HAURAKI PLAINS COUNTY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4787, 10 December 1924, Page 3

HAURAKI PLAINS COUNTY

MEETING OF COUNCIL. ROUTINE BUSINESS. The regular meeting of the Hauraki Plains County Council was held on Tuesday, the chairman, Cr. J. C. Miller, presiding over Crs. F. J. Mayn, T. McLoughlin, J. H. Nicholson, W. G. Hayward, W, Madgwick, C. W. Harris, C. W. Parfitt, and H. J. Hare. The county clerk, Mr E. Walton, and the engineer. Mr F. Basham, attended. FINANCE. The finance report presented by the clerk showed that the riding balances at November 30 were as follows: — Kopuarahi £BB2, Turua £1512, Hortihia £991, Kerepeehi £705, Netherton £ll7l, Patetonga £735, Ngatea £685, r’ Pipiroa £7BO, Waitakaruru £11'57, all debit balances. The amount by which the general rate has been anticipated is £B6lB. The balances in the loan accounts - at November 30 were : Credit: Netherton roads l ( oan £2631, housing loan £3443, machinery loan £4062, TuruaNetherton roads loan £4015. Debit Kopu ferry and approach roads loan £l5, Puriri ferry and approach roads loan £l3, Ngataipua East road loan £341. The receipts for the month of November were: General! rate £385 Is 7d. hospital rate £Bl 15s 6d, special rates £l5l 6s, Piako County Council’s share of interest on Tahuna roads loan £521 9s Bd, and sundry receipts to bring the total up to £llB4 12s sd. The debit balance as per cash-book of the county fund account at November 30 was £5872 7s sd. MAUKORO BRIDGE. The Under-Secretary, Public Works Department, Wellington, wrote inti- ( mating that the Piako County Council h” had served a notice in accordance with section 119 of the Public Works Act, 1908, in regard to the construction of the Maukoro deviation bridge near Tahuna, including the approaches thereto. A copy of the plans, etc., had been served on the council, .and it was asked to note that any objection to the proposal must .be forwardf ed wiihin the' two months referred to in the notice.. The clerk said that in accordance with the resolution of the council at its - previous meeting he would notify the department that the council did not object to be cited. HOSPITAL RATE. The Thames Hospital Board wrote advising that the council’s representations regarding the possible increase of the hospital rate would receive every consideration by the board. MAIN HIGHWAYS. A circular memorandum was received from the chairman of the No. 2 District Council respecting the recent amendments to .the Main Highways Act empowering any local bod}’ to raise special loans over the whole or pait of the county to pay for the r "construction or reconstruction of any main highway, and to pay out of the general rates of the whoje county or of any riding for the repair and maintenance of any main highway; also V.io make and-levy for the purpose a separate rate over the whole county or any part thereof. MOTOR LICENSES. A lengthy circular was received fi;om the Main Highways Board dealing with the amendments to the Public Works Act in respect to the weight of motor vehicles, licenses, and the restriction of loads on particular roads. —Referred to the chairman and clerk for a recommendaiton. WHAREPOA FERRY. Mr C. W. Nichokson, ferryman at .Wharepoa, Wrote acknowledging receipt of the council’s letter granting him two months’ remission of rent _ owing to the smallness of his recepits. stated that this would not improve V matters, as the ferry had been bringing in insufficient to live on, let alpne pay rent. He therefore asked the council to make his wages up to 12s a day by paying him £l2. * The clerk said that from the ferryman’s books it was shown that the average monthly takings after paying for benzine was £l7 14s 9d, leaving £l4-odd after paying rent. Nothing was received by the council from the Netherton ferry. . The engineer pointed out that the Estate of the road on the Thames side of the river was such that no one would use it unless compelled to do so. The matter was discussed at great . length, and finally it was decided to F remit a further two months’ rent, r In, teply to the complaint made b.v Mr J. Miller, junr., the ferryman stated that previous experience had shown that it was impossibly for travellers to attract the notice of the ferryman with the gong provided when he was asleep. He had at his own expense, provided a better alarm. It was usual to notify him of night trips either, when crossing or by teleand this Mr Miller could have done. HOSPITAL LEVY. The secretary of the Thames Hospital Board wrote pointing out that owing to the amount of outstanding ♦- levies it was becoming impossible for the beard to carry on, and its overjr- draft limit had been reached. The v council was two quarters in arrear, and owed £1230 2s 9d. A cheque dur- -. ing the week was requested. It was decided to pay when funds permitted. HOLIDAY LEAVE. The late county inspector, Mr W. J. Clare, wrote applying for payment in lieu of holiday leave. He had been in the council’s employ for 20 months.— Granted. AWAITI ROADING. The Minister for Lands wrote with reference to the granting of metaling, subsidies for roads in the Awaiti block, stating that he understood provision had been made for the Awaiti < road from Wilson’s Road corner and for portion of Pukahu East Road. PUKAHU ROAAD. Mr J. H. Bradshaw wrote concerning the lower portion of Pukahu Road, stating that it had never Sbeen formed save that the timber had

been removed and spoil from the drains deposited thereon. As the Lands Drainage Department refused to do anything further the council’s assistance was sought. It was decided to ask the department io form the road. EMPLOYEES’ MOTOR-CYCLES. Two of the council’s employees, G. Hinst and A. Zberg, wrote asking for some guarantee that their motorcycles, which were used in the council's service, be maintained. The mar chine- were almost entirely used in ! the council’s service, and the employees found it impossible to maintain them. Cr. Madgwick urged that the council meet the request. Ur. Ha:, ward supported, contending that tne men were very good servants and could get higher wages from the Lands Department. He could quote many instances where the motorcycles had saved much time and expense in the carrying out of work. The chairman said what was desired was that the council should repair breakages only. The engineer said that the men could not be replaced at anything like the wages paid them. Zberg was a qualified mechanic, and could get work anywhere at a pound a day. It was decided to give the men an extra is a day, and that the council pay for breakages' only. WHITTAKER’S WHEELBARROW. An Auckland legal firm wrote stilting that it had been consulted by Hr H. Whittaker relative to’ the loan by him to the council of a wheelbarrow. The client had cliamed 3s a week for its detention, and had witnesses to prove his case, but he >vas willing to forego the claim if the wheelbarrow was returned within seven days.—Referred to the engineer for action. TENDERS. Six renders were received for clearing, forming, and sanding 102 chains of Pukahu Road, and one tender each for the laying down of Piako Road and the Turua-Orongo Road as bituminous roads, and in each case the matter was left in the hands of the engineer. and riding members concerned, with power to act. TURUA ROADS LOAN. On the motion of Cr. Madgwick it was decided to endeavour to hypothecate portion of the Turua southern area roads loan. GREETINGS. Being the last meeting of the year, the Chairman extended seasonal greetings to members, who reciprocated.