OHINEMURI COUNTY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5023, 6 September 1926, Page 3

OHINEMURI COUNTY.

MONTHLY COUNCIL MEETING.

ROUTINE BUSINESS.

The monthly meeting off the Ohinemuri County Council was held oh Thursday last, the chairman (Mr H. M. Corbett) presiding over the following : Crs. W. F. Johnstone, A. R. Robinson, F. C. Hubbard, A. D. McGuire, R. R. MOrrison, C. Mason, O. E. Mace, C. Hands, and Messrs A. A. Jenkinson (assistant clerk) and E. Shaw (engineer). KOMATA STOP-BANKS. The resident engineer, Public Works Department, wrote in connection with the Komata Creek stop-bank severances and advised that the department could not accept' any liability in the matter of exchange of land severances, or for surveys in connection with them, as the Waihou and Ohinemuri Rivers Improvement Act prohibitedcompensajtion of any kind in respect to severances. The chairman said that the letter was in reply to an application for a survey from Mr J. Irwin. Cr. Hubbard said it was apparent that a claim could not be sustained, and the council could do nothing in the ma.tter. LOADING BANK AT WAIKINO. Mr A. M. Samuel, M;P., forwarded a reply from the Hon. Minister of Railways with reference to' an application for facilities for leading and unloading sheep at the Waikino Station. The Minister stated that reports to hand indicated that during the last twelve months the sheep traffic handled at Waikino and Waihi for settlers in the Waikino district had sliown a marked improvement. It had, therefore, been decided to porvlde the facilities deserved, and such would be made available as early aspossible.

Cr. Hubbard remarked that the council hpd barracked a long time for Ihe and it was gratifying to learn that the matter had been broughtfto a successful; conclusion.

The chairman : “Too right!”

LOANS BOARD BILL.

The N.Z. Counties’ Association forwarded the following resolution, and asked for its favourable consideration:—

“That while .the N.Z. Counties’ Association is not opposed to the supervision of borrowing powers as proposed in the Local Government Loans Bo'ard Bill, it is adxious that the operations of the propose.fi board will not unduly add to the administrative cost otf counties in complying with the board’s requirements or delay the carrying out of legitimate requirements of county areas. The association, however, is, of opinion, in view of-the large and important interests of rural communities' involved, that one. of the members tit the proposed board 'should be representative of county councils.” The association also pointed out that even if the Bill was not passed, Wan . proposal supervision might be. greatly'assisted if the Treasury investigated the finan&ial merits of each proposal, and submitted its report to local'bodies prior to the taking/ of any loan polls, and that a minimum percentage of the total votes on the roll used, must be recorded in favour of a loan proposal in order to carry it. It was resolved to endorse the action of the association and to support the resolution. PARAKIWAI BRIDGE. The Waihi Chamber of Commerce wrote urging the council toi taka up the Government subsidy in connection with the erection of the Parakiwai Bridge on the Waihi-Whangamata road, and pointing out that that road gave the inost conyement natural access to the settlers and -was the only ■ r.oad available for erected vehicular tfjafficl Until the bridge was erected, vehicular traffic could only pass along the road at lowtide. The chamber .also asked that the road deviation near Mr O. Bjerririg’s property should be proceeded with, and the offer made by two settlers to supply the labour be Availed of.

The chairman said that the bridge would connect tlie Oliinernuri and the Thames Counties. A sum tit £750 had appeared on previous estimates, but apparently the Public Works Department had not considered the sum sufficient. The amount had since been increased to £9OO, and it was understoodthat the department intended to undertake the construction of the bridge during the coining season. HOSPITAL LEVIES.

The Ohura County Council forwarded the following resolution aird aske,d W support . “That this council urge on the Rt. Hon., the Prime Minister, the necessity for some new system for raising money for public hospitals where-' by the public should help to maintain the hospitals., instead Of the brunt fall/ng on the ratepayers.” It was decided to support the proposal. WHAREPOA FERRY. The Thames County Council wrote advising, that’it proposed selling its half share in the, Wharepoa. ferry to "the Hauraki Plains County Council on the basis of a joint valuation. In the event of the Plains County purchasing, it was suggested that terms might be arranged for the acquisition erf that part of the plant required for the Netherton ferry.

Received, the chairman remarking that the councillors. could form their own opinions about the matter.

A RAMSHACKLE DWELLING. The county surfaceman at Mangaiti wrote asking that the council’s cottage, occupied by him should be repaired. He advised that it had been necessary for him to erect a. tent inside the front bedroom to keep cut the wind. Cr. Mace said that the structure was a “ ramshackle” old dwelling. Although it was a four-roomed house, it was poorly-biiilt, and very draughty. Considerable repairs were necessary, and the council would have to face the matter. to the engineer for a report.

REQUEST FOR REPAIRS. Mrs E. Lindsay, Waikino. wrote pointing out that the road leading to her property was unsafe for wheeled triiffic, anti requesting that repairs should be effected as soon as possible. On the. motion of Cr. Mason, the matter was referred to the engineer. MOTOR DRIVERS’ LICENSES. The Thames County Council wrote advising that it was prepared to enter into a reciprocal arrangement with regard tb the issuing df motor-drivers’ licenses, ft was suggested that the first adjustment should be made as a.t September 30; and thereafter at quarterly intervals-. MANGAI.TI BRIDGE. The chairman reported that he, together with the Piako County officials had made an inspection of the Mangaiti bridge, and there was no doubt that the present structure was- in a bad. concision, ?nd majntance and repair charges would be very heavy. The chairman said that he thought .it was time the position of. local bodies was considered by the Government. Work and heavy expenditure was frequently being forced on local bodies by the Public Woirks Depaitment. He thought thaf representations should be made to the department asking it to be,ar the whole cost of the bridge, or to at least reduce the amount which the council had been asked to contribute. A new bridge was necessary, and he would favour its erection provided the cost to the county could be reduced.