MATAMATA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 255, 20 September 1928, Page 5

MATAMATA COUNTY COUNCIL.

SEPTEMBER MEETING. j The September meeting of the Matamata County Council was held »t Tirau on Friday. Present : Crs. J. W. Anderson, chairman (Tirau riding), H. Rollett (Peria), S. H. Judd (Maungatautari), J. Bruce (Karapiro), W. S. Wilson (Matamata), E. J. Darby (Putaruru), K. S. Cox (Tokoroa), W. H. Allen (Okoroire) mnd P. Dee (Te Poi). Refunds Claimed. Mr. John Phillip Kelly, sawmiller, <of Waitoa, and previously of Waharoa, wrote warning the council that he intended to take action against the council a month hence. He claimed as follows: — “1. A reduction of £ll off the 1927-28 heavy traffic license fee of a motor lorry, No. 927, and trailer. And in the alternative a refund of £ll off the 1927-28 fees. “ 2.jj A reduction of £ll off another lorry and trailer, 1928, fee ; in the alternative a refund on the 1927-28 fee. “3. A refund of £25 on the 1927- \ 28 lorry fee, the said sum being extraordinary expenses incurred by the Piako County Council in respect of the lorry. “4. A refund of £25 from the 1927-28 fee in respect of the lorry No. 928 and trailer.” The council decided to oppose the applications and to fight the case if necessary. , Pipe Line Permit. The Hinuera Co-operative Dairy Company Ltd. sought permission to take a pipe line across the HinueraTe Poi road to connect up the company’s new water supply on Mr. Phil. Hawke’s property. On the chairman’s motion the apr plication was granted. Wardville Drain Erosion. 1 The Hungahunga Drainage Board wrote asking *he council to arrange a conference in regard to the erosion of the Wardville road by one of the drains. *

The engineer said there would not be much work needed to remedy the trouble, but the council was not liable. Cr. H. Rollett said it was the deepening of the drain by the Drainage Board which had let it down into the looser soil, which was giving way by -erosion. The matter was left to the riding member and the engineer to deal ■with. Mr. J. T. Holdcroft, Arapuni Downs, asked permission to put a pipe line across Waotu road. Cr. Darby thought they should reject the application. The writer had carried on as if he owned the road. He had done the work, destroying a beauty spot, and had asked for permission afterwards. Cr. Darby moved that permission be refused. Cr. Judd asked what reserve was effected.

Cr. Darby -replied that it was the reserve which went right round the lake. Cr. Anderson seconded the motion pro forma. The engineer endorsed what Cr. Darby had said, and thought the ram :should be removed as well. Cr. Anderson : He has crossed the road ; we are safe as regards that. Cr. Judd suggested that the council find out the position in regard to the reserve. After some further discussion it -was decided that Mr. Holdcroft be ordered to remove the pipe from the road forthwith and that the clerk ascertain the position in regard to the reserve.

Cartage of Sleepers. S- The district railway engineer, in reply to the council’s complaint re ■cartage of sleepers from Mokai to Putaruru, said this was arranged for by the Comptroller of Stores, Wellington, to whom the matter had Been referred.—Received. “ Unwarranted.” In forwarding his cheque for payk ment of rates due Mr. R. T. Smith * wrote as follows : “ I must strongly protest against the increase, and I consider same unwarranted. We do not get near value for our money so » Tar as the road (back Lichfield) on which my farm is situated, and I hope that in the near future the council will do its bit.” A Voice : Just a dig when he pays his rates.

The letter was received. Stock Route Wanted. Mr. A. H. Dukeson, secretary to the Putaruru Saleyards Company l td., wrote advising that at the an- , rSal meeting of shareholders a resolution had been passed asking the council to facilitate the opening up of a stock route from Mamaku via Arahiwi to Putaruru.

Cr. Cox said they had gone into the question, and the route went through very rough country and would be very expensive to form. It was decided to reply in these terms. The Saffie reply was decided upon in connection with a similar letter from the Phtaruru Chamber of Commerce. Road Frontage. Mr. J. C. Tomalin wrote on behalf of his son for permission to enclose a portion of the road at Puketurua to clean up the frontage of his farm.— Granted. Arapuni Request. Mr. T. Spear, Arapuni, requested permission to dig up 66 feet of the main street to connect his sewerage system with the Public Works Department’s main sewer. Cr. Darby explained that no permission had been obtained, and he moved that the council authorise the work already done so that Mr. Spear would not be unduly penalised, but to advise him that permission must be obtained for all such work. Cr. Anderson seconded this motion, which was carried unanimously. Waotu South Road. Mr. George Douglas asked the council to consider spending a portion of grant money allocated for the Waotu South road, which gave access to 5000 acres, on which several settlers were milking cows. Settlers interested were of the opinion that the bush could be felled a chain wide for £4O and that the balance of the grading could be done for £IOO. The settlers could then metal all grades on the entire length as they thought fit. The engineer said there were masses of blackberry in places and it Would be a pity to cut the bush a chain wide if the road was to be metalled, though it would be an advantage for a mud road. On the motion of Crs. Anderson and Judd it was decided to reply that in view of the danger from blackberries the council thought it inadvisable to fell the bush a chain wide and that the question of a grant could not be discussed till next June. In the meantime the writer was advised to discuss the matter with the riding member. Rangatanuku Road. Cr. Dee commented upon the state of the Rangatanuku road, which required regrading. The engineer was instructed to have the work done as soon as possible.