HAURAKI PLAINS COUNTY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4586, 13 July 1923, Page 4

HAURAKI PLAINS COUNTY

MONTHLY MEETING OF COUNCIL. The regular monthly meeting of the Hauraki Plains County Council was held on Tuesday. There were present Ci’s. C. J. Miller (chairman), W. G. Hayward, H. Hare, J. HNicholson, W Madgwick, C. W. Harris, T. McLoughlin, C. W. Parfitt, and FJ. Mayn. The clerk (Mr E. Walton) an I the engineer (Mr J.. Higgins), were also present. CORRESPONDENCE. The Minister of Lands, Wellington, wrote stating that the Commissioner of Crown Lands had been asked to report on the metalling of the roads in the Hauraki Plains special rating area.—Received.

Mr H, Poland, M.P. for Ohinemuri, and Mr T. W. Rhodes, M.P. for Thames, wrote acknowledging receipt of the resolution in reference to the Main Highways Bill, and stated that the matter would receive their consideration. —Received.

The Chief Drainage Engineer, Auckland, wrote stating that the Patetonga Road was handed over to the Council on 31st March. Flood damage occurred subsequent to that date, and consequently cannot be made a charge against the Department.—Received.

The . Chief Drainage Ehgineer, Auckland, wrote forwarding a statement showing amount due by the Council for the Orchard Bast, Road up to April 30. The expenditure from July 1, 1922, to September 30 was £llBO 16s 7d. Of this amount the Department paid £BOO, and the Council £2OO, leaving £lBO 16s 7d. — Received.

R. Welch, on behalf of the settlers of Waipuna. Valley, wrote asking the co operation of the Council with the Wha-ngamarino Board in applying for a Government grant to' open a road to connect with the Torch ape road. He pointed out that* the road would be the shortest from the Plains to the railway and would be the best outlet from the Plains. —Cr. McLoughlin moved and Cr. Mayn seconded that the request be acceded to. The Town Clerk, Paeroa, wrote inviting representatives from neighbouring local bodies to meet in conference to consider ithe question of modern traffic in relation to the roads, with a view to uniformity of regulations, and also the Main Highways Bill and other matters. —It was decided that the Chairman and the clerk represent the County. The Minister of Public Works wrote acknowledging receipt of the Council’s letter , requesting plans and specifications of the Pipirpa bridge, and stated that the matter would be given every consideration. —Received.-

The N.S.S. Co., Auckland, wrote asking what size span i 4 ' was proposed to put in the Pipiroa bridge. The' company pointed ou£ that the traffic on the river was increasing, and in the future larger steamers than those at present used would be required to work the river. A tracing of the plans of the bridge was also asked for.—The clerk said he had written stating that had not yet been received by the Council. It was decided to ask Cr. Harris to procure plans for the bridge while in Wellington. The secretary, Marine Department, Wellington,, wrote stating that the Government had received a request for a new wharf at Miranda. ht was understood that the wharf would serve portions of Waikato, Hauraki Plains, and Franklin Counties,, and therefore it would appear reasonable that-; the councils should contribute towards the cost of the structure which is estimated at £4OO for additions or £lOOO for a new wharf. The writer asked to what extent the Council- was prepared to contribute.- — Cr. Harris said the wharf was outsids the Plains County, but two i at,epayers used it. It was decided that the request be not acceded (to. The District Traffic Manager, N.Z. Railways, wrote informing the Council that provision for separate troughs for watering cattle and pigs at Hikutaia station had been authorised. The troughs would be provided at an early date. The Minister of Education wrote stating that (the matter of the establishment. of a manual training school at Paeroa had been carefully conisdat Paeroa had been carefully considered, but it . was regretted that nothing could be done in the matter in view of the. very pressing needs in other directions, all of which cannot be met at present.—Received. The Town Clerk, New Plymouth, wrote stating that It would be some months before his council would be able to spare an electric locomotive, although possibly a few trucks could be spared.-—Received. H. D. Jamieson, Kerepeehi, wrote on behalf of eight settlers asking permission to lay a telephone line under the Kerepeehi road and the Peka-, peka road—Referred to the engineer, with power.to act. WAIKUMETO CREEK. A. B. McDonald, Kaihere, wrote protesting against the proposed division of the Waikumete Creek through:; Igjs property. He pointed out that the ■ proposal meant a longer distance and more attention and expense for maintenance would be required. The original idea was 3% chains,, of which he was willing to pay the cost of one chain. The proposed alteration was 2 chains 15 feet, and meant much attention after each flood. Ha asked what the Council intended doing. Cr. Harris said that the engineer an l he had interviewed Mr McDonald. He thought Mr McDonald’s suggestion was a good one. The engineer said that the suggestion would benefit the road. The cost would be about £l6. The matter was left in the engineer’s hands. WAITAKARURU ROADS. The District Engineer Public Works | Department wrote submitting a state- j ment showing the position of the | works on (the Waitakaruru Stream | Road and the Miranda to Waitakaruru Road. On the former the value of the work done was £3860. Subsidy

