THAMES COUNTY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4820, 9 March 1925, Page 2

THAMES COUNTY.

MEETING OF COUNCIL.

Tne regular meeting of the Thames County Council was held on Thursday las' Cr. H. Lowe presiding over the following: Crs. J. McCormick, A. Alky, 11. Brunton, H, Cory-Wright, G. 11. A. Cribb, 11. Cox, F. J. McMahon, the clerk (Mr H. T. G. McElroy) and the engineer (Mr J. Higgins). WHAREPOA FERRY ROAD. A letter signed by 21 ratepayers of the Wharepoa district ,was received drawing attention to .the state of the Wharepoa Ferry road, which was almost impassable in wet weather, though of great use to the settlers when going .to the 'Hauraki Plains or to Auckland.

Cr. Brunton mentioned that a meeting of ratepayers some time ago had expressed the opinion that they were not agreeable to spending any money on-the road. The communication was a-surprise to him, .and he wajs not in favour of spending any money for the benefit of the Hauraki Plains settlers. Four waggons regularly used the road.

Cr. Alley pointed out that the waggons. now used the Netherton ferry, thus cutting up a greater length of road instead of the shorter length via the Wharepoa ferry.

Members expressed the opinion that the council had been lax in enforcing the heavy traffic regulations. The. chairman stated .that prior to the previous meeting the Mayor of Thames had waited upon him and suggested that a conference of local bodies should be held. ‘He had agreed, but so tar the conference had not been called. The Hauraki Plains County had heavy traffic licenses, and his county should do likewise. The matter affected many of the roads in the county, especially those in the mining areas.

The clerk intimated that the council had power to close any road against particular types of vehicles or to charge heavy traffic fees. Cr. Alley moved that the heavy traffic by-laws be brought into effect. Seconded by -Cr. Cribb and carried.

The chairman said that an amendment to the by-laws might be necessary, but the existing by-laws could be brought into effect until the amendmetns became operative.

In regard to the damage to roads used by the mining companies, it was decided to apply for a grant from the Mi nes Department.

It was pointed out that the comnuuiicction was not actually a petition, and it, was decided that it be treated as a letter and be merely received.

RIVER IMPROVEMENT.

The Public Works Department resident engineer. Paeroa, wrote asking lOr a certified copy of a resolution to the effect that the council was willing to bear the whole cost of the survey of the Omahu and Onetai stream improvement tscheme. Cr. Brunton said the question was a big one. Timber-driving in the creek had caused the siltation, and the timber company should contribute towarsd the work. The clerk mentioned that the council had already passed the resolution required.

Cr. Brunton moved, and Cr. Cribb seconded, that the Public AVorks Department be asked to enforce the bond given by the timber company relative to the damage and. siltation caused by timber-driving. PURIRI WHARF ROAD.

Communications were received from the Hauraki Plains J County Council with reference to the damage to the Puriri AVharf Road, as discussed at the February" meeting of that body. The county engineer, Mr J. Higgins, reported on the conference with a committee from the Plains council at which it was arranged that the. Hauraki Plains County maintain in a rear sonable manner all roads over which metal was being carted to the satisfaction of the Thames county engineer ; such maintenance to apply only during the time of carting. The Hauraki Plains Council had also agreed to reconstruct the formation on the flat section of road between the railway and the entrance to the hopper, aiid to supply and place on the same section of road 11% cubic yards of gravel per chain, the Thames Council to s'upply 5 chains of gravel per chain over the same section. It was also decided that the Hauraki Plains County do the repairs necessary to the bridge on the Puriri Valley road to enable it to carry heavy traffic. The ch airman moved, and Cr. Cribb seconded, that the committee’s recommendations be adopted.—Carried. MOTOR REGULATIONS.

Amended draft regulations concerning motor-lorries were received from the Public Worky Department for the council’s information and comments. The opinion was expressed by the chairman that the Government was endeavouring to use as much red tape as possible. The District Highways Council, for instance, had appointed an executive with the full powers of the council. It had met once in the past twelve months, and the only business done was to elect a chairman. In regard to the heavy traffic, he did not see the necessity for many of the regulations. What concern was it to neighbouring districts what problems a local body had to meet. MOTORS V. RAILWAY. A request for support for the following resolution was received from the Waipawa County Council: “That county councils advise ratepayers and others to forward their goods wherever possible by rail. By so doing they will, support the railways (which belong to the people), and also help to reduce the cost of upkeep on those county roads which run parallel to the railways.” The chairman said that if the railways catered for the general public it would get the trade without any urging, but it appeared that there was no hope, at any rate for the district between Thames and Paeroa.' AVhen the bitumen road was completed there would be more competition

than ever for the railways to meet. Under the existing circumstances anti the present state of the road «o amount of urging would have any ef- . feet. ' The council decided to receive the letter. / MOTOR DRIVERS’ LICENSES. A copy of the regulations governing the licensing of drivers under the Motor Vehicles Act was received from the Minister for Internal Affairs. TAPU CATTLE DIP. The clerk of the Coromandel County Council wrote acknowledging the council’s letter in connection w>ththe proposed cattle tick dip at Tape. was seated that the letter had been - forwarded to the Minister for Agriculture with the suggestion that his . department and the Taanms County undertake the work. OBJECTION TO ROAD. formal objection to the council’s proposal to take under the Public Works Act a portion of his land at Tairua for the purpose of a road deviation was lodged by Mr C. Winder. Various grounds of objection werestated. Cr. Cory-Wright said that the cost, of a neceissary bridge would be about " £4OO. The deviation had been sug-z« gested by the Public Works ment. PURIRI WHARF ROAD. Mr G. Cribb. Puriri, wrote drawing - attention to the Wharf road. An watercourse had been blocked, and suggested that drain-pipes be laid. — Referred to engineer for a report.