HAURAKI PLAINS COUNTY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4539, 14 March 1923, Page 2

HAURAKI PLAINS COUNTY

MONTHLY COUNCIL MEETING. The regular meeting of the Hau- p raki Plains County Council was held on Monday last. Present: Crs. J. C. Miller (chairman), C. W. F. J. Mayn, T. McLoughlin, A. Chatfield, C. W. Parfitt, H. Hare, E. R. Whitechurch, and W. G. Hayward. The clrek (Mr E- Walton) and the engin- , eer (Mr J. Higgins) were also in attendance. . PORTABLE STONE CRUSHER. The engineer reported inspecting — several crushing plants, and had cided that the best for the county would be a Hadfield crusher. It was of solid steel, and therefore much better than the others, which were of cast iron. The cost of a Hadfield capable of turning out from 10 to 15 yards an hour would be ■ £550. He suggested hiring a crusher for the Puriri stream and putting the crusher at present at Hikutaia on a carriage to make it portable. i Crs. Parfitt and Mayn thought it 3* would be better to purchase a crusher and avoid delay. Crs. McLoughlin and Hare supported. £ The engineer said that he had ' heard nothing against the Anderson crusher, but would prefer the Hadfield. The Anderson was already mounted on a carriage. The matter was left to a committee to deal with. METAL HOIST. The engineer suggested getting a Twigg oil-engine. Crs. Hayward and Parfitt advocated using electric power. • This matter was also left tp the committee to deal with. PONTOONS. The engineer said that as the Council would require pontoons in the future he had asked a man to inspect a couple of new pontoons that were not in use in North Auckland. Cr. Parfitt said the question of more pontoons -was a serious one, and at least six more were needed for use on both rivers. He moved that the engineer make inquiries as to the suitability of these punts, and if they J were not available or not suitable r that he should be instructed to have at least two built. Seconded by Cr. Hare, and carried.

PUNT. Cr. Parfitt moved that the engineer be given power to deal with the overhauling of a punt that was altered by Mr Foote. —Carried. PURIRI STREAM. The chairman said there was still a little trouble in regard to the lease of the metal deposits on Puriri Stream. The lessee would not leave unless the Council purchased his launch and punt for £2OO. .The lease had only another 18 months, to run, but the Council could work in the creek without interfering with Mr McCowatt, the lessee. The Council could make arrangements with the owners of the creek for the sole right to work the creek. | Councillors were of the opinion that Mr McCcwatt’s punt and launch would be of no use to the Council. Mr McCqwatt had rails on the ground, and these would be useful to the Council. It was left to the chairman, the engineer, and the clerk to deal with the matter of arranging access- and tenure. METAL. Cr. Parfitt asked if the Council would support the engineer’s suggestion of sin of Puriri metal below sin of Hikutaia metal, as suggested in his report. After some discussion it was decided to agree, provided it did not interfere seriously with the estimates. — Seconded by Cr. Chatfield, and carried. QUARRY SITE. H. J. Trethawen, Kauaeranga, wrote inviting the Council to inspect a quarry site on his property. The engineer, said he would keep the matter in view. The Council decided that an inspection might take place at a later date, but at present they had many other quarries in view. FERRY COMPLAINT. , The ferryman, Wharepoa, wrote in regard fo a complaint, and stated that he did not hear the call from the other side of the river. He suggested that a wire be laid across the river to his house, as it was impossible -0 hear on wet or windy nights. Cr. Hare said that a wire would nof be suitable. , ' " Cr. McLoughlin reported that -early in the evening of the Thames race day he found it was impossible to get the Wharepoa ferryman to come across, though it was certain that the ferryman heard the signals. Tt was decided that a strong letter be sent to the ferryman. CLEANING OF DRAIN. I. Haley, Waitakaruru, wrote ask- ’ ing the Council to have 65 chains df road drain along the front of his property cleaned, and offering to pay half the cost.—Left to the riding members. STONE CRUSHERS. The Taumarunui Borough Council wrote offering a stone crusher for » £275. —Received. Turnbull and Jones, wrote stating that the}' had recently landed a stone crusher and would sell it nt £254 19s 9d. f.o.b. Napier.—Received. PROVIDING LOAN. Colbeck and Griffiths, stock and sharebrokers, Auckland wrote stating that they were in a position-to arrange a loan of £IB,OOO, provided the Council was agreeable to paying the interest free of exchange in Australia. Rate 5 3 4 per cent—Received. WATER TROUGH. The Netherton Ratepayers’ Association wrote asking 'the support of the Council in getting a. water, trough erected in the Hikutaia railway yards. Cr. Hayward moved that the Council endoise the association*;: request f —Seconded by Cr. McLoughlin, and carried. * INSPECTION OF DRAINS. The Hauraki Drainage Board wrote asking the chairman and riding members to inspect the outlet drains m tlii Ngatipua East, Gumtown, and

