HAURAKI PLAINS COUNTY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4575, 15 June 1923, Page 4

HAURAKI PLAINS COUNTY.

MEETING OF THE COUNCIL . "Willi i The monthly meeting of the Hauraki Plains County Council was held at Ngatea on Tuesday. There were present Crs. J. C. Miller (chairman), C. W. Harris, W. G. Haywar,d, J, H. Nicholson, W. Madgwick, H. Hare,. C. W. Parfitt, T. McLoughlin, and J. F. Mayn. The clerk (Mr E. Walton), and t,he engineer (Mr J. Higgins); DRAINAGE. E. Hunter, of kerepeehi, waited on the Council re drainage matters. A drain known as Price’s had been constructed three years ago and had only been open for, a few weeks. The drain was unfenced, and consequently the banks were continually slipping in. He asked that the Council’s representative while in Wellington look into the matter, and have the drain improved as the settlers whose outlet it was were suffering. Cr. Harris said that the drain was through private property and unfenced so often became blocked. What was desired was that the Governmnt should be asked to keep the outlet open. He said he would endeavour to inspect the area before going to Wellington, and he would bring up the matter there. FERRIES CONFERENCE. The clerk reported on the conference regarding ferries held at Thames recently and published in the “Gazette.” PATETONGA DRAINAGE. Cr. Harris reported that he had visited Patetonga and inspected the area. He was sure the Maukoro Canal was the key todthe whole situation, He had seen farms once ingrass now in a hopeless state under present conditions' through flooding. He had also seen roads that had been seriously damaged by the overflow from the drains. He was sure the Council was doing the right thing in sending a representative to Welling-, ton. Cr. Hare endorsed the remarks of the previous speakers, and moved that the. Council endorse the report and give their unanimous support in pressing the claim. This was seconded by Cr. Nicholson I and carried. PATETONGA RATEPAYERS. The chairman reported on the meeting, at Patetonga, as reported in the “Gazette.” He was sure that the ratepayers now understood the position. Cr. Mayn said that the ratepayers were satisfied that the Council were out to do the right thing. NETHERTON-TURUA ROAD. Cr. Hare said he wished t,o congratulate the engineer on the work that had been done on the TuruaNetherton Road. For’ the first time this winter he had been able to come to the County meeting without chains on his car wheels, CONCRETE PIPES. Cr. McLoughlin suggested that instead of purchasing concrete pipes for small jobs that moulds be obtained so that pipes could be made o:i the job. There would be a great saving in transportation, as plenty of metal was available. He moved and Cr. Mayn Seconded that the engineer ascertain the cost of moulds for, concrete pipes. This was carried. MAUKORO' QUARRY. The clerk read the option over the quarry si to at Maukoro. The engineer reported that to date no prospecting had been done, but the matter, would be attended to during the week. MANGATARATA BRIDGES. Cr. Harris moved that the Lands and the Public Works Depatrments be asked to subsidise the cost of putting in order the bridges around Mangatarata. Seconded by Cr. McLoughlin and carried. BACK, MIRANDA ROAD. On the motion of Cr. Harris, seconded by Cr. Parfitt,, the engineer was authorised to spend £4O for the purpose of grading the hill on the back Miranda Road. WILSON’S ROAD. The engineer reported that the contract for obtaining spoil for the formation of Wilson’s Road was now half completed. WAITAKARURU BRIDGES'. The engineer reported that proposals on the Waitakaruru canal and stream road bridges, had been submitted to the Public Works Department. HIKUTAIA QUARRY. The engineer reported that a drive through the Hikutaia quarry would probably commence within a few days. O'HINEWAI ROAD, • The engineer reported that the plans for the Ohinewai-Kaihere road had not yet. been approved. Or. Mayn said that probably a special rating area may be constituted to meta] the roads in Patetonga riding. Should this be done the position would be affected, and h$ suggested that tenders be not called in the meantime. MIRANDA ROAD. The engineer, reported that the timber. for the Waitakaruru-'Miranda Read bridge was on the ground. ROAD IMPROVEMENTS. Cr. Haywards moved that the Kere-peehi-Horahia road and the Kere-peehi-Wharepoa road be graded so that the loose metal at the sides of the rpads could fill the ruts and build up a crown. -> Seconded by Or. Nicholson and carried. WAITAKARURU NEEDS. Cr. Harris moved that a punttload of metal be obtained for the stream road from the bridge to the hall. Seconded by Cr. Mayn and carried. Cr. Harris moved that a certain amount of timber be deposited in each riding for urgent repairs. Seconded by Cr. Parfitt and carried. Cr. Harris moved that tenders oe called for cleaning road drain near. Stretton’s, tenders to be left in the hands of thf engineer and riding member. Seconded by Cr. Parfitt and carried.

