THAMES COUNTY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4583, 6 July 1923, Page 4

THAMES COUNTY.

MEETING OF COUNCIL. The monthly meeting of the Thames County Council was held a. Thames on Wednesday last, The chairman, Mr H. Lowe, presided over the following; Councillors R. Cox, P. Faithful, E. Niccol, J. McCormick,, A. Alley, W. Brunton, and F. J, McMahon. The clerk, Mr H. T. G. McElroy, and the engineer, Mr M. T. E. Hooley, were also in attendance. HEAVY TRAFFIC. Tne Paeroa Borough Council wrote advising t.hat that council had resolved to extend an invitation to neighbouring local bodies to meet in conference to consider the question of controlling heavy traffic with a view to uniformity of regulations, etc. The chairman said that the Council should accept, the invitation. It was decided that the chairman and Cr. McCormick represent the county. MAIN HIGHWAYS ACT.

The Engineer-in-Chief, Public Works Department,, wrote forwarding »a schedule showing the proposed grouping of counties to form the South Auckland Highway District, No2, together with statistics showing the area, population, capital value, rates collected, roads metalled, roads unmetalled, and tracks and unformed roads. It was asked that errors be corrected and suggested amendments to the proposals forwarded. The counties included were: Manukaii, Franklin, Waikato, Raglan, Waipa, Coromandel, Thames, Hauraki Plains, Ohinemuri, Piako, Matamat.a, Kawhia. and Otorohanga.

The chairman said that there was a g’-eat lack of community of interest. The first undertaking would be the road from Auckland to Wellington, and what chance would this end have in getting their needs attended to. A group,, as suggested by the Paeroa Borough Council, would be better. The question should be brought up at the Paeroa conference. Cr. Niccol moved thalt the matter be discussed at the Paeroa conference. Seconded by Cr. Faithful and carried. TIMBER ROYALTIES. The secretary of the Timber Royalties Commission, State Forest Service, Wellington; wrote advising that Mr J. Strauchon, 1.5.0., had been appointed a commissioner to inquire and report upon the extent to which local authorities might have incurred or might incur loss of revenue from royalties consequent on the passing of the Forests Act, 1921-22. He asked whether the Council desired io give evidence. The chairman said that the Council was making arrangements to give evidence. Members expressed the opinion th a: one man was not a sufficient commission, particularly when that man was a departmental officer. The chairman said that he had undoubted faith in Mr Strauchon, but the question was not taken as seriously as it deserved. GUM COMMISSION. Cr. Niccol moved tha.t the Minister of Lands be asked what action was to be taken in connection with the finding of the recent commission on kauri gum. APPEAL FOR THE BLIND. Mr Clutha McKengie, chairman ci the Sir Arthur Pearson Memorial Fund to aid the blind people of New Zealand, wrote asking the Council to give favourable consideration to the appeal to the extent of Is per head o f population.—Referred to Finance Committee for a report. SUBSIDY ON RATES COLLECTED. Tne Valuer-General, Wellington, wrote forwarding a form which, when duly signed, would entitle the Council to receive the subsidy under section 9 of the Appropriations Act. 1916, for the year 1922-23. THIRDS. The Commissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland, wrote asking for the schedule of thirds with the Council’s proposals. OMAHU ROADS. Mr J. O’Neill, Omahu, wrote drawing attention t,o the dangerous turn in the road on the southern approach to the Whakau road, and asking the Council to give the matter its attention. Cr. Faithful said that improvements were very necessary. Two pipes and a littje filling were required. He moved in that direction. Cr. McCormick seconded, and the motion was carried. Mr W. W. Hoyle wrote concerning the bad state of the Omahu quarry road, which was being cut up by the cartage of metal during the wet weather, and stated that it would-, soon be impassable. Mr H. J. Clark wrote asking that the Council do something to Omahu Quarry Road, as it was practically impassable. Cr. Faithful said that Mr Hoyle should be made to put the road in order, as it was his carting that spoilt the road in the first place. He had been requested to do nothing had been done^^^,^^® 1 U. was be give n to put the road in DRAINAGE. Mr W. T. Wyatt, Hikutaia, wrote asking that the road drain In frotot of his property be cleaned. It was decided to ask the foreihan or engineer to report. Mr Oliver J. Cryer, Northcote, wrote drawing attention to the bad state of the outlet drains along the side of his property along Townsenld’s Road and through to Hikutaia Creek j also the outlet drain along Creamery South Road. He also requested the Council to have a small drain put along the western side of Creamery South Road as was promised three years ago.—Referred tp Advisory Committee for report.

Mr W. P. Clark, Mat at old, wrote drawing attention to the state of drains when left by the contractor. Cr. Faithful said that owing to obstructions caused by drinking places in drains the fall had been lost. He suggested that notice be

given, to remove the obstructions.

Cr. Cox moved that the engineer visit the site, and that he be given power to order what he thought fitDEPUTATIONS. Mr Patterson, a returned soldier settler of Hikuai waited upon the Council on behalf of the settlers of Hikuai in reference to rating. Cr. Niccol said that a meeting had been held. A block of land had been acquired by the Government and sold to eight settlers. These men had no opportunity of objecting to the valuation.

Mr Patterson said that these eight settlers considered their rating very high. They had practically no outlet. except by boat, as the roads were quite impassable. The rating was inequitable, and he asked the Council to do what it could t,o have the rates reduced. The settlers recognised that they must pay rates, but they were losing money on their farms. The chairman said that the Council could not alter the valuation, and the only thing it could do was to make representations, to the Valuation Department and ask for a revaluation.

Cr. Niccol suggested that if these eight settlers petitioned the Council the petition should be sent on to the Va’nation Department, with a request for a revaluation. A valuation officer had not been on the spot since 1919. Mr Patterson also asked that the Council expedite the work on Kauaeranga Road. There was no means of getting out except by launch. Several people had died owing to. being unable to get out to get medical treatment. The chairman satd that they fully realised the situation, and had pressed, and would continue to do so, to have the road opened. He moved that when the petition was received the Council forward the matter to the Valuation Department with its support.—Carried. GENERAL BUSINESS. Cr. Alley said that there were two particular holes on the main Paeroa road that should. be repaiied as soon as possible.—Agreed to. Cr. Brunton suggested that the chairman and the clerk be present at a meeting of settlers to discuss the Wharepoa ferry on Thursday night.— Agreed to. It was agreed, on the suggestion of Cr. Cox, that the engineer go into the question of the water on the Puriri road, and take action. Cr. Cox said that it would pay to acquire the gravel deposit at Puriri from Mrs Scott. The chairman and Cr. Faithful endorsed this, and said that the gravel would be very useful on the roads and the removal wou’d prevent erosion. It was decided to leave the matter in the hands of Cr. Cox. Cr. Cox moved that the engineer he instructed to have the road in front of the abattoirs repaired.—Carried. RESIGNATION. Cr. Faithful wrotfe stating that he had disposed of his farm snd intended leaving the district,, so tendered his resignation. The chairman moved that the Council accept the resignation with sincere regret, and that it be placed on record the Council’s appreciation of his sterling worth. After all the members had spoken in appreciation of Cr. Faithful’s services as a councillor the motion was carried.