OHINEMURI COUNTY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4885, 2 October 1925, Page 2

OHINEMURI COUNTY.

MONTHLY COUNCIL MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Ohinemuri County Council was held yesterday afternoon, the chiarman (Mr W. F. Johnstone) presiding over the following : Crs. S. H. Morgan, F. C. Hubbard, P. Corbett, H. M. Corbett, R. R. Morrison, C. E. Mace, A. D. McGuire, the clerk (Mr R. W. Evans), and the engineer (Mr E. Shaw). CADMAN ROAD. In reply to representations the Under-Secretary, Public Works Department, advised that a grant of £2OO had been provided on this year’s estimates for the erection of a bridge over the canal at Cadman Road, Paeroa, and that the money was now available for expenditure. As the matter had been represented as being of an urgent nature the council was asked to undertake the! woqk in view of the department’s bridge gangs being fully employed at other points. The engineer stated that the position had been created by the department, and he thought the department should undertake the work. On the motion of the chairman it was decided to inform the department that owing to the amount of work on hand the council, could not undertake the erection of the bridge. CLASSIFICATION OF ROADS.

The chairman said that no reply Highways Council wrote advising that it was. proposed to introduce an additional clause under section 7 of the regulations as to the use of motor lorries. The additional clause would provide for the use on roads of any motor lorry which, with the maximum load it was licensed to parry, weighs ed not more than six tons. The clause would apply to all ordinary roads as well as main highways. The council was. asked to advise if the clause would affect its classification. It was stated that the alteration met with the wishes of the council. Cr. P. Corbett asked what was being done about the road classifications. The chiarman said .that no reply had been received from the Highways Board, and until approval was given of the classification the heavy traffic by-laws could not be enforced. PETITION FOR PRIVILEGES. The Goldfields and Mines Committee, House of Representatives, Wellington, forwarded a petition on behalf of Mr F. C. Sloan, farmer, Waitekauri, praying for assistance in the nature of mining privileges on his property of 309 acres at Waitekauri. The council was advised that if the matter affected it in any way the committee would be prepared to hear any evidence it might wish to tender. Mr H. Poland, M.P., also wrote in connection with the petition, and stated that in his. opinion it was not necessary for the council to send a representative to Wellington to give evidence. The chairman stated that the position had been fully explained to the committee. In answer to Cr. H. M. Corbett the chairman said that the rates had probably been paid to the Warden’s Court, but he could not say definitely. It was decided to take no further action pending a reply from the committee. VALUATION ROLLS. In respose to a request for a revision of the valuation ' roll for the Ohinomuri County, the Valuation Department wrote advising that the application, with similar had been lodged for consideration. The department pointed out that there was a limit, to the.amount of valuation work which could be undertaken in any year, and a selection was made of the most urgent cases. It was not possible to revise the valuation roll of the county this year. . WAIHI-WHANGAMATA ROAD. The Minister for Public Works wrote advising that he had carefully reconsidered .the request of the council, but was unable to alter his decision, and regretted, therefore, that the Waihi-Whangamata Road could not be declared a Government road and thus relieve the council, of the responsibility of‘maintenance. Spaisity of settlement and shortage of funds could not be accepted as cogent reasons, as such short-comings were common to many roads, and the council was not alone) in that respect. If the council considered that the extent to which Thames County ratepayers, used the road was such that it was unreasonable to expect Ohineniuri County ratepayers to bear the full cost of maintenance, then section 109 and 120 of the Public Works Act, 1908, provided a ready means of redress. The chairman said that it was apparently no use going, any further with the matter at present TIMBER ROYALTIES'.

The State Forestry Department advised that the council was not entitled to any proportion of the timber royalty from the .timber being cut by the Waitawheta Timber Co. The timber in question was sold to the company in June, 1923, and section 17 of the Finance Act, 1924, only applied to timber sold after April 1, ,1924. Cr. Morgan commented on the “hardness” of the department. WAIHOU RIVER SCHEME. The Treasury forwarded annual accounts for .the Waihou and Ohinemuri Rivers Improvement Scheme, and requested the council to forward an additional contribution amounting to £BB 2s sd. Amounts totalling £BB 2is 3d, being gold revenue due to the council for June and July, had been stopped as a set-off .against the shortage. . LOADING FACILITIES. Mr H. Poland, M.P., wrote suggesting that the council should get in touch with the Railway Department’s business ageir. when in the district concerning the loading facilities for sheep at the Waikino railway station. The chairmhn stated that the agent had already visited .tlie station, and after making inquiries had reported to his. department, that the amount of stock loaded and unloaded at the station did not wan,ant any additions or I

alterations at the present time. KOMATA QUARRY FENCE. Mr C. H. Price, Komata, wrote asking the council to agree to paying half cost of .the erection of the fence between the property of the writer and- the council’s quarry at Komata. ■ In reply to Cr. Hubbard Mr Evans ~ said that there was no clause in the lease providing for the provision of. a fenep. ~ Cr Hubbard .thought that something should be done to protect Mr Price. The matter was referred to the engineer. - , REQUEST FOR BRIDGE. The Whangamata Settlers’ Association wrote requesting the council to expedite the erection of the bridge over Parakiwai Stream at Whangamata.' The engineer explained that the matter really interested the Thames County and the Public Works Department. He thought that the Thames County Council should' be asked to erect the bridge. The stream was on the boundary of the two counties, and would be of small advantage to the one Ohinemuri County ratepayer. The council resolved ,to do what it could to assist the association. ’ STREET REPAIRS; A petition signed by eight residents requested that repairs should be effected to Princess; Street footpath, Waikino. Cr. Morgan said he had understood that the rates were to have been spent, on the road. He did not think .thecondition was as bad as the petition; stated. He would like to see the; grader go out and repair the worst; places. It was decided .to spend the rates; on the road and inform the settlers that the grader would work on the road as soon as weather permitted. TENDERS. The following tenders were accepted : For raising formation on PaerbaTe Aroha maiii road near Waitoki, Brenan and Co., Ltd., £225 ; metalling portion of road known as Trig Road (south end), Waihi, Brenan and Co., Ltd., £lOO. NEXT MEETING. In view of the prospect of the general election taking place during the first week in November it was resolved that the next meeting of the council be held on October 29.