WAITEMATA COUNTY COUNCIL

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 4 August 1921, Page 3

WAITEMATA COUNTY COUNCIL

JULY MONTHLY MEETING

The chairman, Mr H. Day, presided over a full attendance of the council (with the exception of Or. Dillon). The following business of interest to this district was transacted : — FINANCIAL. The treasurer's report as submitted was adopted. The accounts as submitted — totalling £1659 —were passed for payment. DEPUTATION MATTERS. The deputation from the council recently in Wellington reported that the county solicitors having written stating that an agreement had been arrived at regarding the repair of the Whau bridge, a new commission warrant was about to be issued covering this ground only. The deputation pointed out that the council was emphatic in its desire to have a new concrete bridge, and also the question of the controlling authority settled. The result was that the Under-Secretary promised to stay his hand till the ccuncil had written to that effect, and this had now been done.

The deputation reported they had urged that the grant authority of £700 for South Head road1 grant be reinstated and issued, and that the Under-Secretary of Public Works had agreed to the request.

The deputation had also urged that a Lands Department vote of £300 for opening up the Waioneke block be authorised and expended at the same time as the South Head road grant, and that the request had been referred by the Minister to the Com'r Crown Lands for a report.

The deputation also reported that they had discussed the question of the grant for the Wade bridge (£l5O, £ for £, £300 free money),when the Under-Secret'ry recommended the council to test the market again by calling fresh tenders, when he thought that the £300 authority could then be reinstated. He advised the council, if they thought fit, to get the district engineer to write him in the matter regarding the controversy as to whether a new span was necessary or a wing wall.

The deputation reported interviewing the Minister of Public Works, when he promised that if extenuating circumstances were urged in the case of cancelled grants he would stand by the council in the matter. He desired to be written to individually in each matter.

The deputation reported having made enquiries regarding the Shelley Beach wharf proclamation, when the Minister desired to know for what purpose the council required this land before he would take any further steps in the matter.

The deputation stated that the Minister of Public Works desired to know why the council did not refund the balance of the WainuiKaukapakapa road loan money that was unspent, and suggested that the Council should clean the matter up by holding a meeting of ratepayers and ascertain the feelings of the majority, and also that the county engineer write and detail to him how he proposed to spend the money. —Resolved, that Crs. Hatfield and Diprose call a meeting of ratepayers in the special loan area prior to the meeting and report to the council.

The deputation reported that theUnder-Secretary of Lands had stated that the roading of the Ararimu block would be pushed on with the least possible delay, and further that the southern portion, of the block, known as the Riverhead homestead block, would be opened up for settlement under the provisions o.f the Land Laws Amendment Act 1920, which provides for the settlement of our poorer lands on a system of occupation on license for a term of ten years, with a gift of the fee simple at the end of that time on certain conditions. SAFETY OF BRIDGES. The chief postmaster wrote asking for a reply to his letter regarding the safety of bridges on the roads travelled by the Parakakau mail contractor. Resolved to 'reply that bridges are quite strong enough to carry the mail. MERGED. The clerk reported that the Kaukapakapa and Pukeatua road boards, recently merged, had carried on business since the gazetting of the special order. The clerk to report on matter. RATES. Resolved (Laing—Diprose)—To make and levy a general rate of sev.en farthings in the £ on the rateable value of all rateable property in Waipareira and Kaukapakapa ridings ; five farthings in

Mairetahi riding, and six farthings in Kumeu riding. Also a Hospital and C.A. rate of one farthing in pound. SYMPATHY. Resolved (Aitkenhead —Laing), That a vote of sympathy be accorded the relatives of the late Mr R. Craven, of Parkhurst. A LOST MOTION. Cr. Oliphant moved a notice of motion, That minute No. 1940, that the portion of the Aoteroa block lying between the Shelley Beach domain and the Kaipara harbour, now-owned by Mr Jas. McLeod, be taken under the provisions of the Public Works Act for the purpose of a public rpad, be rescinded, —Cr. Laing seconded. —Motion lost. NO DISMISSAL. Cr. Hatfield moved notice of motion, That the clerk, engineer, assistant engineer, and the lady typistes be dismissed, that the salaries for the several vacancies be fixed by the council, and that aoplications be called for the vacancies, the various applicants for same to provide testimonials as to character and ability. —Cr. Oliphant seconded.

After a brief dioussion Cr. Hatfield withdrew his motion.

TRAVELLING EXPENSES

Cr. Laing moved notice of motion, That the councillors forego travelling expenses for 6 mont*hs.

Cr. Oliphant seconded motion, which was also supported by Crs Escott and Diprose.

Motion lost

nicholls' roads

The engineer recommended acceptance of deed of dedication of Nicholls' roads at Parakai, and stated that no drainage easements were required.—'Adopted. GOVERNMENT GRANTS. Resolved (Chairman—Cr. Hatfield, That the engineer be instructed not to expend Govt. grants unless monetary authority to do so is in hand, and that it be made a condition of all contracts that where a grant is in respect of contract work it must be first passed by the Government road inspector before a final payment is made, and that this resolution be not deviated from.

Woods' Great Peppermint Cure, For Coughs and Colds, never fails.