MATAMATA COUNTY COUNCIL

Matamata Record, Volume III, Issue 124, 22 March 1919, Page 1

MATAMATA COUNTY COUNCIL

March Meeting. 'There were present on Friday, Cr. J. W. Anderson, chairman, Crs J. Pohlen and E, C. Banks (Matamata),•("!. A. Stopford (Pate* tere), F. C. Barnett (Putaruru), A. Potts (Taotaoroa) and W. Kirkby (Maungatautari).

.. FINANCE. Public Works Department forwarded cheques for £75 in respect of work done on Fisher's deviation,Maungatautari riding; £4OO Puketurua to Waotu bridge; £300; Omahine-^;* 8 ™ fridge £l4O 19s; Ngatiri t&*£kol»riki road £400;. Waiteariki bribS? (£1 for £1) £loo—Received. A PUTARURU ROAD. Writing in respect of an application made for access by Mr Vickery, of Putaruru, the Department of Lands and Survey advised that, after going carefully into the matter, it was unable to recommend that anything further should be done. The chief surveyor was of the opinion that the question was one for the private individual, a freeholder, and the council to attend to. GRANTS. Hon. W. H. Herries, Minister of Railways, acknowledged receipt of the council's communica-. tions applying for grants for works in Omahine-Te Poi Special Area and Tirau Special Area and stated that he was communicating with the Hon. the Minister of Public Works on the matters.'

, SHORTAGE OF TRUCKS. The general manager N.Z. Railways and the Minister for Railways wrote re shortage of trucks. The letters referrpd to the desirability of providing storage sites at stations for metal, so that it could be shifted during the slack season. It was decided that the chairman meet the Hon. W. H. Herries at the Matamata show with respect to this and several other matters.

The chairman pointed out that the storage of metal might be alright from the , department's point of view, but it meant putting Is or Is 6d per yard on the cost. # • i'' '/'. PERMANENT ROADS. The Waip||\ County council sought support to a resolution advocating some-system of constructing permanent roads, such to be paid for mainly out of the consolidated Revenue, automatically given and, further, that a' tax of at least 10 per cent be placed on motor traffic. ; Or. Pohlen thought the letter was on the right lines. The chairman was of the opinion that it would benefit the Auckland Province, but was hardly fair to the southern part of this Island and the South Island, where they had made their roads many years ago. Cr. Banks: They have made their roads, but we have built their railways. It was decided to support the i request.

The dbg registrar for the Mata-* mata, Patefece and Pqtayuru ridings wrote suggesting that all owners of registered dogs should keep the collars on their canine assistants, " so as to beat the cunning push, of which there were quite a number not far from, the council chambers," Cr, Banks; He's perfeotly right; but the collar is stolen off my dog within a week of when it's put on. The chairman: That's even hotter than the registrar's remarks regarding the " cunning push near the council chambers." Cr. Stopford: It doesn't sound good for the people of Matamata. It tyas resolved to support toe request. RATING ON VALUER W. C.Hewitt, Putaru™, qn behalf of the branch; of the. Farmers'Uqiqn, in, that a™s, sought jnfor.m,a,tiqn qq the questjoq qf yawing on, the unimproved, vajue as it was tqa intern, \ oi Rr jqg a.bqu.t a poll. i The ch.ajr.rn.an, ga.tf it >. ~„ distmotly bad for**- would be ohaa*- A utaruru, if the jj was adopted.

Cr. Barnett said it was a tricky business to go into and required a lot of thought. Decided to supply the information with the exception of that in connection with native lands, which was an intricate question. THE ARAHIWI ROAD.

Horace F. W. King drew attention to the bad state of a culvert on the Arahiwi road, and asked that some of the rates derived from properties adjoining be spent on the roads. The engineer stated that an account had been passed at the previous meeting for work on the road. He had given authority to do what work was required. The matter was left in the hands of the engineer, » „J> -A'S^Sd-pit.

