MATAMATA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Matamata Record, Volume III, Issue 120, 20 February 1919, Page 4

MATAMATA COUNTY COUNCIL.

February Meeting. The monthly meeting of the Matamata County council was held on Friday, Crs. J. Anderson (chairman), J. Pohlen and E. C. Banks (Matamata), F. C. Barnett and W. C. Rollett (Putaruru), C. A. Stopford (Patetere), and A. Potts (Taotaoroa) being present. Leave of absence was granted Cr. Kirkby. TIRAU SPECIAL LOAN. The State Advances department notified that the special rate as a security for the £SOOO special Tirau loan had been gazetted. PUBLIC ROAD. The Lands department notified its intention of taking land on the Whaiti-Kuranui No. 1 block in the Patetere N. district for road purposes. THIRDS. The Receiver of Land revenue forwarded to the council's credit the sum of £B4 10s 3d on account of thirds. TE AROHA TRAFFIC BRIDGE. The clerk, Piako County council, wrote as follows:—" The Te Aroha Borough council have approached us with a proposition to erect a concrete bridge over the Waihou river at Te Aroha with the idea of raising a joint loan for that purpose. I have been instructed to ask your county if they will be a contributing party. The bridge is quite inadequate for the traffic, and is costly to maintain—in fact wants re-decking for almost its whole length at the present time —and I should say that your county would benefit financially by contributing as suggested. If a meeting could be arranged between the different bodies interested perhaps it would be best." Cr. Pohlen: I cannot see that we will benefit financially. The chairman: Well, we are paying for the old bridge, and may not be expected to contribute so much again.

It was explained that the Matamata county was at present paying nearly half the Piako county's portion. Crs. Rollett and Banks suggested that the quotas should bo fixed by a court, as the Matamata county's interest in the Te Aroha bridge was very small. It was decided that a letter be written to the Piako County council suggesting a conference to discuss the position regarding the Te Aroha and Cambridge bridges. SHORTAGE OF TRUCKS.

The Piako County council forwarded a copy "'of a letter Rent to the Minister for Railways in which that body complained of a serious shortage of trucking, thus seriously interfering with road metalling work at a time whi'n it was most necpssary to po on. The council asked the Ma'amata County council's support in the action taken. The Tirohia Quarrying company wrote on the same matter, and stated that the shortage of trucks was greatly inconveniencing the company in its endeavors to supply local bodies with metal.

The chairman: It's a rotten state of affairs; the people in my riding have raised money for loans, and only three trucks have been received. It was decided to write to the Minister on the matter and support the resolution. WAOTU-PUKETURUA. ROAD. The Public Works department notified that if labor is available the work on this road will be let. A PUTARURU ROAD. J. H. Yickory forwarded a reply to a letter written to the Public Works department in which the latter suggested that the settler should write to the local body concerned, as the matter of opening up the road did not concern the department. Or. Barnett said it was not a private matter, the Lands department having provided the road but not formed it. He could not see that the County council was liable. It wajs decided to Write to the Lands department asking it to road, BARTHOLOMEW CO.'S ROAD. The Bartholomew Timber company wrote complaining of the council's action in taking the men off work on the road serving them before it was completed, stating that the work done was of very little use. The company asker* that the council fulfil its obligations and promises. It was decided on Cr. Barnett's motion that a gang be sent to work on. the road within the next three weeks. Cr. Barnett said the council had not broken its promise, as when the men were taken off the weather was too wet, and the horses were getting bogged. The trouble since was that the council could not get men. Pr. Banks: Can we get men nowl'

The engineer: No, we can't, especially for work in the back country. The engineer was instructed to make arrangements for the purchase of several scoops. A PERIA ROAD. W. R. Clark, Peria, drew the council's attention to the bad state of about sixty chains of the Puketuku road (Peria) in front of Chitty's, Stonex and White's, and his own properties. He claimed that the road was practically impassable, nothing having been done to it for quite eight yearn. Stonex and White wrote similarly. Cr. Pohlen said both ends of the road were sanded about two years ago, but the part mentioned was left. It badly needed sanding. Cr. Banks: What about the metal from Blennerhassett's. I believe it's fair stuff? Cr. Pohlen: Alright, but will not it be costly ? It was decided to call for alternate tenders—sanding and metalling. A COMPLAINT. M. Webster, " Bon Accord," Tirau, wrote as follows:—"Is it usual for the Defence department to have its shooting range so near the public road ? The noise yesterday (January 21st) was frightful, and even with a quiet horse it was a difficult matter to get over the bridge in safety. I beg to draw your attention to the danger caused by the use made of the council gravel pit, and object as a ratepayer to same." Councillors agreed that the pit is too close to the road —the noise was terrific.

It was decided to point out this fact to the authorities, and to intimate that the council objected to the use of the pit mentioned as a rifle range.

COUNTY WORKERS' AWARD The Auckland Provincial Employers' association informed council that a full settlement (terms forwarded) had been arrived at in connection with the laborers' dispute. It was decided to thank Messrs Aitkenhead and Jackson, of the Waitemata County council, for the services rendered in connection with the matter. BUCKLAND ROAD.

A deputation consisting of Messrs S. Harding, Bruce and Lings waited upon the council asking it to resume its promise to do work on the Buckland road before the winter sets in. Two members of the deputation offered grazing for teams. Cr. Pohlen said the work was promised for this summer, and attention should certainly be given the road. The grader was at present engaged at Matamata, but should be available soon. On his motion it was decided that the grader he sent to the road on about Monday, Feb. 24th. The engineer was deputed to report on the proposition of sanding part of the road. A MATAMATA REQUEST. A request of Mr J. Clothier, Matamata, for the council teams to be allowed to form a road to his property at his own cost was referred to the engineer. DOG TAX COLLECTOR. Mr J. Tyson was appointed dog tax collector for the Putaruru, Patetere and Matamata ridings. The tender of Messrs Triggs and Denton, Christchurch, was accepted for the supply of dog collars. MATARAU ROAD. A letter was received trom the Matarua Land company asking the council to open up a road from Rollett's road to the Taupo road —distance about V/i miles. The letter stated that extensive improvements were being carried out and the road was urgently required. Cr. Rollett spoke in support of the request and moved that the work, costing about £2OO, be put in hand. The motion was carried. TENDERS. The acceptance of tenders was left in the Patetere riding members and engineer's hands. OVERDUE RATES. It was decided that the ten per cent penalty be charged on all rates not paid by March Ist. ACCOUNTS. Accounts wero passed for payment as follows : —Contracts and wages £1,388 6s, loans and grants £247 15s Bd, interest £254 14s lOd, hospital rate £163 8s 7d.