mr R. Coxhead, Miranda, waited on the Council to request that the Council go on with a bad piece on the Miranda Road. It was the worst on that rotal. He a/sked for permission to spend the rates.

Mr Higgins said 'he had been over the road, which would, have to be raised about 6ft. ahd,making it about 18ft, wide. Mr Coxhead said the low place required boring from the sea side. Cr. Harris said the work was wanted and had to be done. It could be made part of a permanent scheme of grading and formation. The matter was left in the hands of Crs'. Harris and Parfitt and the engineer, ,and if; necessary to accept an offer made by Mr Coxhead ,to do the work - .