KIRIKIRI bridge. Mr F. E. Powell, consulting engineer, Wellington, wrote advising that the engineer of the Public Works Department, Wellington had been in consultation with him as to details of the Kirikirf bridge proposals. At their request he was going to give them certain technical information not in their possession which he understood would be of advantage in the consideration of the Government’s attitude as to subsidies. He was hopeful that .this would expedite matters and be a distinct move towards the realisation of the project.—Received. THE THAMES BUS. Mr W. White, motor engineer, Thames, wrote, in reply to the Council’s letter re the placing of a Ford bus on the road, stating that it would dp more harm than good, as the pneumatic tyres on the big bus were six inches across and the weight of the bus itself was 2 ton 3cwt,. without passengers. It would be no advertisement for the Hauraki Plains, for when land buyers came across it was better to give them a good bus to ride in than an old Ford lorry. The bus took mails to the Plains regularly, and free; also school children. If there was anything that he could do to help the Council he would be only too pleased to do it. —Received. SOLDIER SETTLEMENT RATES. The Piako County Council, Te Aroha, wrote stating that they had considered the question of rates on soldier settlement lands,, and were of the opinion that the soldiers could now be i placed on an equal footing with the rest of the ratepayers as regards paying rates and that they should be sued like any ordinary ratepayer, except in cases of dire poverty. They considered the soldiery were now either able t;o pay (their way like any ordinary settler, or must be considered unfit to be on the land and should take up some other calling. The opinion of the Council was asked as to wbat action it deemed desirable to take, as it would be better, where conditions were similar, that all counties act in a uniform manner.

Cr. Mayn said that he diet noft. like the tone of the letter. The conditions were not the same, and unde) the circumstances it, would be a hardship in some cases. He n.oved, and Cr. McLoughlin seconded, that the Piako Council be advised that the conditions on the Plains were altogether different Cr. Parfitt supported, and the motion was carried. HOP Al ROAD. Mr L. Bidwell, on behalf of the Honai Road settlers, wrote forwarding a petition asking that the Hopai Road be widened and continued to Pouarua Road. He also enclosed copies of letters from the settlers to the Commissioner of Cr,own Lauds offering to give the necessary land under certain conditions. On the .motion of Cr. McLoughlin, seconded by Cr. Parfitt, the request was endorsed, and it was decided to take the matter, up with the Department. HEALTH BY-LAWS. The Department of Health wrote forwarding a copy of its its by-laws for the control of boardinghouses to be embodied in the Council’s by-laws. If. this was not done the area would come undeii the direct control of the Department.—-Received. CORRESPONDENCE. The Department of Internal Affairs wrote giving the consent of' the Gov-ernor-General to that section of the county by-laws dealing with the licensing of vehicles plying foil hire. Mr J. Payne, Auckland, wrote advising that he had £5OOO to invest in local government debentures, —Received.

The State Advances office wrote advising that, the consent of the Gov-ernor-General under, section 20 of the Finance Act >had been obtained for permission to raise the following loans : Workers’ dwellings loan, £900; Turua-Netherton, £2500; Tahuna, £500; Netherton, £l6so.—Received. The Waimea County Council wrote forwarding a copy of a resolution pealing with motor, traffic and suggested amendments tp the Main. Highways Bill.—Decided to support the resolution.

Mr T. Leonard, Ngatea, iwhote applying for permission to lay 2in galvanised iron pipes frpm the butter factory along the fence line to his property.—Left tp the Engineer. Mr J. B. Reyburn, Whangar,ei, advised that his son had a launch suitable for towing; also a barge suitable for metal carrying.—Referred to the engineer . .

