THAMES COUNTY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4684, 7 April 1924, Page 4

THAMES COUNTY.

MONTHLY MEETING OF COUNCIL. The monthly meeting of the Thames County Council was held on Thursday last, there being present Crs, H. Lowe (chairman), A. Alley, J. McCormick, F. J. McMahon, G. H. A. Cribb, H, Cory-Wright, W. Brunton, and R. Com. The clerk, Mr H. T. G. McElroy, and the engineer, Mr M. T. E. Hooley, were also in attendance. TOTARA ROADING. , Six residents of Orakej Road, Totara, petitioned the council, drawing attention to the unsatisfactory state of the road and urging that it be scarified, graded, and rolled. —Referred to engineer. SOLDIER SETTLERS’ RATES The Bay of Islands County Council forwarded the following resolution : “ That it is the opinion of Inis council that an injustice Is being done to the ratepayers of the county by the failure of soldier settlers to pay their rates, and the council is prepared to take any steps to have the injustice removed.” It was hoped that all county councils would pass a similar resolution and follow it up by an appeal to Parliament. For that purpose a conference of delegates from each county council at Auckland was suggested to discuss the best means of taking concerted action. FERRY TOLLS. The Hauraki Plains County Council wrote asking if the Kopu ferry could be placed on the same footing as the Wharepoa and Nethertb’n ferries, where councillors and council employees were exempt from tolls when travelling on county business. —Referred to finance committee. PROSPECTING GRANT. The Under Secretary of Mines advised the approval of a subsidy of £43 6s 8d for driving 100 feet in the Glen Is’.n G.M. Development Syndicate’:; mine at Whangamata; also a subsidy of £B6 13s 4d to Mr R. Dovell for driving 200 feet in the Renown minis, Thames. In regard to the application for a grant for forming portion of Karaka creek road, this had to be declined in the meantime, as it was considered that the expenditure was noc justified as the mine was purely a prospecting venture. COMPENSATION. Mr J. Fisher, Whangamata, wrote claiming £lO compensation for the los« of a cow which fell into ewi old well on the roadside and broke its neck. Or. Cory-wright said that the hole was undoubtedly on the road. Cr. Alley proposed, and Cr. Brunton seconded, that, the council accept no responsibility. WATER RIGHT. S. C. Parlour, Morrinsville, wrote seeking the assistance of the council in maintaining his right to a supply of water from a dam in the Puru creek on native land above him. He alleged that as the natives polluted the creek on to which nis section fronted he was entitled to water from the dam above the source of pollution. The chairman said 1 that apart from the interference of riparian rights he was glad to receive the letter, as it showed who was responsible for diverting the stream so that it damaged rhe road. He moved that the native be notified that unless he stopped diverting the water and so dam - aging the road proceedings would be taken. This was seconded by Cr. Alley and carried FERRY PLANT. John Gaddes, Auckland, wrote stating that at present he was undecided as to what to do with his ferry plant at Mititai, but that he would have to dispose, of .it when the Wairoa bridge was opened.. He asked if the question of getiing the plant at Kopu safely had been considered, and added that he would not take the risk. HIGHWAYS MAINTENANCE. The chairman of the No. 2 District Highways Council forwarded a circular from the chairman of the Main Highways Board, stating that he had not yet beep acquainted with the proposed decision of the board in respect to the proposed highways in .the No. 2 district, but there was no doubt that the recommendation of the PipiroaKopu. Thames-Coromandel road would be adopted.. The circular stated that before issuing the proclamation of main toads the board would like* Ji) assurance from the council that it would continue to maintain the roads on behalf of the Highways -Board at least up to the present standard, pending definite arrangements for the delegation to the council of some or

all of the powers of the board. Th? board would, .of course, pay one-ithirl of the cost-of such maintenance. The chairman said*that this was the council’s intention, and it was decided to’inform th District Coune-.l accordingly. FINANCE AND WORK. The following recommendations of the finance and works committee were adopted by the council: — Accounts totalling £1439 3s 8d o;i the county fund account, and £424 f 10d on loan accounts be passed for payment. TjuV by-laws be considered at next meeting for the purpose of regulating the speed of vehicles on the bitumen roads, and also license fees.. That the council take action to prevent the obstruction of Crosby’s track -by the erection of fencing. That the sum of £lOO be allocate.! for expenditure on the Kauaerangn Valley road. - retirement of foreman. Flic chairman moved that a lett'J-' of appreciation be sent to Mr Hodge, who was retiring after forty years’ faithful services to the council, and that he be granted a bonus equal to three months’ salary.—Carried. APPOINTMENT OF FOREMAN. Cr. Cribb said that it was now necessary to appoint a new foreman. The chairman said that this would come up when the estimates for the coming year were considered. At present there were two foremen and an assistant engineer. It was decided to hold a special meeting to consider the estimates. FLOOD DAMAGE. Cr. Corry-wright moved that the engineer report on the damage caused in the Tairua riding by the flood dur - ing the past week with the object of applying to the Public Works Department for a grant.—Carried. TENDERS. The tender of Mr Frank McKenzie of 5/9 per chain for the cleaning,of the Matatoki central drain was accented. It was decided to call tenders for the cleaning of three drains at Wharepoa. MATATOKI DRAINAGE. Seven settlers of Matatoki and Puriri waited on the council in respect to drainage matters, and asked that the council reconsider its decision in regard to the cleaning of the Matatoki road drain. They pointed out that • the bottom of the drain was almost on the level with the surrounding land, and that when ths stopbanks failed the road tecame the drain and farm lands we:»te inundated. It was:, pointed out that there, were several feet of water flowing down the rotd after heavy rains and school children had at times to walk tn water up to their armpits. After a long discussion on the mat--ter Cr Cox moved, and Cr, McCormick seconded, that .the drain ! o cleaned and that half the cost be contributed by the Puriri and Totara ridings, and that settlers contribute the other half. Crs. Cribb and Brunton objected to their ridings having to contribute. On the motion being put Crs. Cox, McCormick, and Lowe voted for it and Crs. Brunton and Cribb against .:t, and it was therefore decided to call tenders for the work at once.