WAITEMATA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 21 August 1919, Page 3

WAITEMATA COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING.

The usua^ monthly meeting of the above '^jfilfeeld in Auckland on Friday last, wtftwM^-s£e!were present: Councillors H. Aitkenhead (chairman), F. Dye, A. J. Hatfield, T. Foley, J. H. Harrison, A. M. Lang, W. Hyde Hart, J. Broady, W. Oliphant, and Capt. Theet. — Member for Waitemata— Mr A. Harris, M.P. for Waitemata, called upon the Council prior to his de>J^)arture for Wellington for the session. He pr6mised to*do his utmost with reference to acquiring grants to enable the Council to carry on their work. Mr Harris pointed out the difficulty in getting grants when they had not expended the money that was in hand. He thought it was the duty of the State in opening jQew roads to find money for metalling -Twhere low to commence with. In reply, the chairman said he hoped the Government would realise their responsibilities in regard to the local councils, and the help that they deserved. In thanking Mr Harris, he remarked that the time had come for a large scheme of road formation, and a good deal of money would be necessary. The Government ■would also have to seriously consider the building of roads. —Kaipara River— The engineer's report stated: J. Mackie contractor, has about completed his con- . tract for snagging" portion of Kaipara River, 210 chains of river being absolutely cleared of willows and logs. The work had been very successful, and the thanks of the Council are due to the contractor for undertaking the work when no one else would look at it. It had not been financially successful for the contractor, and the engineer recommended that a committee be set up to consider the question of a bonus. A further length should be cleared as soon as possible, and a further grant applied for for the work. —Adopted. *. —Old Helensville Road — The engineer reported: Mr J. Rimmer has purchased part of Rakauwhaka, and reports that if he fences his boundary he will block the road in use. Suggests it, is useless to define the old road, and that a deviation should be laid off and surveyed, so that he could fence to the new line. Recommend that this be done, as I feel sure the road will become important some day. The Helensville Town Board has taken no steps in the matter of the fence that was erected across this road, under their instructions. People who have been in the habit of driving stock along the road have asked that the fence be removed, and I recommend that this be done. —The Council decided to lay off a deviation from this road. • —Wainui-krtiikapakapa Road — The committee set up to consider the question of work on this road met on July 29th, and reported: That fresh plans and specifications be drawn up for the work, and fresh tenders called. That the part of the road between Kahikatea road junction and Wright's W bridge be formed in the centre of the road, and filling for widening the embankment be obtained from this work, any extra stuff for filling to be got from wherever the contractor chooses. The width of all formation to be same as present contract No. 491 for Wainui road. The quantity of metal to be reduced to 14 cub, yards per chain on solid ground, and 16 yards on fillings, contractor to get the metal where he chooses, but specifications as to quality to stand. Overflow channels to be cleared. —The 1 Council decided to adopt the report. Allegations made by Cr. Dye (Kaukapakapa riding) that certain plans and specifications were not definite, were denied by the engineer, Mr G. Jackson, who . stated: In fairness to the engineering staff, I beg leave to state that Cr. Dye was not able to sustain his allegations that the plans and specifications were not clear and definite, In further exr planation, I should like to state that the plans and specifications were prepared under the assumption that since the re- ' organisation, the policy of the Council would be that all work must be done in a proper manner, in accordance with the reasonable requirements of the locality, ! and that the previous custom of individual councillors over-riding the engineer, and introducing false economy, thereby "spoiling the ship for an ha'porth of tar," was to be abandoned. —Miscellaneous — Cr. Ohphant's suggestion that the chairman be elected by the ratepayers did not find favour, the majority of councillors being of the opinion that the j^oimcil should be capable of electing chairman. It was decided to ask for a loan for the follo^^i' works:—Metalling from Whangapagjip Wharf to Silverdale; Tjmetallitfgiifforn Wainui to Silverdale; Sestalling from Wainui to Waiwera wharf; from Silverdale tq Waiwera ; pompieting Silvardale whajrf and shed; and construction of Qqoper's Flat road. Owing to Don Buck's Hill having become impassable, it was decided, with the consent of the Public Works Departto fascine the hill It was stated that arrangements had been made with I^t T. H. O'Brien to fascine eight chains at a cost of £3 10s per chain. Tfoe cost of the work to be charged as follows :— Half grant account, quarter Waipareira Kiting account, and quarter Waitakere -■ :j&idmg*accoun|;. Proposals for loans for works on private ::.. •' property were dealt with. ' '•-"'': J3r, F. Bayner asked that his property at Karekare should. bo constituted a loan area.