MATAMATA COUNTY COUNCIL

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 250, 16 August 1928, Page 5

MATAMATA COUNTY COUNCIL

■ * : THE AUGUST MEETING. Local Body Valuations. The August meeting of the Matamata County Council was held at Tirau on Friday, there being present: iCrs. J. W. Anderson (chairman, Tirau riding), H. Rollett (Peria), S. H. Judd (Maungatautari), J. Bruce ((Kariapiro), W. S; .Wilson (MataE. ,J. Darby (Putaruru), K. S. Cox,-.(Tokoroa), W. H. Allen' (Okoxoire), P. Dee (Te Poi)y In attendance: The clerk (Mr. C. F. E. Barton) and the engineer (Mr. M. E. Fitzgerald). Arapuni Road. The chairman of the New Zealand District Highway Council wrote stating that the Highways Board had agreed to accept the recommendation that the road from Arapuni to Putaruru be declared a main highway, and that the Minister would be re- ■ commended to gazette the road acaccordingly. Cr. Judd pointed out that apparently the Tapapa section had been omitted. The chairman stated this was so, but pointed out that action could be taken in regard to this section at a later date. Cr. Darby supported, stating the matter should not be lost sight of. It was agreed this section would be dealt with later. Kaimai Road. The Tauranga Chamber of Commerce wrote stating that it thought the completion of the Kaimai road should be marked by some fitting function. The council was asked ■whether it would care to join in. It was decided to write and ask for further particulars. Hospital Board Election. The Palmerston Borough Council wrote in reply to a query from the council that it favoured local bodies electing their own representatives to hospital boards, and that such repre- j sentation should not exceed the number of members each board was entitled to. The chairman explained that at the present time members were elected by ratepayers while this proposal was for local bodies to send their own representatives. On the motion of Crs. Anderson and Darby it was decided to support the proposal. * Water Wanted. Mr. G. A. Green, on behalf of nuciferous horticulturists, nurserymen and others near Auckland, forwarded a copy of a petition to the Prime Minister with reference to the Auckland water supply. The petition requested that the report of the water commission should be scrapped, and that a board be set up to secure an ample supply for the various bodies interested. Cr. Allen thought it was another attempt to pull strings. Cr. Judd thought that the scheme meant a reservoir on top of Maungatautari, and a lot of carting throughout the county which woul’d damage all their roads. He moved they take no action. Cr. Darby thought if the council adopted that policy it would savour of the parish pump. It simply meant that there would be no progress and that the Arapuni scheme would not have been carried out. He moved an amendment that more details of the scheme be sought before action was taken.

Cr. Dee seconded this view, which was adopted by 5 votes to 3. The General Rates. The following motion was moved by Cr. Darby with the purpose of having the same disseminated through the press:— “ That ratepayers be informed that when the council, in raising the big loan, had every reason to believe that the general rate would be reduced, the statement was made in all good faith, subsequent events have forced the council to increase the expenditure over and above amount anticipated at the time the loan propaganda was being broadcast. There had been an unexpected and vast increase in motor traffic.” Cr. Bruce said the ratepayers were wondering why the general rate had not been reduced in view of the highways subsidies, not realising that the secondary roads absorbed the general rates.—-Carried. Puketaha Pit. Mr. A. S. Finlay wrote stating he was agreeable to exchange the shingle pit on his property for the unused road running from the plantation, so long as his costs did not exceed £5. Cr. Judd stated the road was a blind one, and never likely to be used, and would not be required for a cutting up proposition. He moved that the necessary steps be taken to find the road could be closed. Allen seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. 1

‘ Apiary Site. Mr. E. R. Clark, of Matamata, wrote asking if the council would lease part of the water reserve on the Matai road as an apiary site, and if so, what the terms would be. Cr. Rollett stated the area was covered with gorse and blackberry and was swampy. He suggested permission be granted subject to the noxious weeds being kept cleared, and the payment of a nominal rental. On the motion of Crs. Rollett and Cox this was agreed to. .Overweight' Lorries. ■(. The N.Z.C.D.C. forwarded £IOO, being the second instalment due under an agreement entered into with the council in respect to the carriage of milk by over-weight lorries. The company asked that details of expenditure be forwarded.—Decided the request be acceded to. County Clerks’ Guild. The clerk of the Waitomo County Council, convenor of the County Clerks’ Conference, advised the council that it was proposed to hold the inaugural meeting of the County Clerks’ Association in Wellington on September 26th, and the writer asked that facilities be extended to the council’s clerk to enable him to attend. The chairman stated the movement was favoured by the Counties’ Conference. On the motion of Crs. Darby and Judd it was decided to extend every facility to the clerk to attend the conference. Amoore’s Road. Messrs. J. Burr and W. O’Connell, of Mamaku, complained that Amoore’s road, Okoroire, was in a very bad state, and the settlers had great difficulty in getting their cream out to the railway and supplies in. The writers would like to know how much the council held in thirds from the Crown Lands Board out of the heavy rents the tenants had been paying for some years. The council had spent about £3O on metalling parts of the road during eight years, and no maintenance work had 1 been done by the council during the j same period. What work had been ' done was effected by the writers, at no cost to the council. “We beg to request your council to make an application for a free grant of £2OO for improving and metalling the road.” The writers concluded that they would be pleased to meet the engineer on the road. j ■Cr. Allen moved that the council ’ lcok into the matter.—Carried.

Traffic Control. The Matamata Town Board regretted that it was unable to join in with the council in the appointment of a traffic control officer, as the territory proposed was considered too large. Cr. Darby agreed, stating the mileage would run into four figures. The chairman stated that he understood Waipa County Council had turned the proposal down. The letter was received on Cr. Darby receiving an understanding the matter would be dealt with later in the meeting. Matamata Water. The Matamata Town Board applied for the council’s permission to construct and lay water mains in Mangawhero and Burwood roads to supply six properties. On the motion of the chairman permission was granted, subject to the road being replaced in its original condition. Accounts. Accounts totalling £3863 Is lOd were passed for payment. Waitoa Drainage. Cr. Rollett recalled that £4OOO had been spent on the Waitoa drainage, but that there had since been no maintenance. The clerk was instructed to investigate. Hungahunga Drain. Cr. Wilson drew the council’s attention to the undermining of the Waharoa-Turanga-o-moana road that was taking place on account of erosion by the Hungahunga road drain, and also a drain joining the same, coming out of Ford’s property. The condition existing might cause an accident at any time. Cr. Rollett endorsed. On the motion ofoCr. Wilson, seconded by the chairman, it was decided to write to the board on the matter.