HAURAKI PLAINS COUNTY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4568, 25 May 1923, Page 4

HAURAKI PLAINS COUNTY

SPECIAL MEETING OF COUNCIL. A special meeting of the above council was held on Wednesday last. Present: Crs. J. C. Miller (chairman), W. G. Hayward, W. Madgwick, J, H. Nicholson, H. Hare, T. McLoughlin, J. F. Mayn, C. W, Parfitt, and C. W. Harris. The clerk, Mr E. Walton, and the engineer, Mr J. Higgins, were also in attendance/ Cr. Mayn welcomed Ahe two new members of the Council, and they briefly responded. , PURIRI METAL. The engineer, in reply to a question, said that he estimated the cost of metal to the Netherton hopper would be about 9s. z “The cheapest metal we have ever handled/’ was the comment of members. Or. Parfitt moved, and Cr. McLoughlin seconded, that the engineer be authorised to call alternate tenders for towing punts to certain points on the Waihou River, and for towing the punts and unloading, and also to ca’l tenders for carting metal from the quarry tp the punts.—Carried. Considerable discussion arose on the question of the disposal of the “fines” from the crusher,; and the point of the quantity of sand was raised. The specifications for the contract, were read, and the opinion was expressed that a very big quantity of sand would be delivered. Cr. Madgwick said that the metal could not be accepted under the present specifications. Cr. McLoughlin moved that a com. mittee, comprising the chairman,, Cr. Madgwick, and the, engineer, with power to add, go into the matter, and if necessary call fresh tenders. Seconded py'Cr. Harris and carried. TROUGHTON’S ROAD. Cr. Hare said he considered that the metalling of the road near Troughton’s was the most important work in the county. The engineer said that every effort was being made to have the work done as soon as possible. The road would probably be rolled when completed. BRIDGES. Cr. Hariris moved, and Cr. Mayn seconded, that the engineer be given aurhority to construct the MirandaWaitakaruru Road ’ bridge.—Carried. The action of the engineer in connection with repairs to the Rawerawe Road culvert was approved. Cr. Harris moved that the engineer report fully on the Mangatarata. bridge, and that the Public Works Department be asked to contribute towards the cost of putting all the bridges around Mangatarata in order. Seconded by Cr. McLoughlin. In reply to Cr. Madgwick. the chairman said that bridges over rivers were county matters. All other bridges were riding matters. WAITAKARURU-PIPIROA ROAD. Cr. Harris moved that the engineer be authorised to dump metal as available alongside the tt’oad to be sued when required. Seconded by Cr. Madgwick and carried; FERRIES. The Thames County Council wrote inviting the Council to a conference between the Thames Borough, the Plains County, and the Thaines County Council with reagrd to the Kopu ferry. A statement of receipts and expenditure enclosed showed a loss of £264 2s lid up to March 31, 1923. Members expressed the opinion that the losses were increasing as time went on. Cr. Harris moved that a committee, comprising the chairman, Crs. Harris, Madgwick, Nicholson, Hayward, and Parfitt, meet the Thames Borough and County Councils in regard to ferries. Seconded by Cr. Mayn and carried. Cr. Parfitt moved that the engnieer be instructed to prepare an estimate of the cost of a new ferry at Wharepoa. ROADS. The Chief Drainage Engineer, Lands and Survey Department, wrote forwarding a list of roads handed over to the Council. Or. Mayn said that some .of the roads in his riding needed more work before being taken over. The chairman, Cr. Harris, and Or. Parfitt said that no body had fought harder than the Council to have the roads properly foil-med before taking them over. Cr. Parfitt moved that the Council write to the Minister of Lands and ask that the Department carry out the contract, with the tenants in the Hauraki Plains area concerning the completion of the roads. Cr. Mayn seconded, and the motion was carried. The correspondence and minutes on the subject were read by the clerk, and showed that the Council had done all possible to have the roads completed before they were handed'over. Cr. Mayn moved, and Cr. McLoughlin seconded, that the Department be asked to ireclay and repair washouts in the Patetonga road. WATER SUPPLY. . The Minister of Public Works wrote forwarding a report on a Hauraki Plains water supply scheme by Mr Metcalf, made eight, years ago. The matter has been considered again, and no reason has been found tp alter, the opinions previously expressed. The scheme may, however, be modified by the reduction of the pressure. This would result in a saving of £7OOO. It was now considered that the work would cost not more than £350,000, or even less, owing to the lower lost of pipes. The clerk was instructed to ascertain the Council’s position. Mr A. Zeigler,.. Te Tjurua, .wirote on behalf of the settlers on Newman’s Rbad, Turua, asked permission to erect a 1000-gallon tank on the river bank to be a reselrvoir for a co-opera-tive water supply. He also applied for permission to lay a pipe under the road. f The application was granted, jprovided that the pipes were put’ in before the road was metalled. HEAVY TRAFFIC. The Ohinemuri County Council

wrote forwarding remits to be forwarded to the next Counties’ Conference on heavy traffic, and asking the Council’s support.

