PLAINS COUNTY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4840, 12 June 1925, Page 3

PLAINS COUNTY.

MEETING Of COUNCIL. Tlie monthly meeting of the Hauraki Plains County Council was held at Ngatea. on Tuesday, Cr. J. C, Miller presiding over Crs. T. McLoughlin, H. J. Hare, J. H. Nicholson, C, WParfitt, W. Madgwick, C. W. Harris, J, F. Mayn, the clerk (Mr E. Walton), and the engineer (Mr F. Basham. Cr. Hayward was granted leave of absence. . FINANCE COMMITTEE. The council adopted the following recommendations, which were discussed. in committee: — '■That finrl notices re overdue rates be sent out, and that all remaining unpaid’by sued for. “That Mr R. H. Cameron be granted extended leave without pay. MOTOR LORRY FEES. The Hamilton Borough Council forwarded a brief the resolutions passed at-a meeting of representatives of local authorities included in the Ne. 3 heavy traffic district dealing with the apportionment of motor lorry fees. The decision, which was carried practically unanimously, was that the basis.of distribution of license fees be on a 50 per cent, basis of revenue returnable under a metalled (to include gravelled) road mueabe apportionment, and 50 per cent, cf revenue under a capital value apportionment, such road metalling mileages and rateable capital values to be taken from the statistical report on local government for 1923-24, and that such apportionments be made quarterly. It was, also decided that the various engineers of the local bodies confer and submit to each local body in the. district particulars as to the mileage of gravelled streets or roads which should be included in the term metalled road. The clerk explained that the Act provided for the local bodies within the heavy traffic district, which was the same as the highways, districts, to apportion the proceeds of the heavy traffic licenses among the constituent local bodies by agreement. Thiis meeting was the first attempt to arrive at a solution. The letter was received, and the engineer was instructed to confer with the other engineers, as suggested. NGATEA POST OFFICE. The Auckland district engineer of the Public Works Department wrote acknowledging the council’s letter offering to provide half the cost of metalling the portion of the roadway filled in at the Ngatea post office. He would be glad if the council tfould put the work in hand. MONEY FOR LOAN. Mr T. W. Rhodes wrote advising that while in Wellington he had ascertained that the Public Trustee had-money available for loan at 6 per cent.-, plus sinking fund. The clerk was authorised to apply for the loans for ICirikiri and Maukoro bridges, Cr. Hare voting against the motion. MAIN HIGHWAY. The chairmna of the No. 2 District Council advised that the Main Highways Board had decided that it could not approve of the declaration of the road on the west side of Hauraxi Plains between Paeroa-Pokeno and Hamilton-Te Aroha as a highway. QUARRY TRAM. The Ohinemuri County Council wrote agreeing to the council’s proposal to lay a tramline alongside a, county road upon the condition that all the usual provisions for safegurading the public were made. The matter was discussed at lengtn, several councillors objecting to a suggestion that the Ohinemuri County be supplied with metal at cost price. Eventually it was agreed that the clerk draw up an agreement. ADVERTISING THE district. The Government publicity officer, Wellington, wrote advising, that it had been decided to issue a special booklet referring briefly to the scenic and historic attractions of the various districts so that tourists might obtain an, indication of what was to be seen at the various towns during a tour of the country. To obtain the, necessary data all local bodies were aiskcd' to submit a statement embodying answers to a set of questions for incorporation in the booklet. The questions' referred to any places of interest, means of reaching same, accommodation, whether fishing or shooting could be obtained, and the address of persons from whom tourists could obtain information. CO-OPERATION. The Taumarunui County Council -wrote stating that it had recently discussed the necessity for an, organisation of counties remote form the main .centres, particularly those more or ‘less partly developed and whose requirements and-difficulties were somewhat identical. The expressed opinion was that tlie operation of outside influences detrimental to rural interests made it imperative that some, decided measures should be taken for mutual protection and, if required, to provide the necessary machinery for intelligent direction of combined effort. Among the matters requiting attention were: Hospital levies and basis of contributions ; operations of the Main Highways Act ; and motor heavy traffic taxation; and native land Settlement. The council was asked to give the matter its consideration and advise fully its opinion. It was decided that jshould a conference of the local bodies concerned be held the council would be represented. INFANTILE PARALYSIS. A circular letter was recived from the Runanga Borough Council seeking support for a resolution advocating the provision of pensions for victims of infantile paralysis. It was decided to take no action.

