KAWHIA COUNTY COUNCIL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 596, 23 August 1913, Page 3

KAWHIA COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the Kawhia County Council was heid on 9th inst., the following being presentCrs Shaw, chairman, Norton, Babbage, Kearns, Perham, Davies and Noonan. CORRESPONDENCE. Prime Minister. —The Government ia considering the matter of taking steps to minimise the risk of accidents at level crosaings. Minister of Public Works. —The petition from certain settlers in the Kawhia county urging the completion of the Kawhia-Oparau road will have due consideration when the Estimates are being framed. Under-Secretary Public Works Department. —The matter of a vote for continuing the formation of the Taumatatotara east road will receive careful consideration when the Estimates are being compiled.

Same. —The council's protest against taking over portion of the OkupataPekanui rosd will receive attention. District Engineer Public Work 3 Department. —An overseer of the department will examine and report on the damage to the Waiharakeke bridge.

Under-Secretary Lands Department. —The representations of the council regarding the necessity for reserving suitable site 3 m the opening up of Crown lands will receive consideration.

Same.—The department cannot see is way to recommend the grant of a sum for the purpose of placing the stock reserve at Oparau in a fit condition for use.

Secretary Auckland Exhibition.— Asking for a subscription of £2O for the South Auckland Court.—The councii regretted that it could not entertain the request. F. W. Newton. Suggesting certain alterations to the landing at Oparau ferry.—This matter was referred to the engineer and the councillor for the riding to deal with as deemed necessary. Access to Native Lands. -A sheaf of replies form various county councils regarding the council's suggestion fcr an amendment to the law relating to the provision of legal road access to native land?, were received. The proposal was supported by'all council's except the Raglan County Council. — It was decided to communicate with the Raglan County Cuncil again. W. A. Mason. Requesting the cuunjil to provide legal acce?s to his property. into the position uf the proposed road. ENGINEER'S REPORT. The following tenders for widening 68 chains of Waitetuna-Aotea road were accepted during the period:— Contract No. 71, Love and Co. £248 9j 6d; Contract No. 72 Love and Co. £193 15s 4d. Work on this and the Lemon Point-Te Maika road has been commenced. I have prepared plans and specifications for widening 14.19 chains of Kauri road approaching the Kauri bridge and have forwarded them to the District engineer for approval, but as the balance of the grant available is not sufficient for the work I hava applied for a further sum of £45 so that the whole of the work comprised in the contract may be completed. T e work on the Kihi road is progressing satisfactorily, and will be completed in about a fortnight from date, and that on Kauri road ia proceeding slowly, but good work is bsirg donp. Messrs Scott and Forsyth have completed the Kiwi Bay landing and shed, and will in a few days commence the erection of shfd. and steps at Awaroa. The Whakapirau road bridges have been completed. and the work of forming the approaches has been commenced. The erecting of the large beacon and repairing and painting of both structures has been completed excepting that the smaller beacon requires an additional coat of paint. The new beacon has been very strongly built and thoroughly braced throughout, and is several feet higher than formerly. Work on the launch slip has been delayed owing to the workmen's tools being kept at the beacons while the work there was being carried out,, and which, owing to the difficulties experienced, occupied some time. Work in connection with the slip has been commenced to-day. In regard to the iaunch landing at Kiwi Bay, it will be necessary to extend the Te Maika road about 30 chains before the landing can be made use of, and I would suggest that the Public Works Department be informed of the position and some effort be made to have the work carried out, I estimate the cost at about £2OO. The road works now in hand are two contracts each on Kihi, Lemon Point-Te Maika, and Waite-tuna-Aotda roads, and one each on Kawhia to Marokopa river road and Kauri road, wetnty-two men being employed on the whole. I have up to present been unable to undertke the fixing of the levels o:: Kawhia streets, but propose to commence the work early next week. The filling in of Jer- ■ vois street is being gradually attained, Mr J. D. Sutton has recently deposited 123 cubic yards in the filling, ana Mr A W. Sheweiry is now engaged in depositing several hundred cubic [yards, which will greatly improve the appearance of the street. Mr L. Wiley has commenced the building of his goods shed on the wharf, and I understand that Mr Sheweiry intends to build two similar sheds adjoining Mr Wiley. G. S. Gould, County Engineer. It was resolved to take application for a grant of £2OO for forming the road to Kiwi Bay. The report was adopted. A general rate of lid in the £ was struck in the Kawia, Matakowhai, and Waiharakeke ridings, and ljd in the £ in the Oparau, Te Kauri, Taharoa and Awaroa ridings. Deputation to Wellington.—Cr Babbage was appointed as a delegate to accompany thß chairman to 'Wellington to interview the Minister regard ing county matters. ernment Grants. —On the motion Noonan it was resolved that this 1 is not in favour of the proof the Minister to make grants

of lump sums to counties for roan works in lieu of separate votes. Rate o f Interest on Loans. - It w;-? decided to write to the Minister regarding the increased rate of interest charged to local bodies in respect of loans.