A COUNCIL WRANGLE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4756, 26 September 1924, Page 3

A COUNCIL WRANGLE.

ALLOCATION OF METAL, LACK OF FUNDS. Practically the whole of Tuesday afternoon was spent by the Hauraki Plains County Council in fruitless wrangling on an engineering question. Members acknowledged that the matter was one for the engineer, but apparently they were not satisfied to leave it to him as his decision might not be acceptable to their ridings. The matter arose out of a question as to how the work of erecting the metal hoppens, which the council had authorised for Puriri Creek and Turua to handle the metal, and for which a contract had recently been let' would be paid for. Ample provision had been made in the No. 2 Mach’nery Loan, but the money thus authorised had not yet been raised. It was, therefore, agreed that the erection of the hoppers at Turua would have to be deferred. There .was some money In hand from the No. 1 Machinery Loan, and Cr. Madgwick moved and Cr. Parfitt seconded that the £5O-odd required to pay for the erection of the hopper at Puriri be paid out of the £BOOO authorised for quarries and quarry equipment. A great deal of discussion arose on the allocation of the money authorised in the two machinery loans, and it was pointed out by the engineer . that the 12,000 yards of metal.whicn would shortly be coming to hand from the Puriri creek under the contract recently let could not be used until further machinery had been obtained. As this was held up until the money authorised by the No. 2 Machinery Loan had been raised, theie was little demand for the metal.. Cr. Madgwick pointed out that the metal could be utilised for the top course on the Southern Area roads, as that loan was the only one with funds available at present. The engineer said that Puriri metal could be supplied to the Netherton ' riding probably cheaper than Hikutaia metal. The demand for metal from Hikutaia was not sufficient at present to justify an expenditure of reorganising the quarry plant. The Netherton riding could have the whole of the output from the Hikutaia quarry, as the stone was not acceptable for the top course of the southern area roads, or any other bitumen work. Cr. Hayward pointed out that when the Turua district had been supplied with the metal it required the council’s crusher and plant at Puriri to be shifted to Hikutaia. Cr. Hare put up a strenuous fight to secure supplies of’ the best quality metal for the Netherton riding whenever it was required, and was supported by Cns. McLoughlin and Mayn. The engineer, pointed out that the Hikutaia metal was as good as any deposit, but not for bitumen work, as it was dusty and bitumen would not adhere to it. The metal was as hard as Puriri metal, and just as suitable for general road work. ‘ Cr. Madgwick argued that the Puriri contract had been let for the purpose of supplying Turua district, Turua Town Board, Turua-Orongo area, Kopuarahi riding, and Horahia riding, and for the council to give Netherton permission to call upon it when, that riding so desired would possibly hold up the other work. He admitted that Netherton had a good call on any metal, as its loans had been raised a long time, but seeing that Hikutaia metal was suitable for Netherton and not for the bitumen roads schemes, it was not right, in his opinion, to give Netherton a prior right to the Piqiri metal. Cr. Hare said that his ratepayers would say that Hikutaia metal was second grade, and would therefore refus° to accept it. The engineer insisted that the Hikutaia metal was not second grade and this could easily be proved. Cr. Madgwick asked why Turua, Horahia, and Kopfiarahi district loans should not be safeguarded in regard to supplies of metal. Cr. Mayn moved as an amendment that the hopper be built as suggested, provided nothing resulting therefrom shall affect supplies available Z for Netherton.

This was seconded by Cr. McLoughlin and on being put to the meetihg Crs. Mayn, McLoughlin, Hare, and Nicholson voted for it, and Crs. Parfitt, Madgwick, Hayward, and Miller against. Cr. Harris refused to vote, contending that both the amendment and the motion were contrary to the authority given by the ratepayers when voting for the No. 1 Machinery Loan. After a great deal of discussion Cr. Harris said he would vote against both the amendment and the motion, and the amendment was therefore declared lost Cr. Harris, speaking agftinst the original motion, said that if it was defeated he was prepared to move a further motion to the effect that the hopper be made of a portable nature, so that it could be shifted. This would bring it within the authority. Cr. Madgwick said he would withdraw his motion in favour of Cr. Harris’ motion. Cr. Parfitt, the seconder of the motion. when asked if he would agree to the withdrawal, said that it was only getting out of the mud into the mire. As an amendment Cr. McLoughlin moved that the hopper be paid for out of the clause in the No. 1 loan for the erection of bins ; also that Netherton get its supply of metal from Puriri, the quality to be approved of by the engineer and the riding member. Seconded by Cr. Hare. After much further discussion this was withdrawn and the original motion was altered to read that the hopper be, constructed and paid for as suggested, provided the transport fa„cilities be diverted to Puriri, if necessary, and that supplies for the Netherton Roads Loan for the coming summer be not interfered with. , z - This motion was carried, Cr. Harris voting against it.