OHINEMURI COUNTY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4862, 7 August 1925, Page 3

OHINEMURI COUNTY.

MONTHLY COUNCIL MEETING. ' The monthly meeting of the Ohinemuri County Council was held at Paeroa yesterday afternoon, the chairman (Cr. W. F. Johnstone) presiding over the following: Crs. S. H. Morgan, A. R. Robinson, F. C. Hubbard, A. D. McGuire, P. Corbett, H. M. Corbett, R. R. Morrison, the clerk (Mr R. W. Evans), and the engineer (Mr E. Shaw). WAIHI-WHANGAMATA ROAD. In reply* to a letter from the council pointing out the position of the Waihi-Whangamata road so far as settlement and rates were concerned, and in which it was urged that as maintenance was proving ,a burden on the council, the road be declared a Government road, the Minister for Public Works replied that the matter had been carefully gone into. He pointed out that the maintenance ’o( roads was primarily the function of a local body, and- it was only in most exceptional cases that roads were declared Government roads and the maintenance attended to by the department. So far as the road under review was concerned there appeared to be no unusual circumstances which would warrant it being declared a Government road, and it was thercr fore regretted that a favourable reply cbuld not be given. It -was resolved to refer the matter back to the Minister and point out that a large portion of the road passed through Crown sections, and that' the only revenue accruing to the council was the rates of one settler. It was decided to also bring the matter before the member for the district. VALUATION ROLLS. The Valuer-General, in response to the council’s- request, advised that the revision of the valuation rolls for the county would receive attention in due course. ‘ ~ CARTAGE OF POLES. The district electrical engineer bf the Public Works Department advised that the erection of the electric line between Waikino and Katikati was regarded as too urgent to permit of delay. Although the department did as much construction work as possible during the summer months, it was not practicable to suspend operations entirely during the winter. With regard to giving an undertaking to put the roads in good repair when the carting of polep was completed, 'the matter had been referred to the department’s head office. CADMAN ROAD. The resident engineer of the Public Works Department advised that the'application -for the erection of a permanent bridge over the Cadman Road drain was being considered in connection with this year’s estimates. MATAORA RATING AREA. Mr H. Poland, M.P., advised that he had interviewed the superintendent, State Advances Office, in connection with a proposal to borrow £ll5O for work on the Waihi-Whangamata road within the Mataora special rating area, and had been informed that there was no chance of getting the money -this year. If the work was urgent the writer suggested that application might be made to the Public Trust Office though the rate of interest would be 6 per cent., as against 5% per cent, at the State .Advances Office; ’

Cr. Robinson said he thought that the extra per centage would be too much of a burden on the ratepayers concerned. Cr. P. Corbett moved that a copy of the letter be circulated among the settlers in the rating area asking for an expression of opinion as to whether they were prepared to. accept the responsibility of the extra percentage. Seconded by the chairman and cairied. INCLUSION OF LAND. The Waihi Borough Council wrote asking the council to approach the Tauranga County Council for its consent to have that portion of the Tauranga county facing the Waihi Beach Road placed in the Ohinemmuri County, with a view to having the rates expended on the completion 'of the road. Tauranga County ratepayers freely used the road, and it wajs considered only fair that the rates collected should be expended on the road. The letter pointed out that the Waihi Beach resort was being largely used by residents of the bhiriemuri County, and it was desired to have that body’ assistance In completing the road as early as possible. Cr. P. Corbett said he did not sec why the council should take over the area and hand the rates to the Waihi Borough Council. It would be better for that body to approach the Tauranga County Council and ask for the rates to be spent on the road. He moved that the matter be referred to the chairman, riding member, and engineer for a report; CONFERENCE OF COUNTIES. The secretary of the Counties’ Association forwarded a copy of the minutes of the conference of county councils held at Hamilton on July 16. In a covering letter it was pointed out that as the measure of success attained would be wholly proportionate to the assistance and support afforded! by affiliated counties, the provisional executive would be plpased to have an assurance of support for the association and requested that resolutions confirming the decisions of the conference be passed and forwarded to the Ministers concerned, and afeo to the district member of Parliament. It was decided to join the association and approve of the resolutions. Cr. W. F. Johnstone was appointed the council’s represetnative. ROYAL SHOW. The secretary of the Auckland A. and P. Society advised that the society had been successful in getting tlie Royal Show Council to hold the 1926 RoyaL Show at Auckland. An appeal was made to get members to link up with the show and become

members by paying an annual subscription °f £1 I s - A request was also made to farmers to consider the advisability of exhibiting their pedigree stock. The chairman said that the association was to be congratulated on getting the honour for Auckland. A-s a body the council could do nothing, but it was agreed that members individually would do their best to assist the project along. MINING ASSISTANCE. The secretary of the Imperial GoldMining Co., Ltd., wrote thanking the council for its assistance a,t the Qite of 3s 6d a foot up to 4'ooft of driving on the company's claim at Karangahake. LIBRARY GRANT. Application was made by the secretary of the Ohinemuri Public Library, Paeroa, for the grant usually made by the council, and hi support drew attention to the fact that the Karangaliake branch library was growing steadily. The usual amount of £5 was granted. ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to £1494 17s 9d were passed for payment.