HAURAKI PLAINS COUNTY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4821, 11 March 1925, Page 3

HAURAKI PLAINS COUNTY

MEETING OF COUNCIL. The regular meeting of the H.tui'lKi Plains County Council was held yesterday, Cr. J. C. Miller presiding over the following: Crs. W. G. Hayward, W. Madgwick, C. W. Parfitt, J. H Nicholson, H. J. Hare, T. McLoughlin, J. F. Mayn, and the cleik (Mr E. Walton) and the engineer (Mr F. Basham. REPLACING CULVERTS. A deputation comprising Messrs P. R. Henry, R. L. Davies, and R. Fawcett waited upon the council with reference to replacing the existing 3ft culverts across the Turua-Netherton road at the Kerepeehi-Wharepoa Road intersection with larger pipes. Mr Henry pointed out that a large area of farm lands was affected by the inadequate size of the pipes. The drains bad been enlarged and deepened. but this work was neutralised by the smallness of the pipes. Mr Davies pointed out the effect of the overloading of the outlet, and urged tiiat the council undertake the work and charge it to the Kerepeehi and Turua ridings. If the council would do this the ratepayers who received the benefit, would pay, whereas if the drainage boards had to pay only a few' of the relieved settlers would be called’ upon to contribute. Ur. Madgwick said that the work would cost, roughly, £lBO, of which £154 would be for the pipes. The matter was discussed at length, and finally it wsa decided that the council contribute £BO equally from the Kerepeehi and Turua riding accounts, the council to retain the existing pipes and allpeate them to the two ridings equally. OFFER OF MACHINERY. Mr Julian, crushing contractor at Puriri, waited upon the council and asked that it take over the elevator which he had purchased for use at the crusher. He would pay for the hire tor the time he used it. Tne plant was in first-class order, but was of no use to any other job. He w£s agreeable to reducing the price by £25, pl us 15 per cent, for depreciation. ! After discussion the offer was not accepted. i FACTORY TRAMLINE. ; The N.Z. Co-op. Daily Co. applied for permission to change the route of its tramline from the Ngatea wharf to the company’s new wharf, and to use an overhead cableway across the road to the coal bunkers. The engineer reported that further particulars in regard to the cableway were required, and the Public Works Department’s regulations would have to be complied with. He did not see anv reason why permission to change the position of the tramline should not be granted subject to the usual protective conditions. The matter was left to the engineer, ROADSIDE DRAINS. Mr W. J. Matthews, Netherton. wrote asking the council to call tenders for the cleaning of Fishers’ roadside drain, the settlers to phy half the cost, as usual. He asked that the work be not started until the settlers’ share was in the hands of the council—Referred to the engineer, with power to act. Messrs A. E. Simm and three others wrote asking the council to contribute half the cost of cleaning the drain from Puke Bridge to H Drain. The matter was left to the engineer to make arrangements for having the work carried out when the settlers’ contribution was received. FISHER’S ROAD. Mr W. J. Matthews, Netherton, wrote asking whether the contract for putting 500 yards of metal on Fisher’e Road had been let, and when the contractor .would be likely .to start. The engineer said that the contractor had promised to start immediately. Members urged th.at unless this was done the contract be cancelled. The engineer was instructed to endeavour to get the work started immediately. QUALITY .OF METAL. Tlie N.Z. Roads, Ltd., wrote complaining of the amount of dust received in the cliips from the Puriri quarry. Tlie county engineer had declinea to pass the work done with the dusty chips, and the company intimated that it intended rendering an account for its expenditure in labour 'for screening the metal and reconditioning the 15 chains of road referred to. The clerk reported th.at the council had no liability, as no contract to supply had been given by the council to the company or the Town Board, and tlie company was employed by the Town Board. The engineer said that the matter had been fixed up satisfactoi Uy. HOSPITAL LEVY. The Thames Hospital Board forwarded an account for three quarters’ levy up to March 31, 1925, totalling £1.230 2s 9d, and a letter stating that failing to pay the board would be compel led to place the matter in the hands of the Minister for Finance. The clerk was authorised to make payments as funds permitted. - PUKAHU ROAD, The contractors for the work on Pukahu Road, Netherton, wrote asking for a further £BO as the drain was a very hard and rough one, and bigger prices for scooping and hiring machinery than was anticipated had to be paid : also, to get the carting of the sand done in the good weather the whole of the money obtained had to be paid to the carters. They did not intend, to leave the job, and would push cn with it as fast as possible, and under the circumstance's thought the request was a fair one. Cr. Mayn moved, and Cr. Hare seconded, that no assistance be given. LAND FOR ROAD. An extract from the Gazette relative to the land proclaimed as a road and road closed in the Turua Town Dis trict was received from the Public Works Department.

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