OHINEMURI COUNTY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5234, 3 February 1928, Page 3

OHINEMURI COUNTY.

MONTHLY MEETING OF COUNCIL. ROUTINE BUSINESS. The fnonthly meeting of the Olvne.muri County Council was held yesterday, the chairman (Cr. M. H. Corbett) over Crs. A. R. Robinsqjp R. R. Morrison, C. E l . Mace. C. B.T Hands, F. C. Hubbard, W. F. ; Johnstone, C'. Mason, and J. B. Morris. Mr R. W. Evans (county clerk) anJUdr E. L. Shaw (acting engineer) also in atendance. FERRY ROAD DRAIN. The Minister of Public Works wrote with referehfceWsthe council’s indication to have a flood-gate ejected on the existing Ferry Road drain, near Hikutaia, and advised that the request ;was receiving attention. Mr A. M. Samuel, M.P., aleo forwarded a letter in connection with the request and enclosed a copy of th 6 Minister’s letter. In a later letter the Minister advised that further information was‘ being nought and the Council would be advised of. the decision) arrived at- ’ OLD TE AROHA ROAD. The resident engineer of the Public Works Department, Paeroa, wrote ;with reference to the southern end of the Old Te Aroha Bend—and advised that the proposals submitted for expenditure had been considered by the department. Although. there was provision an the Intimates, for the formation 6f the ’deviation', the work did not appear to be of great urgency,, and bqfore the question of issue of authority received further attention it was desired -to know if the council had resolved to proceed with the application of a r subsidy. S The matter was referred to the engineer and clerk. ANNUAL BALANCE-SHEET. The Controller and Auditor-General advised that he had returned the bal-ance-sheet foir the county for the year ended March 31, 1927, and asked for \ a printed copy. ’ The chairman remarked that the was -quite satisfactory. ' MANGAITI BRIDGE. In reply to the council’s inquiry 7 the Piako County Council advised that the , repairs to the ’ Manga’ti bridge carried out recently were of an urgent nature as the settlers! could not get their milk to the factories. SECESSION FROM COUNTY. A petition bearing twenty signatures of. ratepayers in the Tairua riding of-the Thames county was received. The petitioners asked that thej council take such steps as were necessary to effect a transfer of their riding from the Thames to the Otiine- < muri county. In support of the request it was stated that the WaihiWhangamata Road was in the Ohinetoauri County, and on that account rAjnone of the rates paid were spent on roads. The whole matter was referred to the chairman and clerk. || Tjj? chairman stated that he <had made arrangements for the councillors to visit Whangamata on Saturday, February 11, when he hoped the members and Press would attend. There would be many matters that could be discussed with the settlers. USE OF SHED. A Hikutaia settler -wrote offering - to leiase for three months a small shed which belonged to the council. Cr. Robinson said that the shed might be required for the-use of the council at any time, and oh his recommendation it was decided to reply the requesLcould not be given efijct . to.- V i SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATESThe resident engineer, Public Works Department, wrote advising that an item of £2OO free grant had appeared on the Supplementary Esr timates for Dean’s Road, Waikino. REPAIRS TO ROAD. A petition was received from nine in the Karangahake riding asking that Old Te Aroha. Road be improved apd the culverts repairedA request was also made that the road be declared a subsidiary main 8 highway. Cr. Morris said that unquestionably the road required attention. Some of the settlers were doing their best to open up rough country and were deserving of help. y Johnstone endorsed the remarks of thq previous speaker. The chairman) explained the position, and said that the proposition was ’a difficult one and the bridges ivere certainly not safe in their present state. , -< Cr. Hubbard agreed, and thought that assistance should be given by the Main Jfiighways* Board. Probably a deviation would give relief. - , Cr. Johnstone agreed, arid said that th® road should be made a subsidiary highway, but in the meantime relief h.-.- should be afforded. ‘Or. Morris thought that a grant 1 should be made under the Mining ' Act. The chairman said the road, in its pfWsent state, was a dangerous* one, ■ and something would have to ba ddne. Cr. Robinspn said that from his expedience as the council’s representative on the district council of the Main Highways Board a guarantee would have to bq passed to have the road incorporated as a subsidiary highway. Funds were accruing from the pietrol tax, and although no mileage was considered, the need for repairs was urgent and he would be pleased to push the matter when it UP for consideration by the No. Council. Cr- Hubbard thought the matter ' was being rushed, because thqre were other roads which had an equal claim •'OTbelng classed as secondary highways* was finally resolved that application be jnade to liavq Old Te Aroha Road declared a secondary highway, together with other subsidiary roads 'in the county ; in the meantime the was instructed to report on the condition of affairs.