PROGRESS IN COUNTY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4972, 10 May 1926, Page 2

PROGRESS IN COUNTY.

CHAIRMANS ANNUAL REPORT. resume of work. At Thursday’s meeting of the Ohinemuri County Council the following report was submitted by the chairman (Cr. W. F. Johnstone) “Work has been carried on steadily during the year, and a general improvement on the roads within the county has been maintained, particullarly in regard to what are termed ‘side roa,ds’ as distinct: from main highways. The maintenance of the Latter is, in the face ever-increas-ing motor traffic, becoming a serious problem. It is obvious that if .the present increase, of that traffic is maintained a much greater proportion of the copt will have .to be borne by that tra,ffic. At ,the present time the motor traffic is, through the tyre tax and the annual, licensing of cars, providing 50 per cent, of the cost of the upkeep of the main roads. With the ever-increasing cost of maintenance local bodies are finding it extremely difficult, and at times impossible, to find the required proportion, with the result that urgent repairs are often unattended to. A rapid deterioration of the roads concerned is the ultimate result, for nowhere is the ojd adage ‘A sjtitch in time saves, nine,’ better exempt fied than in road maintenance.

“The Rural, Counties’ Association has decided to support the proposed .tax on petrol, and suggests that the; proceeds from such tax be apportioned to the local bodies. If such means, of raising revenue becomes, operative and the proceeds distributed as suggested, the difficulties; which at present confront local bodies would be greatly reduced. “During the past year, on our 27 miles of main reads we have spent a sum of £3375, which amount averages, £125 per mile of road. Proposals have been submitted to the Main Highways Board for an expenditure during the coming year for maintenance of main highways on a -£ for £ bacis: of £3925. The amount allocated to the various roads being: HhpiiltonPaeroa, £1350 ; Pokeno-Waihj, £l4OO ; Paero.a-Kopu, £1175. “With a view to lowering the maintenance charges, a matter for the incoming council to consider is the provision of what is generally termed' ‘summer roads’ wherever they can be constructed at a reasonable cost. That the travelling public would use such roads if provided is proved by the use which is made at present of the few short- stretches-that exist

. RATES. .“At April 1, 1925 there were rates outstanding amounting ,to £5344. During this, year an effort was made to collect as much as possible of this amount; a,nd as a result it was reduced by £2876. Approximately £5OO has, been written off as irrecoverable, and the amount oY rates now in arrears is under £2OOO. The amount of last year’s rates uncollected is £1575, of which we may safely assume the greater part will be P.ajd before the 10 per cent, penalty is imposed. With a return to stabilisation \>f values; and a continuance of prosperity among our ratepayers, 1 think the council may reasonably hope during the coming year to collect most <lf the arrears; apd see. the finances of the county 4n a sound' position-’’ SUMMARY OF WORK. “During the year 311 chains .of| roads have been metalled; as follows . Waihi riding, 121 chains; Waixino riding, 56 chains ; Kaimanawa riding, 40 chains; Paeroa riding, 18 chains; Mangaiti riding, 16 chains; formation work under the Main Highways Board at Waitoki, in the Mangaiti riding, 60% chains;

“New roads formed in the different ridings totalled 260 chains, as follows: Wdihi, 196 chajnfj; Waikino, 64'; and a further length of 320 chains has been regraded and improved. "Six bridges have been built, and 1366 cubic yards of metal were crushed with the council’s plant during February, March, and April.

PAEROA WATER SUPPLY. “The Pajeroa water supply account is in a very sound position. At .the present time the' credit balance is £312, and there is also a sum of £9OO on fixed deposit earning Interest, and to which the finance committee has added a further £lOO this morning. “When the Paeroa Borough Council .took over the wa.ter supply within its area in 1920 an agreement was entered into under which the borough paid the sum of £3OO a year for the supply olf water in bulk. Provision was made in the agreement for an increased payment as the consumption of water became greater. Since 1920 there ha's been a steady increase, in >the nupiber of houses within the-bor-ough. The Railway Department has erected 15 houses, and, I understand, more are to be erected in the near future. With \he restoration df licenses in July, and the possibility of an increase in the, present number of hotels, it is reasonable to expect an increase in the consumption of water. I An adjustment of the. price charged the borough will have to be considered by the incoming council, and I would re'eommend an increase, of approximately 17 per cent, .which would mean an increase, of £so* a year, which I feel sure must be regarded as a, reasonable increase.” APPRECIATION OF SERVICES. The chairman said that he algo wished to thanked his colleagues for their help and co-operation. It. had been his, first term in the position of chairma.n, and the way the members! had helped and supported him had been- very marked, .and he was grateful. A word of praise and thanks was also due to Mr R. W. Elvans and the staff for the loyal and efficient services performed. In his position he had been dependent on Mr Evans for a, great deal, of help and guidance, and Mr Evans’ services had at all times been given freely and gladly. The chairman said that he also desired to record the thanks of the council to the Hauraki Plains Gazette for its, full, fair, and impartial reports, of the council’s operations. The Press had been helpful in a great many ways, and, above all, he had

found it could be trusted. The 'chairman congratulated those councillors who had been returned unopposed, and to those who ha,d to fight an election he wished good luck and expressed the hope that they would all be returned again. On behalf of the members Cr. H. M. Corbett thanked the chairman tor ' his eulogistic references. He said that the council had on'ce again arrived'at the parting of the ways, a,nd he thought the members, could, congratulate themselves on a successful term of office. So long as a councillor could feel satisfied .that he had done his best tor .the ratepayers, whom he was privileged to represent, he did not think there was much to fear. He moved to the effect that the council place on record its -appreciation of the work done by .the--chajr-man during his term. The speaker said that it was impossible to please everyone. Speaking as an ex-chair-man, he said that it was a position that called for practical, judgment a. nd clarity of vision, and in moving the resolution he did so because he considered the tribute was well merited by the present chairman. The resolution was seconded by Cr. A'. R. Robnison and carried with acclamation.