PIAKO COUNTY COUNCIL.

Matamata Record, Volume II, Issue 70, 21 February 1918, Page 1

PIAKO COUNTY COUNCIL.

February Meeting. There were present on Monday Crs. J. B. Thomas, Jchairman (Waihou), C. Smith (Walton), J. Fitzgerald (Manawaru), J. Orr (Te Aroha), F. W. Walters (Waitoa), A. Orr (Morrinsville), J. Bell (Kiwitahi). HUNGAHUNGA ROAD. The Lands and Survey Department advised that the Hungahunga road had been a legal public road for 40 years. TE AROEA BRIDGE. The Te Aroha Borough council intimated its intention of repairing the decking on the Te Aroha -traffic bridge and asked the council's approval. It was decided to inform the Borough council that the council considered it better to redeck the bridge for its entire length and that the old decking be sold. It was made clear that the Matamata County council, who also contributed to the cost, would have to be consulted. ROAD MAKING MATERIALS The Kairanga County council asked the council to support a resolution urging upon the Government on account of the bad state of the, roads throughout New Zealand and the ever increasing traffic to reduce railway t freights on cement, tar and bitumen to local bodies for use in road making, bridges, etc. to the same rate as coal, or at least to one half the present tariff. It was urged in support of the resolution that permanent roads would be a national benefit and would mean a great reduction in the ever increasing loan demands ( and the continual applications for subsidies or grants. The chairman : Why don't they say timber, in short, all material for bridge making? I don't think there is much good in asking for reductions. Cr. Smith said it appeared these people were going to tackle the concrete road problem and the council should support them. It was decided to support the motion provided all bridge building material was included. NGARUA ROAD. Thames Valley Dairy Co. offered to purchase one chain, extra width of road, at the rate of £ls per acre. It was decided to inform the applicants that unless the settlers wore prepared to buy the whole of the extra frontage it was not worth while dealing with only portion. INCREASED WAGES. The council went into committee to consider the notice of motion by Cr. A. Orr that the foreman in each riding be paid 13s a day, and on resuming reported that consideration had been deferred until next meeting.