Cr. McLoughlin moved that the Council support the remits. Seconded by Cr. Hayward and carried. FERRY SERVICE. W. White and Co., motor engineers, Thames, wrote asking the Council to assist them to maintain a regular service if the ferry should be unable to run or the roads became impassable by taking passengers to Turua by launch; also to have the launch captain's house connected by telephone. Permission was also asked to erect a notice on each approach to the ferry stating that the mail car had first right to the ferry. A reduction in ferry fees was alpo asked for, and the erection of footboards and electric lights on the approaches, and the right to call on the launch to run football teamsjo Turua and Orongo. The chairman said that the Council should not become common carriers. The other matters concerned the controlling authority ,but the Plains Council was against them. Cr. Hayward moved that aS the big truck was damaging the roads Mr White be asked to put a Fpr t d truck on the road during the winter, and that his requests be declined. Seconded by Or. McLoughlin and carried. TOREHAPE TELEPHONE. The District Telegraph. Engineer, Auckland, wrote in regard to the proposed telephone office at Torehape and asked the Council to guarantee payment of any deficiency in working expenses. It was customary for this to be done by local bodies, who in turn accepted from those interested guarantees to themselves; —Granted. TAHUNA RIDING SECESSION. Messrs Gilchrist and Sons 'forwarded an agreement between the Plains and Piako Counties concerning Tahuna Riding for execution by the Council under seal. Cr. Harris moved that the agreement be executed. Cr. McLoughlin seconcjpd. and the motion was carried. USE OF ROLLER. The Waihi Borough Council wrote asking if it could hire the Council’s road roller during the winter if it could not be used by the Council owing to the state of the roads. The application was declined on the motion of Cr. McLoughlin, seconder by Cr. Mayn. SUPPLY OF TIMBER. Messrs Bailey and Lowe, boatbuilders, Auckland, wrote offering to supply a quotation for building pontoons if required.—Referred to the engineer. Cr. Mayn said that a Patetonga flrm could supply timber such as was now being supplied to the . Drainage De-> partment cheaper than could be obtained elsewhere. DATE OF MEETINGS. On th? motion of Cr. aMyiR seconded by Cr. Hare, it was resolved that the monthly meetings of the Council be held on the second Tuesday in each month. FINANCE COMMITTEE. On the motion of the chairman Cr. C. W. Harris was unanimously elected chairman of the Finance Committee. Accounts totalling £253& were passed for, payment; The estimates for the coming year were discussed at length, and the following matters, discussed in committee, were passed in Council:— That an adjustment be made between the old and the new Netherton ridings 'on a basis of outstanding rates. That the general rate on Kopuarahi, Horahia, Kerepeehi, Patetonga, Ngatea, Pipiroa, and Waitakarurn ridings be twopence and in Turua and Netherton ridings twopence halfpenny in the pound. That the antecedent liability rate be one-third of a penny in the pound. That the hospital 'rate be struck in accordance with the scale. That the special rates be struck in accordance with the scale. MAUKORO CANAL. Cr. Mayn said that the Maukoro Canal should be pushed on with. Settlers were being driven off their farms by reason of the flooding. The water from the road drains could not get away, and this directly affected the Council. The completion of the canal concerned the whole of the country .west of the Piako River. He suggested that the Council should take up the matter and perhaps send to Wellington far satisfaction. Other matters, such as loans, .and the metalling of roads by the Lands Department, could be discussed by the deputation when in Wellington. He moved that the chairman of the Finance Committee (Cr. Harris) be deputed to go to Wellington with those deputed by the settlers of Patetonga, Torehape', and Kiahere. Or. McLoughlin supported the previous speaker and seconded the proposition.

Cr. Hayward said that the position was acute. All the hill water came on to ths flats and the only outlet was the 10 by 6 Waitakaruru ditch. There was no possibility of the settlers paying rates if there was nothing more definite in sight, so the Council was directly concerned. Cr. Hare said that there were many items that could be dealt with by the deputation. He could suggest several, but thought the matter should be discussed at the next council meeting. Cr. Parfitt supported the previous speakers and stated that the Department had made arrangements to bring more water down than they could find outlets for. He suggested that the county chairman should also go.

