OHINEMURI COUNTY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5219, 21 December 1927, Page 2

OHINEMURI COUNTY.

SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING.

CHRISTMAS GREETING EXTENDED

A special meeting of the Ohinemuri County Council was held thia morning, the chairman (Cr. H. M. Corbett) presiding over Crs. A. R- Robinson, F. Hands, F. C. Hubbard, W. F. Johnstone, R. R. Morrison, C- Mason, C. E. Mace, J. B. Morris, and Mr R. W. Evans (county clerk). WAIKINO DOMAIN.

A letter was received from the Waikino Domain Board asking for a donation towards its funds for the erection of a ladies’ rest-room. A request was also made for a quantity of metal to be placed at the entrance of the domain.

In moving that the request for metal be granted Cr. Mason said that, the newly formed board was doing good work and deserved to be encouraged. He thought the question of the rest-room might pe held over until the February meeting.—Agreed to. MANGAITI BRIDGE. Attention wtfs drawn by Cr. Mace to the werk being done on the traffic bridge over the .Waihou River at Mangaiti. Extensive work was being done by the Plako County Council and he wondered 1 if the Ohinemuri County Council had been advised. He thought, the Piako County might very well have advised the council. The bridge was doomed to removal, and it was questionable if the expenditure on repairs. was warranted. The chairman said that the bridge was under the control of the Piako County Council and the Ohinemuri County was called upon to pay approximately one-half of, the cost. No doubt the repairs were urgent, and the council had since been advised of the work being done. On the motion of Cr. Mace it was resolved to ask the Piako County Council to notify the Ohinemuri County Council before any extensive repairs were undertaken. SPEEDING IN GORGE. The danger created by the excessive speed at which motorists travelled through the Karangahake Gorge was referred to by Cr. Morris. He. said that only recently what might have been a serious accident was narrowly averted. The rate at which some motorists travelled was unrea-i sonable, and he thought the council should interest itself in the matter with a view to checking speeding. Cr. Johnstone pointed out that the new motor regulations would be available shortly. Cr. Robinson considered that the practice of speeding in the gorge was. a positive danger to all concerned. Some action should be taken, and he suggested that a speed trap might be set and offending motorists taken to court. The chairman s.aid he agreed with the remarks of the speakers. As soon as the new motor regulation/, were available the council would have power to amend its by-laws and in/ sist on a reasonable rate of speed being observed. , SEASONAL GREETINGS. .• In extending Christmas and New Year greetings to the councillors the chairman said that he thought they could look ovex the work carried out during 1927 with a certain amount of satisfaction. It had, of course, not been possible to do everything that had been asked of the council, but it had been a full year and the council had done its best. There was still a. great deal to be done. In his opinion the members could look forward to the new year with a feeling of optimism. Conditions were undoubtedly im-' proving, and the prospects looked brighter for the future. During the year he had been practically all over the county, and the settlers had passed through a lean period but were now looking forward with hopq and confidence to the future. The chairman counselled the members to ‘‘keep their peckers up,” and to do all they could to assist the settlers. A special tribute was accorded the clerk (Mr R. W. Evans), who was affectionately referred to as “our old and respected friend.” The council’s staff throughout had given faithful service during the year, and the chairman said he hoped they would enjoy a merry Christmas-and a happy and ejnjoyable holiday. Seasonal greetings were also extended to the local Press, which was thanked for its helpful work during the year.

CHAIRMAN CONGRATULATED. On behalf of the members Or. Robinson acknowledged the chairman’s greetings, which, he said were heartily reciprocated. He offered congratulations to the chairman on his successful year of office, and emphasised the fact that his decisions had been fair and impartial, and that he had done his best for each riding. Reference was also made to the harmony that had existed during the year, and he thought the chairman wag to be congratulated on his tact, ability, and willingness at all times to co-operate and render assistance. It was hoped that the chairman and his wife and family would ejnjoy a good Christmas and a well-earned holiday.