HAURAKI PLAINS COUNTY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4699, 16 May 1924, Page 3

HAURAKI PLAINS COUNTY

MEETING OF COUNCIL. The monthly meeting of the Hauraki Plains County Council was held on Tuesday last, there being present: Crs J. C. Miller (chairman), T. McLoughlin, F. J. Mayn. W. Madgwick, j H Nicholson, C. W. Parfitt, "W, G Havward, and Messrs E. Walton (clerk), and J. Higgins (engineer). MAUKORO DEVIATION BRIDGE. The Piako county clerk wrote with reference to the Award, and also the Piako River bridge and approaches, stating that the engineer had been instructed to prepare plans, specifications, and estimates, to be submitted to the Minister. A copy would be forwarded to the council at the same time. SURFACEMAN’S COTTAGE. The Commissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland, wrote stating that the section in the Horahia riding desired b> the council for the purpose of erecting a surfaceman’s house thereon was occupied by the Lauds Department, but that as soon as the board was formed the Land Board would be prepared to consider the matter. PIPIROA BRIDGE. The town clerk, Thames, forwarded • a copy of a resolution carried by the Borough Council on February - agreeing to the county’s application for a contribution towards the proposed Pipiroa bridge as amended, but providing the Hauiaki Plains Xouw Council did not regard it as establis - ing a precedent in affecting the Borough’s position in regard to othei works in the county. It was decided to accept the conditions,, and that it should not be a precedent, but that every incident be considered on its merits. NGATEA POST OFFICE. The chief postmaster, Thames, wrote intimating that the Department proposed to replace the present Ngatea post office building with a largestructure, and that to enable consid- ” oration to be given to the matter the Department would be glad to be ai - vised whether the council would agree to till in and pipe the drain in front of the site of the present post office building. Cr. Mayn thought the Department should do the work. It would not be fair to ask the Ngatea riding to pay the cost; p was moved that the Department be informed that the council could not accept any responsibility for culverting the drain as it was under the control of the Drainage Department. An amendment to the effect that the council would meet the Departmen to the extent of the cost of the pipes was carried. RANGER FOR TURUA. Mr M. C. Luke, Turua, wrote offering his services as ranger for the Turiia Town Board area gratis for a period of six months. He would not b-j able to do any impounding, but would forward the names of offenders f to the county office. He pointed out tliat the number of stock wandering on the roads was “over the odds,” resulting in excessive damage, to fences and gardens. He promised', if given full power to act, to do so impartially wihtout fear or favour. The application was referred to the Turua Town Board for consideration. KOPU FERRY. The county clerk, Thames, wrote forwarding a copy of a letter from his council to the Thames Borough Council regarding the state of the Kopu ferry. FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE. The Piako County Council wrote a king for the endorsement of a letter to the Minister for Agriculture pointing out the grave danger which exists of foot and mouth disease being introduced into New Zealand, and asking for co-operation in stressing the importance of fresh regulations being gazetted. It was decided to endorse the request. KIRIKIRI BRIDGE. The secretary of the Netherton Ratepayers’ Association wrote inti- * mating that a deputation would wait ' upon the council to discuss the question of excluding the Netherton riding from the Kirikiri bridge rating area. The president later wrote advising that owing to the wet weather it wa=> » impossible to appoint the deputation. A request that the riding be excluded was entered. The clerk reported that the association had been informed that no good purpose could be achieved by receiving the deputation. The association also forwarded th? billowing resolutions "That this meeting of Netherton ratepayers emphatically protests jb‘ against being included in the Kirikiri bridge rating area.”"That no further bridges be built until a poll of ratepayers has been taken.” The. chairman said that the matter had been settled years ago. It was decided, on the motion of Cr. McLoughlin, seconded by Cr. Parfitt, that the council was unable to accede to the request. In- reply to Cr. Parfitt the clerk stated that the next step in connection with the erection of the Kirikiri bridge rested with the Public Works Department. The council had done all it had been asked to do. it was decided to ask the Public Works Department what progress had been made, and what was the next step to be taken. LOAN MONEY. The Superintendent, State Advances Office, wrote intimating that the Department was not in a position to entertain any fresh applications for loans until such time as those already in hand had been disposed of. The application had been recorded, &nd the council would be advised later. RURAL ADVERTISING. The secretary of the New Zealand

