HAURAKI PLAINS COUNTY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4662, 15 February 1924, Page 4

HAURAKI PLAINS COUNTY

MEETING OF COUNCIL. The monthly meeting pf the Hauraki Plains County Council was held at Ngatca on Tuesday last. There were present Crs. J. C. Miller (chairman), C. W. Harris, T. McLoughlin, J. F. Mayn, W. Madgwick, J. H. Nicholson, 11. J. Hare, W. G. Hayward, and C. W. Parfitt. The county clerk, Mr Ernest Walton and 'the engineer, Mr J. Higgins, were also in attendance. CAPTAIN COOK MEMORIAL. The Minister of Internal Affairs wrote stating that the request to the Government that a monument to commemorate the landing of Captain Cook on -the Plains had been considered, and had decided that if the residents of the Hauraki Plains subscribe to such a monument the Government would favourably consider granting a subsidy. Cr. Madgwick moved that Johnson’s Road at Netherton on which Captain Cook landed be re-named Captain Cook Road—Seconded by Cr. McLoughlin and carried. The council expressed the opinion that the erection of a monument was a matter for public subscription, .and it was decided to refer the letter to Mr AV. E. G. Willy, who had intro duced the matter. CULVERT AT KATHERE. The District Engineer, Lands Department, Kerepeehi, wrote advising that the culvert at Kaihere landing was to be extended as soon as possi - ble lx. necessary a temporary railing would be erected, AWAIT! ROADING. The Minister of Lands wrote acknowledging receipt of the council’s letter supporting the petition of the Awa’iti settlers to the effect that the department should complete the metalling of the roads. A further icpiy would be sent when a departmentalreport had been obtained, PENALTY ON RATES. The Patetonga Ratepayers’ Association wrote asking the council to withhold the 10 per cent, penalty on current rates until the .settlers receive a definite reply from the Hon. Minister of Lands regarding their recent representations to him in the matter of excessive rates and valuations, etc. The letter stated that no doubt the council was aware that.the members of the association had pledged themselves to pay rates for the current year until a final reply had been received from the Ministers. In the meantime the association wished the council to refrain from coercive measures. - Cr. Mayn said that the ratepayers knew he had opposed the area beingbrought under the council. The area was in a very bad state ; it was subject to flooding, and-was undoubtedly going back instead of improving. He had promised to support the measure, and therefore moved, that consideration be given to the request.. The motion lapsed for vant of a seconder. HOPAI WEST ROAD. In answer to a communication from L. S. Bidwell concerning the above road it was stated that a petition was being prepared asking that the extra land required to widen the road be acquired. • MANGATARATA BRIDGE. Messrs Pateman and Ingram wrote drawing the council’s attention to the dangerous state of the culverts on the Morrinsville-Waitakarur.u road. The engineer reported that he had inspected the bridges with the Public Works overseer with a view to obtaining a grant for renewing same. They were nearly all in a state of collapse, He hoped that the inspecting officer’s report would receive favourable consideration. It was decided, on Cr. Harris’ motion, to inform the writers that temporary repairs would be effected, and that the Government had been approached for a grant. TURUA ROAD LOANS. The manager of the Bank of New Zealand, 'Thames, wrote stating that the head office was making enquiries in regard to placing the loans for the Turua-Oronga roads loan of £452-9 and the Turua district roads loan < f but feared that owing to the present condition of the money market there was not much prospect of ra’sing the money at a lower rate than six per cent. He pointed out that the large amount of rates in arrears was detrimental to the councils credit. BANK OVERDRAFT. The manager of the Bank New Zealand, Thames, advised that the head office had approved of-the increase of overdraft limit of the comity fund account from £BOOO to £9OOO, including overdraft of the antecedent liability. PUKAHU ROAD. The chief drainage engineer, Auckland, wrote advising that the portion of Pukahu road, Netherton, within the department’s area had already been formed. The formation required improving before the road Hits metalled. but as the department would have no plant available for the work this miinmcr the matter would have to be held over In the meantime. NETHERTON ROADS. Tim Nel Imrlon kiitepayci’B’ Association forwtirdml n resolution asking the cmuieil Io mwist In metalling the roadside in front of Ute pout office ami shim, Tim poMal ditpnrlmcnt had Itemt m-lted In mwml ami I lie Farmers' Trading Co. liml agreed to give £5. If was ilecidml, op Cr. 'I la re's motion llml a few yards of metal bo put on the road, Tills could Im chargml to I.lm lmi.ii, TURUA POUND. Turua Ratepayers’ Awoclnllon naked dial. Um matter of llm er< id hm oi’ a pound al Turua Im deferred, and urged that the ranger come around mare often. Referred (o inspector. MEETING OF RATEPAI’ICRS. The chairman member,s, clerk, and engineer were invited to be present at l. meeting of the Netherton, Kerepeehi, nad Turua ratepayers’ associations to bo held at Turua on Monday, 18th, at 8 p.m., when the machinery loan and the business methods of the council would be .discussed.