memorial to late premier. a circular letter was received from lhe Prime Minister’s office seeding co-operation in a national appeal to raise funds for the purpose of erect-

ing a monument on Mr Masjsey’s tomb at Point Halswell and a statue in tne Parliamentary grounds. The clerk was instructed to prepare subscription lists and circulate them throughout the district. BACK MIRANDA ROAD. The Commissioner of Crown Land's wrote advising that one of the Waitakaruru soldier settlers had written to him regarding the lack of good road access. The Commissioner asked_ if it was possible for the council to take any action to improve the access, which affected many settlers along the road. Cr. Harris moved that the Commissioner be informed that the council had already applied for a free grant for the road, and it would be glad ot his assistance in obtaining it.—Carried. RIVER ACCESS. A petition signed by H. J. Hare and ten other isettlers of Awaiti was received. The petitioners stated that they had approached the Public Works Department and asked that access be provided to the Waihou River by constructing a stop-bank at the end of Pukahu Road. The council was asked to make application for a sum to be placed on .the Estimates to do the work.—Granted. WAITAKARURU CANAL ROAD. The Minister for Lands telegraphed that the Government could not agree to provide the whole cost of metalling the Waitakaruru-Maukoro canal road, but if the settlers or the council submitted proposals for carrying out the work the question of making a- grant towards the cost would receive consideration. Cr. Harris moved that the chairman, clerk, and himself be a committee to confer with the settlers in regard to .the raising of a loan. He was of opinion that the department would give a substantial subsidy, but would not do the whole job and thus establish a precedent.—Carried. TRANSFER OF FUNDS. In accordance with his notice of motion Cr. Madgwick moved : “That the cost of trucks used in connection with the Turua-Netherton roads loan and already paid for by. that lean be Ufsed as a set-off against the machinery charges for that particular loan. ’ In support Cr. Madgwick said that when the roadwork was commenced there was a machinery loan proposal, and trucks were included. It was not possible for the county to purchase the trucks out of the lean or county fund, and his scheme was the only way he knew of that would pass the auditor. Cr. Mayn said it was realised that the arrangement was that the plant (should be taken over by the county from the loan when the work was completed. Ho would suggest that the matter be held in abeyance until the auditor visited the district, when his advice could be sought. This view was endorsed by Cr. Harris, and the matter was allowed to lapse. SPEED OF MOTORS. Cr. Hare said tliat motors were travelling at excessive speed and the heavy traffic by-laws were being broken. He would like the inspector to pay periodical visits to the various roads in the county. A motion to that effect was carried. The clerk reported that signposts were being printed. Cr. Nicholson said he had seen the inspector on the road on many occasions. NETHERTON FERRY. Various complaints regarding the running of the Netherton ferry were voiced by Cr. Nicholson, who pointed out that the ferryman was often away, when he left a boy in charge. He had refused to convey passengers over the river after dark, and to transport school children when they desired. He understood that other men Were prepared to tender a substantial stun for the right to run the ferry. It was agreed that the charges should be made in writing, and until that was done the council could not very well take action. Cr. Nicholson was instructed to get the complaints in writing, and the clerk was instructed to inquire into them. MAIN ROADS SCHEME. Cr. Parfitt mentioned that at tlie previous meeting the clerk and engineer were instructed to prepare a, report on the cost of the main county roads in bitumen and water bound macadam. He moved that the report also include the cost of a 9ft concrete road,, with 2ft shoulders.—Carried. TURUA STREET LIGHTS. Cr. Madgwick mentioned the hard-: ship the Turua Town Board was experiencing in meeting its obligations in regard to the township street lights. He suggested that the Tui ua, Kopuarahi, and Horahia ridings contribute 65 each towards the fund. The resolution received no support. DANGEROUS CORNERS. Cr. McLoughlin moved that the engineer report on the question of improving the dangerous corner at the Kopuarahi school and the cornet of Piako Road. —Carried. HOARDINGS. Cr. Parfitt asked if the council, had power to deal with unsightly hoardings. The clerk replied that under the Polisc Offences Act offenders were liable to a fine unless authority had been obtained. The council had not been asked for permission.