:1 a..£ for £ basis, £1930 : subsidy paid. £1340; balance due on work completed, £590 ; balance available for further work, £36. On Miranda Road the subsidy was £1430', and the value of work done £llB6, subsidy £743; subsidy paid, £612, balance due on works completed £l3l. Further proposals were approved to the amount, of £528, the balance available for further work being £159. in regard to this road, authority had already been issued for the balance of the Government subsidy in terms of the Hon. Minister’s promise. In addition to the £l3l due for payment and the amount of £159 for further work there was a sum of £528, which had been set off aaginst the proposals submitted by the Council in April last which were estimated to cost £1054 16s.

In the case of Waitakaruru Road the head office had been recommended to issue a further authority for £626 in order to complete the Department’s obligations.. When this authority came to hand arrangements would be made to pay £590, which was due for work completed. The Council wa,s asked tc forward further proposals covering the sum available on the two roads in order that the matter might be cleared up. Cr. Harris moved that the engineer send in the proposals. Cr. Parfitt seconded, and the motion was carried. PATETONGA QUARRY. Cr. Hayward said that the Thames Valley Electric Power Board had decided to canvass Pat,etonga and desired to know whether the Council would require electric power to drive machinery in the Pateltonga quarry. He moved that the clerk advise the Plains representative on the Power Board that in the event of the crusher being installed electric- power would be used. Members urged that an extension of the option on the quarry be obtained without delay. It was suggested that all the councillors visit the quarry when the prospect was completed. ENGINEER'S SALARY. Cr. Mayn moved that the engineer’s salary be increased in accordance with the’ agreement made when he was appointed. Cr. McLoughlin seconded. Cr. Madgwick spoke against, this, contending that the cost of administration should be lowered instead of raised. He gave figures showing the cost of administration in several Taranaki counties. Cr. Mayn said that it paid to pay good salaries. A cheap man gave cheap service. Other members agreed, contending that it would not, pay to cheesepare on the salaries of the Council’® responsible officers. The Council also had to fulfil its contract. The motion was carried, Cr. Madgwick voting against the proposal. Cr. Parfitt said that the matter of the engineer’s holiday should not be overlooked. It had not, been discussed, but it, was usual for a county engineer to have an annual holiday. He moved that Ithe engineer and clerk be granted a fortnight’s holiday when they considered it was the most convenient period to get away. Seconded by Cr. Harris and carried. NOXIOUS WEEDS. Cr. Harris pointed out that between the t,wp bridges at Waitakaruru gorse was growing. It had come in metal from Kauaeranga. He suggested that Che surfaceman be instructed to remove the gorse, as it was on the roadside opposite a Government reRp.”ve. Cr. Madgwick moved that gorse, oxeyed daisy, and foxglove be declared noxious weeds, and that the inspector be appointed under the Noxious Weeds Act. MACHINERY .LOAN. The clerk reported that it would be advisable to take the preliminary steps to raise some money authorised under the previous machinery loan. The following amounts might be required iin the near future: County chambers £2oo'o, polltable crusher £BOO, bins and screens £3OO, engine for ,stone-crusher £5OO, hoppers £l2OO. tar sprayer £4OO, elevating machinery £5OO, graders £250, scoops £l5O, quarry and quarry machinery £BOOO. Cr. Mayn moved that steps be taken to raise a further £lO,OOO of the machinery loan. Cr. Hayward seconded, and the motion was carried. TENDERS. The following tenders were accepted :— . Contract No. 44, for carting 3000 cubic yards, more or less, of broken metal from Hikutaia quarry on io punts at jetlty in stream : A. M. McGuiness, 2s 2d. Tenderer offered to trim punts for this price. Contract No. 45, the alternative tender for punting and discharging from punts on western side of Waihou River 3000 yards of metal : G. W. Keith, 3s 2d to Netherton, Fisher’s Road, and Wharepoa, and 3s 8d to Tu*: rua. Contract. No. 47, labour only, erecting one hopper on Puriri Stream and one on western bank of Waihou River: W. H. Taylor, £96. , Contract No. 48, for cleaning 70 chains of drain on ■ Waitakaruru ‘Stream Road: J. Rhind, 3s BY-LAWS. !’ Cr. Parfitt, said a soldier settler Iliad approached him and pointed’ O.uVthat his section was of peat and-W' desired to put his cowshed On ’solid ground within three chamsCof* the? road contrary to the county<by-laws. Ho suggested that the by-law be not enforced in this case. Several members disagreed, contending that, the by-laws .should he enforced, and to grant one would be establishing a precedent. -'Settlers .said that the structure would be only a temporary one,,, but members said > that a temporary structure usually became a permanent one in time. The by-laws could not, be ; cver-rul§d-Finally Cr. Madgwick! moved; and Cr. Hare seconded, that an advertisement be in the local'papers stating that the Council's by-laws in regard to cowsheds within three chains of roads wcftild he rigorously enforced. * The motion was carried, Cr. Parfitt voting against it. He contended