The chairman said that the Council was striking a rate over the settlers and should help them. The Maukoro Canal was. an absolute necessity for. the drainage of the whole area west of the river and indirectly affected the settlers on both sides of the river, as it would greatly affpet the height of the river during the winter. Or. Madgwick supported sending the delegates from a drainage point

of view. While in Wellington he suggested that they endeavour to get the Auditor-General to agree to the Council using loan money raised Jo purchase motor lorries to purchase motor locomotives for use on rails. Cr. Hare said that the canal would affect/the whole of the Plains, and the Council should do all it could to have the canal completed. Cr. Mayn said that some of the settlers’on the tramline were prepared to walk off their farms, though they paid no rates, rent, or drainage rates at present. The Patetonga settlers desired a dredge put in to continue the Ngarua canal up to the line of the proposed Maukoro canal and then up towards Patetonga, another from this point back to meet the present dredge, and a third from the river to meet the first dredge. Cr. Harris said .that if he wept to Wellington he would do his best to have the canal completed,/ as it affected the whole country and was a vital necessity to the adjacent land. On the motion being put it was carried unanimously. PAYMENT OF WAGES.

Cr. Madgwick said that the present method of paying casual labourers monthly was not met with approval by the workmen. He suggested that aweekly pay day be established. Members said that the idea was impracticable, as it would require fortnightly meetings of the finance committee. Men leaving the job could now be paid out of the imprest account. If men were not satisfied with monthly payment they snould not come on the job. A lot of the trouble was caused by men not sending in their time-sheets. The present system was working all (right. NEWMAN’S ROAD TRAMLINE. Cr. McLoughlin moved that two sets of points be procured by the foreman of works for the tramline at the rate of £l5 a ton. Seconded by Cr. Mayn and carried. SURFACEMAN FOR NETHERTON.Cr. Hare said that a permanent surfaceman should be stationed in the Netherton riding. The engineer said that he knew of a suitable man, and would employ him. COUNTY CHAMBERS. Cr..Madgwick moved that the building of the council chambers be proceeded with at once. Cr. Nicholson seconded. Cr. McLoughlin said that he was very pleased to see Cr. Madgwick come forward with his suggesiton. He thought it was up to the Council to put up chambers worthy of the county. Cr. Mayn said he had much pleasure in endorsing the previous speakers’ remarks. Councillors had sat up to midnight in what, had been described as a morgue, a lefrigeraiing chamber, and a hothouse. On the motion being put it was carried unanimously. GENERAL. Cr. Parfitt moved that the engineer be authorised to employ labour to patch roads in the' Pipiroa riding. Carried. Cr. Parfitt moved that the engineer be authorised to purchase a set of cart harness. —Carried. It was decided, on .the motion cf Cr. Parfitt, that the engineer make arrangements to supply metal to meet the immediate requirements of ridings. The engineer was instructed to use the drays where most/"urgently required and where he could use them to the best advantage. It was decided to erect a fingerpost at Haley’s Corner, Waitakaruru. On the motion of Cr. Hare it was decided that the inspector should stop all heavy traffic in the county for the next three months. In reply to a question the engineer said that he had arranged for 30 yards of metal to be delivered on to the road between the Netherton school and store. It was resolved that the Pukahu Road drain should be cleaned out, the Council to pay half the cost and the Government the other half. The enginere was authorised to repair roads in Hoirahia riding. It was decided that the engineer prepare estimates for grading the back Miranda road to make it passable for wheeled traffic. On Cr. Harris’ motion the engineer was instructed to prepare estimates for making the section behind the surfaceman’s cottage at Waitakairuru a pound for the Waitakaruru and Pipiroa ridings. It was decided to obtain a load of metal for Maioro Road, Shelly Beach.

It was decided that in future the Council’s fire insurance business be put through the local agents of ,hq State Fire Insurance Co., in the several ridings.

The clerk was authorised to open an imprest account up to £lOO to pay the wages of workmen who leave before a regular meeting of the Council could be held to pass their accounts. The Superintendent of the state 'Advances Office,. Wellington, wrote stating that as soon as the consent, of the Goveijnor-General in Council had been obtained the various loan applications would be submitted to the State Advances Board for consideration.— Received.

The State Advances Office wrote advising that £1359 on the Netherton roads loan account had been lodged at the bank to thp Council’s credit. —Received.

Messrs Giles and Anderson, Ngatea, wrote asking permission to substitute a Napier concrete chimney for a brick one in the worker’s dwelling, Ngatea riding.—Decided that the contractor be held to his contract. The Minister of Public Works wrote stating that the representations ,af the Council in regard to the completion of the Waihi-Tauranga section of the East Coast railway would receive careful consideration.-—Received. Mr Irwin, representing the Mabriland Company, Ltd., waited upon the Council and asked permission to build a stage over the drain fronting Mr Luke’s property.—Granted, subject to the approval of the engineer and riding member.

On Cr. Harris’ motion the discussion on the machinery loan was postponed until the next faceting.