OHURA COUNTY COUNCIL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 494, 24 August 1912, Page 5

OHURA COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the Ohura Couny Council was held on the 21st inst., at Mangaroa. There were present Crs Loveday (chairman), Sandison, Currie, Hayward and Goldfinch.

Noxious Weeds. —The Public Works Department wote stating representations had been made to the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Taranaki, with a view to action being taken under the Public Reserves and Domain Act, 1903, so that the lands might be dealt with for settlement. Access to Sections. —Provision has been made on the draft estimates for providing access to sections 4-8, block 9, and no doubt it will be duly considered along witn other items for the district.

The following resolution was received from the county clerk, Tauranga: That the Tauranga County Council wishes to place on record its hearty appreciation of the valuable services rendered to this council by Mr E. M. Donaldson, lately assistantengineer and Government overseer of roads for Bay of Plenty, and while regretting the loss this district has sustained by his removal, wish to congratulate him on his promotion and trust that he may enjoy many years of usefulness in his new sphere of duties.

Show Site.—A letter was received from the Lands Department to the effect that application for section 12, block 3, was now being considered and a further communication would be sent.

Matiere Reserve. —The department wrote stating that consideration of the matter was held over for the return of the Commissioner to office.

Town of Mangaroa. —Proclamation of a change of name is now being prepared, and will be issued shortly.

Police Station. The application has been noted for consideration should it be decided to open up additional police stations. From reports from the department it does not appear to warrant stationing constables at Mangaroa and Matiere. Tokirima Road.—The Public Works overseer explained that the road only served one section, through which the track was on private property and it was not considered urgent work. — Cr Currie pointed out that the settlers in the Opatu block had to use this tsrack as their only outlet, and it was a very urgent matter to have the track opened up. Resolved that Cr Currie and the clerk make further representations to the department. Finger Posts. The department wrote that as the late Minister for Pulic Works could not see his way on account of the expense to do the work, the department did not see any reason to proceed.—Resolved that further representation be made to the department. Railway Reserve. The Commissioner of Crown Lands wrote that he had arranged to fall bush on Mangaroa township, and if the council is prepared to fall bush on railway reserve at its own cost no objection will be taken; also suggesting that as the bush to be felled adjoined the pound site, and it would be advisable to make arrangements to fell tne pound site at the same time.

Tongapurutu Road. The district engineer returned plans as he had no authority to vary the conditions of the grant from earthwork and metalling to earthworks only. The chairman explained that the original estimate did allow for the present road not being ont he proper line, thus it was found that in order to do the work further sums would be required.— Resolved that the matter be left in the hands of the chairman.

Ohura River Bridge. The assistant Under-Secretary requested that the vote of £54 for the bridge be cancelled and returned to the department, ag it was required for strengthening the bridge.—Vote returned. County Boundary. —The Whangamomona County wrote suggesting that the Ohura river be the boundary of the counties transferring block 7, Heao district, to the Ohura county. —Resolved that this be accepted as a present boundary. Thirds Accrued. The Clifton county clerk wrote that all thirds had been spent; inquiries would be made as to the sum of £B2 credited to the county, and if any sum was available, notice would be given JyStray Sheep. —Mr Humphrey-Davies wrote protesting against the large number of sheep on the Turoto road and urging the council to take action to prevent the nuisance. Resolved that the overseer make inquiries as to suitable paddocks and yards at Mangaroa, and at Matiere, to be used as public pounds. Hapurua Road Contract. —Mr Chapman wrote and also waited on the council re not being paid for work done on this road.—The council went into committee on the matter and decided as the engineer would not pass the work, nothing could be done until the work was completed. Tokirima-Harvey Road Loan. — Several objections against being included in the rating area were received, but were afterwards withdrawn.

Back Block Association. —Resolved that consideration be deferred until next meeting. Tokirima - Harvev Rating Area.— Application to have thirds on section in the rating area hypothecated was made to the commissioner. Tongaporutu Road. —A request was made to have the roads metalled through the suburban sections, and to the metal reserve, the settlers being willing to pledge their thirds over an area of 7500 acres. Road to Te Koura.—On the motion of Cr Lyon seconded by Cr Sandison, the Minister was urged to have the bridge on this road made strong enough to carry the heavy traffic, so as to enable the settlers to avoid the seven miles of the Ohura ruad to Ongarue, and save the expense of maintenance. Matiere Town Reserve. —Cr Lyon moved that the Minister of Public Works to expedite felling the bush

on township reserve, and that the Matiere-Miroahuiao road be metalled to the township boundary. Rating. Notice of motion was given to strike a rate of IJii in Tatu and Otangiwai, l?td in Mangaroa, Mangakara, Turoto, Waitevshena and Niho Niho and Id in Kururau and Matiere ridings.