NETHERTON RATEPAYERS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4530, 21 February 1923, Page 1

NETHERTON RATEPAYERS

MEETING OF ASSOCIATION. A meeting of the Netherton Ratepayers” Association was held on Saturdayl ast, Cr. Hare and the County engineer (Mr J. Higgins) attending at je request of the Hauraki Plains County Council. Mr. T. Vowles occupied the chair. , Cr. Hare and the County engineer spoke in regard to approaching the Lands Department’s drainage engineer in respect to obtaining a grant for damage done to the roads hy the department, but .were of the opinion that .the time was inopportune to press the matter. The rules of the association, as proposed at a previous meeting, were read and confirmed. THE OLD ROAD. The county, engineer reported that tenders had been called to car,t metal for the old main iroad, but the county’s' lorries were already carting metal for this job.. He had tried scarifying some of the Iroad, but came to the conclusion that there was not sufficient metal on it to justify this, as more metal wbuld be required to make a good road. In his opinion tne county’s roller was necessary, and was a vqry suitable machine. Mr S. J. Laughlin was of the opinion that the engineer’s action was a wise one. Cr. Hare said he .would be glad to see, the roller and the scarifier used on the road from the store to the school. It was unfortunate that the county did not have more money for the old road ; but he considered that good work was being done. No one was more careful than the engineer in regard to getting value for the money granted. Mr Laughlin said the county should enforce its by-laws in regard to the weight of vehicles and the width of tyres, and moved in ‘that direction. Or. Hane said the by-laws were framed to be enforced, and-they would be enforced. HARBOUR REPRESENTATION. Mr Vowles expressed the appreciation of the association to Mr Laughlin for the keen fight he had put up for the district on the Thames Harbour Board, and the hope that he would accept renominatipn. Mr Laughlin thanked the Association for the confidence expressed in him, and explained the reason for his action. He would be pleased to accept renominatipn. TREATMENT OF STOCK. A letter that appeared in a recent issue of the “Gazetfe” relative to the treatment of stock was read. Members concurred with the remarks expressed. Mr Vowles m'oved that, the Thames and Hauraki Plains pounty councils, the various fawners’ unions and. ratepayers’ associations in the district he written to to take action in the direction of! getting a water trough at Hikutaia station. FIGURES WANTED. In response to a letter from the Association tire county clerk (Mr K. W.alton) wrote offering certain information, and asking if . that was what was required. Mr Vowles moved that the County Council be asked for the total expenditure on wages, carting, metal, etc., in the Netherton riding for the past two and a half years. The motion was carried. ELECTRIC POWER. Mr Vowles moved, “That a deputation, consisting of the president and Mr R. H. Heappey, wait upbn the Power Board in regard to charges? for motors.” He said that some men were charged £9 less than others; for the same class of motor. Thle motion wqs seconded by Mr Richmond and carried. WILSON’S ROAD. The coiinty engineer ;wrote stating that in response to a request from the association he had prepared an estimate for laying down a tar and bitumen pavement on Wilson’s Road. The cost per chain would be: Metal (12ft wide, 22 cubic yards per chain) at 20s, £22; far, grouting, and bitumensealing, at £5, £5; rolling at 17s «5d per chain, 17s 6d; fines up to %in, 70s per chain, £3 10s; labour at 20s per chain, £1 ; total, £32 7s 6d. Total: 138 chains at £32 7s 6d, £4467 15s ; contingencies, £132 ss; grand total, £4600. - Cr,. Hare, in response to a question, said £lOOO was' available, together with a subsidy of £l5OO- It would be necessary to raise another ’£lsoo'. It would take £3500 for metalling the roads/ and the Council was pf the opinion that the extra £lOOO would be well spent to make a permanent road. Mr Vowles moved a vote of thanks to Mr Higgins for the information supplied. Cr. Hare : Wilson’s Road will eventually be the main road, and the Council would be glad to hear the opinion of the ratepayers in regard to raising a loan. ( Mr Higgins said he had plans prepared, for work bn Wilson’s Road,- and tenders- would be called within a week.

THE LAND BOARD.

The president, Mr Vowles, moved that the Netherton Ratepayers’ Association advise all Crown tenants to give Mr W. G. Hayward, of Ngatca, their support in the forthcoming election to fill th e vacancy on the South Auckland Land Board. The motion was seconded by Cr. Hare and carried.

Mr Vowles moved a vote of thanks to Cr. Hajre and the county engineer for attending the meeting. It was decided that the association hold a dance on Friday next.