MATAMATA COUNTY COUNCIL

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 233, 19 April 1928, Page 5

MATAMATA COUNTY COUNCIL

APRIL MEETING. % _ The ordinary monthly meeting of the Matamata County Council was held at Tirau on Friday last, when the following councillors attended:— Messrs. J. W. Anderson (chairman, .Tirau riding), W. H. Allen (Okoroire), E. J. Darby (Putaruru), P. Dee (Te Poi), K. S. Cox (Tokoroa), H. W. Wilson (Matamata), J. Bruce (Karapiro) and S. H. Judd (Maungatautari). Also present were Messrs. C. F. E. Barton (clerk) and M. E. Fitzgerald (engineer). Leave of absence was granted to Mr. H. E. Rollett (Peria). Motor Regulations. The Public Works Department forwarded circular letter with a copy of new motor regulations. Cr. Judd suggested the clerk run off a copy each for the use of councillors. The engineer stated the index promised would be the most valuable part, as it was so difficult to find what was wanted. The regulations still contained the clause which Threw the onus on local bodies of •erecting and maintaining signs on dangerous corners, etc. This opened aa up a wide question as once such a ™ notice was put up, the local body concerned tacitly admitted the road was dangerous. The Department, however, got out of this situation by saying that it rested with local bodies to say which parts of roads were dangerous. . .The council decided that the clerk arrange for each member to receive a. copy of the regulations. Scherer's Road. Messrs. P. Scherer, for Scherer Bros., and Mr. C. J. Woods, for Miller and Ppcey, waited on the council relative to the metalling of Scherer’s 1 road, Waharoa district. In the absence of Cr. H. Rollett, p* due to illness, the chairman suggested that Cr. Rollett and the engineer meet the parties on the road, with power to act. The deputation was prepared to assist in the work. —Agreed to. Wairere Bridge. 1 The Piako County Council forwarded an account giving the council’s share of the cost of repairs to the Wairere bridge.

In a reply to this, the clerk to the Matamata County Council stated the 1 account -would be submitted to ■ the next meeting of the council, and askad the cause of the delay in 'renewing the bridge as plans had been approved by the council as long ago as June, 1926. Replying to this letter the Piako County Council stated that the engineer had recently left the council’s service, and that the matter of renewal would come before the next meeting of the council. —Received. Valuation. Mr. J. E. West, Tokoroa, wrote •stating he had valued the 'length of the road between lots 2 and 3, Matarawa subdivision, at £3 5s per acre.— .^Received. Lawcock’s Block. Messrs. Hewitt and Reid . wrote to the council with reference to certain roads on Mr. Lawcock’s section front- „ ing Arapuni lake. The letter stated - 1 that the road at present in use, comprising 3 roods 19 perches, had not been dedicated. A further portion, comprising 2 acres 13 perches, had been dedicated .but never formed or used. The letter requested the council to close the old road and to take the one at present in use. As certain dealings were now pending, expedition of these formalities was requested.—Decided to take steps to carry out . the request. Motorists’ Complaints. Mr. N. L. Higginson, Okoroire

Springs Hotel, wrote advising the W -council that numerous motorists had •complained to him in regard to the triangular piece of road which had “been left where the Te Poi and Rotorua roads converged on the eastern side of the Waihou river. This piece was not only confusing, but dangerous. As the work in connection with . the new bridge was not yet complete, the writer considered it wise to advise the council of these complaints. ~~' r Thn engineer reported that the roads at this spot were no worse than that at other turn-offs in the county, though while work was proceeding on the bridge some little inconvenience was bound to arise. The letter was received. Drains Again. Mr. A. J. Richards wrote asking the council to lower and enlarge eul--verts across the road, near his property. The writer thanked the council for their prompt’inspection of the spot, and also for ; the good work which had been done on his road. The engineer stated the council’s position in regard to drains was obscure, and advice was be’Wobtained on various points. fWhe chairman suggested the whole Suets should be forwarded to the so■M

licitor to the Counties’ Association for his advice.

Left in hands of clerk, engineer and riding member. Overdale Request.

Mr. A. A. Rigger, Overdale, wrote stating that he had erected rabbit netting around his boundary at considerable expense, and that the county roadmen had cut same. He asked that the engineer inspect the damage done at an early date. The writer also asked that the road from Morris’ gate to his property be metalled, as vehicles were continually getting stuck on this portion which became a bog in winter. Decided to reply that the finances of the riding did not warrant any further metalling being done in this part of the district. Cr. Darby pointed out that £350 from revenue, a £2OOO loan and £SOO in grants had been spent in Overdale. Nickles’ Road. The Waipa County Council wrote stating that Mr. Nickles had asked that his road be opened up sufficiently to allow him to get in and out with his stock and manure to his land situated in Matamata county. As the work was solely for the benefit of a ratepayer who had property in both counties it was suggested the cost of the work, estimated at between £4O and £SO, should be shared equally between Matamata and Waipa. On the motion of Cr. Judd it was decided to offer a contribution of £lO from riding funds. Tapapa Road.

Mr. H. Moore forwarded the account for work done on the Tapapa load as follows: —Carting 675 yards gravel, at 2s 6d, £B4 7s 6d; spreading and blinding 294 J hours, at Is 81d, £25 2s 4d; cleaning culverts, etc., 72 hours at Is Bid, £6 3s; total, £lls 12s lOd. The clerk pointed out there was a limit of £IOO put on the work. The engineer reported a good job had been made, and as the councillor concerned (Mr. P. Dee) stated he was satisfied, it was decided to pay the full amount in this case. Ironmasters’ Request. The New Zealand Ironmasters’ Association forwarded a resolution adopted at their recent conference as follows: “ That this joint meeting of representatives of all engaged in the engineering industry, both employers and employees, urges upon the Government, municipal and other local government bodies the necessity, in the interests of the welfare of the community as a whole, of purchasing within New Zealand all supplies and machinery which can be obtained locally, and that copies of this resolution be sent to the Prime Minister and to local bodies throughout New Zealand with a request that as far as possible it be adopted as a general policy to be followed in future.” Cr. Darby: It’s all right if the price is right. The letter was received. .