PIAKO COUNTY COUNCIL

Matamata Record, Volume III, Issue 126, 3 April 1919, Page 1

PIAKO COUNTY COUNCIL

MAUNGAKAWA

A deputation of ratepayers from the western end of the county, Messrs 11. Crowther, R. Hannon and E. Martin, waited on the council re their need for improved reading at Maungakawa. Mr Martin said the settlers had spent £. r )0 on improvements last year. The Government had repaired that part of the road affecting its own property, hut the othor sottlers wanted the council to attend to the roads for tho ratepayers. Cr. Bell supported tho requests. Mr Hannon suggested a deviation along sido a creek would bring the deputationists* lands within eight miles of Kiwitahi, whereas they aro-now thirteen miles from Cambridge. Tho road would ho the main ono from Cambridge to Morrinsville, and a fair road would reduce traffic on tho Tauwhare road. The deviation would not be costly. The council authorised the riding member (Cr. Bell) and tho engineer to effect repairs. It was decidod to meet the settlers at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 9th. A NGARUA BRIDGE. Mr T. Mitchie, Ngarua, reported that a bridge on Diagonal road was unsafe. Tho engineer said the bridgo could easily be made safo and satisfactory, and ho was instructed to effect repairs as soon as possible. WAITOA-MATAMATA ROAD. The engineer’s plans and specifications for expenditure of the Government grants for WaitoaMatamata road, wore approved by tho Public Works Department. The chairman reported that Mr Mikkebon had waited on him urging tho provision of more metal for tho Matamata-Waitoa road. The chairman said ho understood the sottlers were prepared to find labor to do tho work.

Tho Elstow Drainage board applied for permission to cross the To Kawana and Gould’s roads for drain improvement works. Tho chairman said in the past the drainage boards had disturbed traffic on the roads longer than lie considered necessary, the board should be required to complete their work within a reasonable time.

O. Fitzgerald remarked that when conditions wore imposed they should he insisted upon. The Elstow board had not fenced the drain along Waihou road though it was promised many months ago. The woidc now applied for should not take more than two days, and enough men should bo put on to ensure this. Ho was opposed to drainage boards being allowed to use part of county roads for draining lands. The chairman thought permission should bo granted, provided the work is done expeditiously. The clerk was also instructed to remind the Elstow board of its promise to fence the roadside drain on the main Te ArohaWaihou road.