HAURAKI-PLAINS COUNTY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4524, 7 February 1923, Page 1

HAURAKI-PLAINS COUNTY

MONTHLY MEETING OF COUNCIL. | The nionthly meeting of the Hauraki Plains Count}' Council was held at Ngatea on Monday last. Present : 1 Mr J. C. Miller (chairman), Crs. H- ’ Hare, F. Mayn, T. McLoughlin, A I Cahtfleld, E. R- W'hiteehurch, W. G. Hayward, C. W. Parfitt, and C. W. Harris. MAUKORO LANDING DRAIN. With regard to a drain across th 2 Maukoro Landing road, it was decided, on the motion of Cr. Mayn, seconded by Or. McLoughlin, that the engineer meet the settlers and endeavour to effect a settleinent as to closing or piping of, the drain. LIFTING METAL. In reply to a question by Cr. Hayward, the engineer stated that he would have to get a hoist,, uriven pe»liaps by electricity, to lift, metal from punts into the hopper at Netherton. Cr. Hayward suggested getting a I portable lift, as it would pay to use ! a lift at different places along the j river bank to load straight from the 1 punts into trucks, thereby doing away , w.ith shovelling. i Cr. Hayward moved that the en- ! gineer procure a suitable oil-driven I lift for lifting metal at the hoppers.— Seconded by Cr. Hare and carried. i DRAIN ON WILSON’S ROAD, j Cr. Hare moved that the engineer , call tender's for obtaining spoil out of ! the drain for completing formation of •Wilson’s Road, as it would take some time for the spoil to dry sufficiently for use on the road.—Seconded by Cr. Hayward and carried. PORTABLE CRUSHER. Cr. Hayward wished to know if a portable crusher could be obtained. I He proposed that the engineer get full particulars of a portable crush- : er and screen, and that a eommitttee be set up to deal with the matter. Cr. Mayn proposed that the committee consist of Crs. McLoughlin, Hayward, the chairman, and the engineer.

I QUARRY. I Cr. Parfitt suggested that a quarry ■ should be obtained up the Piako River, say, at Torehape or the head I of the Ngarua road <or join with the | Lands Department in working their quarry and tramline. He pointed out the suitability of the river for transportation as compared with sea-bdrne traffic, which was affected by the weather. Cr. Hayward drew the Council’s attention to a quarry at Patetonga. Cr. Mayn said the quarry was three miles from the tramline, and there were no engineering difficulties in the way of transportation. Cr. McLoughlin moved that a committee consisting of the chairman, Crs. McLoughlin, Hayward, Parfitt, and Mayn prospect for a metal deposit in the Patetonga riding district and report to the council. MAUKORO DEVIATION. As the amount authorised ‘for the Maukoro deviation was not sufficient to complete the work Cr. Whitechurch moved that the amount be increased to £75. —Seconded by Cr. Mayn and carried. ' housing. Oi'. Harris protested against the ! delay in the construction of workingmen’s cottages, and moved that as the money was available tenders be called. STOP-BANK RQAD. F. C. Western, Mt. Eden Road,

Auckland, wrote protesting against the delay in improving the Ngararahi stop-bank road, and asked for it to be dedicated and formed as soon as possible, as it. would be impassable in winter. Cr. Hayward moved that the clerk write to Mr Western and explain the delay.—Seconded by Cr. Hare and carried. PAYMENT FOR METAL. The drainage engineer of the Lands and Survey Department, Kerepeehi, wrote stating that the head office was pressing for the ’ payinent by the County of the sum of £250 for metal supplied . for the Netherton-Awaiti road, as arranged some twelve month? ago. - , Members were of the opinipn that this should be paid, as the Council was getting’ in bad odour, with the department owing, to this. It was decided to- pay the account. OVERDUE RATES. Mr J. Marshall, Waitakaruru, wrote protesting against the action taken by the clerk in regard to overdue rates. Cr. Mayn moved, and Cr. Whitechurch seconded, “That it be recorded that the Council considers the clerk’s action was quite reasonable and considerate, also quite in accordance with the usual procedure, and that a copy of this minute be forwarded to Mr Marshall.” —Carried unanimously. TENDERS. The following tenders were dealt with:— Contract No. 25, quarrying and breaking 3000 yards, more or less, Hikutaia quarry.—J. Cochrane 4s lOd, accepted. Contract No. 26, driving 90ft, more or less, and putting in rise 45ft, Hikutaia quarry.—No tenedr was accepted, and the matter was left to the engineer, with power to act. Contract No. 27, construction of jetty and metal chute at Hikutaia stream. —Duffy £35, accepted. Contract No. 28', forming and culverting 80' chains on the TahunaOhinewai road, and contract No. 29, forming and culverting 143 chains on the same road, —No tenders were accepted, and the matter was left in the engineer’s hands.

PATETONGA RIDING. Cr. Mayn stated that there was much work necessary in’ his ridifig, and moved that the suni of £250 be authorised to be expended by the engineer in Patetonga riding. Cr. McLoughlin supported, and stated that if a month was wasted in waiting for an engineer’s report the work could not be done before winter. Crs. Parfitt and Whitechurch spoke in support, and the motion was carried unanimously. f NETHERTON ROADS. Cr. Hare desired to know what, was’ to be done on the road near Mr Henry’s. The clerk explained that there was a loan for the work. The engineer stated that work wo'uld be commenced as soon as metai could be obtained. TRAMWAY ROAD. Cr. Mayn said this road f was not in a fit condition to servo as an outlet. The Lands Department intended putting clay on the road and pulling up the tramline when this was done. He moved that the Council inquire what the Department’s policy was in regard to Tramline Road. Seconded by Cr. Parfitt and carried. PIPIROA RIDING. Cr. Parfitt asked that the engineer be instructed to prepare a report, on the metal roads that would be in the Pipiioa riding after the revision of boundaries.—Granted. COUNCIL’S BENZINE. Cr. Whitechurch stated that sohm of the Tahuna settlers had borrowed some of the Council’s benzine and had delivered some to Netherton to replace it. He desired the Tahuna riding account to be credited with rhe cost of the benzine and the Netherton riding charged. Cr. Mayn moved that, the Tahuna Loan account be credited with 46 cases of benzine at current rates and same be charged to the county car (15 cases) and Netherton riding (31 cases subject, to the engineer’s approval).—Seconded by Cr. Hayward and carried. BRIDGES. Mr F. Wallis waited upon the Council with reference to a broken bridge leading to his property a: Torehape. He was prepared to. build a bridge for £lO. Cr. McLoughlin moved that a contract be let. to Mr Wallis to construct a bridge under the supervision of the engineer for £lO. —Seconded by Cr. Harris and carried. Cr. Harris asked for the engineer s opinion on the bridges on Malinta Road over the Waitakaruru stream and the Waitakaruru canal. The engineer said the present job was only a temporary one, and the bridges were not safe for heavy loads. Ak the Lands Department > would shortly hand over: roads to the county lie thought that, the Department

should be asked to replace with permanent bridges. Cr. Harris moved in that direction, and Cr. McLoughlin seconded. HOEO-TAINUI ROADING. Cr. Whitechurch moved that the engineer spend in repairs a sum not to excee'd £5O between Waiti Road and Harrison’s corner.—Seconded by Cr. McLoughlin and carried. SALE OF METAL. Ur. Whitechurch stated that tin Piakc County engineer had asked for permission to buy metal from the Tahuna. quarry, and moved that the matter be left to the engineer and. Cr. Whitechurch to make arrangements on a royalty basis. —Seconded by Cr. McLoughlin and carried.