MATAMATA COUNTY COUNCIL

Matamata Record, Volume II, Issue 64, 10 January 1918, Page 2

MATAMATA COUNTY COUNCIL

January Meeting. The monthly meeting of the Matamata County council was held on Tuesday the members present being Crs. W. J. Anderson (chairman) and C. A. Stopford (Patetere), J. Pohlen and E. C. Banks (Matamata), F. Barnett and W. Carr-Rollett (Putaruru), A, A. Potts (Taotaoroa) and R. Kirkby (Maungatautiri). APPRECIATION. Mr J. McCaw, Hamilton, wrote as follows : —" It was very gratifying to me to receive yours of the Ist inst. conveying the council's hearty vote of thanks and appreciation for my services on .the Matamata County council, and I would thank the councillors for their kind feelings towards me." TOWN BOARD CENSUS. The clerk of the Matamata Town board advised that a census of the town population had been taken and that there were 552 persons residing in the area. SURFACEMEN'S SALARIES. The Piako County council wrote asking what rate of pay the Matamata County was giving its surfacemen, foremen and ordinary laborers ; and whether it paid a fixed scale or according to the value of the men. Continuing the letter suggested that it was desirable that a conference of neighboring counties be held to discuss the labor question, which threatens to become acute in the near future. In reply to Cr. Stopford the engineer stated that the men worked under an Arbitration Court award, but that-it was practically impossible to obtain men at the wage. Cr. Banks thought it would be a good idea for the chairmen of the neighboring counties to meet. His proposal on. these lines was carried. WAITIARIKI BRIDGE. The Okauia branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union wrote reminding the council of the urgent necessity of repairing the Waitiariki bridge. The branch suggested that, the matter had been too long neglected and that in the interests of the public safety and the legitimate requirements of the district, the County Council ought not delay any longer in putting this dangerous bridge in order. The engineer stated that the Public Works v Department had lost the plans', which were forwarded nearly a year ago, and he had had to loan his jown copy. Authority for starting the work had not yet come to hand, although he had expected to be able to call for tenders for consideration at the meeting. Directly the authority came to hand he would follow the course. TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE A letter from the superintendent of the Matamata Technical school was considered, especially in connection with the advisability of making an annual grant toward the school's maintenance., Crs. Barnett and Rollett both spoke of the use of the school and were favorable to a grant being made. Cr. Banks*said that the school had proved its use during the past year, good work having been done. It was also especially well attended. It was decided that an annual grant be made, and that Cr. Pohlen be the council's representative on the advisory committee. A COMPENSATION CLAIM. John Latimer, Okauia,' when forwarding cheque for rates drew attention to the fact that " the drainage board" had cut off several corners of his section varying in size from one acre downwards. The writer thought it was hard matter that he should suffer the losses for the benefit of the community. Cr Banks thought the matter was one to go before the drainage board. It was decided to forward the letter to the latter body. WAHAROA DRAINAGE AREA Details of the application for a further loan of £IOOO for the Waharoa special drainage area were forwarded by Mr W. R. Johnson (engineer). He asked that application for the money be made as soon as possible. It was decided to comply with the request. A COMPLAINT. Cecil H. Clinkard, Rotorua, in a long letter, stated that he understood "the rates - collected on various properties at Mamaku would be expended on the road between Steel's mill and the foot of the hills towards Okoroire. He said:—" To-day I brought my car over the road and I must say that it is the worst road in the province, and quite unsafe for any

traffic. No work has been done on it for years and in some places the road has washed away leaving boulders nearly two feet above the level; while in other places stumps once level with the ground are now standing up 12 to 18 inches. I might claim on you for damage to my car but I will content myself with insisting, that the road be put in a proper condition." The clerk stated that he had replied to the letter informing complainant that there was an amount on the Estimates for improving the road and that as soon as authority is received the work will be put in hand. The chairman said he had been over the road and he was of the opinion that it was not nearly as bad as made out. It also had to be remembered that twelve miles of it went through scenic and native reserve. However the council wanted to do work on the road and would when the money and labor is available. DOG TAX. Discussion took place as to the tax to be levied on dogs for the coining year, and it was decided that the fees be 2s 6d for cattle dogs and 10s for sporting dogs. Owing to the practice of people classing sporting dogs as rabbit dogs, it was decided not to specify a reduced fee for the latter. WAIOMOU DRAINAGE. A letter on drainage matters from E. Dobson, was fully considered by the council, and it was decided to leave the matter in the hands of the riding members and engineer for attention. ENGINEERS' CONFERENCE. On the motion and suggestion of Crs. Banks and Rollett, the engineer was granted leave of absence to attend the Society of Engineers conference. ACCOUNTS. Accounts were passed for payment as follows : —£597 9s 3d grant interest and loan account, £790 3s 9d general accounts.