NETHERTON RATEPAYERS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4588, 20 July 1923, Page 1

NETHERTON RATEPAYERS

MEETING OF A meeting of the Netherton Ratepayers Association was held in the Public Hall on Tuesday evening. The President, Mr T. Vowles, presided over an attendance of about twenty. ’ * RATES. Much discussion took place on the rates struck by the Hauraki Plains County Council, and many points were explained by Cr. Hare. WILSON’S ROAD. Mr Vowles said that the Question of a loan for the metalling of Wilson’s Road should be discussed, so that the road could be opened next summer. In reply to Mr Harmes, Cr. Hare said that the previous loan could not be utilised for this work. Mr Vowles said that the Ratepayers Association should pass a resolution asking the Council to take a poll. It would cost £4450' to lay the road down in bitumen. Cr. Hare said that there was a loan of £5OO and a Government £ for £ subsidy of £l5OO for the road. The Council had asked that this be raised to £2250. Mr Vowles said that the question of which road would eventually be a main highway would have to be considered. Cr. Hare said that the road could be graded and metalled next summer. If. nothing were done next, summer the subsidy would lapse. Mr Vowles said that Wilson’s Road would be two miles shorter than the present main road,, and it would be cheaper to use it as the main road. The present main road would need very,little maintenance. Cr. Hare said that deputations came to the Council from all parts of the County and asked that their roads be metalled. Unless Netherton moved in the same direction metal from Hikutaia quarry would' be diverted to other pants of the County. All parts of the County desired metal, but, the trouble was the shortage of punts,, and unless the next machinery loan was carried more punts could not be provided. After, much discussion ,Mr T. Vowles moved “ That it be a recommendation from the association to the County Council that a poll be held over the whole of the present Netherton riding for the purpose of raising a special loan for the additional amount required for metalling i Wilson’s Road.” This was seconded by Mr B. Whisker and carried unanimously. Mr T. Vowles then moved “ That as Netherton Riding was the first riding that laised a road loan they should be the first to get metal from Hikutaia quarry” This was seconded by Mr J. Harmes and carried unanimously. Mr Harmes said that Netherton ratepayers would not support a loan for more machinery, .as at present there wks a tractor, a plough, and a scoop lying on the roadside. Cr. Hare said that provision had been made in the loan proposals for sheds for housing machinery. DRAINAGE. Mt Vowles moved “That the secretary write to the Public Works Department and draw its attention to the fact that the drain between Haines and Daley’s boundary has been blocked up.” This is an outlet for all the back sections. The Department was quested to remove the dam. This was .seconded by Cr. Hare and carried unanimously. MACHINERY LOAN. Cr. Hare explained the poll which the County Council intend placing before the ratepayers for the purpose of purchasing whatever machinery was required from time to time. Mr R. Heappy said that in M’arch the County had purchased a roller for £2300. In June the engineer had given an estimate for the same type of roller costing £1350. He asked why the difference ? Cr. Hare said that it was not the same make of roller. TELEPHONE. Mr B. Whiskev moved that the secretary write to the Thames Valley Power Board and urge that a high tension telephone be installed at the residence of Mr J. Luke, Awaiti Road. Netherton, for the benefit of users of power in Awaiti and Netherton. . This was seconded by Mr. Vpwles and carried. KIRIKIRL BRIDGE. Mr R. H. Heappy moved that the secretary write to Mr H. Poland, M.P., re the Kirikiri bride, asking him to wait upon the Minister of Public Works reminding him of the previous petition sent in by the association and requesting the Hon. Minister to withhold all grants for bridges until a poll of ratepayers had been taken. Also to point out that ratepayers’ money would be better spent on the roads. This was seconded by Mr BWhisker and carried. The meeting closed at 11.30 p.m., after which refreshments were* served.