Th e, Netherton ferryman applied for a telephone to be installed at the ferry, as it would be convenient for him if he could be advised by phone of any late trips. He could then be up waiting for any late calls.—Left to the riding member. The Paerpa School Committee requested the co-operation of the Council in urging upon the Minister, of , Education the necessity fpr the immediate provision of proper for obtaining manual and technical eduction for the pupils of the schools in Paerpa and surrounding districts. The disadvantages of the present system were pointed out,, and the Council was urged to forward a resolution on the subject to the Minister.— Decided to support the request. TENDERS. The following tenders were accepted after being discussed at length in committee:— Contract No. 36, for crushing and delivering metal from Puriri Creek to the Council’s hopper: Mr A. W. Fretwell’s tender, of 5s 8d per cubic yard, on his conditions, provided the Council is satisfied as to his bona fides. Contract for cleaning drains at Waitakaruru : Mr A. P. Williams, 7s 3d and 4s 3d. STRIKING OF RATES. The formal resolution striking rates for the ensuing year was carried on the motion of Cr. Parfitt, seconded by Cr. Mayn. The special rates wer,e : Kopu ferry l-16d, Kopu ferry approach roads %d, Puriri ferry approach roads %d, Orchard bridge l-sd, Waitakaruru district %d, Waihou bridge

l-iod, Netherton roads 7:-16<V Ngataipua East Road %d, antecedent liability %'d, hospital rate %. OVERDRAFT. On the motion of Cr. Mayn, seconded by Cr. McLoughlin, the clerk was instructed to arrange with the banic for an overdraft should one be necessary. FERRIES. The clerk read the .engineer’s report on the Wharepoa ferry, and seated what had been said at the conference. After, a little discussion it was decided, on the motion of Cr, Parfitt, seconded by Cr, Hare, that the engineer be instructed to look into the matter of the undue wear on the wire ropes. Cr, McLoughlin moved, and Cr. Mayn seconded, that in the opinion of the Council the ferry should oe kept running, and if necessary the Council should proceed with the question of a new pontoon. COUNTY CHAMBERS. Plans for the proposed council chambers were inspected and the prices submitted by different builders were discussed in Finally it was decided that the plans should be lefjfi to the engineer and the clerk to decide what was required. Mr E. E. Gillman was appointed architect for the job. Cr. Madgwick voted the proposals, and contended that the services of an architect were not necessary. HEAVY TRAFFIC. It was decided that section 90 of the by-laws dealing with heavy traffic be enforced on the Puke-Orongo road, Orongo-Kopuarahi-Ngatea-Wai-takar.uru-Maukorp road , and the Wharepoa4<erepeehi-Ngatea road be enforced until the end of August, as the weather conditions justified this. Cr. Parfitt said that this might hamper cream and milk carting, and moved that the time be altered to August 15. Seconded by Cr. Nicholson and defeated by five to two. The motion was then carried. NOXIOUS WEEDS. Cr. Hayward said that the settlers on Horahia Road were concerned with the question of noxious weeds. The clerk said that for this purpose the Act stipulated that the r.oad was deemed part ofi their property. Members were of the opinion that the pest should be stamped out in its infancy, and it was decided that the Council should give the settlers notice that the weeds must be removed. HOUSE DRAINAGE. Cr. McLoughlin proposed that permission be granted the Ngatea school committee to put drain pipes under the road to connect with the big drain rjjnning to the river, .and that it be a recommendation to the Education Board. A permanent drainage scheme would be necessary in a short time. The motion was seconded by Cr. Mayn and carried. Cr. Madgwick voted against the motion, contending that the principle of septic tanks should be adopted.* Membeta pointed out that the Education Board should have provided effective drainage. NOTICE OF MOTION. Cr. Madgwick gave notice of motion “That the motion passpd by the previous council making bridges county matters be rescinded, and that no large sums of money be expended on bridges without first, obtaining the consent of the ratepayers.” PIPIROA BRIDGE. In reply to Cr. Parfitt the clerk said that the plans for the Pipiroa bridge had not yejt come to hand. Cr, Parfitt suggested that the clerk write and expedite the matter. NETHERTON SPECIAL ROAD LOAN In reply to Cr. Hare the clerk said that the Netherton special road loan was over a. special rating area, now in three ridings. DRAINAGE RATES. Cr. Hare asked whether the Council could move in ithe matter of getting a reduction of drainage rates. Settlers could not object to the rate. He moved that the Council write to the Drainage Department stating that, (the Department had promised to reduce the rate, and asking what rate it was intended striking this year. Seconded by Cr. Hayward and carried. COST OF ROAD. The following resolution, discussed at the finance meeting, was adopted in open council: “That an adjustment be made between the old and the new Turua ridings in respect to the cost of the bitumen road.”