WAITAKARURU AFFAIRS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5405, 27 March 1929, Page 4

WAITAKARURU AFFAIRS.

RATEPAYERS’ ASSOCIATION. FIRST GENERAL MEETING. The Waitakaruru Ratepayers’ Association held its, first, general meeting on Monday evening at the Waitakauru Hall, Mr M. Evitt presiding over a good attendance, including Crs. p. W. Pa’.fitt and C. W. Harris, riding nwpnbers, and members, of the New Brighton Progressive Association.

The meeting had been called to hear the county chairman, Mr E. L. Walton, explain the county main roads scheme, which had turned down by the council, but Mr Walton had advised that owing to- another ap-. point incut he was unable to attend. It, was agreed that the. committee arrange another date. HON. RANSOM’S VISIT.

Mr C. Adams reported! that together with Mr G. Coxhead he ha.d approached the Minister of Public Works with reference to the proposed drainage scheme anti in connection with Miranda Ro»i

•Mr C- Hayward imported having pointed out to the Minister the state of the- Waitakaruru Stream canal as well as was possible considering the weather. The Minister had'promised to ascertain how much had collected from the area in rates and how much had been expended by the Lands Department Mr A. Wyllie reported, that the Minister had promised to look into the question of making a grant for the Mabutu Road! bridge at Hudson’s. MIRANDA ROAD. Mr C. tV. Hanis also reported on the deputations to the Minister. The main item was the metalling of a mile and a-quarter of Miranda Road, for which purpose a £2 for £1 subsidy was required provided it was excluded from the amount of Government money automatically allocated to the countyHe had advised the Minister that the riding was prepared to have its genera] rate increased by %d lor onc yejM’ as its share. Mr A. England, of the New Brighton P ogressive League, also reported on the matter, and mentioned that he had learned that the Waikato Council proposed doing its section of the road. POUARUA ROAD. C'r. C. W. Parfitt stated that on his advice; a deputation had not waited on the Minister in regard! to a subsidy for Pouarua Road, as it would not be possible for the council to lift it even if granted. PJPIROA BRIDGE. 11) regard to the Pipiroa bridge, Cr. Parfitt said he had not been approached. He wa.s not in fvour of a deputation to Cabinet Ministers on the subject until such time as the County Council had set its house in order. It had not yet been possible to define a rating area, it was his intention to move at the next meeting of the council that the profit from the Pipiroa ferry Jje : se,t. aside as a. fund to build the bridge, if the present income was maintained the bridge could be built in four or five years without a rate being necessary. ROADSIDE DRAINSThe wisdom of widening thq Boom Road drains and utilising the. spoil to widen the main highway was brought up by Mr J. Motion. Cr. Harris said; that the drains had no owner. They were put in, by the Lands Department, but that department declined to clean, them. They 'v,cr<; partly on the road and partly private land. He would put the matte: to the council. Cr. Parfitt supported tihe suggestion, and said that the Highways Board was prepared- to subsidise launching of roads. The council, would hare t« lay one-third of the cost. In connection with drainage the council had to move caregully, f<jr fear, of creating a. precedent applicable to the whole of the county. MINISTER OF LANDS. Mr C. Adams mentioned that, he had been advised by Mr A. W. Hall, M.P., that the -Minister of Lands proposed visiting, the electorate during the third week in April. -Members, no doubt, had many matters of public interest to bring, up, a,nd it would be advisable for the. association to discuss the matters. The .Minister of Lands had control of the canal, and tlip settlers should, commence organising. OFFICERS. Ml- H. F. Putiitjl was appointed president of the association, and Mr C. Adams vice-presi dent. Mr H. A. Torr wrote tendering his resignation as treasurer. The resignation was accepted with reg/et, Mr Adams explaining that Mr Terr eon>sidcied that th<» position should be filled by a. member in. closer touch with the officers. Mr T. Evans was appointed, and with the sec.ret.ar’’ was authorised to sign cheques. Mr Adams expressed the opinion that tlit" executive committee as at present constituted did net fully >epresent, all parts of the district, and about six marc members should be appointed. It was agreed to increase the number to 19. seven to form a quorum, and .Messrs H. E. Purnell, C. -H. Waite, A. B. McDonald, T. Evans, .M. Evitt, F. Pinchess, and J. Poland were elected. RULESA copy ef. the rules of the Tuma Ratepayers’ Association 1 was received and was referred to a. Committee com-, prising Messrs C. Adams;, C. A. Hayward, A. Hendqrson, J. Fagan, and- JMotion to be revised with 1 a view to adoption.

Vtltcs of tlianks to the chair aiid to the councillors anfi visitors from New Brighton terminated the meeting;