HAURAKI PLAINS COUNTY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5217, 16 December 1927, Page 3

HAURAKI PLAINS COUNTY

MONTHLY COUNCIL MEETING.

ROADING LOANS. The monthly meeting of the Hauraki Plains County Council was held at Ngatea yesterday, the chairman (Cr. E. L. Wai ten) presiding over Crs. J. C. Miller, H. H. Hicks, W. Madgwick, C. Parfitt, C. W. Harris, J. A. Reid, A. L. Fisher, F. J. Mayn, the clerk (Mr E. A. Mahoney), and the engineer (Mr F. Basham). / METALLING ROAD. / The chief drainage engineer, Mr R. G. McMorran, wrote advising that the first section of the Ngatea-Kaihere Landing road—that from the Puhanga bridge to the Torehape road—would be fit for metalling this summer. On the next section .'two large slips had occurred, and the rebuilding would take some time. Every endeavour would bo made to have the section ready for metalling next summer. It would be realised that it, was impossible to give definite dates for work in such unstable country, but everything possible would be done to carry out the promise that the metalling could be connected to Kaifiere during the 1928-29 summer.

The chairman said he had interviewed Mr Macmorran recently on the subject, with a view to getting a statement to reply to the rumours that the road could be metalled this summer. - ROAD LOAN FOR NGATEA. lOn the motion of Cr. Walton the council decided to apply to the Local Bodies Loans Board for permission to raise a loan of £5OOO for the purpose of (metalling the following roads in the Ngatea riding: Rawerawe Canal Reserve, Orchard West, Puhanga Canal east and west side ; and the west part of the Ngatea-Kaihere road. The rating area would be the whole of the Ngatea riding except the properties within the boundaries of the Kaihere-Torehape roads loan rating area and sections 5 and 6, Block V., Waihou Survey District. PATETONGA ROADING. The lands, drainage engineer, Kerepeehi, wrote advising' that he had been informed by the Public Works Department that authority for the expenditure of the Government subsidy for the metalling of the main Patetonga road could not be issued until the council had raised a loan for its quota. For this reason the metalling Of the 49 chains and the reclaying, which was part of the main road scheme, could not be undertaken. A considerable amount of work would be necessary for the development of the quarry before any metal could be laid. On the motion of Cr. Mayn the clerk Was instructed to write to the Local Bodies Loans Board .and ask for an early reply to the application for the loan. TOREHAPE METALLING. The resident engineer of the Public Works Department wrote asking for the usual resolution by the council agreeing to maintain the l TorehapeKq|fiere road when metalled. - The resolution was adopted. MAUKORO BRIDGE. Cr. Mayn reported that the. resident Public Works engineer had agreed to his representation that the department should build the Maukoro bridgeIt • was decided to ask the Piako County Council to approve of this course. ABATTOIRS. The Farmers’ Veterinary Club, Ngatea wrote urging the need for establishing abattoirs in the county. Cr. Madgwick said that it was h. good idea to have all meat inspected, but when the Hauraki bridge was opened the Thames Abattoirs could be used. The chairman said it would be harsh to compel all butchers to utilise the central abattoirs. Crs. Harris and Mayn thought the idea a good one, but premature. It was. decided to defer consideration. SALE OF TRAM-SLEEPERS. Only one tender was received for the purchase of second-hand totara sleepers, .and this, was not accepted, the engineer being instructed to sell privately. ’ WATER SUPPLY WORKS. Cr. Madgwick complained that the Water Supply Committee did not report to the council. The chairman stated that the comt mittee would be able to present a report shortly. Just at present the committee was in the midst of getting the water available. FINES COLLECTED. The Treasury Department advised that £ll had been remitted to the council’s bank on account of fines and penalties collected at the Magistrate’s Court. THIRD-PARTY INSURANCE. Representatoins urging that legislation be enacted making third-party insurance by all motor owners compulsory; as advocated by Mr H. H. Thompson, of Wellington, were not supported until further information was received, Councillors expressing a dbubt that the premiums might be considerably more than the £2 statedSLAUGHTERHOUSE LICENCED. Adams Bros., were granted a slaughterhouse license. PAYMENT OF WAGES. It Was decided to pay all wages and contract moneys due before Christmas. WATER SUPPLY LOAN. The Bank of New Zealand wrote advising that the Minister of Finance had Authorised a rate not exceeding 1 on the overdraft for the Hauraki Plains West water supply' loan. CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS. It was agreed that the county office be closed for a fortnight at Christmas, and that the January meeting of the council be held on the 19th. ? GREETINGS. Prior to declaring the meeting closed the chairman- expressed pasonal greetings, which were reciprocated i by the councillors. ) ]