THAMES COUNTY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4697, 12 May 1924, Page 4

THAMES COUNTY.

MEETING OF COUNCIL. The regular meeting of the Thames County Council was held on Thuli'.silay, Ur. 11. Lowe (chairman) presiding over Crs. A. Alley, J. McCormick, AV. Brunton. F. J. McMahon, 11. CoryWright, G. H. A. Cribb, and W. Cox. The county clerk, Mr H. £. G. McElroy, and the engineer, Mr M. T. E. Henley, were in attendance. FERRY CONCESSION. The hon. Secretary of the Thames I’lunkel Society wrote asking if the council would grant a free pass to the Plunkct nurse when travelling on the ferries to her appointments at Ngatea.—Refused. PURIRI ROADING. Mr W. A. Pulleine, Puriri, w(rot2 drawing attention to the state of the road leading to his property.—Referred to the engineer for a report. OLD KAUAERANGA BRIDGE. The Thames town clerk wrote acknowledging receipt of a letter from the council drawing attention to the unsafeness of tlie old Kauaeranga bridge and the necessity of immediate and extensive repairs. The county had asked .the borough to assume control of the bridge, and the town clei’Jt asked for a report by the county engineer, and stated that a special meet ing of the Borough Council would be convened when this was available. The chairman explained the pruceedings between the two councils during.the month which led up io the borough being asked to take over the responsibility for the bridge. The bridge had never been vested in the county. The chairman's actions were approved, and it was decided that provided the Bdrough Council agreed m have repairs or a renewal done the council would do its utmost .to assist in the matter. PURIRI DRAINAGE. Mr W. C. Paterson, Auckland, wrote asking for the road drain in front ol his property on wharf Road. Puriri, to be cleaned out. Ci'. Cribb said that this man hal clipped a hedge and left the clippings in the drain. It was decided to ask Mr Paterson to rcirovc this rubbish. FLOOD DAMAGE. The Whangamata Settlers’ Association wrote suggesting that the council take steps to secure a measure of rel.ief for flood damage to the roads in the Whangamata district. The sunt of £2OO was suggested.—The matter has been attended to. MATATOKI DRAINAGE.

’Che District Engineer, N.Z. Railways. wrote slating that the council’s leanest for a contribution towards the cost of clearing the drain.south o£

Matatbki had been referred to the iiead office, and that he had been irformed that the Department definitely lim Hues any responsibility. FINANCE, AND WORKS, Hie whole council as a nuance an I works committee met at 10.30 a.m. At 1 pm. they brought forth the following recommendations, which were later approved in open meeting t—“That the request of the llauraki Plains County Council for free passage over the Kopu ferry for councillors and comity workmen travelling on county business be declined, it being considered that councils should pay travelling allowance. “That control of the stock paddock on Tapu-Corogicn Road be accepted' in view of the assurance given by the Whcnuakitc Farmers’ Union that the settlers would be. responsible fdr the cost. "That the sum of £lOO lc granted as the council's full and final contribution to the Thames War Memorial. ■That tlie following rates be struck for the ensuing year :—General rate : Hastings riding, 4d ; Totara riding, 3d ; Puriri riding, 2%d ; Hikutaia riding, 3%d ; Tairua riding, 3d. Rates over special areas: Matatoki Soutn Drain, %d ; Puriri Approach Roads Loan, %d; Kopu Ferry Approacii R.ruls Loan, %d ; Roads and Bridges Loan, I lAd, Special ami separate rates over the whole county: Kopu Ferry, L>d ; Antecedent Liability, Hospital and Charitable Aid, %d. “That the chairman's action in purchasing rails at Dargavillo be confirmed. and that the material be procured before the next section of the m iin road is top-dressied. “That, the attention of the -Post and Telegraph Department be drawn tc the unsatisfactory manner in which it has left the trenches across country roads that were dug for'the purpose of laying wires. “That accounts totalling £1252 17s 7d on the General Account, £242 6s Sri on the Roads and Bridges Loan Accon nt, and £53 3s 4d on the Matatoki Quarry Loan Account be passed for payment.’’ ENGINEER’S REPORT, The county engineer, Mr M, T. E, Hooley, reports as follows ' Flood Damage.—The heavy floods during the early part of the montn did not cause a gneat deal c£ damage on the western side of the waterghe I except at Puru, where at the height of tlie flood the booms broke and a mass of logs was carried down-stream. A number jambed against .the bridge, with the result that the bridge was pushed bodily out of position. As a timber company was responsible, ami that further driving operations would be likely to damage a new structure, it was agreed that the timber company erect a temporary structure, a permanent bridge to be erected in about twelve months’ time. Elsewhere small slips had come down, and

an application for £341 10s for flood damage assistance has been made to tlie-Government. Main Roads.—The excess of traffic during the recent railway strike has broken some of the roads up very badly, particularly portions of. the main road, Townsend's Road, YVharepoa Ferry Road, and Hikutaia Factory Road. With a view to repairing this last road inquiries were made from the Hamaki Plains County Council for a supply of metal, bu. this could not be delivered for at least six weeks. It will therefore ue necessafry to call tenders for the work to be carried out from the Omahn quarry. 1 would call attention to the fact ■that settlers are in the habit of using narrow tyres and carrying excessive loads. I would recommend that step? be taken to prevent this practice, :v--it causes damage to the roads, particularly when they arc so badlv starved for metal. Direct Approach Road. —Tlie we: weath.tr lias hampered the contractors. In order to facilitate matters 1 am preparing an alternative in th? specifications to enable the road to be metalled in sections, since the heavy soakage has well consolidated the filling.”