MATAMATA COUNTY COUNCIL

Matamata Record, Volume II, Issue 95, 15 August 1918, Page 4

MATAMATA COUNTY COUNCIL

August Meeting. There were present on Friday Crsj J. W. Anderson, chairman (Pairere), J. Pohlen and E. C. Banks (Matamata), C. A. Stopford (Patetere), F. C. Barnett and W. Carr-Rollett (Putaruru), and R. Kirkby (Maungatautiri). Leave of absence was granted Cr. Potts. WELL OVERDUE. With regard to the legalisation of a road through part Hinuera No. 2, the Public Works department stated that the matter had been overlooked, but was now being proceeded with. The clerk stated that the letter was really a reply to one sent by him in February, 1916. PUBLIC WORKS. The district engineer stated that he was instructed to inform the council that the amount of money likely to be available for road works during the year is limited, and that therefore any proposal to increase the amount of any item on the appropriations unspent at March 31st last, or any provision for any new items can only be considered if the local body agrees to strike off from the unexpended items on the appropriations, an item or unexpended balance of some item for a similar amount not yet authorised. The matter was left in the hands of the engineer. TIRAU-ROTORUA ROAD. Regarding the proper opening up and improving the TirauRotorua road the Under-secretary for Lands stated that the commissioner is arranging for a special inspection, and will report when the matter will be fully considered. FRENCH WAR ORPHANS. The secretary of the National association of the French War orphans, Hamilton, thanked the council for its monthly donation of £l2 10s, and stated that the appeal would exhaust itself, and would be closed on August 15th. THE “GLAXO” LORRIES. The N.Z.D.A. forwarded the balance of the amount —£112 10s —promised towards making good the damage done to the Mata-mata-Waharoa road by the Glaxo lorries. - Cr. Rollett congratulated the riding members, Crs. Banks and Pohlen, on the excellent work done towards securing a satisfactory settlement. CAMBRIDGE-TAUPO ROAD. W. G. Alexander, Lichfield, suggested that the CambridgeTaupo road, which runs through his property, surveyed two chains wide, should be reduced in width to one chain. It appeared much too wide for any possible traffic, and was but a harbour for rabbits. The Salvation army wrote similarly. The matter was left in 'the hands of the riding members to confer. TE MIRO SETTLEMENT. Five settlers on the Te Miro estate, Cambridge, petitioned for the removal of all gates on what is known as Bunkall road, stating that the gates were a great inconvenience. It was decided that the riding member and engineer attend to the matter. A PUTARURU ROAD. H. G. McLisky, Putaruru, wrote stating that the Crown Lands department had agreed to vote £SO towards the cost of a road to his section. The council resolved to take steps towards securing and expending the amount. OMaHINE METAL. C. C. Neal, Omahine, as an alternative to twopence per cubic yard for metal from his property, offered the metal rights from 5 or 6 acres, and all metal which may get washed on to it for a period of 20 years for the sum of £3OO. The council was not prepared to entertain the offer. HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER. It was decided that the engineer and any member who wished attend the conference, to be held in Auckland, to discuss the question of developing the latent hydroelectric power in the Auckland province. WAHAROA DRAINAGE. The State Advances Department advised that it had decided to grant an additional loan of £IOOO for drainage works at Waharoa. SANDERS MEMORIAL. In reply to the request for a contribution to the Sander’s memorial, it was decided that a donation of five guineas be made, with a stipulation that the amount, or any part of it, should not be devoted towards paying the cost of a monument, but should be for the scholarship

scheme. Members considered that the monument scheme was premature. OKAUIA ROAD. The request of J. Moore, Okauia for a road to give access to his property at Okauia was further considered. The engineer said the locality provided many difficulties and he thought it would cost quite £125 to put the road through. On Cr Banks’ motion it was decided that the council would contribute the value of £25 towards the cost. THL ICAIMAI ROAD. The question of the maintenance of the Kaimai road was brought up by Cr Stopford, who suggested that a horse and dray should be sent there. Cr Pohlen said it had always appeared to him that much better service could be given if Cr Stopford’s proposal was adopted. The matter of rates derived from properties on the road was also touched upon, and it was explained that the total amounted to only £3l 15s 9d. It was decided that the matter of future work be left in the hands of the members of the Matamata and Patetere riding, and that the Matamata Town board be asked to contribute. ACCOUNTS. Accounts were passed for payment as follows: General, £573 12s 9d ; Interest, loans and grants, £ll4 19s 6d: total, £6BB 12s 3d.