MATAMATA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 319, 19 December 1929, Page 4

MATAMATA COUNTY COUNCIL.

ORDINARY MEETING. General Business. The December meeting of the Matamata County Council was attended by Crs. J. W. Anderson, chairman (Tirau), A. T. Morriss (Putaruru), E. Nickle (Maungatautari), J. Moir (Peria), W. H. Allen (Okoroire), K. S. Cox (Tokoroa), W. S. Wilson (Matamata) and J. Bruce (Maungatautari). Leave of absence was granted to Cr. P. Dee (Te Poi). Motor Regulations.

The Minister of Public Works advised that, his department being in control of the Motor Vehicles Act, Motor Omnibus Act, Motor Spirits Taxation Act, Motor Vehicles Insurance (third party risks) Act and Public Works Act (in so far as it relates to heavy traffic or motor vehicles), he would appreciate local bodies communicating direct their experiences in connection with the above Acts.

The chairman said it seemed quite evident that they would have to submit all by-laws to the Minister for approval. A further letter in regard to the motor regulations asked for sugestions for submission to a proposed conference. The clerk said there were several matters which could be mentioned, and the matter was left in his hands to deal with. Tokoroa Road.

The Department of Lands and Survey advised that the road through Tokoroa number one block had not been legalised. Survey and plan had been completed, and consents obtained, but owing to objections raised the legalisation was not proceeded with. If the council desired to legalise the road every assistance wouKt be given by the department. New Zealand Perpetual Forests Ltd. had not written in regard to the matter. The engineer said the road was quite safe as a reserve and could be opened at any time if desired. This view was agreed to.

Morgan’s Road. The council’s solicitors forwarded the agreement with Mr. Morgan, Matamata, by which the council agreed to the legalisation of a road into his property on payment of £6OO towards the cost. The engineer said that as soon aa the £6OO came to hand he would spend it. There would be no county money used, and the road material would come from Morgan’s property. On the motion of Cr. Cox the chairman was authorised to sign the road plan for legalisation purposes. An Arapuni Road. An application by Mrs. F. E. Darby, as attorney for Mr. J. E. Darby, for approval of a new road giving access to a section near the Catholic Church at Arapuni, was agreed to by the council. Waharoa Request. Mr. J. C. Smith, Waharoa, wrote stating that two years ago council workmen blocked a drain running through his wife’s section opposite

the Waharoa Domain. He understood on a previous occasion the matter was left in the hands of the riding member and the engineer, bub though he had been patiently waiting nothing had been done. An ensilage pit had been made in a bank adjoining the drain, and in view of this he asked that something be, done, as in his opinion the council had no right to make the filling without putting in a culvert. The engineer explained the situation as being somewhat complicated and said the water lay in a pothole. The matter was left in the hands of the riding member, Cr. W. S. Wilson, and the engineer.

Waotu South. Mr. A. Commons wrote asking for further improvements on the Waotu South road, estimated to cost £25. His rates had increased from £59 13s 2d to £B7 13s 3d and he therefore felt justified in asking for this final grant. It was stated that the writer had always been reasonable in his demands and had done good work. The council viewed the proposition favourably, and the matter was left in the hands of the riding member, Cr. Morriss, and the engineer, with power to act. Okoroire Railway. Mr. J. Nicholson, junior, Okoroire Railway, asked that two culverts and necessary fillings be put in on the road to his property. The engineer explained that the road supposed to be legalised was simply a road reserve. On the motion of Cr. Allen the matter -was left with the chairman and engineer to deal with.

English Trucks.

The council adopted the suggestion of the works committee to purchase two English tip trucks for road work as they stood up to the work better than American makes. The council also decided to purchase a new car for the engineer, and a grader attachment with scarifier for road work, the latter to cost £327 10s. Tenders. The following tenders were accepted : F. A. W. Sinclair, £444 6s 8d ; W. S. Goosman, £7191 4s 6d ; Butler and Carroll, £1365 6s. Engineers’ Conference. An invitation to the engineer to attend the annual conference of engineers in February was “ received.” License Refused. An application from an oil company for permission to run a lorry weighing seven and eight tons on county roads was declined.