HAURAKI PLAINS COUNTY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4598, 15 August 1923, Page 2

HAURAKI PLAINS COUNTY

MEETING OF COUNCIL. The monthly meeting of the Hauraki Plains County Council yvas held at Ngatea yesterday. Present. ,Crs. J. C. Miller (chairman), C. W. Harris, T. McLoughlin, F. J. Mayn, W. Madgwick, J. H. Nicholson, C. W. Parfitt, H. Hare,, and W. G. Hayward. The clerk (Mr E. Walton) and the engineer (Mr J. Higgins) were in attendance. SALE OF SECTION. Mr J. H. Bratlie waited upon the Council and asked if the council would agree to him selling a triangular section near his residence. The section would contain, roughly, two square chains. He did not wish to sell if the purchaser was .not permitted to build on it, as it was less than a building site according to the county by-laws. By cutting up the land in this manner the corner would be utilised. Otherwise it would be wasted. The frontage would be 66ft In reply to the chairman Mr Wai-, ton said that, the by-laws did not prohibit the erection of a shop on than a quarter of an acre. W Or. Madgwick said that if the bylaws stipulated that township sites were to be a quarter of an acre they should be amended. After a little discussion Mr Hayward moved that permission be granted. Mr Walton stated the legal aspect of the case. The position was that applicant desired tp sell to a man who proposed erecting a shop with dwellingrooms attached. The motion was contrary to the by-laws. Finally it was decided that the applicant be informed that the council could not accede to the icquest in view of its by-laws. COUNTY CHAMBERS. Mr E. E. Gillman, architect, Paeroa, waited upon the Council and showed plans and specifications of ■the proposed office for the council. The plans were approved <7n the motion of Cr. Parfitt, seconded by Cr. "" Nicholson. Cr. Mayn moved, and Cr. Hare seconded, that a satisfactory fence oe erected in front of the building. Three tenders for the erection of the building were received, and were discussed in committee. On resuming standing orders it was decided that the matter be left in the hands of the chairman, 'clerk, engineer, and architect to make inquiries as to a contractor’s ability to cairy out the work. If this is satisfactory the contract £o be let to G. Giles, of Ngatea, for £1598 15s; if not, fresh tenders to be called. Considerable discussion arose as to whether the banks of the roadside drain would fall in, thereby endanger-’ ing the building, and what would be the best course to pursue. Finally it was moved by Cr. McLoughlin that the Lands Drainage Department be asked for permission to construct a concrete culvert alongside the building. The motion was seconded by Cr. Mayn and carried unanimously. A COMPLAINT. The Northern Steamship Co., Auckland, wrote lodging a complaint against the Ngatea bridgekeeper. captain of one of their steamers haa reported that he was put to considerable trouble, and had to endanger his vessel owing to the bridge not being open in time, in spite of .the fact that the steamer kept on blowing her whistle. . The clerk said that from inquiries made he had found that the bridgekeeper had not received sufficient warning of the approach, of .the boat. As a rule only about nine minutes’ . warning was given. It took seven minutes to open the bridge. In view of this, the clerk was instructed to notify the company that reasonable warning should be given. HEAVY TRAFFIC CONFERENCE. P The Mayor of Paeroa forwarded a i copy of the resolutions carried at the i conference of local bodies held in Paeroa on July 20. —Received. . ORONGO ROAD, W. White, motor service proprietor, ' Thames, wrote offering to supply 1 spawls or boulders for 25s per yard I delivered into the holes on the Tu—w; ■ rua-Orongo road. * Cr. McLoughlin suggested that Mr White be informed that his bus was 1 heavy enough without carrying metal. ■ It was decided that Mr White be ! informed that the price of metal was too high. ’ MAHUTA ROAD. 1 J. G. Lynch, Waitakaruru, wrote ’ drawing attention to the state of the ! road in front of his section. It was ’ no v impassable, and needed fascining in all the low places. He pointed out that he had a few acres of ti-tree and > could get a man to cut and cart it on to the road, Cr. Harris said the road badly need- e 1 ed fascining. The matter was left in the hands of the engineer. RIVER ROAD, NGATEA. ’ G. T. Davidson, Ngatea, wrote bringing under notice the state of ’ that portion of River Road Pc ill’s wharf and Rawerawe. The • road had been formed but not metalI led, and was almost impassable. The-. Lands Department stated that it was; intended putting a canal on this pieces of road. He. suggested that the council urge the department to at oncestart and complete the canal pr to> consider the advisability of metalling; ’ the road. L Cr. McLoughlin said that it was , the intention of the department to , put in the canal, but the department ’ could give no definite statement as to when. Cr. Harris stated that Mr O. N. Campbell, the Chief Lands Drainage , Engineer, had said that the departt ment intended putting the canal »n before much more work was done up the river. * It was decided to refer the mattew* to the Lands Department, and ask when it was proposed to put in the t canal. I PLAINS WATER SUPPLY. O. T. Davidson, Ngatea, wrote ask* - ing the council to give serious con* sideration to the question of a fresh

