KOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 24 May 1920, Page 2

KOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL

SPECIAL MEETING. APPOINTMENT OP ENGINEER. A special meeting of the above Council was held at Levin on Saturday. Present: Crs. G. A. Monk (chairman), F. Coley, F. ,T. Ryder, J. R. Whyte, das. McLeavey, C. I. Hark ness. Apologies for absence were received from Crs. Bryant. Broadbclt and Barber.

The chief business of the meeting was the appointment of an engineer, in place of Mr J. Malcolm, resigned. After interviewing Mr Murray, ot Auckland, and Mr W. N. Anderson, of Duller, who were'chosen out of fi-i applicants for j iiual selection, the latter was appointed. Doth were considered fully callable, but the preference, after due consideration, was given to Mr Anderson. The latter will therefore act as actingengineer till Mr Malcolm’s term of olhcc expires, he to take up his duties us soon as possible.

Treasurer’s Statement. Mr P. W. Goldsmith presented a lengthy and comprehensive report, on the finances of the Council, details oi which are held over until our next issue. The Chairman considered they : bould congratulate the Clerk and the Council generally for fhc satisfactory state ot aiiairs and for such a report. The clerk had stated that he was more backward this year than last in the collecting ot rates, but this could not be helped on account of changes, it was necessary the Council should have a new revaluation, and the office could not lie expected to get things straight till it was made, lhe last valuation was in Htlo, and therefore the re-valuation was long overdue, lie thought the stall could be congratulated oil getting in rates so well. The clerk had also drawn attention that, the bulk ot the rates had been spent on the roads, and to this he agreed, adding that the roads in this district compared more than favourably with those of other parts, lie considered tiie Council could be congratulated on carrying on on the same

rate as five years ago. despite the tact that prices of most things had gone up He considered the Council’s method ot repair work very satisfactory. He eon tended the water-race scheme should not tie a charge on the ridings, maintaining that the people getting tiie ad vantage should pay. As for roadmen’s cottages he thought this was a mutter that might be deferred for a year, as there were no roadmen who needed houses at present. Touching on road machinery, the Chairman considered this was a matter that might also b< deferred for a time, although the ques lion of a tractor could be considered at a later date. He had been over all tin main roads, and with few exceptions found them good, but some would need alteration, and would have to be yeaTi tied and rolled. Xu the Tokomaru Riding roads excepting on one strebdi were particularly good, while in the Otaki .Manakau Riding the same tiling applied. The district roads in the south were better than those in the north. I.ut it would have to be taken into con -'deration that Te Horn had a dvlot balance, while in the north then- wn- .-: credit. He moved the adoption ot tin- report, which was seconded by Cr. McLeavcy. The latter agreed that a tractor was necessary and that those who got flic benefit of water-races should pay for the maintenance, ib- hoped, however, the rate would uoi be raised. Cr. Ryder congratulated the clerk on the able report, but considered every

Mjttler should be his own valuator, and nuyono. allowed to buy a place as long 1 a ten per cent advance was given. A w for water-race.- - , he thought work .-hould be done by contract. The Chairman agreed, provided labour way available. Cr. HarknC:e-> ako complimented the Clerk on bin report. He considered the back roads were not receiving enough attention by the roller, and took exception to the way grading wa- done. He did not agree with Cr. Ryder's -uggetion of re valuation, maintaining 1 1 would do away with patriotism, and cau-e people to part with farm:, when they desired to hold on. Referring to v. ater-race:> he agreed that water-raceo h’aouid be paid for by those deriving the benefit.

Estimates. The Council then proceeded to den. with the estimates of whict f will apDear in our next issue;, and the following resolution wai earned: — Monk-Whyte: That the e-timate:-. as eon: idcred. be r*ccepted as er.timates for i J'.'JO-LI. viz.:

Bates. It was decided to strike the following rates: —Tokomarc Riding. *d in the £. Wlrokino *d in the £, Otaki lsd in the £. Te Horo lid in the £. mm mmmmmnwnmniwmm , iwmm

Expenditure. Ktciptr £ £ Genera! 5007 1100 Tokomaru Hiding 3662 400. Wirokino Riding 6030 0105 OrakT Biding • • 327S 2.127 To- Ho ro Elding yj 1 1 3060.