WORKMEN’S COTTAGES. G. Hirst, Ngatea, wrote enquiring if the council intended erecting cottages for its permanent employees. It was decided to inform the surfaceman that a house would be erected as soon as a section was available. FINANCE. The recomemndations of the finance committee were adopted as follows: ” That £6OOO of the Turua-Netherton roads loan and £5OOO of the old machineiy loan be placed on fixed deport for a period of three months.” ” That the committee appointed to adjust the changes on the various loans meet at the earliest possible moment.” “ That a statement be given to the council monthly of the amount chargeable to the various loans for the use of machinery or plant." “ That the accounts be passed for payment.” MANGAWHERO ROAD. In reply to Cr. Mayn the clerk said that the Lands drainage Engineer had informed him that the department had done all it intended to do on the Mangawhero road. Cr, Mayn moved that the chief drainage engineer be inftirined tha« the road had never been formed, that the department’s drays had cut nn the road, and that the road be formed. —Carried. DEMAND FOR RATES. Cr. Mayn contended that the notice sent to ratepayers intimating that proceedings would be taken rates due was not drastic enough. The clerk pointed out that four notices had been sent. It was decided that in future a more drastic notice be sent. PATETONGA ROAD. - Cr. Mayn moved, and it was carried, that the Under Secretary of Lands be reminded of his promise io have the lower Patetonga road stumped and clayed. fingerposts. It was left to the riding member to have fingerposts erected at th'e end of Wilson’s road. road roller. Cr. Madgwick moved, and it was carried, that as there remained only a few months of suitable weather, the engineer be instructed to keep the road roller going ten or twelve hours a day, if possible. KIRIKIRI BRIDGE. It was decided to discuss the matter of the Pipiroa bridge at a special meeting if a reply be received from the Thames Borough Council before then. MIRANDA ROAD. . A deputation comprising Messrs T. A. Coxhead, W. Peters, R A. Coxhead, R. J. Findlay, and R. Coxhead was introduced by Cr.’Harris’, who said that they were settlers of the Miranda road, who requested that the council make every effort to metal their road from the end of the present metal to the county boundary. Mr Peters urged that the worst portions be metalled when money was available. The engineer -said that the worst places should be done, but done properly, so as to be complete when the rest of the road was done. Mr Harris said that the council had decided to earmark £409 of next year’s revenue for this job. With a £ for £ subsidy there would be sufficient to complete the work at an early date. He asked the council’s permission, anticipating next yeai - revenue, to have the work done now as the weather was suitable. Contracts could be let to the settlers pi divided they were, agreeable to wait until the next financial year for payment. The settlers, of the Miranda road wese suffering an injustice, as they were paying rates on the old Waitakaruru riding roads loan, but had received no benefit. -The council permitting, he would ask-the engineer to let contracts for forming the road. Cr. Mayn opposed the preposition., contendijng it was not sound finance, and would be breaking the spirit of the Counties- Act. In reply to the chairman, the engineer said that it would cost £6OO to improve the worst portions of the road. Mr Graham said that the ether local bodies concerned with the road were maintaining their share of it. Cr. Harris said that there was lb) doubt that the road was' in a shocking condition. If the council could anticipate next year’s rates it should be done. The formation could only be done during the next six weeks, tithe weather would probably break and the high tides would cover the road„ The contracts! could be let from April 1.

The chairman said that the legal position would have to be considered, and the deputation would be advised later.

Mr Coxhead said that liis sons were prepared to start work in two days. The highest tides experienced in a year were in March. The deputation then withdrew. Cr. Parfitt moved that the matter of the formation of the read to the extent of £lOO be left to the riding member and the engineer, providing payment can be made out of the £4OO earmarked for expenditure next year. Seconded by Cr. Hayward and carried.

Members pointed out that the rate struck next year would have to be increased to meet these commitments.