OHINEMURI COUNTY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4995, 2 July 1926, Page 3

OHINEMURI COUNTY.

MONTHLY COUNCIL MEETING.

ROUTINE BUSINESS. The monthly meeting of the Ohinemuri County Council was. held yesterday. Owing to the unavoidable absence of the chairman (Cr. H. M. Corbett) Cr. A. D. McGuire presided, the following being present: Crs. C. Mason, A. R. Robinson, W, F, Johnstone, F. C. Hubbard, C. Hands, R. R, Morrison, C, E, Mace, apd the engineer (Mr E. Shaw) and the clerk (Mr R. W. Evans). WAITETE BRIDGE. The resident engineer, Public Works Dpartment, advised that in February last the cost of the bridge over the Waitete Stream on the Paeroa-Waihi main road was estimated at £llB9. It had not been anticipated at tha.t time that the department would attend to the approaches, and that item of cost wag not included in the estimate. The actual net cost df the bridge was £1203 17s 2d, while the approaches had cost £59 16s 10’d, making a total cost Of £1263 lite, which left a balance of £B3 14s to be provided for. On the, basis of the department finding half the cost and the Waihi Borough and Ohinemuri County finding the other half, a further contribution of £2O 18s 6d was required from the council.—Agreed to-PAEROA-KOMATA DRAINAGE. The Public Works resident engineer wrote in connection with the internal drainage of the Paeroa-Komata Creek area and advised that the Hon. Minister had agreed to charge that portion of the cost of the scheme, previously allotted to the settlers to the Waihou and Ohinemuri Rivers Improvement Scheme, on condition that the settlers themselves arranged for the carrying out at their own cost and to the department’s plans and specifications the extension o!f the work between the railway line ■and the Paerba-Thames main highway. The amount allotted to the council (£562 10s) would still be chargeable to the council. The. department, would proceed with its portion of the work immediately intimation was received that the council would provide the estimated cost, as above indicated.

Cr. Hubbard said that the council ha.d previously agreed to have' the work done, and on'his motion, seconded by Cr. Johnstone, it was decided togjve the necessary insurance. KAIMANAWA WHARF.

The resident enginer of the Public Works Department advised that the matter of damage to the Kaimanawa wharf, at Hikutaia, had been referred to the district engineer to take the necessary action with the Northern Stea.m Ship Co. A reply had been received from the district engineer to the effect tha.t the wharf was under the control of the council, and it would be necessary 'for the council to negotiate with the shipping company with reference to repairs. Cr. Robinson said that the council had unsuccessfully applied for permission to collect fees for wharfage, and had been led to believe that It was not the controlling authority. Now that damage had been done the onus was found to be on the council. He moved th-a.t the matter be taken up with the shipping company, with a view to having the damage repaired. The shipping company admitted liability. The motion was carried. BEACH ROAD. WAIHI. The Department of Internal Affairs for,warded a copy of the proclamation under the hand of .the Governor-Gen-eral making an alteration of the Borough of Waihi by the inclusion of the Waihi Beach reserve and the Waihi Beach road. Cr. Johnstone questioned the legality of the council continuing to contribute towards the maintenance of the. road, and it was decided to seek a legs,l opinion. MARKING VOTING PAPERS. The N.Z. Counties’ Association replied to a letter from the council relative to the system Adopted of marking voting papers at country ele'etions and advised that the matter had been placed on the agenda paper for discussion at the forthcoming conference. KOMATA NORTH FERRY. The Hauraki Plains County Council wrote advising that at a, conference of the Thames and Hauraki Plains county councils at Ngatea on June 7 it was definitely agreed that the Wharepoa ferry should be closed on June 13. As an outcome of the decision the Hauraki Plains County Council proposed to transfer a portion of the plant from Wharepoa, to Komata North, with a view to keeping ■A, service over the river open. Pending permanent arrangements, the removal of the plant was ohly of a temporary nature. It was suggested that the Ohinemuri County Council should renew its negotiations with the Thames County regarding, the purchase of its share off the Wharepoa, ferry plant. The matter was referred to the chairman for action. MOTOR DRIVERS’ LICENSES. The Piako County Council advised that arrangements whereby mot on drivers’ licenses might be issued from either office, irrespective of the licensee’s domicile, and the adjustment of 'fees to be made periodically, had been agreed to. LOADING BANK, WATKINO. Mr A. M. Samuel, M.P., wrote advising that the matter of sheep-loading facilities a,t Waikino had been placed before the Minister of Railways, who had been asked to accede to the request, or, 'failing that, to arrange a conference between a departmental officer and the county engineer to discuss the facilities asked for. A reply from the Minister would be forwarded in due course. RANGIORA ROAD. Mr W. R. Jones wrote asking for about 50 ya,rds of metal for repairs to Rangiora Road, Komata.—Referred to the Engineer. REQUEST FOR CULVERT. Mr C. Morton, Waihi, wrote pointing out that although a 'road had been

formed as far as Mr Leopold’s property, Waihi, access toh is own property had to be made through private property. He asked for a culvert across Morton’s. Road. —Referred to the engineer. OLD TE AROHA ROAD. Oh behalf Of the ratepayers on the old Te Aroha road Messrs Thbrp Bros, wrote drawing attention to the bad s'ate of the road for about 30 chains from the main road. It was suggested that the council should approach the Paeroa Borough Council in 'regard to haying that portion of the road put in a reasonable state of repair.—Referred to the riding members Ifor a report. MAINTENANCE MATTERS. Cr. Hubbard moved that 50 yards of metal be authorised for repairs to Hubbard’s Road.—Carried. The engineer was instructed to look into the question of effecting repairs to Vedder’s Road. FINANCE. Accounts totalling £1406 18s 4d on the general account, £27 10s 2d on the Paeroa, water supply account, and £l9 10s oil the cemetery account were passed for payment. The report of the finance committee stated that the bank overdraft was £753 0s 2d. Receipts Tor the month totalled £706 9s Id.