HAURAKI PLAINS COUNTY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4678, 24 March 1924, Page 2

HAURAKI PLAINS COUNTY

SPECIAL MEETING OF COUNCIL.

A special meeting of the Hauraki Plains County Council was held al Ngatea last Friday to settle matters in connection with .Kirikiri bridge and consider the balance-sheet for the year ending March 31, 1923. There were present: Crs. J. C. Miller (chairman), F. J. Mayn, T. McLoughlin, C. W. Harris, J. H. Nicholson, HHr re, W. Madgwick, C. W: Parfitt, the clerk (Mr E. Walton), and the engineer (Mr J. Higgins). kirikiri Bridge.

In accordance with his notice 3? motion Cr. MeUnighlin moved that minute 104, which provided that the council would not proceed with the Kirikiri bridge unless a subsidy of at least 15s in the £ was forthcoming, be rescinded, and that the Minister for Public Works be requested to proceed with the erection of Kirikiri bridge in accordance with the design prepared by the Department for a st’ iicture with steel-plate girders and timber decking on concrete piles, with four passing places and an opening span, at an estimated cost of £5z,000, including approaches, and to superintend such work during its progress ; and this Council intends to contribute £12,000 towards such work.

In reply to Cr. Mayn the clerk said that the subsidy worked out at 14s B<i in the £.

Cr. Mayn .said that unless a minimum lor the cost of the bridge was fixed the Department might build a structure at a cost of £40,000. If this were done the council’s contribtrion would lie excessive and the council would be departing from its promise to the ratepayers. He would like a stipulation added that the bridge would cost a certain sum ->r that the council's contribution should not be less than. 12s 6d in the £. Cr. Harris said that he thought it would be a fatal mistake to let the department think there was a want of confidence in its estimate. Otherwise, he thought Cr. Mayn was quite right in raising the point. •">. McLoughlin said he thought the Public Works. Department would not make any cheap bridge.Cr. Hare said that he would have to vote against the resolution. He had been one of the hundreds who had petitioned the Hon. Minister praying that no subsidy be given on any loan raised for bridges Unless a poll of ratepayers had been held. Cr. Madgwick said that he was voting for the motion on the assurance that the council’s quota, was £12,000 only, and that bridges were made county matters. He was of the opinion tliat a poll—-oL the ratepayers should be held, but this was not possible. On the motion being put, Crs. Miller Harris, McLoughlin, Mayn, Madg--wick and Nicholson voted for it, ami Cr. Hare against it, desiring his name recorded. BALANCE-SHEET.

Or. Harris moved that the balancesheet be adopted.—Seconded by Cr. Mavn and carried. Cr. Harris moved that the clerk be congratulated on having the bal-ance-sheet returned from the auditor without a tag, and that he have 75 copies printed.—Seconded by Cr. Madgwick and carried. RAISING OF LOAN MONEY.

Or. Mayn reported on his visit to Wellington in connection with the rasing of the sum df £3150 for the Pinko County Council for the Tahuna Roads Loan in accordance with the agreement arrived at during the re'cent conferences, and also for £3400 for the Nethertbn Roads Loan. Tiie onus was on the Plains County to raise the Tahuna Roads Loan, ami the Piako County Council had re quired that it be raised from the State Advances Offices at the cheap rate .given to local bodies. As there was a limit to the amount available yearly it would not have been advisable to reduce the council’s next year quota. He had interviewed the Stale Advances Department for the purpose of getting the money from the current year’s quota so as not to affect next year. The State Advances Department had, however, no funds available at present, but he had made an application. It had recommended him to the Public Trust Department, which would shortly have money available at the rate of 6 per cent, for interest and 1 per cent sinking fundHe had therefore made application there as well. Money was practically unobtainable at present except at a high rate of interest. It was agreed that the Piako County Council be asked if it would accept the Public Trust money at 6 per cent or wait until ' the cheaper State Advances money was available. Considerable discussion arose on the apportioning of next year’s quota of cheap money to the various ridings, an 1 it was left to the chairman and the clerk to go into the matter ami report to the council. Cr. Mayn was accorded a vote of thanks for the manner in which he had conducte tdhe business. MAUKORO CANAL ROAD. Cr. Harris reported on an interview with the resident lands drainage engineer in regard to the metalling of the WaitakariiruMaukoro Canal road. The Department had suggested that if the settlers raise half the money the department would do the work.

Cr. Harris suggested that he visit the chief drainage engineer in Auckland and discuss the proposal.. Cr. Mayn said that the principal was bad and would be a bad precedent. The Department was getting out of any liability in regard to metalling by making an offer through the Public Works Department of a £1 for £1 subsidy just as any ordinary road grant.

Cr. Madgwick said that if the settlers had been in the mud for ten years ihey deserved some considera > tion.

Cr. Harris said that the road had been graded up, and it would be false economy to neglect to metal it. He had. however, received a definite promise from the Minister that the work would be done, and thought that a private chat with the chief “engineer would have a beneficial result.

Cr. Hare also voiced an objection, contending that it .would weaken the council’s case against the department. Cr. Harris said that since the promise had been made conditions had altered, and it would perhaps be better to take what was available than to stick in the mud. Cr. McLoughlin said that the council should keep the department up to its promises. The road was under the control of the department and would shortly cross the Torehape-Puhanga road, so that it could easily be metalled by the .department from its Torehaoe quarry.

Cr. Parfitt said that it appeared that there was no alternative to Cr. Harris’ proposal. If the canal road settlers wanted the metal and petitioned the council, the council would have to accept. He saw no objection to Cr. Harris interviewing the drainage engineer and ascertaining the Department’s attitude. Parliament could perhaps be petitioned if the Department would not fulfil its prom-

r 'r. Mayn said it was hell known that the Department contended it had no obligation to metal the roads' of the Plains, but would do so it it suited the Department. He would sug-< ge tt that the Chief Drainage Engineer be asked to discuss the matter with the council.

Jr. Mclxiughlin said that he would like to help Cr. Harris, but did not want to see the county let down. The Department was trying to get out of its promises by making the offer. An equal grant could be obtained at any time from the Public Works Department. Cr. McLoughlin moved that the clerk write to the Minister for Lands asking him to fulfil the promises given to metal the road. Seconded by Cr. Hare and carried. ELECTRIC POWER POLES. Cr. Parfitt moved that the Thames Valley Power Board be asked to sup-‘ plv. the council with a plan showing where the board intended to put its polos on the roads on the western side of the Piako River. Cr. Parfitt said the roads were narrow now, and the poles would probably be placed near the metal. The settlers would probably be agreeable to having the poles on their private property. This would be an advantage to the board, as it would be safer for the poles to be further from the drains, and of great benefit to the road.

’ The motion was seconded by Cr Hare and carried.