WAITEMATA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 15 July 1920, Page 3

WAITEMATA COUNTY COUNCIL.

MINUTES OP MEETINGS

Following are extracts from the minutes of recent meetings.

The chairman, Mr H. Aitkenhead, presided over a full attendance of the Council (with the exception of Cr, Harrison) at a meeting on June 18th.

Accounts were submitted for payment totalling £2743 16s 7d and passed. The chairman moved and Cr. Hatfield seconded.

Before proceeding to the business of the meeting reference was made to the decease of ex-coun-cillor V. F. Taylor, and a motion of sympathy was carried with his family in silence, the council standing. The chairman moved and Or. Laing seconded.

A special meeting was held to strike rates in the Wainui, Waitakere, Pukeatua, and Waipareira Ridings. It was resolved to levy a general rate of six farthings in the pound on the rateable value of all rateable property in the Wainui and Waipareira Ridings ; a general rate of five farthings in the pound on the rateable value of all rateable property in the Pukeatua Riding; a general rate of one penny in the pound on the rateable value of all rateable property in the Pukeatu Riding; a general rate of one penny in the pound on the rateable value of all rateable property in the Waitakere Riding; and a Hospital and Charitable Aid rate of one-sixth of a penny in the pound on the rateable value of all rateable property in each of the said ridings, to be for the period commencing on the Ist day of April, 1920, and ending on the 31st day of March, 1921.

Adverting to the matter of Pohutu Road, the Engineer reported that the survey had been completed right through from the Museum Endowment and boundary to Mangakura Road. Conditions under which the road has been obtained provided that it shall be fenced on both sides by the council. The fencing would cost £1000, a bridge, culvert, and formation would cost £2000 and the engineer suggested that no further action be taken unless the settlers consent to a special loan for the purpose of fencing and making the road, lie submitted for consideration the option of the purchase of the road through Ellett's and Bishop's properties, and had ascertained that Messrs Mander and Hafford would give the road through their properties on the sam£ terms.

In terms of notice given Cr. Oliphant moved and Cr. Foley seconded that gorse (ulex europoeus) and Hakea (hakea acicularis) mentioned in the tliird schedule of " The Noxious Weeds Act, 1908," be declared a a noxious weed within the jurisdiction of the Waitemata Csunty Council. Cr. Hatfield moved as ati amendment, and Cr. Dye seconded, that consideration of the matter be deferred until the new council is elected, The amendment was supported by the mover and seconder only and the motion crrried by eight (8) votes to two (2)

In terms of notice given Cr. Hart moved and Cr. Hatfield seconded that this Council take steps to oppose a Bill promoted for the division of the Waitemata County, which is to be presented to the next session of Parliament. The motion was put to the meeting, and carried, Crs. Foley, Broady, Dye, and Laing dissenting.

Intimation was received from Mr Harris, M. P.,that £750 would be provided on the current year's estimates of Parliament for South Head Road. Resolved to thank Mr Harris, tiio chairman moved and Cr. Hart seconded. Mr John Daniels wrote complaining of the unfinished state of the roads in the Huapai Estate, and referred particularly to Awa Road. The engineer stated that these roads had been dedicated four years ago. Resolved thai in future no dedication be signed till all the parties interested are consulted. Or. Oliphant moved and Cr. Hart seconded. Mr S. P. Jones wrote regarding lowering a culvert on the road past his property at Waimauku, and also regarding draining a portion of the road. Mr Sin ton stated that he had made an arrangement with Mr Jones in the matter and his action was confirmed. The chairman moved and Cr. Hatfield seconded. The question of granting further assistance in the matter to Mr Jones was left in the hands of the riding member and engineer. Mr F. G. Cutting and others petitioned that £700 of the loan borrowed for the Wainui-Kau-kapakapa Road be refunded to the debenture holders. Resolved

to reply that the money had been committed and would be used in the loan area for bridges, etc., and to state .further that the ratepayers had been approached through Mr Milligan in the past on the question of the issue of the further debentures but no satisfactory reply had been received and the debentures had then been issued. The chairman moved and Cr. Sinton seconded.

Mrs Ellen Little wrote asking for an extension of time for three months to connect with the Parakai sewerage system. Resolved to reply that the Council has no power to grant the request and if she does not connect immediately she must take the consequences. Cr. Oliphant moved and Cr. Hatfield seconded.

The Manukau County Council wrote asking whether the Council was still desirous of erecting offices on their Shortland Street site as previously mentioned in a letter sent on the 12th. June 1916. They further stated that they would consider a suggestion to join in the erection of a building suitable to both Councils and asked for a conference. Resolved that a committee consisting of the chairman and Crs. Theet, Laing, and Oliphant, meet the Manukau County Council in the matter and report. Cr- Oliphant moved and Cr. Sinfcon seconded.

At a special meeting on June 30th, the matter of the evidence to be placed before the Commission about to sit to hear evidence on the question of the construction of a Main Road from Hamilton to Heiensville, was considered. On the motion of the chairman, seconded by Cr. Hatfield, resolved to represent that the Main Road be via Hen-derson-Lincoln Road-Brigham's Creek, thence to Heiensville as at present, and that the Council consider a better grade could be obtained by following the railway line along Clay burn Road through Waikumete to Henderson. An amendment by Cr. Laing, and seconded Dy Cr. Foley, that the Council take no action as regards the route and that the Government be asked to lay out the best grade and route to Heiensville was lost, being supported by the mover and seconder only. Crs. Laing, Foley, and Broady dissented with the original motion. On the motion of Cr. Oliphant. seconded by Cr. Hatliold, it was resolved that the engineer's report, having been considered, be adopted with the addition re the Clay burn Road Deviation ] and the deletion of the portion relating to the East Coast Road route. Cr. Laing dissented. j Resolved, on the motion of the j chairman, seconded by Cr. Hatfield, that the chairman be authorised to state the Council being loaded with loans already was not in a financial position to contribute much more as so many loans are necessary for the construction of the roads leading up to the national road. — Cr. Laing dissented. Cr. Foley complained of the lack of metal supply for Albany and Silverdale. Resolved that he be allowed to use some of the Wainui metal lying at Silverdale. The chairman moved and Cr. Laing seconded. The following letter was received from the Public Works Department Auckland : —The Chairman, Waitemata County Council : With reference to your County engineer's letter of the 11th ultimo, I am now advised by my head office that the Hon. Minister has agreed to a free grant of £50 being given to your Council for repairs required to the metalling between Wharepapa and Ohirangi, on account !of the damage caused by heavy traffic during the recent railway strike. A formal authority for £50 will be issued upon receipt of satisfactory proposals from your Council, outlined in my memo of the 16th ultimo. Yours faithfully, G. T. Murray, District Engineer.