COUNTY CHAIRMEN.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5130, 25 May 1927, Page 2

COUNTY CHAIRMEN.

OHINEMURI COUNTY.

CR. H. M. CORBETT RE-ELECTED,

The annual meeting of, the Ohinemuri County Council was held at noon to-day, there, being present Crs. H. M. Corbett, A. R. Robinson. W. F, Johnstone, F. C. Hubbard, C. Mason, R. R. Morrison, C. Hands, and C. E. Macc. The clerk (Mr.R. W. Evans) presided, and after explaining that the meeting was a statutory one called for the purpose- of electing a chairman. he invited nominations for that position.

Cr. W. F. Johnstone nominated <TCorbett, the retiring chairman, and Cr. Hands seconded.

There being no further nominations Cr. Corbett was declared duly elected, and took his seat amidst hearty applause-. Tn returning thiinks Cr. Corbett said that he was deeply appreciative of the lionour conferred upon him for a further term. He thought that having held the position for 12 months, and the fact that he had received the support of his colleagues, align red well for the future. During the past 12 months he had made- an honest endeavour to be scrupulously fair to ail districts and sections of ratepayers, and he would continue to do what he thought to be. fair and right.

He wished to congratulate the councillors on the work done by them for their respective ridings, and thanked them sincerely for the- assistance, and co-operation extended to him. ft was also a matter for congratulation that the finances of the county were so sound. The council had to face thedifficulties which loomed ahead, chief of wlvch was the upkeep of, main highways, the cost of which showed a large increase to local bodies in spite of assistance from the Main Highways Board. On scanning the figures since 1914, the chairman said, in spite of the assistance given by the board it was found that the cost of maintenance of the Paeroa-Waihi main highway had increased by 20 per cent. In 1914 the council bore the whole cost of upkeep, whereas at the present time it was relieved by the board to a certain extent; but even so. the cost was still great, ami was almost beyond the re-sources of the council. The public was only too prone to point out that the- council was' now receiving assistance from the board, and therefore the road should be- in perfect order : but little was it realised how the- cost of maintenance had increased. Tt was reasonable to suppose that other highways in other counties were similarly feeling the increased cost. In iii.s opinion representations should be made to have the Paeroa-Waihi main highway declared a Government road. The highway was called upon not only to bear ordinary motor traffic, but also had to carry an extensive ’bus service, which was causing serious damage- to the road in question. The Government required the road to be kept up to a specific standard, but it was proving a burden to the ratepayers, and it was the duty of the Government to assist more liberally. In conclusion the chairman said he hoped the councillors would continue to push on progressively with the work of the county, and he would look forward to a successful and happy term of office. HAURAKI PLAINS COUNTY. CR. E. L. WALTON RE-ELECTED. Cr. E. L. Walton was re-elected unopposed as chairman of the Hauraki Plains County Council to-day for the second successive term on the. motion of Cr. J. C. Miller, seconded by Cr. J. A. Reid.