MATAMATA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Matamata Record, Volume II, Issue 87, 20 June 1918, Page 1

MATAMATA COUNTY COUNCIL.

dune Meeting. There were present at the meeting on Friday Crs. J. W. Anderson chairman (Patetere), J. Pohlen and E.'C. Banks (Matamata), F. C. Barnett and W. C. Rollett (Putarnru), R. Kirkhy (Maungatautiri) and C. A. Stopford (Patetere). Leave of absence was granted Cr. Potts who was not well enough to attend. RE-VALUATION. The chairman stated directly he had heard that Mr J. McCaw could not represent the council on the Assessment court he had approached Mr J. W. Simpson who had consented to act. He further stated that there were not many objections. The chairman's actions were endorsed. RATING. A general discussion on the rate to be struck followed. The chairman, speaking as a member for the Patetere riding, suggested that as the valuation had increased the rate for that riding might be reduced from \\i& told. Cr. Stopford said the riding overdraft was large, and extensive works were contemplated. The farmers were enjoying prosperous times, and now was the time that they could pay. He strongly advocated the rate being the same as last year. Respecting the Putaruru riding Cr. Barnett was in favor of the rate, but he was opposed by Cr. Rollett, who suggested a reduction by Cr. Barnett said if Cr. Rollett's suggestion was adopted the riding finances would be no better off than before. If the farmers could not pay a little more under present conditions the district in future would be in a bad way. The roads required more money spent on them, for the population and traffic had greatly increased.

Cr. Rollett considered that the riding had improved its position to the extent of from £I2OO to £I4OO since the new area had been brought in. He thought the riding could be conducted on even a rate. By judicious expenditure for certain the riding could be conducted on Id. The men were struggling settlers, and he would not be a party to the levying the old rate on the new valuation.

Cr. Barnett: In the past we have had the assistance of the Government; now we are not getting it, and cannot expect it. Cr. Stopford: The demand always is for good roads, and the settlers get considerable assistance from them. It is not good business to pay interest on an overdraft; a riding should spend the amount on its roads. He did not care if he never came back on the council, providing the roads were better when he went off than when he came on.

In respect to the Patetere riding a compromise of was made, the agreement being for a lJ4d rate. A vote was taken on the Putaruru proposal, Cr. Barnett making his motion lid. This was carried, the only vote against being that of Cr. Rollet. The rate for Taotaoroa was consented upon at lid, and that for Maungatautiri at Id with little discussion.

Dealing with the Matamata riding Cr. Pohlen said the cost of roading works had increased greatly of late, and he estimated that an increase to maintain present roads to continue works as at present, and to provide for the heavy traffic consequent on the new dairying industries of from 60 to 70 per cent, in rates would be needed. There was also the Waitiariki bridge to be paid for. He was of the opinion that a loan for metalling should be proposed, but this was impossible under present conditions. But if metal was going to be demanded the rate would have to be increased. If simply maintenance works to be carried out then he would agree to a one penny rate. Some ratepayers thought the rates should be increased to provide better roads; but he (the speaker) objected to metalling being done out of rates —this would make it next to impossible to carry loans in the future. On the condition that no metalling, apart from that prom-

ised long ago,,was undertaken out of rates he would agree to a one penny rate. Cr. Banks agreed to the one penny rate, and suggested that the council was in duty bound to spend any surplus on metalling where promised. A rate of Id was agreed to as far as Matamata is concerned. The striking of rates requiring a special meeting, it was decided to meet at Matamata, on Friday next, to move that the rates as agreed upon be struck. LICENSES. Copies of licenses granted to the proprietors of the Tirau and Okoroire hotels were forwarded by the Tauranga Licensing committee. PATRIOTIC EFFORTS. A letter of thanks was received, from the National Association of French War Orphans, for the council's contribution of £l2 10s monthly. It stated that the help given would be reported to Paris headquarters. TERRITORIAL CAMPS. Replying to the council's letter re the suggested discontinuance of territorial camps, the Minister for Defenoe stated that the whole question of territorial training will be gone into later, and the representations carefully considered before a decision is arrived at. Letters in support of the council's resolution were received from Te Awamutu and Cambridge Borough councils and the Waitomo County council. SLAUGHTERHOUSE LICENSE. The Department of Agriculture advised that it had referred the application of Mr T. E. Roe for a ; slaughterhouse license to the Live stock division for attention. A VOTING MATTER. The Wanganui County council forwarded a resolution which it proposed putting before the Government: —That no ratepayer be eligible to vote at a county election unless he has first paid his rates."—-It was unanimously decided to support the resolution. ROTORUA ROAD. In answer to Rotorua Chamber of Commerce it was decided that the clerk reply stating that the work on the Rotorua-Mamaku bush road had been stopped on account of bad weather. On the motion of the chairman it was decided to apply to the tho Government asking it to take steps to cut down trees a chain each side of this road through the bush. MAIN TAUPO ROAD. On the representation of Messrs Hawkins and Loekhart Fitzherbert, of Palmerston, the chairman was authorised to certify that the Putaruru-Taupo road in a portion near Maeraitai and Tokoroa had been used as a public road for many years past and had had public money expended on it for repairs and maintenance. The chairman explained that although the main road it had never been dedicated. The application was quite in order. RATING NATIVE LANDS. Notice of motion was given by Cr Barnett that a scheme (tabled) re rating Native lands be discussed at next meeting. ACCOUNTS. Accounts were passed for payment as follows : —General £1385 19s 3d, loan £l4B 18s, grants £143 7s, Interest £215 Is 3d, total £1893 5s 6d.