THAMES COUNTY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4636, 10 December 1923, Page 4

THAMES COUNTY.

MONTHLY . MEETING. ■ ■ The monthly meeting of Thames County Council was held on Thursday last, there being present Crs. H. Lowo (chairman), R. Cox, G. H. Cribb, J. McCormick, A. Alley, W. Brunton, F. J. McMahon. The clerk, Mr H. T. G. McElroy, and the engineer, Mr M. T. E. Hooley. were in attendance. PURIRI-.TAIRUA ROAD. H. Buchanan, Puriri, wrote urging that the Puriri-Tairua Road be repaired to enable him to get his wool clip out to market. Mr W. A. Pulleine also wrote on the same subject. Referred to the engineer with power to ac,t. KAUAERANGA ROAD. The Hikuai Returned Soldiers’ Progressive League .wrote urging that a start be made with the Kauaeranga Road to Thames. The chairman said that the Public Works had the matter in. hand, and it was decided to advise the settlers to interview the Minister of Public Wcks on hi,s visit.. KIRIKIRI DRAINAGE. G. A. Hopping wrote drawing attention to the inadequate size of the culvert across- the road near his’ property. On four occasions during the past winter the water had flowed across the road. It was decided to look - into the matter when the permanent reading work approached the spot. CATTLE TICK DIP. The Coromandel County Council wrote asking if the parties interested still desired a cattle tick dip erected on the boundaries of the affected areas. Tne chairman said that he was surprised to see the letter. The Council had gone to a lot of trouble some time ago. However, the settlers had been very diffident, and he moved ■•'that the council be informed that owing to the apathy displayed the matter had been dropped. ENGINEERS’ CONFERENCE. The secretary of the Society of Civil Engineers wrote asking that the county engineer be granted facilities to attend the general meeting of the society in February. The chairman moved that no obstacle be put in the way of the engineer attending. MOTOR DRIVERS’ CERTIFICATESThe City Traffic Inspector, Auckland, wrote seeking a reciprocal arrangement in connection with ths concellatipn of certificates of competency to drive motor cars. —Granted. SOLDIER SETTLEMENT RATES. The Bay of Islands County Council forwarded a copy of the following resolution and asked for support in the matter:—*.* That the Government be approached to see whether some consideration cannot be given to local bodies in respect to votes on Crown .sections taken up by soldier settler?. That as the Government at the present time takes an order, on these settlers’ cream cheques in payment of rent and arrears of rent, the settlers are . left with practically nothing to pay local rates. The Council considers that instead of the Government taking the whole of the money for rent a certain proportion of it should be given back to the County Councils in part payment of local rates.” The chairman said that the same position rujed everywhere. The Government had its hands full in getting rent and if the councils pressed the Government, it would revert back on the settlers. WHAREPOA ROAD. Or. Brunton moved that more metal be placed on the Wharepoa Road.— Carried. QUARRY EQUIPMENT. The engineer was authorised to purchase a prime mower for the stone crusher on the Coast Road in conjunction with the chairman and the riding member. MATATOKI FLOODGATES. fn reply to Or. McCormick, the engineer said that he proposed to go ahead with the erection of the floodgates -at Matatoki <on the money becoming available. Cr. McCormick said that the settlers had guaranteed the money. It was decided that the clerk inform the various settler's of the amount of their contribution, as the council could not recommend the work until the money was in hand.. The bank overdraft was alre'ady very high, and it would be six months before more rates came in. .The council would have to go very- careful to struggle on until the end of the financial year. GRAZINGLEASE. '

Cr. Cribb said that there were blind roads on the Puriri ferry road and at Matatoki that could be let for grazing. The roads were not . used and-were becoming overgrown with grass. A small rental would be derived, and the grass would be eaten

off. It was decided that the matter be dealt! with by the Works Commitlee. Or. Cribb moved- that the report be referred to the chairmen of the other local bodies who had asked for it. KOPU FERRY. Mr H. O. Stone, of the Thames Harbour Board staff, reported having inspected the Council’s plant at the Kopu ferry as follows :—• - “I do not consider your plant safe in heavy weather or when over laden. When carrying an average load the punt shows eight inches freeboard, with water over the fore part of the vessel. In heavy weather, with a heavy load, anything tp one side, or loose water in the bottom of the punt, there-is every danger of a capsize. The design of the punt is suitable for the purpose used, with the exception of the depth of the holdThe punt in use is only 24 inches from underside of bottom to the -top of the deck, and to raise the deck and give the vessel more freeboard would cost nearly as much as a new punt; “To strengthen the punt I. would suggest removing the two 6 by 4 guard rails and recplacing them witn heavier timber the full length of the vessel, which would prevent the tw> ends drooping. The pump should.be shifted from the centre to one end, and all limbets cleared out. One corner of the punt requires caulking, and to save scour of the bottom planks it would be well to sheath the bottom fore and aft. The two lifebuoys on the punt should be fitted with life-lines. I would advise the master to limit his load according to the weather. With the exception of the cornel - mentioned ‘ the punt is in good order, with rails and ■■ stantions sa ? e, and with limited loads will do for fine but should not be. overloaded when conditions are not favourable. ‘ The-launch has a good hull of its class, but lightly framed for the purpose for which it is used.”