WAITOMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 678, 17 June 1914, Page 5

WAITOMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Waitomo County Council was held at Te Kuiti on Monday even ing. There were present Crs Scholes, chairman, Gregg, Were, O'Dwyev, Berry, Smyth, and Potts. Leave of absence was granted to Cr Johnston on account of indisposition. On the motion of Crs Potts and O'Dwyer it was decided to confirm the action of the delegato of the Council at the recent liquor conference, in respect to the expenses of the conference. WaiDa Bridge": Approaches.—The District Koads Engineer wrote acknowledging receipt of letter stating a tender fur the approaches had been let for £.'!S7 12s 4d. The engineer pointed out a balance of £24 18s 8d would bn left and the proposed fencing could not be paid for out of this amount. He also requested particulars of the proposed piotective works. —Received. Kumara Road.— The Public Works Department wrote with respect to the proposal to transfer the Furplus subsidy 'rom Potaka and Totoro roads to the Kumara road. It was pointed out that such transfer could not ba made, but that the matter would recpive consideration when the next Estimates were being compiled. —Received. Level Crossing Notices.—The Min ister for Railways forwarded a circular suggestng that the Council should undertake to maintain notice boards on Toads leading to level crossings.— On the motion of trie chairman and Cr Potts, it was decided to co-oparate with the Department.

Subsidy Application.—The District Roads Engineer wrote asking for the proposed allocation tu each road in rejpect to Otorohanga to Ouruwhero and Kawa roods.—Roceived. Mairoa South District.— The Valuation Department wrote stating the preparation of the Mairoa South special rating district roll had been put in hand, but the completion of the roll would be delayed a little owing to pressure of work.—Received. Marokopa Koada.—Mr E. P. Hal) wrote forwarding the following resolution carried at a meeting of settlers: "That thia meeting views with grave disappointment and dissatisfaction the fact of the Government having failed to make any provision for the Mangakokopu road during the last financial year and respectfully urges the necessity of sufficient money being put on the forthcoming Estimates for the completion oft he road for the following reasons: That it is part of the main road linking up settlement between Marokopa and Te Kuiti; that a large number of settlers are debarred access to the Main Trunk line, and that settlers have signified their intention of embodying it in a metalling scheme completing provision for a metalled road between Te Kuit and the coast." Cr Were said the Mangakokopu road was a direct road to the point mentioned, but he understood the Government favoured the Knirimu road.

Cr Berry said the hitter npenpct up the question of rending tho King Country. He suggested the Council should wait as a deputation on the Prime Minister, and go into tho whole matter, and urge the necessity of adopting a comprehensive scheme. Cr Gregg pointed out inn road was already luid off and formed for the most of the distance, and only wanted completing. Cr Berry, continuing, said he would move a resolution in the direction indicated. Cr Were seconded tho motion. He referred *o the fact that tho women in the locality referred to could hardly get out to civilisation. When young people wanted to get out it was a casa of hardship. Many of the children had to ride through slush for seven or eight roilai and others could not go at all. He thought the deputation should be formed. Cr Smyth agreed with the motion. There was a great deal to be done and the Premier should have the matter placed before him. Cr O'Dwyer endorsed the remarks of the previous speakers. It was the duty of the councillors to endeavour to ameliorate the conditions under which the backblocks people were living. Cr Berry agreed with what had been Hiiid, but it was not quite the point he wished to make. They should urge a proper system of roads to he laid off. Crs Were and Berry were appointed a deputation to wait on the Prime Minister. It was decided on the motion ot tho chairman and Cr Gregg that the Council co-operate with the Marokopa aettlerß as requested. Westinghouso Electric Cars.— Messrs Turnbull and Jone3, Ltd., Wellington wrote with respect to tho suitability of the cars for an elyct'in rail service.—Received. ' Waipa Road.—Mr P. Phillies wrote stating he had obtained execution of the agreement between the Council and the settles for the survey of the proposed road from Otorohanga along the north bank of the Waipa met, and BBkinK the Council to expedite the survey.—On the motion of Crs Gregg and Were it was decided to apply to the Suwey Department to have the survey made.

School Road.—The secretary of the Auckland Board of Education wrote requesting the Council to give road access to thfl Hangatiki school. The chairman said the troubla aross through the school sice being taken without proper access being Riven. To adopt the Huggeation in the letter would mean shifting Green and Golebrook'a store. —It was left in the hands of the chairman to dsal with. County By-laws. —The County Ratepayers' Association wrote requesting that a deputation from the Association respecting the County By-laws be received.—lt was decided to receive a deputation next meeting. County Telephones. —Mr K. P. Cowles.'of the Telegraph Department, wrote stating he hoped to visit the King Country during the second week

in Juno to go over the district. Owing to pressure of business he had been unable to get away sooner.—Re- > ceived. i Loan Flotation. —Messrs Williams, Hunt and Co., Wellington, wrote with respect to raising money on the London market under the Government guarantee and offering td undertake the matter. —Received. Prime Minister's Visit.—The Te Kuiti town clerk forwarded an invitation to the chairman and clerk to attend a luncheon to the Prime Minister on the 18th.—Received. Kumara-Kei Kei Loan. —Mr W. H. Keighley wrote requesting information as to what had been done regarding the proposed loan to metal the Kei Kei, Paraheka, and Kumara road.=.— The engineer said specifications for the work had already been prepared and were in the hands of tha Public Works Department. The Council had done all that was possible until the specifications were returned. Access Road.—Mr A. G. C Luxmore wrote requesting tbo Council's assistance in getting a road through Messrs Gould Bros.' property to his section, Kinobaku East No. 2, section 21 B Resolved to make application •for the survey subject to the usual conditions.

Arapae Telephone.—Mr T. Pine wrote forwarding a petition from five settlers aßking to be connected by telephone with the Arapao post office. —Held over pending the visit oE the Telegraph Engineer. New Road.—The neecessary agree ment having been signed by the settlers it was resolved on the motion of Crs Potts and Gregg to make application to the Chief Surveyor to get a road surveyed from the OtorohangaPironga road to the Waipai river to give the access required. Ngapaenga Loan. —On the motion of Crs Were and Gregg the clerk was instructed to carry out the necessary preliminaries in connection with the Ngapaenga loan of also resolved that the thirds accruing within the special area be hypothecated to meet interest and sinking fund on the proposed loan.