OHINEMURI COUNTY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4837, 1 June 1925, Page 3

OHINEMURI COUNTY.

MONTHLY COUNCIL MEETING.

The regular meeting of the Ohineniiiri County Council w.as held in the Coronation Chambers at Paeroa on Wednesday afternoon, the chairman (Cr. W. F. Johnstone) presiding over the following: Crs. F. C. Hubbard, A. R. Robinson, S. H. Morgan, P. Corbett, H. M. Corbett, R. R. Morrison, the clerk (Mr R. W, Evans), and the engineer (Mr E. Shaw). CONDOLENCES ACKNOWLEDGED, The widow and family of the late Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey telegraphed thanks for messages of sympathy and condolence. OVERHEAD BRIDGE. The district engineer, N.Z. Railways Department, wrote with reference to the construction of the proposed ovrehead bridge on the Old Tauranga Road. He advised that the work was awaiting the arrival of the necessary timber. In reply to Cr. P. Corbett the engineer said that the Waitete biidge was also being held up pending the arrival of timber. • Cr. Morgan suggested that the department be urged to expedite the arrival of timber and the construction of bridges. The delay was becoming serious, and the public should be advised that it was not the fault of the county. Seconded by Cr. H. M. Corbett, who drew attention to the serious accident which had recently occurred at the Waitete bridge. On ■ the motion of Cr. Hubbard it was resolved to write to the Main Highways District Council seeking its co-operation in the matter. TOURIST RESORTS. The publicity office of the Department of Internal Affairs asked that it be supplied with such scenic and historic ihformatio of the district that would be of interest to tourists from overseas. It. was decided to forward the letter to the Paeroa Chamber of Commerce. TRAFFIC LICENSE FEES. The Hamilton Borough Council advised that a conference of representatives of local bodies controlling 'streets in the No. 3 heavy traffic district was .to be held at Hamilton to discuss tlfe question apportionment of heavy traffic license fees and the keeping of records relating to the running of motor lorries. The council was urged to send a delegate in addition to the clerk to the conference. It was resolved that, the chairman and clerk attend the conference. NGAHINA WHARF. The Paeroa Borough Council wrote with reference to granting the Northern Steam Ship' Co. free water while at the Ngahina wharf, and requested supplying the water free to the borough council to enable the arrangement to be carried out. Cr. Robinson explained the arrangement made by the Borough Council with the shipping company, and he moved that the request be granted. Cr. Hubbard said that the settlers in the Puke area could not get water during the time the (steamers were drawing water. The inconvenience was considerable, and he thought that if. tlie’ request was . granted it should only be under certain conditions. At the request of the chairman the engineer explained the position, and said that the connection could not be reduced. In fact, the company was now complaining that .the hose connection was not large enough. The -steamers were taking water for boiler use, deck scrubbing, and other , purposes, and he understood they were carrying it to Auckland and thus -saving the company paying water charges in Auckland. Cr. H.M, Corbett strongly objected to the request ■ being granted. Cr. Morgan also objected, and suggested that it be not supplied unless a meter was installed and the water paid for. at current rates. The matter was referred to the reservoir committee for a report to be brought down at the next meeting. EPIDEMIC PENSIONS. The Runanga Borough Council sought support for the following resolution: “That the Government be urged to provide pensions for the victims of infantile paralysis.” It was decided to reply that the council did not consider the subject came within the province of local bodies, and suggest that the matter be referred to members of Parliament. WORKERS’ ASSOCIATION. The director of the Auckland University College tutorial classes wrote requesting the council to receive a deputation from the Workers’ Educational Association. It was decided to advice the date of the next county meeting and invite a delegate to attend. USE. OF ROAD. D. L. Leach, Waihi, on behalf of a number of settlers sought permission to open up an old road leading off Mataura Road. If permission was granted the settlers were prepared to put the road in a fit state to carry light traffic. The engineer explained the position and said that the road was a dedicated one, but the jOhinemuri River had to I>e crossed by a ford. The writer had another entrance to his property. The request was granted, subject to the approval of the engineer. BRIDGE REQUIRED. The manager of the Ra-ora Flaxmill, Paeroa, requested the council to approach the Public Works Department with a view to having a permanent - bridge erected over the canal across Cadman Road.

It was agreed to take the matter up with tlie department and urge that the work he carried out as early as possible. PRIVATE TELEPHONE.

Otto Bjerring, Waihi, applied for a license to erect, a private telephone line on his property, and asked for the consent of the to the line

crossing over the ‘Waihi-Whangamata road.—Granted. LOADING FACILITIES. Cr. H. M. Corbett asked that the Railway Department be requested to provide further facilities for loading sheep at the Waikino station, and also that the council open up the second road leading to the station. In answer to the chairman Cr. Corbett said that there were no facilities for dealing with sheep loaded in double-tiered trucks. The motion was seconded by Cr. Hubbard and carried. MINING ASSISTANCE. The Maoriland Mine Co., Waitekauri, applied to have the road leading to the mine put in order and the scrub cut on each side so as to allow of mining machinery to be carried with greater ease and safety. Cr. H. M. Corbett stated that the road passed through a tunnel. There was a lot of carting to be done, and he would like to see the road made passable for traffic. The county received gold revenue, and yet the riding was expected to find the cost of repairing the road. It was agreed to effect temporary repairs to the extent of £lO and ascertain the advisability of applying for a grant.

QUARRY TRAM-LINE. Cr. Robinson reported the result of a conference held between the Hauraki Plains County Council’s engineer, Cr. Morrison, Mr Shaw, and himself, and the decision arrived at had been that the laying down of the light tram-line on the roadside to the Hauraki Plains County Councils’ quarry at Hikutaia would not be detrimental to the council and the travelling public. He moved that permission be granted. Seconded by Cr. Morrison and carried.