HINUERA.

Putaruru Press, Volume IV, Issue 146, 19 August 1926, Page 3

HINUERA.

HALL AND RATEPAYERS’ ASSOCIATION. A general meeting of the Hinuera Hail and Ratepayers’ Association was held last Thursday, when several matters affecting the Hinuera district were discussed. The chairman, Mr. J. C. Findlater, presided over a good attendance of members. The deputation appointed to meet the works committee of the Matamata County Council reported that they had met Crs. Wilson, Dee, Cox, Bruce, and the engineer, and all inspected various works of importance. SIGN POSTS. Before making a tour of inspection, however, the question of adequate, sign posts, warning motorists of the close proximity of the school, and the matter of speeding, were brought forward, and a suggestion was made that the council arrange for the inspector to come down and lay a trap with the object of having a prosecution made. The engineer replied that he considered that the inspector had no knowledge or judgment of speed, and that a conviction along these lines would be hard to obtain. His own opinion was that it would be better to put a “ wave ” on the road, but this was held by members to he illegal, a magistrate having recorded a verdict against a local body on the matter. INSPECTION OF BRIDGES. An inspection of various bridges took place, and, in reference to the Mangawhero, Stamford, Anderson’s, Waihou river and Kneebone’s bridges, it was recommended that, in view of the dilapidated condition of these bridges and the increase of traffic, they be rebuilt in concrete and made wide enough for two vehicles to pass with safety. UNNECESSARY BENDS AND GRADES.

It was also recommended that corners, especially at acute angles, should be banked, and in places where c the land is privately owned it should t be taken under the Public Works Act in the interests of the safety of the ( i travelling public. • f ; It was pointed out that the, council v had in 1923 in writing to the assccia-- jj tion stated that the whole quest: 1 on g . of bridges was under review and Hat' q at no distant date improvements q would be effected. As a matter of fact nothing had been done in the interim. IV ROAD METAL AND COST. The question of the quality of the tl road metal received for the county n roads came under discussion, and the a secretary, Mr. Phil. Hawke, pointed out that it was the duty of the engineer to see that the quality of metal specified in the contract was received, h The engineer admitted that there h had been some difficulty in securing r the specified quality of metal. t A member inquired as to whether t any deduction had been made. by the 1 engineer from the invoices of the t Tirohia Quarry Company for metal not being up to standard! Eventually it was decided that a deputation wait upon The County Council to inquire i into this, and also into the cost of . various roads in the district. The member referred to considered that ( the council had a right to furnish the association with these costs, and particularly the cost incurred in puttihg in the culvert at the bridge between the school and Troughton’s corner. ■ LETTING PRIVATE CONTRACTS. The deputation was also requested to bring forward the matter of the council letting private contracts, and for what amount, without calling tenders for same. DEFAULTERS’ ACT. Mr. Hockly, M.P., replied to the association as follows: “ Defaulters’ List in County Elections.—Once the clerk has compiled the list, which must be done 10 days before the election, and sent in to the returning officer, it has got to stand. The officials of the Internal Affairs Department think there is a case to be made out for there being no defaulters’ list in cases of voting for a loan. It is a question of taking fresh' burdens on their shoulders, and if they have difficulty in meeting their present rates surely they ought to have a say as to whether further burdens are to be placed on their shoulders.” Mr. J. C. Pearson expressed the opinion that the Act defeated its own ends. It was apparently made with the object of making ratepayers pay their rates, but it very often disenfranchised the good citizen who, possibly through unforeseen circumstances, did not pay bis rates, and it did not do the least good to those who did not pay. It was moved : “ That this meeting of ratepayers requests Mr. Hockly, M.P., to endeavour to get an amendment to the Defaulters’ Act providing (Continued in Next Column.)

for every voter to he entitled to record his vote on either a loan proposal or on a county council or local body election.” A copy of the motion is to be sent to Messrs. Stewart Reid and C. E. Macmillan, M.’s P. DAYLIGHT SAVING BILL. This Pleasure was severely criticised, and Mr. Hopkins moved : “ That this association strongly objects to the Daylight Saving Bill as being detrimental to the interests of the farming community in general, and appreciates the action of Mr. Hockly in voting against it, and that a telegram be sent to the Legislative Council objecting to the Bill.” Carried. BACON FACTORY. The chairman and the secretary and Messrs. S. A. Clark, W. Oates and J. Harris were appointed a committee to act in the matter of the establishment of a co-operative bacon factory at Hinuera. REVALUATION. The revaluation of the Te Poi riding was referred to. The association had been advised that the areas to be revalued this year had not been settled owing to the illness of the Valuer-General, hut as soon as the matter was dealt with advice would be given in due course. STATION TELEPHONE. The executive were instructed to renew their activities in connection with the erection of a telephone at the railway station with direct communication to the Matamata exchange. Other railway matters dealt with are to be discussed in person when the business agent, Mr. Welch, visits Hinuera.