Counties’ Association wrote asking the council to give earnest consideration, and in conjunction with motor unions use all means in its power to prohibit the unsightly practice of advertising on hoardings, and similar devices. MAIN HIGHWAYS. The chairman of the No. 2 District Connell wrote advising that the Maid Highways Board had given consideration to the recommendations forwarded in regard to roads declared main highways, and had decided to recommend the Pokeno-Coromandel road. With regard to the final location Of this road, section via Pipiroa or via Ngatea, no further decision had been arrived at, and in the meantime the route via Pipiroa would be adhered to. When such location was finally decided upon the council would immediately be advised. Six days later further advice was received that the Main Highways Board had decided that the location of the Pacroa-Pokcno road via Ngatea was to be adopted for highway purposes. The council was asked to arrange proposals for this route. A copy of the rules under the Act for the proceedings of district highways councils for the information of the council. The Waikato County Council wrote slating that it was desirous of following the - lead given by other district highways councils, and wished to arrange a tour of inspection of suggested roads connecting with the present main Highway (Hamilton to Auckland section) in order that members of the various county councils and representatives of the district council might become conversant with them ami be able to form a clear opinion as to the most advantageous routes to advocate. Cr. McLoughlin suggested that the advantages of the toad from Morrinsvil'c to Auckland via the Mahuta and Lower Patetonga roads to Ngarua Landing, thence through Ngatea, Waitakaruru, and Miranda, should be pointed out to the district council. Or. Mayn proposed that it be a recommendation to the Highways Board that instead of adopting the Maukoro Canal road it adopt a route along the canal bank from Waitakaruru to the Ngarua road, thence westerly along that road until it meets the road that will be opened up from Lower Patetonga Road to Ngarua Road near the flaxmill, thence along Lower Patetonga Road to the county boundary. This .vould be a better road to construct, as it was not over deep peat, as was the proposed Patetonga-Nga • rua Landing road. Seconded by Cr. McLoughlin an-1 carried. Concerning the letter from the Waikato County Council Cr. Parfitt urged that the county should be represented. It was deieded that the county representative be asked to tiavcl with the party, and that as many of the councillors as possible be present during the tour through the Plains County. KOPUARAHI RIDING ROADS. As instructed, the engineer submitted estimates for laying the main Kopttarahi riding roads in bitumen ami the by-roads in macadam. The local cost would be'£30,144. The Pipl-roa-Orongo road, 350 chains of 16ft bitumen road would cost £15,124 10s : Kopuarahi-Kcrepeehi road, 60 chains of 16ft bitumen, £2619 17s ; Ngataipua East road, 195 chains of macadam paving.. £4900 ; Shelly Beach road, 195 chains of 10ft macadam paving, £5OOO ; Orongo Settlement road, 185 chains of 10ft macadam paving, £2500. STATUTORY MEETING. The clerk reported that the annual meeting for the election of a chairman should be held on May 28 at noon. It was decided to hold a special meeting at 12.15 p.m. for the purpose of passing special resolutions in relation to the Pipiroa water scheme and aiso for the conduct of general business. PIPIROA WATER SUPPLY. The clerk reported on the conference between the committee appointed and Mr E. F. Adams in regard to the Pipiroa water supply scheme as published in the “Gazette” last month. The committee’s recommendations were adopted, and the execution of the document of appointment of Mr E. F. Adams as engineer at a salary o£ £5OO per annum was authorised. Mr Adams reported as follows: — “I beg to-report that we completed the preparatory field work on Friday last, the 9th inst., and the men returned to Thames. The office work is being carried on continuously in order to get out the drawings of the scheme on a large scale. In the meantime 1 have had the searches and data made and traced in Auckland. So far as I can see, we will be able to make the headworks on the quarry reserve ngar the county boundary and carry the layout clear of the railway reserves, etc,, which ae rather extensive in the vicinity. I think I have everything complete now to go ahead here." KEREPEEHI RIDING LOAN. The clerk brought up the matter of the proposed Kerepeehf J'ding loan, which matter had been held up pending the decision of the ratepayers or. the machinery loan and the action JI the Highways Board. Or. Nicholson said that the settle! s desired another meeting before anything further was done. The engineer was instructed to prepare revised estimates for presentation to the ratepayers at h.eir meeting. HORAHIA RIDING SCHEME. Cr. Hayward said it was of no use taking, steps to raise .the Horahia riding loan until it became known when metal would be available from th J Maukoro quarry. MACHINERY LOAN. It was decided that the engineer rc port to the special meeting on what machinery should be purchased right away, so that the amount from the No. 2 machinery loan could be settled and steps taken to raise the money. MAUKORO LANDING ROAD. Cr. Mayn moved that the engineer approach the Lands Drainage Engin-

eer and ask him to commence wont on the Maukoro landing road canal The spoil was required to raise the road.—Carried. Cr. Mayn moved that the Piako ■County Council be asked to meet the council to discuss the erosion by the Maukoro creek on the landing road. — Carried. Cr. Mayn moved that the Public Works Department be requested to secure the foundations to the bridge on the northern end of the road through the Maukoro estate. —Carried. REMOVAL OF SPOIL. The engineer was instruted to look into the matter of the removal of spoil from the roadside at Kcrepeehi, an.l if be thinks lit to take steps to stop the practice. PIAKO ROAD. Cr. Hayward drew attention to the slate of Piako Road. He had received au'hority to have it graded and repaired, but so far nothing had been done. He was .of the opinion that it should be scarified after the worst holes had been loosely filled with metal. The matter was left to the engineer. HOSPITAL LEVY. Cr. Miller moved that the Hospital Board's levy be paid as soon as funds became available.—Carried.