HAURAKI PLAINS COUNTY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5040, 15 October 1926, Page 3

HAURAKI PLAINS COUNTY

MONTHLY MEETING OF COUNCIL. ROUTINE BUSINESS. The monthly meeting of Haurarki Plains County Council wap held at Ngatea yesterday, Cr. E. L. Walton presiding over Crs. H. H. Hicks, A. Fisher, J. A. .Reid, J. C. Miller, C. W. Parfitt, F. J. Mayn, and W. Madgwick. The clerk (Mr E. A. Mahoney) ajnd the engineer (Mr F. Basham) were also in attendance. REQUESTS FOR HIGHWAYS. The Ohinemuri County Council wrote seeking support for a request made to the Main Highways Board that the road from the Netherton ferry to the Kopu-Raglan main highway at Hikut.aia be declared a majn highway. Cr. Hicks moved that the Counnci’s representative on the District Council support the request. Cr. Madgwick opposed the motion on the score that in time it would militate against the request that the Netherton-Orongo road be declared a main highway. Cr. Miller sad he; would support the request on behalf of the district on the eastern side Of the river rather than on behalf of the Plains County. Cr. Walton also supported the request although he disagreed with the reasons given by the Ohinemuri County. The motion was carried. The Piako County Council wrote seeking support for a request that the Morrinsvilio-Waitakaruru road should be declared a main highway. Cr. Walton moved, and Cr. Miller seconded, that the Highways District Council be urged to declare the Mor-rinsville-Ngatea road, via Patetonga and Kaihere, a main highway. Cr. Mayn expressed regret that the matter had come up before the question of the deviation near Kaihere had been disposed of. The motion was carried. Cr. Milley, the council’s representative on the District Council, said that the matter would be considered next March. NETHERTON FERRY. The Ohinemuri County Council wrote with reference to thq negotiations in connection with the Wharepoa ferry and advised that the chairman’s negotiations with the Plains County Council had bee.n approved and endorsed, and that the Plains County Council was authorised to purchase the ferry from the Thames. County Council and maintain it at Netherton and retain all the profits for ten years. Th®, chairman said that he had been intel viewed by the chairman of the, Ohinemuri Council.

Cr.'Hicks urged that an undertaking be obtained from the Ohinemuri County Council that it would maintain the approach road, in reasonable order.

The council then went into committee to consider the financial aspect.

On standing orders being resumed it was decided that a committee comprising the chairman, Or. Fisher, and the engineer be appointed to negotiate with the Ohinemuli County Council and be authorised to accept the resolution provided theOhinemuri Council remained responsible for maintaining the road in good order. LAND FOR RAILWAY. The Public Works Department’s resident engineer at Paeroa advised that it was. necessary to obtain the consent of the council to the taking of a few feet of land in connection with the deviation of the Paero'aPokeno highway in the Waitakaruru ridiing.—Granted. STOCK ON ROAD. H. D. Jamieson, Kerepeehi, wrote advising that on two occasions in one week he had complained of stock being allowed to graze on county roads, and so far the nuisance had not been abated. He therefore desired permission to erect a fence du the road parallel with his boundary fence to prevent this, stock damaging his young hedge. He pointed out that stock was on the road daily, and that this state of affairs had existed for five years. The clerk reported that he had communicated with the inspector on receipt of the complaints, and each time the inspector had visited the road and found it free of stock. Cr. Fisher observed that certain hdrses belonging to Maoris practically lived on the road. The chairman moved that the request "be left in the hands of the engineer. This was opposed by Crs. Mayn, Fisher, and Reid, who argued that as a matter of principle fences should not- be permitted on county roiads. Stock should be kept off the roads. Cr. Parfitt said that if the. state of the road lent itself to fencing without detriment to the travelling public be would support the motion. The motion was carried on a five — three division. Cr. Madgwick moved that settlers be allowed to erect guard fences to protect hedges, provided the engineer was of opinion that the rights of the travelling public were not affected. Cr. Miller seconded. ’ Cr. Mayn opposed the motion, contending that hedges should not b® planted close to a road fence. Settlers ; should plant their hedges six or eight .feet back from the fence. In reply to Cr. Hicks the chairman said that the council might be liable for accidents occurring through vehi•cles running into such fences. The matter would depend 'on circumstances. Oh Cr.' Parfitt’s suggestion it was agreed to add to the motidn a clause 'to the effect that the engnee.r had’ power to order the removal of any; ,-such fence. , The motion was carried, Crs. Mayn, -Reid, and .Hicks opposing. ■ MAUKORO BRIDGE. ■54 Cr._Mayn complained of the> delay in -commencement of the work of f -c‘6hstrjivting the Maukoro bridge by 'tlie’PiakO'County Council, and on his -motion it .was decided to 1 again write .lon the subject.