water supply for the Plains. He states ed that he would willingly join in (T with any group of settlers if nothing better offered, but thought the time had arrived when one and all should advocate something that would assure an efficient water supply for all time. He pointed out that the loss of stock through rank feed and bad water had proved enormous during the five years he had been on the Plains. He could easily afford £lOO a year on fresh water. Mr McLoughlin moved that the writer be informed that his land would be included in the proposed scheme from Waitakaruru, for which Mr Adams was reporting. This was seconded by Cr. Hayward and carried. NETHERTON ROADS. The secretary, Netherton Ratepayers’ ' Association, wrote forwarding copies, of resolutions as follows: — "The Netherton Ratepayers’ Association wish to place an emphatic protest against the increase in general rates levied on the farmers of the Netherton riding, and, further, request that every endeavour be made to have the loan money expended on the roads.” "It is also a recommnedation from ’ this association that, as _Net her ton is in the unfortunate position of the ‘key to the Plains’ (as it were), TUrua, Waitakaruru, Ngatea, and Kerepechi ridings might be asked to contribute a share of the maintenance of the main Netherton road out of their general rates.” “In conclusion we would request that a poll of the ratepayers be taken over the whole of the Netherton riding for the purpose of raising a spe- ' cial loan for the additional amount required for the completion of Wi>son’s Road.” Cr. Hare said that he had explained the position in regard to the rates. In regard to the loan for ‘Wilson’s Road, the engineer had given an estimate of £4BOO for this. Metal to the value of £5OO had been purchased, and another £5OO was available for metal. There was also another £l5OO available. A certain section of the ratepayers were opposed to the loan for Wilson’s Road being put over the whole of the riding. He bad advised them that a loan of £25,000 should be raised to do all the roads in the riding. • Cr. Hayward moved, and Cr. Nichol- / son seconded, that the matter be left in the hands of the engineer and the riding member to meet the settlers. SUPPLY OF BITUMEN. Ellis and Co., Auckland,, wired stating that they understood the council would require asphalt for rhe season's work. They strongly advised that orders be placed at once, so as to secure early delivery. It w§ls decided to - obtain information concerning price and the time taken to supply tlfd bitumen, WATER SUPPLY REPORT. Mr E. F. Adams, civil engineer, Thames, wrote in reference to the cost of the estimates for the proposed water supply report. He stated that the cost could not be definitely stated, but he was prepared to take a phance and for the sum of £25, cr less, as may be, to cover the actual expenses of the work in the field, ajnd go into the matter and give the council the cost of a water supply to meet re--1 quirements 'of the population and stock, the council, if satisfied to pro- ' ceed with the work, to give him aa undertaking to employ him at a fee of five per cent, on the estimates or construction cost,'whichever was lowest, to carry out the work, such fee to include inspection and all engineering procedure necessary to enable “the council to let the work on contract in a manner to be approved by it.’ It ;was agreed that Mr. Adams be . asked for a detailed report of schemes from the western hills. DEPUTATION ■TO WELLINGTON. Cr. Harris, who had recently visited Wellington and interviewed the Ministers in charge of various departments .on county business, reported to ,the council as follows: — Maukoro Canal.—The Minister of Lands had absolutely refused to have more dredges put in the Maukoro canal, but had promised fo have the work pushed on as rapidly as possible. The present dredge would work two shifts, and drains would be dug by hand ahead of the canal head to drain the surface. The Miniser promised to look into the matter of Price’s drain. If Mr Price could be compelled to fence, this would be done. The Public Works Department had already posted the plans for the Pipiroa bridge. The department was prepared to start immediately the council’s side of the finance was assured. It was pointed out that Mr Guthrie had promised to have the Awaiti Road metalled, and the Minister of Lands said that if a promise had been made it would be carried out. He had urged that the Patetonga drainage outlets be enlarged, and had pointed out that all the water from the hills had th get away through small drains. The result was that the land was flooded and the roads damaged. He had been led to believe that the department would reclay the . roads and look into the matter of the small outlets. & The position with regard to the Piako River wharves was that the department had offered to sell them to the county for £6ooo’. If the county did not purchase them it was the department’s intention to rate settlers or collect wharfage to the extent of £llOO per annum. Concerning riding loans for metalling, if the council urged that a £2 for £1 subsidy be granted, it would probably be forthcoming. The matter of the WaitakaruruMaramarua road was referred to Mr Baker, of the Public Works Depar~- . ment, who said there was nothing on the Estimates, but he would see that it would be put op. this year. Mr Harris said that he believed some good would come from the trip. It was up .to the council to keep the Ministers up to their promises. The report was adopted and Cr. Harris thanked. REPORT ON CONFERENCES. The clerk reported on tne visit of ’ the "chairman and, himself tp the

