OHINEMURI COUNTY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4848, 3 July 1925, Page 3

OHINEMURI COUNTY.

MONTHLY COUNCIL MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Ohinemuri County Council was held at Paeroa yesterday atfernoon, the chairman (Cr. W. F. John-stone) presiding over the following: Crs. S. H. Morgan, F. C. Hubbard, A. D. McGuire, P. Corbett, A. R. Robinson, R. R. Morrison, and the clerk (Mr R. W. Evans) and engineer (Ei. Shaw). EXTENSION OF LEAVE. Cr. C. E. Mace, Mangaiti riding, who was granted three months’ leave of absence, wrote from Sydney asking for a further extension of eight weeks. He stated that during his visit to Newcastle he had obtained considerable data relative to the construction and maintenance of tar-sealed roads. The extension of leave applied for was. granted. REMOVAL OF DAM. The Mines. Department, replying to a request for permission to remove a dam constructed in the Ohinemuri River by the Talisman Gold Mining Co. many years ago, advised that after consultation with the Railway Department no objection would be made to the removal of the dam provided the council was prepared to take all responsibility for any damage resulting both to the railway property and any other property, and that it was removed entirely at the risk of the council. In reply to Cr. Morgan the engineer said that it was not possible to remove the dam until the summer, when there would be no damage. Cr. Morgan thought that some of the centre boards might be taken away when the river lowered sufficiently. The matter was referred to the engineer, Cr. Robinson remarking that it was necessary to choose carefully the state of the river before remov.ing the dam. FORD ROAD GRANT. The resident engineer of the Public Works Department wrote advising that the £lOO free grant for Ford Road issued to the council in October 3, 1923, was not sufficient to do all the necessary work, as there was still about a mile to be reformed and metalled. In view of the fact that the settlers nad made an offer to form the additional portion themselves, and as the carting of mining timber was heavy, it had been decided that, oh condition that the settlers engaged in carting timber were prepared on the return journey to load up with hard stone from the mine tipheads for the purpose of metalling the road, an additional grant of £lOO, £ for £. would be made. So far no application had been made for the £lOO, blit if the council was desirous of putting the work in hand .the money was still available, and would be issued as soon as proposals were submitted' for approval. The chairman said that it was not possible to cart timber over the road at the present time.

Cr. P. Corbett said that it was not possible to cart metal on a timber waggon, and he moved that the department be advised to that effect. After discussion iKvas decided that the engineer interview the resident engineer and' request that the condition of carting should be foregone. McBRINN’S CREEK ROAD. The Mines Department wrote that the application for a grant for the purpose of widening Maratoto Road at Mcßrinn’s Creek had again been placed before the Minister, but he was unable to alter his previous decision declining to authorise a grant. The application was considered to be premature. CARRIAGE OF EXPLOSIVES. The chief inspector of explosives advised that the license issued to the council under the Act expired on June 30, and must be renewed immediately. It was pointed out that on the last visit of the inspector to Paeroa his attention had been drawn to the fact that carters had been mailing a practice of carrying explosives in a motor vehicle not specially fitted up, and the department insisted on compliance with the regulations in that respect. It was decided to' instruct the magazine-keepd 1 not to deliver explosives to any carter unless the vehicle was fitted up as required by the regulations. ROAD TO BE LEGALISED. The Chief Surveyor, Lands Department, advised that a formed and metalled road through Ohinemuri Block 208, No. 3, had not yet been legalised. A declaration form was attached with instructions to have i f completed for the legalisation of the road. . , It was decided that the necessary steps be taken. HEALTH INSPECTOR. The Public Health Office, Auckland, advised that Inspector B. A. Franklin, after 17 years’ service in the Thames health district, had been transferred to Auckland as senior inspector, and that Inspector Martindale had. been appointed to succeed him. It was decided to record the appreciation of the council to Mt Franklin for services rendered and to congratulate him on receiving well-earned promotion. HEAVY TRAFFIC TRAFFIC. The Hamilton Borough Council forwarded a copy of the proceedings of a conference of local bodies within the No. 3 Heavy Traffic District held at Hamilton on June 4. The chairman reported briefly on the proceedings of the conference, and pointed out that the resolutions which were carried were not acceptable to the county council. It was resolved' tnat the Hamilton Borough Council be advised that the apportionment of heavy traffic fees was not approved of by the council.

The chairman gave it as his opinion that the proposed system of grouping was not equitable, especially in view of the small community of inter-

est between the county and the Hamilton borough.

