KAWHIA COUNTY COUNCIL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 400, 30 September 1911, Page 6

KAWHIA COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the above Council was held in the Council Chambers on 16th inst., when there were present: —Crs W. J. Shaw chairman), A. W. Elliott, A. VV. Cabbage, J. Kearns, J. E. Noonan and G. G. Jonathan. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE. Kawhia-Marakopa River Road.--The district engineer asked the Council to forward plans and specifications for widening road at Managohinga Gorge. The Under-Secretary for Public Works also wrote to the same effect in view of the urgent necessity of opening up communication to the saieyards and factory.—The Minister for Public Works intimated that a sum of £SSSO would be placed on the Estimates for this road. —These letters were received. y

Metalling Kawhia-Mahoenui Road. ■ —The chairman explained that the application was for a progress payment, the difference in figures representing a portion which required slight regrading, and the metal was alreadystacked alongside the road. Stokes' contract was simply to deliver stone. The blinding material used was cf a nature that broke when weathered, leaving a few hard stones, which were being napped. Road Obstruction. The district engineer advised the Council that Mr Norton had erected a building and a gate, which was locked, on the road leading from Pakihi to Okete, and asked the Council to see that such were removed. —■Decided to forward a copy of the letter to Mr Morton, with a requestor an explanation.

Kihi Road. —The district engineer stated that subsequent to preparation of plans for widening this road instructions have been received from Wellington to include deviation recently surveyed, and he requested that plans be prepared giving effect to these instructions.

Manhgati Bridge.—Mr W. T. Jennings, M.P., enclosed a letter from the Hon. R. McKenzie, stating that the matter would receive consideration when framing the Estimates.

Taumatatotara West Road. —Several settlers on this road asked for the Counicl's support in a petition presented to the Minister for Public Works for sufficient money to widen this road. Decided to inform the petitioners that a substantial grant had already been applied for. Stock Road at Oparau. —Mr G. H. Mackenzie enclosed a letter from the Minister for Lands in reply to his request that a stock road be opened from Oparau to the saleyards.—Received.

Kihi Road Deviations. —A number of Te Kauri settlers requested the Council's co-operation in connection with their petition to the Public Works Department. —Cr Noonan pointed out that the signatories were not affected by the deviations proposed on the road. The road was constantly flooded and obstructed. Some of these settlers were new settlers and had never seen a flood. —The chairman stated that the suggestion of deviations had originated from the Public Works Department, and it would be impossible to prevent the matter proceeding; the whole question was in the hands of the Public Works Department. Decided to receive the letter and to take no action.

Road Grants. —Mr Jennings complimented the Council on the modesty of their applications for votes (some £22,000), which he would attend to. —The Council appreciated Mr Jennings' efforts, Kawhia Reclamation Work.—ijeve ra! letters were received from owners of sections adjoining the swamp area, all argeeing to contribute towards reclamation and drainage works. —The Department of Justice wrote for further particulars, Received.

Drill Shed. -The Defence Department requested the cooperation of the Council in providing accommodation for territorials and other assistance—Decided to assist as much as possible and offer the use of sheds when available. Lieut. Barton acknowledged the Council's action. Awaroa Road.' —Cr Babbage asked the Council to instruct the engineer to lay off work in the Awaroa district. —The chairman gave a brief review of his recent visit to Wellington. He thought it would not be unwise to anticipate grant with too great freedom. In view, however, of the promise of the Government to provide substantial grants, they could with safety lay off a fair proportion on all the main roads Dog Tax. —The clerk stated that some time ago the S.M. Court had held against the Council in exempting all natives Maori Councils, The Hon. A. T. Ngata had promised to introduce leigslation providing that, where the Maori Councils did not exercise their rights, he power should revert to the European locaj body. Decided to again bring the matter under the Minister's notice.

Approval of Plans.—The chairman moved that the district road engineer be requested to give the assistant district road enigneer power to approve all plans up to £250. —Carried. Money Order Office. —Cr Kearns moved to forward a request to the chief postmaster that the money order office be re-opened at Kinohaku. — Carried. The engineer stated that he had forwarded plans of metalling contracts for approval, and he thought it, was advisable to call tenders at once, the contracts to extend over a period of two summers,—Decided to call tendres immediately.