MATAMATA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Putaruru Press, Volume VIII, Issue 360, 16 October 1930, Page 1

MATAMATA COUNTY COUNCIL.

OCTOBER MEETING. ■ The Monthly meeting of the Matamata County Council was attended on Friday, at Tirau, by the following members: Crs. J. W. Anderson (Tirau, chairman), J. Bruce (Karapiro), K. S. Cox (Tokoroa), W. H. Allen (Okoroire), P. Dee (Te Poi), J. Moir (Peria), E. Nickle (Maungatautari), A. T. Morriss (Putaruru). Also in attendance were Messrs. C. F. E. Barton (clerk) and M. E. Fitzgerald (engineer). Manure Subsidy. The Hon. E. A. Ransom, actingPrime Minister, wired, in reply to the council’s wire, that the question of subsidy on manures' carried on the T.T.T. Co.’s line was under consideration. The Hon. A. J. Murdoch wired similarly, but adding that the Government could not agree to anything until the T.T.T. Co., Ltd., indicated that it would agree to a renewal of the subsidy on their part. Cr. Cox pointed out that Mr. Dalziel made it very plain at the conference in. Putaruru that his company woufd agree to the extension of the subsidy on manure for another year. He understood that a vote had been put on the estimates, and it was simply a matter of these being passed. Whether the fact that the agricultural estimates were reduced the other day by £5 on an adverse vote, would have any effect, he did not know. (Laughter). The chairman stated that a manure subsidy for three months was of li* tie use to settlers. It was tne autumn sowing they wanted. No further action was taken. Regional Planning: The director of Town Planning advised that the extension of the boundary of the Waikato regional planning area to Taupo, as suggested by the council, would receive careful consideration. The engineer commented that several other local bodies had supported the Matamata proposals in regard to the extension to the south. Loan Wanted. A petition signed by Messrs. W. A. Wright, C. H. La Trobe, E. T. Osborne, M. Finlay, A. Stokes, T. E. Stokes and A. W. Head asked that the council metal Stokes’ and Head’s roads in accordance with the proposals put forward by the engineer. The amount of the loan was not to exceed £360. The chairman pointed out that the Loans Board was becoming somewhat easier lately in regard to the length of loan periods. However, the board’s best guarantee in regard to the life of a road was that before a Government subsidy could be secured the county ■ council had to give a guarantee for maintenance. It was decided to take the necessary steps to raise the loan. Gate Over Road. Mr. Suisted, Leamington, asked for permission to erect a gate across the road on the south boundary of his section at Whitehall. On the motion of Cr. Bruce, permission was granted subject to the I legal requirements being complied with, the matter to come before next meeting after formal notice had been given.

Te Poi Request. Messrs. Hetherington and Rayner wrote asking that the road between Dearlove’s gate and their farm on the Kaimai road be put into the same condition as the balance of the road, as they experienced great difficulty in conveying their milk to the Te Poi factory. Mr. W. A. Walker wrote in connection with the same road, asking that if it was not practicable to metal the whole of the road, the worst parts be done immediately. His rates increased last year from £23 to £27. On the motion of the chairman, it was decided to reply that no further metalling could be added to this year’s programme owing to the state of the finances. Water Extension. The Matamata Town Board asked for permission to extend the water supply system along the Turanga-o-moana road to Messrs. Kirkness Bros.’ property, a distance of 27 chains. Granted, subject-to the work being done to the approval of the engineer. Electricity Supply. Mrs. W. Morris, Tirau, wrote asking for the council’s approval under the Public Works Act, to a license to generate electricity. On the motion of the chairman permission was granted. Cr. Moir: Does that mean that if I want to establish a private supply of electricity I have to get permission? The chairman: Yes. Cr. Allen: It’s a. cheap proposition, too. I wish I had never seen the other. Damage by Fire. Messrs. Bell and Johnson, solicitors, Cambridge, wrote on behalf of Mr. H. B. Rishworth, stating that it was intended to claim damages for 15 pine trees destroyed by a fire started by council workmen in a reserve. A further letter stated the trees i averaged nearly 20 feet high and were valued at £5 a piece. The. engineer stated that some of the trees would have to be cut shortly owing to the fact that they would interfere with the power lines. If three or four-year-old trees were planted in the place of those destroyed and well manured they would soon catch up with the others. It was decided to reply that the council held the claim was unreasonable, and was prepared to discuss a reasonable amount. Permit Refused. Mr. J. A. H. Bell wrote stating that he had been refused a permit to cart timber from Finlay’s mill, and since the refusal a 2-ton International lorry loaded with 1500 feet of timber had been given a permit. This load was far heavier than what he wished to cart and he asked why he had been turned down. The clerk stated that a previous permit had been abused, and that he did not feel disposed to grant a permit under the circumstances. Cr. Nickle thought the man had been harshly treated. He was being penalised for the sins of his driver. Various speakers then gave evidence in committee, following which, on the motion of Cr. Allen, it was decided that as the winter restrictions would be lifted at the end of this month, that the application be reconsidered at the next meeting of the Council. Cream Carting. Messrs. Pilcher and Chaytor applied for permission to cart cream from Tirau station along Hetherington’s road to and along Rotorua road to Putaruru main road, and along Putaruru main road to Swney’s place. On the motion of Cr. Allen permission was granted.