HOSPITAL CONTRIBUTION. The Thames Hospital and Charitable Aid Board advised that the contribution required from the council for the financial year 1925-26 amounted to £1045 13s lid, payable by equal quarterly instalments during the financial year, the first of such payments being due on June 30. OPENING OF PUKE BRIDGE. The Northern Steam Ship Co., Ltd., wrote advising that it was not prepared to accept .the responsibility of opening the span in the Puke bridge to allow vessels to pass. The company suggested that the matter should be referred to the Public Works Department. —Referred to the engineer. COURT AT EXHIBITION. The organiser for the N.Z. and South Seas Exhibition forwarded a circular in connection with the establishment of an Auckland Provincial Court at the forthcoming exhibition. The chairman said that after hearing the organiser for the Auckland court he was of the opinion that tne project was worthy of consideration. He moved that a sum of £3O be voted for the ’ purpose. Cr. Robinson isaid that the matter bad to be looked at from a. national point of view. It was possible that great benefit would accrue if the district was properly advertised, and be had pleasure in seconding the resolution. The motion was carried. The chairman was apopinted to confer with the authorities as to what! steps were to be taken next. APPLICATION FOR MACHINE SITE. An application on behalf of J. B. Morris for a machine site on the Hauraki river claim at Karangahake containing an area of 1 rood 32 perches, being sections 4 and 5' of Block IX., Karangahake township, was! received. —Granted, subject to the engineer’s approval. MINING ASSISTANCE. The secretary of the Imperial Gold Mining Co., Karangahake, wrote thanking the council for its assistance in obtaining a Government subsidy towards the cost of prospecting the claim and asking if the council could see its way towards making a small grant per foot on driving in connection with prospecting work. Cr. McGuire said that the company was a local one, and he proposed that the council contribute 3s 6d a foot up to 400 feet. In his opinion the site was one of the best in the goldfields, and he felt sure the prospects warranted the expenditure.

Cr. Morgan seconded, saying that the benefits likely to accure to the district and Paeroa, if the mine proved payable, were very large. In reply to Cr. Corbett the chairman said that the money would come out of the general fund. INCREASED WATER SUPPLY. Five settlers on the Old Te Arolia Road requested that a 3in water-pipe be laid across the road to their properties in place of the present pipe, which was inadequate for carrying the water supply required. The chairman explained that owing to the recent flooding making a portion of the roatl impassable the present pipe was not large enough. The matter was referred to the engineer, with power to act. MOTOR DRIVERS’ LICENSE FEES. Cr. P. Corbett said that his attention had been drawn to the fact that some motor drivers domiciled within the county had taken out licenses at Waihi, and he thought that the town clerk at. Waihi should be advised that the license fees should be paid to the county. The clerk said that he would look into the matter. Arising out of the matter, Cr. Robinson suggested that revenue was being lost through the examiner (Cr. Johnstone) living so far out of the town. The chairman agreed, and suggested that the council should appoint a local resident to the position. Mr E. Shaw was appointed to examine in conjunction with Cr. Johnstone. WAITETE BRIDGE. In answer to Cr, McGuire the clerk said that the council had paid its first contribution of £175 towards the cost of erecting the bridge over Waitete Stream, Paeroa-Waihi road, and the matter was now in the hands of the Public Works Department. • Cr. McGuire said that the motorcars were still using the temporary structure, and he was afraid that iuither accidents were possible unless something was done. Cr. Morgan thought, the Public Works Department ishould be pressed to push on with the erection of the new structure, and this Was agreed to. KOMATA NORTH ROAD. Cr. Morrison remarked that s'ome metal was urgently required on the Komata North road. Cr. Robinson agreed, and drew attention to the fact that several reads in the Kaimanawa area were in need of patching. The matter was referred to the engineer, with power to act. CLASSIFICATION OF ROADS. The question of classifying main roads for heavy traffic w,as referred to the chairman and engineer to bring down a report, at the next meeting. CARTAGE OF POLES. Cr. Corbett said that. the Public Works Department was commencing to cart 4i2ft poles from Waikino to Tauranga by means of timber waggons and house teams. It was resolved to ask the department to postpone the contract until the summer and give an undertaking that all damage done to the roads would be made good. The clerk stated that, notice had already been given that all haevy heavy traffic on the reads had been prohibited during the winter months. ACCOUNTS. Accounts totalling £1655 Os lid were passed for payment. DRAINAGE FACILITIES. Cr. Robinson pointed out that the 1 drainage facilities provided in the

lower Kaimanawa area had functioned very satisfactorily during the recent wet weather, and the sloping back of the western bank of the Komata North main drain had proved very beneficial. He considered that a further improvement could be effected by cutting doWn the eastern bank of the drain. The estimated cast of the work was £39. Cr. Morrison agreed, and it was resolved to authorise the engineer to have the work done.