MATAMATA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Putaruru Press, Volume IV, Issue 164, 23 December 1926, Page 1

MATAMATA COUNTY COUNCIL.

SECON D DEC EM BER M EETIN G. The second meeting of the Matamata County Council for the month of December was held at Tirau on Friday. Present: Crs. J. W. Anderson (chairman, Tirau riding), S. J. Harding (Peria), S. H. Judd (Maungatatari), J. Bruce (Karipiro), W. S. Wilson (Matamata), E. J. Darby (Putaruru), P. Dee (Te Poi), K. S. Cox (Tokoroa), W. H. Allen (Okoroire). ADVISORY BOARD.

Cr. Darby advocated that Matamata district should be directly represented on the committee formed in Auckland in connection with the Railway Advisory Board, in the form of a delegate from a member of a local committee, to the Auckland committee. He moved in that direction, the matter to be discussed at a future meeting.—Carried. Cr. S. H. Judd dissented, taking the view that the matter was not a

council one. If Cr. Darby felt keenly on matter he should endeavour to form a local committee, upon which the council would be represented. ROADS CLOSED. The Public Works Department forwarded proclamation closing portions of the Paraonui road through Mrs. McGregor’s, Mrs. Seddon’s and Mr. Leslie’s properties. P.W.D. AND ROADS. In reply to a letter from the council the Under-secretary for Public Works wrote stating that the Department was quite agreeable to its engineer’s working in co-operation with local body engineers, but regretted it was not possible to consult local bodies in every case before expending money on a road. The engineer was instructed to write further, stating the council’s point of view. Members considered that the Crown should be under the same obligations in the matter as were local bodies. COUNTY VALUATIONS. The Valuer-General wrote stating that owing to the large amount of work in hand it was impossible to re-value Matamata county for some time, but that the county’s application would be put on the list of districts recommended for consideration when next year’s revision is being fixed. STATUTORY HALF-HOLIDAY. The Department of Labour drew the council’s attention to the necessity of holding a special meeting in the month of January to fix the statutory half-holiday for the Matamata county for the ensuing year.— Received. OHINEMURI SILTING COMMISSION. The council’s solicitors wrote stating that apparently there was some misconception, and that it was the Ohinemuri Silting Commission from liability to which the council was exempted through the kind offices of the late Sir W. Herries. Should the council desire to object to the proposals of the Waharoa Drainage Board to include it within their area they would have to contest the matter. The chairman recalled the council’s connection in the matter, and on j the motion of Cr. Judd it was cle- | cided to communicate with the soli- | citor and secure further information. A FIRST CASE. The council’s solicitors wrote reporting that prosecutions brought by the council’s inspector against a lorry driver, under the heavy traffic regulations, for (3) plying without a heavy traffic license; (2) exceeding the load allowed; (3) carrying on ! traffic when same was prohibited by j the council, had been heard at the ! Cambridge Court and convictions recorded on all counts. It was conI tended that this was the first case to be brought under the third heading, and it established the validity of the council’s prohibition of certain traffic on certain roads. Cr. Judd said the fine was merely ! nominal, being a test case. It was essential to recover from someone for the extraordinary damage already done. He moved that the engineer be

instructed to enter into negotiations with the Public Works Department in the event of immediate satisfaction not being forthcoming from Bond, and any future damage be also arranged for in regard to compensation. Carried. THE TIMBER INDUSTRY. The Dominion Federated Sawmillers’ Association wrote urging the council to follow the lead given by the Takapuna Borough Council in stipulating the use of New Zealand timber rather than imported timbers for various public works. It was suggested that with a grave adverse trade balance, Unemployment and general depression, local bodies could assist greatly by using on every possible occasion local instead of imported timber. A further letter urged that while agreeing to contribute an equitable proportion of rates in conformity with all other ratepayers to the revenue of ounfcy councils, the Federation wished to place before the council reasons why the rating on standing timber abolished by the Land Amendment Act, 1926, should not be revived as some councils were asking for. A communication with 22 such reasons was enclosed. Cr. Cox said the trouble was that the local merchants made more profit out of handling the foreign timber, as much as forty per cent. Cr. Allen thought the timber interests’ argument would not hold water.