Pekapeka roads. During the grading the drains were practically filled with spoil. The chairman reported having inspected the drains. ’ It was decided that the matter be left to the engineer tp make the best possible agreement in regard to Gumtown Road, and that the Drainage Board be subsidised to the extent of 5s per yard for Ngatipua East Road. RENEWAL OF BRIDGE. The Drainage Engineer, Kerepeehi, wrote advising that the sum of £BSO was provided on the appropriations for the renewal of the temporary structure over the Waitakaruru canal. Cr. Harris- said the temporary bridge was unsafe for traffic, and the road might have to be closed. He moved that the engineer should be instructed to report on the bridges of Waitakaruru Canal and Stream. NETHERTON DRAINS. Six settlers of Netherton wrbte requesting the Council to have the drain on the south side of the Netherton School road cleaned, and offering tp find half the cost. Walter Matthews,, Netherton, wrote for the assistance of the Council in having the drain on Fishers’ Road cleaned. Cr. Hare proposed, and Cr. Mayn seconded, that the Council should have jthe drains on School Road and Fishers’ Road cleaned if the settlers paid half the cost. LAND FOR DEVIATION. G. Buchanan, valuer, Paeroa, wrote giving valuations for land for a road deviation at Tahun.i. Cr. Mayn moved that Cr. Whitechurch be paid £35 per acre for the 54 chairs and £SO severance, and his offer of the other two acres free be accepted..—Carried. In regard to Stelly’s property, it was decided that he be paid £250. CLEANING' DRAIN. A. Sharpies, Kaihere, wrote asking the Council to have a road drain in front'of his section cleaned out, and offering to meet part of the cost. Cr. McLoughlin suggested that the work be done, and moved in that direction, the Council to contribute half the cost Also that the engineer attend to the stringers in a culvert nearby. TURUA ROADTNQ EXPERIMENT. The Turua Town Board wrote asking' that five chains of Awa Street, leading to the factory gate, be covered with bitumen in place of the five chains experimental strip from the Turua post office that the Council proposed doing. It was decided that the Council approve of the scheme, subject to any amendments that the engineer might require. OLD BRIDGE TIMBER . Tjie Turua Town-Hoard wrote asking's the Council for the old timber which was taken out of the old bridge at the mill creek for the purpose of erecting a bridge at the same place z so that'the footpath could be continued straight over the drain. Agreed to. 1 NETHERTON FERRY NEEDS,. The ferryman, Netherton, wrote pointing out that the wire ropes were in a bad state, and that a tank promised last year had not been supplied. On the motion of the chairman, seconded by Cr. Hare, it was decided that the matter'be left to the engineer to deal with.

TENDERS. The following tenders were dealt with :— Kaihere-Patetonga Road Formation—The only tender received was from J. Hodge (£152), and as this was considered too high it was decided that fresh tenders oe called. Contract 32, Wilson’s Ro;ad. —C. J. Fribrance, £202, accepted. It' was decided that the bender of C. S. Littlejohn of £4lO for the Waitakaruru cottage be accepted, and that the Tahuna portion of tilie loan be transferred to the Piako County Council. BY-LAWS. The clerk said that it was necessary to have a man to act as inspector of traffic, ranger, etc. Jt was decided that the Cotuncil make arrangements with some motor mechanic to issue motor licenses, and that the clerk advertise for a mam to act as inspector. . SPECIAL MEETING. It was decided to have a. special meeting to consider the balance-sheet before the next meeting. WORKS' The clerk suggested that a works committe be formed in each riding consisting of the riding member and the chairman working in conjunction with the engineer and the clerk. The works committees could dead witn any work that had been dealt with any . work that had been dealt with by the Council or matters that it would hot pay to have delayed until the next meeting of the council.—The suggestion was adopted. MAUKORO LANDING ROAD. Or. Mayn said that the engineer stated that the plans for the Maukoro deviation had been approved, and he suggested that tenders be called for the formation and filling. He moved in that direction, land Cr. Whitechurch seconded the motion,' which „was carried. MANGAWHERO ROAD. Cr Mayn moved that the engineer should have the grading done at the top of the Mangawhero road. —Seconded by Cr. McLoughlin and carried. KAIHEREkOHINEWAI ROAD. Cr. McLoughlin asked that the Council lift the grant of £125 for this road, as it. was the main outlet for settlers on the western part of the Plains, He moved that (£215 of the £2so' gran) be lifted, and, together with an additional £75, be expended on the road. SIGNPOSTS. Cr. Hare suggested that a signpost be erected at Carter’s Corner, Netherton. —Agreed to. TROUGHTON’S ROA.D Cr. Hare said he would like to know what was being done in regard to metalling this road. The engineer said the trouble was to get metal, and suggested that if metal could not be obtained from Thames quarries McCallum's metal be obtained. Cr. Hayward objected to using the