that on by roads , the oy-iaw coma do waived. The inspector was instructed to enforce the by-laws. WAITAKARURU STREAM ROAD. Mr Stretton while at the Council meeting in connection with the water scheme asked when metal, for the Waitakaruru Stream road to the hall would arrive. Cr. Harris said that the rough weather had caused the punt to be diverted to another riding. However, a puntload of metal would be sent to Waitakaruru as soon as possible. Cr. Harris moved that two puntloads of metal be sent to Waitakaruru for Stream Road as. soon as possible. The engineer said that he would not recommend thoroughly patching the road at present until it could be graded. Seconded by Cr. McLoughlin and carried. LOANS. Cr. Hare sugested that Netherton loan moneys should be spent. Loans were authorised for several roads, and metal was now available. He moved that steps be taken to raise the money at the market rate of interest. Cr. Madgwick suggested that Netherton ratepayers be urged to go in for permanent roads, as at present they proposed spending money in patching, and in the end would not have a road. Cr. McLoughlin seconded, and the motion was carried. GENERAL MATTERS. Cr. Mayn moved that the matter of wharves on the Piako River be brought before the Minister by Cr. Harris while in Wellington.—Carried. Messrs J. Terrill, Ngatea, and N, E. Evans, Patetonga,, were granted billiard room licenses. It was decided that the County Chambers be erected on the corner of the section facing Orchard West Road,

Cr. Harris moved, and Cr. Mayn seconded, that the matter of the Waitakaruru Stream. Road drain be left in the hands of the riding member and the engineer. Cr. Harris moved that the Waitakaruru pound and sections be fenced, and that the .necessary pound buildings be erected in conformity with the engineer’s report, the cost of the pound to be defrayed by Waitakaruru and Pipirba ridings until such time as Pipiroa riding decided to have a pound of its own, when if.heir share of the cost would be refunded.—Seconded by Cr. Parfitt and carried. Cr. Harris moved that the surfaceman. and poundkeeper be connected by telephone. The cosit, would be £9 for the first year and £2 a year afterwards.—Seconded by Cr. Nicholson ,and carried. On Cr. JMjayn’s motion, seconded by Cr. McLoughlin, it was decided to ask the Auditor-General to appoint a person t.o make an award between the Hauraki Plains and Piako County councils in respect to the kfaukoro deviation.

Cr. McLouglin’s action in regard *.o repairs to the Kaihere-Ohinewai Road bridge was approved. Cr. Madgwick drew attention to th? last consignment of tram tails,which were not up to sample.—Left, to the engineer, with power to act. The chairman said that he had received a cpmmunication from the Turua School Committee asking that a promise made some time ago to have a certain hole filled be carried out. — The matter was left to the riding member and engineer.

In reply to the Turua Town Board the clerk promised to supply an interim statement of accounts up to March 31. It was agreed that several, holes on the Netherton-Turua road opposite Mr Hall’s property should be attended to. On Cr. Parfitt’s motion the engineer was authorised to appoint a surfaceman for Pipiroa riding, and to make inquiries as to a site for the surfaceman’s house. The engineer was instructed to interview the Public Works engineer ITregard to the fencing of the Ngararahi stop-bank and ask him to defer action until the weather improved, so that the road would become passable. '

Cr. Hare moved that Cr. Harris while in Wellington bring up the matter of the completion of the metalling of Awaiti West Road, the main Awaiti Road, and Pukahu Road, as promised by the Minister of Lands. —Carried. Cr. Parfitt moved that Mr Harris be authorised to take up the matter of the metalling of lands opened up in the first ballot with the Minister of Lands.—Carried. Cr. Hare asked the position in regard 'to ■ a surfaceman’s cottage at Netherton. It was pointed out that Cr. Death had said-th at a cottage was not, required, but Cr. Hare con--tended that it was, and moved that the Council fake up the remaining debentures for houses. He said that a section could be obtained in a suitable position.—The motion lapsed, and It was decided that the engineer report on the matter. Cr. Hayward asked the position in regard to the metal supplied for Piako Rood. The engineer replied thaft 40 yards had been promised. The chairman suggested that the account n? made up and the settlers asked for their .subsidy, as promised. ft was decided to. purchase a section in Horahia riding for a surfaceman’s house, and to fence the section so that it could be used for paddocking.