PLAINS COUNTY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4823, 22 April 1925, Page 2

PLAINS COUNTY.

MEETING OF COUNCIL.

ROUTINE BUSINESS.

The regular meeting of the Hauraki Plains County Council was held at Ngatea on Thursday last, Cr.. J. C. Miller presiding over Crs. T. McLoughlin, H. J. Hare, J. H, Nicholson, C. Parfitt, W. Madgwick. W. G. Hayward, and C. W. Harris. The county clerk (Mr E. Walton) and the engineer (Mr F. Basham) were present. TURUA-NETHERTON ROADS LOAN. The Bank of New Zealand forwarded draft resolutions, etc., in connection with the raising of £7OOO of the Turua-Netherton special roads loan of £19,500 for the council’s approval.— Agreed to. NGATEA DRAINS.

The chief drainage engineer, Auckland, wrote stating that the Health Department had drawn attention to the insanitary condition of the drains passing through the main street at Ngatea which was caused through the discharge of waste household water into them. The department asked that the council take steps to have the nuisance attended to, and. in future to stop the practice because existing conditions were a menace to public health. The Health Department had been informed that the drains were cleaned once a year, but that the practice referred to was one for the council to deal with. \

' The clerk reported that he had replied stating that no nuisance existed, and that the trouble, was caused by the Tact that the Lands Department only cleaned out the weeds once a year. revaluation. The Valuer-General wrote in reply to the council’s application for the revaluation 'of soldier settlers’ lands that compliance with the request world lead to protests from many settlers other than discharged soldiers. The latest revaluation of the county was made as at March, 1917, and It seemed obvious that in the development of country of the nature of the county changes in unimproved value must have taken place during a period of seven years, and the only satisfactory way to deal with the matter was to revalue the whole county. The revaluation would be put in- hand at an early date, and the new values would be available on March 31, 1926. LOAN OF ENGINEER, The Horahia Drainage Board wrote asking if the services of Mr Anderson could be otbainCd for a month or two to do the necessary field work for its comprehensive scheme of outlets. It was thought that in a month or two the pressure of county work would possibly he lessened, and that the council would not be inconvenienced through Mr Anderson's absence for, say a couple of months. The board would much appreciate the council meeting it in this matter if patisfactbry arrangements could be made. In reply to Cr. Harris the engineer said .that the work could be arranged so as to release Mr Anderson for the purpose. Cr. Harris moved, and Gr. Hare seconded, that the request he granted, the clerk and engineer to arrange the matter. ’ DRAIN CLEANING. G. Sanders and four other settlers wrote asking that the drain on the south side of School Road, Netherton, be cleaned. They were willing to find half the cost.—Granted, sugject to the usual conditions. TURUA ROAD WORKS. The'N.Z. Roads Co., Ltd., wrote asking for an extension of time in which to finish their contract works, as they had. been hampered by the unreliability of supplies of metal. A committee, comprising the chairman, Cr. Hayward, the engineer ami the -clerk, was appointed to deal with the matter. SPEED OF MOTORS. The Turua Town Board forwarded a copy of a resolution asking the council to, limit the speed of motor vehicles to 12 miles an hour withi.i the township urea, as it was fel.t that the high rate of travelling constituted a danger to school children. A letter from the Turua School Committee to the board was enclosed. Cr... Harris naid that he had intended bringing up the question aqs it was fortunate for him and for the council that an election for' a councillor for Waitakaruru riding wxis not necessary.. An accident had been very narrowly adverted as he was coming to the meeting. The question of the speed of motor vehicles through the county would have to be dealt with, and unless there was power under the by-laws amendments would have to be made to restrict the speed. Cr. Hare supported, and advocated setting traps and making examples. The matter was referred to the Inspector to bring down a recommendation to the council. COMPENSATION. L. S James wrote stating that one of a mob of sheep broke its leg while crossing the Netherton ferry and had to be destroyed. As he understood that stock crossing the ferry were 1 insured he claimed £2, the price of the sheep. The clerk was instructed to make a claim from .the insurance company. . BY-LAW ACTION. A lengthy communication was received from Mr J. Marshall. Waitakaruru, acknowledging receipt of a letter from the inspector stating that the council had considered his complaint and decided to take no actio.) as he, had his remedy under the Impounding Act. In reply the writer drew attention to the fact that the council’s by-laws covered the offence, and that he had complained on numerous occasions and had been informed by the late inspector that if the nuisance was not abated action would be taken. He concluded by asking the council to reconsider the matter and not treat its-by-laws as scraps of paper. rhe offence complained of concerned the wandering of poultry From one farm to another. The clerk read the. by-laws men-

tinned, and also the section of the Impounding Act, and it was decided that Mr Marshall be advised that it would be simpler for him to take action under the Act, as the by-law would not be enforced in respect to his. complaint. . RAILWAYS LEAGUE. A circular letter was receivtSbfrom the Auckland Railways and Development League seeking support. It was decided to make a donation of £1 Is and to urge the expedition of the Paeroa-Pokeno railways. • TURUA ROADS. ’ The chairman of the Turua Town Board wrote drawing attention to the serious damage that was being done to the board’s completed bitumen roads by the carting of metal to the far end hi drays with 3in tyres and loaded' with tip to 2% yards of met.il. Teh engineer reported that the contractors had been informed that all damage would have to be made gicil. This they had agreed to. The; period of maintenance commenced on March. 3. - ' NGATEA POST OFFICE. The clerk reported that the chief postmaster had communicated with him to the effect that the PostmasterGeneral would not be available to officially open the Ngatea post office, nor were any other Cabinet Ministers available. It had been suggested that Mr T. W. Rhodes, M.P... be invited to perform the ceremony. He would be available any day next week. ' It was decided that the opening be held on Monday, April 27. PENALTY ON RATES. It was decided to add the 10 per cent, penalty on all outstanding rateson May 23. AWAITI SOUTH ROAD. At Cr. Hayward’s request the engineer was instructed to go into thequestion of improving Awaiti South Road. ■ - ; METALLING OF ROADS. In reply to Cr. Parfitt the clerk reported that no reply had been received from the Minister for Lands in regard to the metalling of clay roads in Pipiroa or anywhere'else. On Cr. Parfitt's mot ton* the clerk was instructed to write and-ask the Minister for a reply, as-promised to lh • requests for metalling the clay ■roads. . ■ ■ -.'■■■ ' '■■'■■