KAWHIA COUNTY COUNCIL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 524, 7 December 1912, Page 6

KAWHIA COUNTY COUNCIL.

The statutory meeting of the Kawhia County Council was held on November 27th. The following councillors were present—Cra W. J. Shaw, A. N. Norton, R. T. Daviea, F. Perham, Jas. Kearna, J. E. Nconan and A. W. Babbage. - Election of Chairman. On the motion of Crß Davies and Noonan, Cr Shaw was re-elected chairman for the ensuing year. ORDINARY MEETING. . The ordinary meeting took place on the conclusion of the statutory business. Kawhia-Aotea Road.—Letters were received from Mr J. A Young, M.P., and the Prime Minister, relative to the improvement of this road in connection with the cutting up of the Moerangi block. The Minister is obtaining a report on this matter. Pirongia-Kawhia Road.—The Minister of Public Works wrote that the question of making a substantial grant for the improvement of this road would receive his consideration in farming the Estimates for the current year. Stone Crushing Plant.—The UnderSecretary, Public Works Department, r?gretted that the department is unable to let the council have the us« of one of the stone crushera at Dresenc located in the Waitomo county, as all the plants would be required by the department.—The council expressed its dissatisfaction at the reply of the department, as it was considered that this county should be treated in the same manner as the adjoining one. Rabbits and Noxious Weeds.— The Native Minister stated that it was not the intention of the Government to introduce legislation thi3 session to deal with the spread of rabbits and noxious weeds on unoccupied native lands. Stock Reserve at Oparau. The Commissioner of Crown Lands enquired what arrangements would be made for the control of the stock reserve provided the department fenced and grassed it. —The council resolved to undertake to get some responsible person to look after the reserve. Road Access to Section 9, Block 9, Pirongia.—The Commissioner of Crown Lands informed the council that he will investigate this matter. Muturangi Road.—Mr W. H. Armstrong requested the council to reconsider its decision to compel him to clear the stream which overflows this road. —A committee was appointed to visit the road and investigate. Willow Trees. —Mr T. Green asked one month's grace to comply with the order of the council to clear the willows on his property which obstruct the Awaroa river.—Granted. Timber on Road. Mrs I. Armstrong's complaint re timber on the Okupata road blocking her gateway was referred to the engineer. Removal of Spoil.—Messrs Strauch Bros, were granted leave to remove spoil from the Okupata road to form an entrance to their section. "Red Flag."—The Waihi Borough Council, in a circular, pointed out the advisability of council employees being required to sign a declaration of loyalty, in view of the recent events in Waihi. The council decided to take no action in this matter. Hospital Board Levy.—The secretary of the Waikato Hospital Board suggested the paying of the subsidy in regular instalments. This has been the practice of the council. Kawhia Town District.—A deputation from .the Kawhia Town Board waited on the council to make some arrangement to define the respective dutes of the council and the board regarding township matters. They alio asked the council to contribute from its harbour funds to the cost of filling Jervois street to its full width, and also for the use of the council's road grader. These matters were considered by the council later in the meeting, when it was resolved to inform the board as follows:—1. That the council will, until further notice, maintain the road from the northern boundary of the town district to the wharf, on the understanding that the board will maintain the footpaths. 2. That if the ratepayers of the town district are prepared to raise a loan for the improvement of Jervois street, the council will undertake the raising and expenditure of it. 3. That the board be allowed the use of the grader, under the supervision of the engineer. Treasurer's Statement. —The treasurer reported the various balances as follows: General account, cr. £488; Land Fund account, cr. £656; Mahoenui-Kawhia Road Loan account, cr. £680; Okupata Road Loan account, cr. £837; Harbour account, cr. £29; Harbour Loan account No. 2, cr. £320. Riding Accounts: Kawhia. dr. £ls; Matakowai, cr. £43; Oparau, cr. £149; Te Kauri, cr. £119; Awaroa, cr. £99; Waiharakeke, cr. £59; Taharoa, cr. £4l. Accounts. —Accounts totalling £9BO were passed for payment. Butter Shed.—lt was resolved that the consideration of the erection of a butter shed at Kinohaku be deferred until next meeting; that the matter of the construction of the Whakapirau road bridges be referred to the chairman, Cr Kearns, and the engineer to deal with; that the construction of a slip for launches be proceeded with. Waitetuna Valley Road and Falls Road. —The sum of £lowas authorised for maintenance on each of these roads provided the Raglan County Council will contribute a like sum. Oparau Dairy Company.—The clerk was instructed to look into the matter of granting the company a lease of part of the landing reserve at Oparau. Okupata-Pekanui Road.—lt was decided to ask the Public Works Department to expediate the work on the Okupata-Pekanui road. _l_T_apuaehounuku Block. —The Go-

making offers of grants as compared with last year. These offerfl were to hand in the beginning of October last year, but so far those for the current year have not yet been received. Ministerial Visits.—An invitation is to be extended to the Minister of Public Works and the Native Minister to visit Kawhia on their next visit north. Proposed Counties Bill.—lt was resolved to ask the Minister of Internal Affairs to make provision in the proposed Counties Bill whereby lands included in special rating are»s may be rated in proportion to the benefit they receive from the loan. Nursing Home Site.—The Lands Department will be asked to expediate the vesting of the site selected for the nursing home at Kawhia in the Waikato Hospital Board. Backblocks Local Bodies Association.—At tne inaugural meeting of the association held at Te Kuiti last September, it was decided to hold the next meeting of the association at Ohura. Now that the Ohura county has not joined the association, the Kawiha County Council decided to suggest that the meeting be held at Kawhia.