heavy traffic conference at Paeroa and the main highways conference at Hamilton, as reported in the "Gazette.” Tn regard to the weight of loads, the reason why they did not fall in with the majority at the Faeipa conference was because of the great difference in the conditions on the Plains. It was useless to ask the council to agree to a load of seven tons on the roads of the Plains. At the Hamilton conference it had been pointed out that main highways were not. arterial roads, but the principal roads within counties. Delegates were of ,the opinion that mam roads were those that carried their produce to the railways or pprts. In view of this,, and considering that the Coromandel and Matamata counties had intimated that they were willing to join the main group* they thought that the recommendation of the Paeroa conference that a small local group be formed would not be advisable. They therefore agreed w join the main group. The action of the delegates was approved by the council. PAYMENT FOR METAL. Cr. Madgwick asked whether any charge had been made to ridings for metal supplied to cover overhead charges. The clerk said that this had not been done. Cr. Madgwick said that the cost of production and depreciation should be charged to ridings receiving the metal. Cr. Parfitt suggested a royalty of Is a yard over and above the cost of production. Finally Cr. Madgwick moved, and Cr. Hare seconded, that a royalty of Is a yard on all metal from the Hikutaia quarry be charged the ridings receiving the metal. —‘Carried. MAUKORO ROAD DEVIATION. H. Hobday, Christchurch, wrote inquiring the reason for the delay iu connection with the legalisation of the Maukoro Road deviation. Cr. Mayn moved that the clerk notify the writer that the council had no legal obligation, and that the matter was in the hands of the Piako .County Council. Seconded by Cr. Parfitt and carried. SUPPLY OF METAL. N. Barbalich, Kauaeranga, wrote stating that he was willing to allow the council the privilege of taking metal for a quarry along .the Kauri Timber Co’s, tramline free for one year, and afterwards to pay a royalty of fourpence per yard for all metal quarried and He pointed out that the. Timber Company would entertain an offer for the use of their tramline, and that electric power was available. —Received. SPECIAL MEETING. It was 'decided to hpld a special meeting on Thursday,, August 30,. to discuss the Highways Act and to pass special resolutions. MISCELLANEOUS. Mr A. Ei Ansford,. Turua, wrote resigning the position of ranger in the town . board area.—Received. R. H. Mackenzie, Mangatarata wrote applying for a job ap surfaceman or for any other work handy to his home.—Left in- the hand of the engineer. -• A. Jesen, Waitakaruru wrote asking permission to lay a one-inch pipe under Canal Road, Waitakaruru.— Granted. The N.Z. Dairy Co., Paeroa, wrote stating that the Farmers’ Auctioneering Co., Ltd., and the Dairy Co. were desirous of having five chains of road dedicated in Quarrie’s estate; Ngatea, and asked for the necessary requirements.—lnformation to be supplied. It was decided that the Council agree .to Hamilton’s Road being included in Horahia riding loan with 4% inches of metal if Hamilton Road would provide a separate loan for formation and supply of 4)4 inches of metal. The Maukoro quarry was discussed at length in committee, and it was finally decided that the whole council inspect the site at an early date. It was decided that the Turua Town Board be charged 8s per yard at the hopper for metal. The postmistress, Kerepeehi, wrote on behalf of some Kerepeehi residents asking the council to consent to the erection of private telephone lines to connect with the Kerepeehi office.— Re'erred to engineer, with power to acr. The Department of Health forwarded copy of regulations under the Health Act, 1929, concerning theatres, picture halls, concert room, and also cattle saleyards.—Received. Cr. McLoughlin asked that tenders be called for work on the Ohinewai road, and moved in that direction. — Carried. Cr. McLoughlin moved that the engineer prepare estimates for Wallis’ bridge on the Waitakaruru-Patetonga road.—Carried. On Cr. Mayn’s motion it was decided that the. engineer go into the matter of adjusting the maintenance of plant accounts. ..The engineer was instructed tp prepare estimates for metalling roads in the Patetonga riding. On Cr. McLoughlin’s motion the engineer was instructed to send two puntloads of metal to Huirau Road as soon as possible. The engineer was authorised to procure metal from anywhere to meet urgent requirements.