MATAMATA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 297, 18 July 1929, Page 3

MATAMATA COUNTY COUNCIL.

. JULY MEETING. The July meeting of the Matamata County Council, held at Tirau on Friday, lasted till late in the afterand was attended by Crs. J. W. Anderson (chairman, Tirau), J. Bruce (Karapiro), W. S. Wilson (Matamata), K. S. Cox (Tokoroa), W. H. Allen (Okoroire), P. Dee (Te Poi), J. Moir (Peria), W. Middleton (Maungatautari) and J. Morris (Putaruru). Also in attendance ■were Messrs. C. F. E. Barton (clerk) and M. E. Fitzgerald (engineer). Highways Council. The No. 2 Main Highways Council stated that the period of all members of the District Highways Council terminated on the second Wednesday in May, coincident with the determination of their office as members of the county councils. The council are therefore asked to nominate their representative for the ensuing year. On the motion of Cr. Cox, the chairman was re-elected for a further three , years. Cr. Anderson: As a matter of fact I have already attended a meeting. (Laughter). The speaker explained that nominees did not automatically hold office until re-elected and he had either to attend or call the council together.

Kaimai Hill. The Public Works Department, No. 2 District Highways Council, in reference to the Kaimai hills metalling Matamata-Tauranga main highway, wrote asking for further information regarding the contribution of £SOO promised by the county council. Up to the present there is no record of any payment having been received. The council decided to contribute the £SOO. Mamaku Bush. The Public Works Department, Auckland, wrote acknowledging the receipt of £57 15s, covering the balance of outstanding rates for 192728, as well as £SO 11s 3d of the rates for 1928-29. The Highways Board asked that in future that the council will arrange to pay annually the total amount of the rates levied over the land adjoining this highway. This will obviate the awaiting for the actual collection of the rates, before making payment of the council’s contribution and payment in future is asked for at the end of each financial year. The chairman thought the rates might go down this year. The clerk recalled that they would not accept a fixed sum, but demanded the rates. Cr. Cox thought they could well give a few more pounds than the rales collected. On the motion, of the chairman it was decided to pay the whole of the general rate levied, before the end of

the financial year, instead of waiting till the money came in, as formerly. The clerk explained what they wanted was payment of the amount yearly, whether the council collected the rates or not. The chairman s motion was then adopted. Water Supply. The Kailway Department advised that the circumstances did not warrant the connecting of the council’s ■Water supply to the railway station, etc., at Tirau. Cr. Allen pointed out that it would cost them more to cart water than they would pay. The letter was received. Army Boys’ Farm. Mr. C. H. Clinkard, M.P., forwarded a letter from the Minister of Public Works (Hon. E. A. Ransom), stating that the council’s desire to obtain a Government grant for the improvement of the Salvation Army farm near Putaruru would be considered when the Public Works Estimates are being prepared.—Received. Tokoroa Road. Messrs. Hampson, Bell and Lochhead, Putaruru, wrote asking that steps be taken to complete the legislation of a road giving access to the property of Messrs. D. and N. Carr Rollett. The engineer stated the road was xormed and rhere v.ac no objection to the small part requires. On the motion of the chairman, it was agreed to accept dedication, but that the owner carry out the preliminary steps. Selwyn Road. The Selwyn Timber Company drew the council’s attention to the facs that the road from Putaruru to their property is unformed, and is now growing heavy ti-tree. Repeated applications for attention to the road, despite the fact that rates for the oast 20 years have been paid, has rot resulted in anything being done which the contended was unfair. The spending of a small portion of the taxes already paid to -'vc reasonable access, was askea "or. It wrs decided to defer consideration of the matter until the rates vere got in.

A Ten Per Cent. Penalty.

E. W. R- Leslie, of Putaruru, wrote in reference to the fact that he was penalised with the 10 per cent penalty, complaining that this was unfair in view of the fact that the council owed him money for chaff delivered. Mr. Leslie added a postcript to the effect that he Hoped that the council would do something to bring about the rating on unimproved value. The clerk explained an account was received in May with a note to take the rates out. This was done, jut the ten per cent penalty had accrued at that time. He did not know of any chaff being supplied, and even at that time there was not enough chaff supplied to cover the rates.

On the motion of the chairman it was decided to reply supporting the action taken by the clerk. Kerbside Pump. Permission was given to T. S. Walton, of Walton, for the erection of a kerbside pump, subject to the approval of the engineer. Water Wanted. Mr. J. Keane, Tirau, wrote asking the council to lay a water connection to his boundary. The chairman pointed out there was no money available for such connection, and that he would have to put in the connection himself. The whole position needed re-organising, and the works committee had dealt with the matter of charging a consumers’ rate. , It was decided to inform Mr. Keane of the position. Tirau School. The Tirau School Committee asked that attention be paid to the Water table in front pf the school and residence.—The engineer was empowered to carry out the work. General. On the recommendation of the Works Committee the following resolutions were unanimously agreed to:— That no further permits be granted for the use of over-weight lorries on that portion of the No. 19 main highway between Campbell road and the Taupo county boundary. That an application be made for an Order-in-Council to confer on the council power to strike a consumers’

rate for water supplied in Tirau. That Mr. Withers’ (head mechanic) salary be increased to £2B per month. That Mr. Jordan’s (traffic inspector) salary be increased to £2l per month. Earthquake Fund. On the motion of the chairman, the council decided to contribute £IOO to the fund for the relief of distress in the districts of the South Island which suffered as the result of the recent earthquake. Accounts. Accounts totalling £7953 19s lOd were passed for payment.