OHINEMURI COUNTY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4610, 5 October 1923, Page 2

OHINEMURI COUNTY.

MONTHLY COUNCIL MEETING'. The monthly meeting of the Ohinemuri County Council was held yesterday afternoon. There were present: Councillors A. R- Robinson (chairman), G. H. vowles, P. Corbett, A D. McGuire, W. F. Johnstone, S. H. Morgan, C. E. Mace, and the clerk (Mr R. W. Evans). The chairman apologised for the unavoidable absence of Cr. F. C. Hubbard and Mr E. Shaw, the engineer, both of whom were confined to their homes with influenza, and wishes were expressed that they would be speedily restored to health. An apology for absence was also received from Cr. H. M, Corbett, whose wife is seriously ill. The chairman asked that the council’s sympathy be extended to Cr. Corbett in his trouble. WAITEKAURI MINING CLAIM. The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, wrote advising that T. Parker, of Waitekauri, had filed an application on August 11 last to surrender his claim, and on August, 9 he had paid the rent owing up to the date of his application. It was pointed out that there was no rent owing in terms of his license, and the demand for rent amounting to £lO had been sent out by the Receiver in error—Received. NOXIOUS WEEDS. The Inspector of Noxious Weeds, Paeroa, wrote drawing the Councils attention to the spread of noxious weeds on land controlled by the council. The Council was asked to take the matter in hand at once, and if it could devise a more up-to-date method than cutting, it would be of ■ great value to the district Cr. Johnstone said that cutting blackberries only encouraged the growth. He moved that the Council approach the Government laboratory of the Agricultural Department, with a view of evolving some non-poison-ous substance to be used as a spray to kill noxious weeds, The chairman thought that where possible, the best plan was to cut the blackberries, and after burning them off, to sow paspalum. Cr. Mace seconded Cr. Johnstone’s motion. He thought that the suggestion was well worth pursuing. NGAHINA BRIDGE. In reply to a letter - sent by the council to the Paeroa, Waihi, and Te Aroha Borough Councils and the Piako County Council, in which those bodies were asked to contribute a sum of money towards the salary of the bridge-keeper in view of the amount of goods which was brought by steamers under the bridge for the various districts, the Mayor of Paeroa advised that the letter had been received top late for consideration at the September meeting, but that the matter would receive careful consideration. The Mayor of Waihi advised that the matter had been referred to the finance, committee, and the Council would be communicated with later. WAIHI BEACH ROAD. The town clerk, Waihi, wrote asking what date would be suitable for the chairman to attend a conference at Waihi between the settlers on Waihi Beach Road with reference to a special rating area. It was decided to meet the Waihi Borough Council in - Waihi on Thursday next, October 11. The Waihi riding member, Cr. P. Corbett, said that he was not sure if the settlers in that locality would agree to a special rating area. Cr. Morgan thought that the council should stand by its former resolution, and only be responsible for 10 per cent, of the total cost up to a limit Pf £5O per annum. The chairman said he ’was not prepared to lay any definite policy down regarding the road until after the forthcoming conference with the Waihi Borough Council. CLOSING OF ROADS. J. W. Browne wrote advising that he undertook and guaranteed to pay all costs in connection with his application for the taking and closing of the roads over section 21, block 3, Aroha Survey District, Waitawheta, and, further, undertook that the Council would not be put to any expense in connection therewith. After some discussion the following resolution was carried on the motion of Cr. Morgan, seconded by the chairman : “That the seal of the county be now affixed to the plan of roads taken and closed over section 21, block 3, Aroha Survey District, and that the consent be signed.” “A VERITABLE QUAGMIRE.” j. Wadsworth, of Poland Street, Waikino, wrote complaining of the state of the road and footpath known as Poland Street, Waikinp, which was described as a “veritable quagmire. The writer. also drew the Council’s attention to the numbers of head of stock that were allowed to wander in that locality. Cr. Morgan said he knew the road in question, a"nd he was of the opinion that it was in no worse a condition than many other roads. The traffic was very light on it.

It was decided to refer the matter to the engineer. ~~

SUPPLY OF METAL. The Paeroa Quarry Co. wrote offering to supply road metal in any quantity and quoting the price for 0% and 2in metal. A copy of an analysis of the metal by a well known geologist wa« also forwarded. Or. Johnstone said that the prices for metal appeared to be very reasonable. He thought that, the Cpuncil should accord the company as much support as possible, as local industry deserved to be encouraged. The chairman said that as tunity offered the Council would oe quite prepared to give the local metal a trial. The matter was referred to the engineer. * PAYMENT OF RATES. J. H, Evans, Mangaiti, wrote with reference to rates due, and stated that he was experiencing a difficulty to provide sufficient ready money to carry bn. He inquired if the Cpuncil could see its way. to allow him to

[ work out the amount due in improv- < ing the road up the hill to his property. Three drays, horses, and our were offered to do the necessary J, work in lieu of paying cash. Cr. Mace said he thought that the proposition was a fair one. The road was in a bad state, and very little had been done to it for some time past. The matter was left in the hands of the riding member and engineer, with power to act. KARITANE HOSPITAL. The chairman of the Citizens’ Committee, Auckland, wrote asking the Council for a donation towards the appeal for funds to furnish and equip 4 a Karitane Hospital in Auckland. On the motion of Cr. Johnstone, seconded by Cr. Morgan, it was decided to donate £5 ss. PERMANENT ROADS. An Auckland firm wrote submitting quotations for the supply of Tarvenac, Australian distilled tar, for the purpose Of putting down permanent roads in the county.—Received. KOM ATA BRIDGE. Cr. Vowles said that the bridge over the Komata swamp was badly in need of repair. The planking was worn ami loose, and required immediate attention.—Referred to the engineer. COUNTIES CONFERENCE Cr. Johnstone, who was the Coundelegate to the recent Counties Conference held in Wellington, gave a brief resume of the business transr acted and tabled a large number of remits that were brought tefore the ‘ conference and afterwards referred ■ to a special committee. TAR-SEALED ROADS. On the motion of Cr. Johnstone, : seconded by Cr. McGuire, it was decided to ask the engineer to prepare an estimate and supply information : for the tar-sealing, or the use of any ! other permanent material, on the Old Te Aroha Road from the main road corner to the end of the long ? 1 swamp, and also Hubbard’s Road. Cr. Johnstone said that while he was away he had taken the opportunity of inspecting tar-sealed ’ roads in Taranaki, and he had come ! to the conclusion that the Ohinemun 1 County was years behind in the matter of suitable road-making. He saw --i 1 no reason why it was necessary to ’ wait until the Main Highways Act came into force to improve the roadsHe thought that a . start should be ’ made on some of the subsidiary roads 1 in the county. 1 In seconding the resolution Cr. Mci Guire said that in dealing with tar- , sealed roads it was necessary to take ' local conditions into consideration. 1 Although the rainfall in Taranaki '■ might be heavier than in This county, ! the land seemed to lend itself better , to drainage. In Taranaki there was no lack of suitable metal for road • building. He thought that difficulty would be experienced in obtaining a suitable foundation on the Old Te Aroha Road on account of the peat in that locality He was quite willing that an attempt should be made.