red metal, and suggested .that in the meantime the roads be formed. Cr. Parfitt suggested laying a foundation of red metal and a coating of good metal on top. Cr. Parfitt moved, and Cr. Hare seconded, that authority be given tp use McCallum’s metal on Troughton s road if, no better metal was available. —Carried. TAHUNA RIDING. Cr. Whitechurch wished to know why money was not granted to Tahuna riding from the loan just, raised. He thought his riding should be credited with £5OO to meet works authorised, as it would not be right to let the riding go to the Piako county with a debit balance in its account. He moved in that direction. Members were of the opinion that it was not, fair to Tahuna to let it secede without a credit balance in its loan account. Cr. Mayn seconded, and the motion was carried. It was decided, on the motion of Cr. McLoughlin, seconded by Cr. Hare, that the £5OO be transferred from the Turua riding allotmentCr. Whitechurch moved that all Tahuna riding accounts up to March 31 be paid on the engineer’s certificate. general. Cr. Whitechurch asked to have Edward’s deviation dedicated as soon as possible. —Agreed to. Cr. Haywarfi asked the position concerning new punts. He said it was necessary that they be obtained. He proposed. that the engineer so into the matter.— Agreed to. Cr McLoughlin proposed that, the matter of fencing the engineer’s house be left to Cr. Hayward and the engineer.—Seconded by Cr. Parfitt and carried; ) Cr. Parfitt moved that Mr E. E. Gillman be instructed to prepare plans foj a five-roomed house for a worker’s dwelling in Patetonga i iding.—Seconded by Cr. Hayward and carried. The chairman moved that the cleric inform Mr Grey that a loan could not bp raised by petition until the rates of those signing the petition had been paid. The chairman said that he had received several requests for information on a water supply for the Plains, and he asked for the opinion of the Council on the matter. Cr. Hayward said that the matter should be left tp the next Council. , The chairman said that several settlers were ’asking what was proposed to be done, and he thought that something should be done. Cr. Parfitt supported this, and moved that the Public Works Department be asked to furnish an estimate of a scheme. ' Cr. Mayn seconded, and the motion was carried. ' . On the motion of Cr. Hare, seconded by Cr. Mayn, the engineer was authorised to sell the house that the Council owned at Waihi. The meeting closed at 10.50 t-m., after sitting for ten hours, ten minutes. Back Miranda Road.—The engineer stated that the work authorised was well in hand. It was, decided that the engineer be authorised to employ a man for a month 'to assist the suifaceman. Puke-Netherton Road.—Cr. Hare suggested that the road be rolled with the Council’s roller. —Agreed to. Netherton School to Bridge Road — The’ engineer said that it would be useless to go on until metal was available.

Miranda Road.—A tractor and the roller had been sent out to roll the metal. The metal cartage contractors would not sign up until this was done. Thirds. —Cr. McLoughlin said that no thirds had been collected, and the engineer was instructed to look into the matter. z Morrinsville-Tahuna Road. —A contract for 850yds at 13s 9d a yard had been let. Tahuna-Awaiti Road. —An arrangement had been made with Higgins and Finn to have the work done for £750, culverts extra. Patetonga-Tahuna Road. —The repairs as authorised at Snake Hill were two-thirds done. Puriri Ferry Loan Work—The engineer reported that metal could be carted at 2s 5d . a yard cheaper by trucks than by drays. Cr. Hayward moved that metal be carted by trucks from Turua to Orchard East Road. Seconded by Cr. Hayward. The engineer was instructed to have a track retyred. Maukoro Landing Road.—The engineer reported that he had informed Mr Bennett that a cut in the road should be filled. Mr Bennett wrote stating that an old watercourse flowed over the present road, and that the Council should not block a watercourse, but should put in pipes if intending to form the road. Sr Mayn said the water had been flowing for eight years, and it was used for watering stock. Cr. Whitechurch said that Mr Pollen owned the land, and diverted the stream before he gave the land for a road. The chairman said that if appeared that the proper course would be for Mr Bennett to apply to the Council for permission to lay pipes under the road. Or. Whitechurch moved in that direction, and that if he failed to do that the Council would be compelled t 0 fill in the course. Considerable discussion followed on the legal and moral grounds. The motion was seconded by Cr. Hayward and carried. Jetty and Chute, Hikutaia Quarry. The engineer reported that the contract had been cancelled, and that the work had been proceeded with by day labour. J. Marshall, Waitakaruru, wrote to the chairman of the Council stating that he had received no reply to his letter of January 22, addressed to the Council, re the appointment of the clerk and treasurer. Cr. Parfitt moved that if Mr Marshall withdrew a certain letter of a previous date and then asked for any information that it should be supplied.

Seconded by the chairman and carried.