Cr. Darby said there was no question that the money should be spent on New Zealand timber, instead of sending it over the other side of the Pacific to America. The council should express itself in sympathy with local industry. The letter was received, after a motion by Crs. Cox and Darby had been moved that the council express sympathy with the request. The amendment to “ receive ” the letter was moved by Crs. Judd and Allen. ENGINEERS’ CONFERENCE. On the receipt of a letter from the Society of Engineers, the council decided to grant permission for its engineer to attend the conference in Auckland on 14th March. DOBSON MINE DISASTER. The organisers of the Dobson Mine Disaster Relief Fund wrote forwarding a subscription list, and requesting the council to place the appeal before the public. Cr. Allen said he thought such a call should be met from the Consolidated Fund, so that the whole Dominion would contribute. Cr. Judd supported. It was decided to reply that the council had every sympathy with the object, but that a Government grant should be made on behalf of the nation. WATER PIPE LINE. Mr. George Vosper, of Maungatautari, wrote asking for permission to cross Hick’s road with a three-quart-er-inch pipe to enable him to connect with the Cambridge Borough water suppl y.—G ra n ted. ACCESS TO PROPERTY. Mr. R. A. Smith, Te Poi, wrote with reference to a bridge giving access to his property over the Waiomo stream, stating that the Public Works Department -had offered £l6O towards their estimate of £3lO for a bridge to carry a two-ton load. The council’s assistance was also sought. Cr. Allen pointed out that the land had been priced and bought without the bridge. Cr. Judd moved that the clerk investigate and find out if the applicant was willing to have his property loaded to the extent of the county contribution. —Car r i e d. MAT A MAT A D R AIN AG E. The Matamata Town Board wrote asking that the council’s dram on Waharoa road be continued to the board’s area, to drain the road. The board, of course, would be prepared to pay a fair proportion of the cost. The board would like the county engineer to take the level and consult with the board chairman. Cr. Harding said the spoil would be wanted Joy backing up the metal. The request was acceded to, the i council to recommend to the board that the drain be continued, subject ito indemnity by the board in the I event of the Kungahunga Drainage Board making a successful claim.

WAHAROA REQUEST. Mr. E. J. Smith, Waharoa, wrote: ‘ 1 would respectfully draw your council’s attention to the filling in Hill street, Waharoa. The filling has blocked an old watercourse, the outlet of which crosses the road into the main drain near by. “ the notice to remove the fence from- McGowan street, J will have to erect a new fence, but I consider the one and a-half chain widfck not necessary for side roads. Our experience of these side roads at Waharoa seems to he that they go back to fern and grow weed's, and are quite an eyesore. If your council put a reasonable price on I would be prepared to purchase the same.” Cr. Wilson said he thought the other parties wanted a one and a-half chain road. Cr. Judd moved that the Waharoa Domain Board be written to, asking if in their opinion a chain wide road would be sufficient.—Carried. The chairman said he certainly thought that there should not be any trees planted on the northern side of the road. The engineer concurred with this view. GRADING. Cr. Darby moved that the engineer be instructed to arrange as far as practicable for the roads in all the ridings to be graded during the next year. He did not approve of any one riding getting all the grading. The chairman said he considered the engineer made a fair distribution now, taking weather and finances into consideration. The motion lapsed for want of a seconder. DOG TAX. The dog tax was fixed the same as last year, 2s 6d for sheep and cattle dogs, and 10s for others. IN SEASON. Cr. Anderson, before closing the meeting, thanked the councillors for the way they had assisted him during the past term, and he wished all present a prosperous and happy New Year.—Acclamation. CONTRACTORS. Cr. Darby moved that any contractor, of whom it could be proved that he was endeavouring to debar competition, should be struck off the council’s list of contractors.—Carried.