OHINEMURI COUNTY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5247, 5 March 1928, Page 3

OHINEMURI COUNTY.

MONTHLY COUNCIL MEETING.

ROUTINE BUSINESS.

The monthly meeting of the Ohinemuri County Council was held at Paeroa, on Thursday, the chairman (Cr. H. M. Corbett) presiding over, Crs. C. Mason, W. F. Johnstone, J. B. Morris, C. E. Hands, R. R. Morrispn, C. E. Mace, F. C. Hubbard, and Messrs L- E. Shaw (acting engineer) and R. W. Evans (clerk). ' TIMBER-FLOATING LICENSE.

The Department of Lands and Survey, Auckland, wrote reminding the council that the Waitawheta Timber Co., Ltd., held a timber-floating license over the Waitawheta River. Application had been made by the company to the department for cancellation of the license and release of the bond, but before taking any action in that direction the department desired to know if the council- had any objection to the proposal. The chairman said that the council ■had no reason to withhold the releasing of the bond, provided all damage Was made good and, no' obstructions were left in the stream. Cr. Morris contended that the damming of rivers detrimental. It might not be apparent at the present time, but there would surely be damage done in years to come. Old ’stumps and big logs would cause slips and overflowing of the river.

The chairman suggested that the matter should be referred to the clerk with instructions that all obstructions be removed before the release was granted. It was finally resolved to hold the matter over until the next meeting sjo as to allow investigations to be made and also to inquire as to the conditions contained in the bond.

• ACCESS TO' STATION. The district engineer of the Public Works Department wrote in Connection with the re-opening of a road giving access to the Tirohia Yailway station. The department advised that a proclamation had been gazetted in January declaring the land comprised in that road to be Crown land subject to the Lands Act, 1924. The final step in connection with legalisation was be|ng taken by the Lands Department, and at its next Land Board meeting a resolution would be submitted, to have the road included on the record plans in terms of section ,101 (a) of the Public Works Act, 1908. Immediately the Land Board had approved of that procedure and action had been taken the council would be notified. In order that there might be no unnecessary delqy the clerk stated that he had written to the Railway Department asking that as soon as the legal formalities were completed gates across the road might be erected at once.

WAIHI-WHANGAMATA ROAD. The resident engineer of the Public Works Department, Paeroa, wrote in answer to - the council’s request that the department take river the deviations recently constructed on the Waihi-Whangamata road ih the Ohin'emuri County, and advised that the department desired to know how long the council anticipated being unable to finance tlie maintenance, or, in other words, when did the council expect the development of the district to be such that it could take over maintenance. The department desired an . early reply in order that maintenance arrangements c°uld be placed upon a definite footing. On the motion of the chairman it . was resolved to reply that the council 'would be prepared to take over the road’in three years’ time, provided the progress of the district warranted the expenditure and maintenance which would be involved; the whole matter to be reviewed. at a later date.

FERRY ROAD DRAIN. The following letter from the Minister of Public Works was forwarded by Mr A. M. Samuel, M.P. “I am in receipt of your letter, with which you enclose a letter from the Ohinemuri County. Council urging that an early reply be given to its previous representations regarding the Ferry drain at Hikutaia. In reply I have to inform you that the matter has not been overlooked, but has been receiving attention for some time past. Considerable information is available, but it was my desire to discuss the position further with Mr A. J. Baker, inspecting engineer of my department, who is well acquainted with the-locality. So s°on as a suitable opportunity occurs the matter will receive further attention and you will be advised of the decision arrived at.”—Receved.

TIROHIA TRAMWAY. On tlie motion of Or. Mace it was resolved to write to the Tirohia QUarry Co. and ask that it keep the tramway crossing in a better condition. , The approaches on either side were in a rough condition, and it meant an unnecessary bump for cars to cross the rails. The chairman suggested that the company should be asked bo put the rails across the road at a better angle. FOOTPATH AT WAIKINO. A letter was received! from the Waikino School Committee drawing attention again to the serious state of the footpath leading from the Waikino hall to the public sphool Cr. Mason explained the position and urged that something should b® done to give relief. / The matter was referred to the engineer with a recommendation' that it be given attention as early as possible.

drainage at karangahakeOr. Morris drew attention to the question of the road drainage from the railway tunnel at Karangahake. A larger water-table was required, and it was a matter that was becoming a source of danger. He thought the Railway Department might be approached and asked to- make a contribution towards the cost of installing a large pipe, or, as an alternative, the deepening of the existing water-table. The matter, was referred to Cr. Morris and the engineer.