H. G. Bartlett, Hinuera, offered to sell a half acre of his property to the council for £SO for use as a sand-pit —under certain conditions, one of which was that he be allowed to take sand for his own private use. The engineer stated that the pit was a good one, and was near the house —that was probably why the price was a bit high. It was decided to accept the offer. MOTOR LORRIES. The Manawatu County council suggested that county councils who will shortly require motor lorries for the haulage of metal should make representations to the Government so that j it may make application to the I Imperial authorities for such | number as is considered would be needed for New Zealand's requirements. The letter referred to vehicles used in France.

The engineer questioned whether there would not be a marked change in the size, running capabilities and power of motor lorries. , Cr. Pohlen said it was much like buying "a pig in a poke." He thought the idea hardly practicable. It was decided to reply in accordance with the engineer's remarks, pointing out that electric power should soon be available. A PERIA CULVERT. H. Rollett, Peria, asked council to redeem a promise made two years ago to improve the road from Matamata to the entrance to his property by lowering the water at a oulvert, filling and sanding the hill, which is very bad after rain.— Left to riding members and engineer, with power to aot. NATIVE PAS. The Tauranga Hospital and Charitable Aid board wrote asking the oounoil to support it in its -endeavors to convince the Government as to the necessity for an inspoction, and improvement in the sanitary condition of native pas. The board considered that this was as necessary as was the cleaning up of slum areas. —Decided to support* the request. •'. '

MATAMATA POUND. The Matamata town clerk wrote stating that upon inquiry the board learned that the M a fa* mata pqbJic pound had not been vested' in the County council, and suggested, therefore, that the oounoil was not in order in including the amount of £75 for the pound, in its charges against the Town board. The clerk said the section was. dealt with in the d,eed. of adjustment, a.s were various sand-pits and working plant. He oould not understand Why the section was not vested in the council. The chairman : They can take the same rights as we bad. Cr. Banks drew attention \^\\ econference with the U/wd, (of which he was then* a member). He said h.O aiKed Cr, An^ er _ how niuoh the oon :iCil ha( J ' £rthe^ KatW h,- ?tt HjJK £7sonbu.ldiqg.« #e ftyr Banks) sugge&ted, Jha|, the hoard should Jake ww fee PAUhd on the same basis, as the co.qqqtf had it, This, he the hoard had ao' quie&qed, iq, ft Was, 4eoiM fp reply in Kfi** 'Or. BulS reMILITARY TRAINING. The Ashburton County council forwarded a copy of a resolution which advocated the discontinu-

ance of military training camps ; that electors should have an opportunity of expressing their views through the ballot box on any system of defence that might be introduced; that the territorial system could be advantageously abolished.

Cr. Stopford stated that he would like to see the cadet system continued, but thought the territorial system might be dropped. Cr. Banks referred to bad 1 language used by youths of the present day, language which, he said, was learned, in many cases from parents. It was deplorable, he said, and was giving the eduoational authorities much food for thought. A scheme was being drawn up which would, he hoped, make it compulsory for lads of from 14 to 17 years of age to attend a half-day each week. By this scheme it was sought to improve them mentally and physically. (Hear, hear). The letter was received.

TURANGA-O.MOANA- W AHAROA ROAD. A petition was received from fourteen settlers of Turanga-o-moana, asking the council to con-' sider the request for the widening of part of the Turanpra-o-moana - Waharoa road which crosses the swamp. The petitioners predicted that next season the traffic will be heavy, and the narrow part would give trouble. Left in the hands of the riding members and engineer. . TENDERS. Three tenders were received for sanding work at P;eria, hut all were considered too hl'i.rj and the inatter was left in the hands of the engineer with paw«r to act ACCOUNTS AoQounts were passed for payment a« follows {—General, £1561 12s 3d; loans and grants, £447 6s; interest, £96 10s 3d. »?'•'■