COUNTY WORKS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5448, 15 July 1929, Page 4

COUNTY WORKS.

HAURAKI PLAINS OPERATIONS. REPORTS FOR THE MONTH. The following monthly reports from its officials were received by the Hauraki Plains County Council at its monthly meeting on Thursday : ENGINEERING. Main Highways. “Pokeno-Waihi.—This road has been graded and patched where necessary. Portions between Dalgety’s corner and Ngatea have been refaced. Good progress is being made with the haunching, and the cross-camber of the road is being considerably improved thereby. Several bad slips have occurred on the road side of the drains in front of M$ Stretton’s property at Waitakarurun. It will probably be necessary to take some protective measures to protect the roadway. I am expecting Mr Bryant to commence delivery of shingle shortly.” In reply to Cr. Motion the engineer said that the hattd? of the drain had been made much easier than it had previously been Cr. Motion expressed the opinion that the batter had not been made flat enough The engineer and riding member were given power to act in the matter. “Pokeno-Thames.—The road has been graded and patched. Haunching is in progress. A start has been made on the surfacing of the Kopu bridge approach with red metal. When carting is finished I propose to grade in the metal and roll same. “Orongo-N etherton.—The contractor has commenced work on Ansford’s Drain extension bridge and expects to finish in about eight days. The small bridge nearer Turua has been widened four feet, and is now in alignment with the metal. The road has been patched and is in fair order.” In reply to Cr. Fisher the engineer said that the various sorts of gravel ordered by the council would be tried out throughout the country. At present he was endeavouring to complete the supply of red metal before transferring the plant to use the other gravels. Kaihere Bridge. “The swing bridge at Kaihere has been repaired, ad now appears fit to carry foot passengers. The cost was £lO. “Rawerawe Road.— Complaints have been made about the culvert over the main drain near the wharf on this road. The approach to the culvert is very difficult from both ways. The culvert is fairly old, and has been patched and propped up from time tb time, but appears likely to last for a year or so longer. If the question of substituting pipes arises I would suggest using Arnco iron pipes, sft inside diameter. The cost would be about £90.” The chairman said that a settler had asked for repairs. Cr. Motion explained that one end had sunk. The timber was sound. The engineer and riding member were given power to deal, w'fih the matter. “Waitakaruru-Morrinsville Road.--The portion of this road kown as Vinson’s Flat is again almost impassable, and unless a considerable sum is expended on cither a deviation or a filling I am afraid the same state of affairs will exist every winter.” The engineer said, in reply to questions, that the creek had burst its stop-bank, and this should be repaired next summer. It would be a waste of money to lay more fascines. Nothing could be done to make the road passable for cars this winter. The riding member and engineer were authorised to inspect the road. INSPECTION. The inspector, Mr W. White, reported as follows: — “Noxious Weeds.—Formal notice has in one instance been served on the owner of land where previous requirements have, not been met.” , The chairman mentioned that the Ratepayers’ Association had passed a resolution urging the council to enforce the Noxious Weeds Act, particularly concerning blackberry on native land in the Waitakaruru riding and alongside the roads. The inspector said that about 60 notices had been served, and in most cases the blackberries had been cut. “Buildings.—Permits for the following have been issued during the month t Two houses, one extension to dwelling, one garage, and three outhouses, to the total cost of *£lsoo. “Cattle Straying. —Three persons have been cautioned for this offence. Eleven horses and 15 other head of stock have been impounded by the ranger at Ngatea. “General. —I have interviewed, the owners of the sections at the coiner of Hopai East and the main road respecting the pruning back of the trees growing there, so ‘hs to give greater visibility, and have received a promise that this work will be done,” Cr. Parfitt drew attention to the willows growing at the corner leading from the main street in Ngatea to the dairy factory.

The inspector said that the matter would be attended to.

FINANCE

The treasurer, Mr E. A. Mahoney, reported as follows :— “Rate Arrears. —Notices have been served on all ratepayers who are in arrears with their rates, but the response to date has been poor. It is a noticeable fact that a certain section of the ratepayers of this country seem to remain permanently in arrears by one year, and in fairness to those who pay promptly, whatever their circumstances, I propose to sue immediately all who have not made satisfactory arrangements to bring their arrears up to date.

“Public Works Department Subsidies.—At a meeting of the Auckland branch of the Institute of County Clerks, held on Friday the 28th ultimo, the question of subsidy under the automatic allocation was discussed by the clerks. While the institute

recognises that it has no right to dictate in the matter, it was thought that the clerks might bring it before their respective councils with a view to the councils taking united action. The position at present seems to be that a sum of money is voted by Parliament annually for allocation to councils. Many councils are not in a position to lift their full subsidy voted in some years, and these unexpended or unlifted sums are retained by the Treasury. Other councils, notably this one, are in a position to lift subsidy far in excess of their allocations, and to economically carry out their programmes of subsidised works are compelled to expend the full cost from their general accoiints and wait until the next or succeeding years for subsidy. Where a council lifts more than its allocation in one one year it is often treated as an advance on the next year’s allocation. The principle involved is whether the Treasury should or should not be prepared to expend the full vote, and whether any unlifted subsidy should not be redistributed to those counties urgently in need of further subsidy.

“This is a matter which intimately concerns this council. The County Clerks’ Association unaimously decided that its secretary should circularise all clerks and ask that they should report to their councils, with a view to the councils themselves taking action through the Counties’ Association. “Legal Advice.—As the council has not appointed a solicitor to act for it I would appreciate the council’s instructions as to who is to be employed as legal adviser. At the present moment there are two legal matters requiring attention, namely, West water supply by-laws, and the taking over of the wharves.”

The council decided that it did not require a full-time solicitor, but that> the matters mentioned should be referred to Mr E. L. Walton.