WAITEMATA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 19 February 1913, Page 3

WAITEMATA COUNTY COUNCIL.

I The Waitemata County Council met on Friday. Present: Messrs A. Oochran (chairman), M. Lang, W. McCathie, Y. Kerr-Taylor, J. O'Neill, J. Greenwood, F. Dye, H. Day, F. Poynton, H. H. Adams. Available balances from the estimates were reported to be as follows : — Pukeatua riding, £1200 (including Wade bridge, £2*o) ;'Wainui Riding, £750 (300 Wainui-Kaukapakapa) ; Titirangi Riding, £500 ; Waikumete, £400 ; Birkenhead, £375 ; Takapuna, £300 (all for. Wairau , Road) ; Wai* takere. £250; (all Colwill deviation); Kunieu. £200; Kaukapakapa, £100 (Makarau railway station to Kaukapakapa); Waipareira, £100 (Henderson pound bridge) ; total, £4175. The recommendation of the engineer that two roads approaching Kumeu station, from the Riverhead side, should be deviated so that the erection - of two bridges might be avoided, was adopted. A recommendation in regard to Mr Evans's application for access to his land at Waikumete, that' a now road be form ed and a large culvert put in, was adopted, subject to satisfactory arrangements being made with the owners interested. An application was made by GK Pirrit for a declaration and proof that rates had been paid on his property, Waipareiia Riding for 40 years, the reason being to enable him to get a Land Transfer Title. It was stated the area affected was 200 acres, which had been duly purchased by the applicant. Mr Cawkwell (clerk j stated that the Council'a records did not go back 40 years. The matter was ultimately left in the hands of the chairman, Mr A. Cochran, to see if anything could be done. Woodhill Deputation :—A large deputation waited upon the Waitemata County Council this morning, consisting of residents of Woodhill, who are getting anxious at the manner in which the sand is encroaching, also on account of the impeding of the river by willows. Mr Tarrant was spokesmen, and said that when some time ago they asked the Council to take action to stop the drifting of the sand, and the impeding of the river, the land was owned by the Maoris. Since then i that land had been acquired by a! European, who, since starting drain-* age works, had brought the sand more rapidly to the river. The settlers interested wished the Council to act for them, and would be prepared to pay a reasonable proportion of the cost.

Mr Y. KemTaylor said unless something was done soon, the railway would in due course be blocked, and the Kaipara river would have more sandbars. A year ago he approached the Railway Department, but they rofused to have anything to do with the matter. Mr Taylor said this question would have to be dealt-with right up the lino. All they could do at present was to get the legal opinion upon the matter.

Tue clerk (Mr Cawkwell) said they had an opinion from the legal advisor of the Municipal Association, which was to the effect that sand would rank as a " common nuisance," for which no one was liable, and must be adated at the cost of the owners of tlie land, if deemed necessary to bo done. _ Mr Beale said the blocking of the river was a very serious matter. What with sunken logs, drifting sand, and growing willows, the river would soon be blocked altogether, and it would mean the surrounding land being flooded. He believed most of the property owners would be prepared to pay towards carrying out the neccessary work, Mr Beale arsruad that it was the duty of the County Council to keep clear all water courses within its jurisdiction. Mr J. O'Neill said the proper course would be to form a Eiver Boaid, or a Drainage Board ; then the owners of the property could bo called upon to contribute, The chairman said it was a very big question, and the Council would requiro to ascertain its legal position in the matter. It was agreed that nothing could be done in connection with tlie matter unless a petition was sent in asking for setting up a Board under the Sand Drift Act, and a Drainage Board to deal wifh the willows. Ohirangi Road, Helenpville.— It was decided to dedicate this road.