WAITEMATA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 5 August 1920, Page 3

WAITEMATA COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING

At the monthly meetingheld on 16th July, 1920, the chairman, Mr H. Aitkenhead, presided over a full attendance of the Council, with the exception of Cr. Dye, for whose absence apology was made.

The treasurer's report as submitted was adopted.

The Auckland-Kaitaia Road League wrote asking what was the Council's position in connection with representation on their League. Resolved to appoint the chairman to act ex officio.

The chairman reported that Mr Page, assistant engineer, had consented to remain in the Council's employ at a salary of £425 per annum, to date from the date of the June meeting of the Council, The Council agreed to confirm this. Cr. Laing moved and Cr. Hatfield seconded.

On tho motion of Cr. Laing, seconded by Cr. Hatfield, resolved to increase the salary of the county engineer by £50 per annum to date from the June meeting of the Council.

Resolved, on the motion of Cr. Hatfield. seconded by Cr Hart, to increase the salary of the county clerk and treasurer by £50 per annum to date from the June meeting of the Council.

The accounts as submitted for payment, totalling £2374 18s 9d on the County fund account and £924 11s Id on the loan account, were passed for payment on the motion of the chairman, seconded by Cr. Hatfield.

A special meeting was held to pass a Special Order declaring gorse and hakea noxious weeds within the County. It was formerly resolved on the motion of Cr. Oliphant, seconded by the chairman :—" That pursuant to the provision of the Noxious Weeds Act, 1908, and amendments thereto, the Waitemata County Council doth hereby, by Special Resolution, intended to operate as a Special Order, declare that gorse (ulex europoeus) and hakea (hadea acicularis) mentioned in the Third Schedule of the said Act are noxious weeds within its jurisdiction."

Notice was received that the Industrial Award of the General Labourers' Union had expired on the 30th June last and of the Union's new demands, which the engineer considered to be beyond all reason. Resolved that the chairman and engineer be appointed to resist the demands on behalf of the Council. Cr. Laing moved and Cr. Harrison seconded. There being a very considerable extent of footpaths in the ridings «f Titirangi, Waikumete, and Waipareira, and much inconvenience caused to pedestrians by straying horses and cattle, the engineer recommended the appointment of a ranger on salary. Consideration deferred till next meeting. On the recommendation of the engineer it was resolved to grant a certificate to the County chairman to the effect that the WadeDairy Flat Road is a public road, and has been constructed and maintained out of public funds. This was necessary in respect of dealings on this road. The engineer reported that a contract was let last summer for metalling a portion of the Wainui-Kaukapakapa road and that the contract was still incompleted. The road was now impassable owing to the material used for metalling being too fine to stand on a new filling or cutting. The contract empowered the engineer to do the work at the contractor's expense if ho neglected to do it, He had issued instructions to the surfaceman to make the road passable and recommended that the cost be charged to the ridiqg account as it would be a hardship on the contractor to hold him liable. The engineer to instruct the surfaceman accordingly, It was resolved to engage for one month, at a salary of £4 per week, an assistant to help Mr Page in his engineering clerical work, and if he was suitable to continue his engagement. The Waimairi County Council wrote asking the council to support a resolution to the Govenment urging that legislation be promoted to allow Hospital Boards to borrow money for permanent buildings, and the Government to grant a subsidy on all monies so raised. Resolved to support same

Messrs W. C. Thompson and others wrote regarding- road access fco their property at Waiinauku. Matter referred to the engineer and Cr. Harrison for a report to the next meeting. Gaven Weir wrote asking the counci] to consider the question of a survey of the main Silver-

dale —Wainui Road starting from where the Upper Waiwera Road leads off and up to whore the old Waterloo Road joins the piece of road in question. Matter left in the hands of the engineer.

Mr F. Cutting wrote asking that the surplus of the WainuiKaukapakapa Road Loan be returned to the debenture holders. Consideration deferred till next meeting.

Adverting to the matter of the Helensville-Auckland Road Commission, Cr. Oliphant complained that the engineer had made a statement to the Commission that the Council made roads and never maintained them. The engineer was instructed to write the Commission and explain his statement. Cr. Oliphant moved and Cr. Hatfield seconded.

Cr. Broady complained that the clerk had blocked newspaper reports and stated that the clerk had told him so himself. Resolved to write the " Star " and the " Herald" and ask if the statement of Cr. Broady is correct. Cr. Laing moved and Cr. Theet seconded.

Cr. Foley gave notice to move at the next meeting of the Council that he be allowed to replyin the Council meeting to the statement of the chairman made in a letter to th« press regarding the division of the County.