FRANKLIN COUNTY COUNCIL.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 187, 17 April 1914, Page 2

FRANKLIN COUNTY COUNCIL.

The April Meeting. At tbe April maetin? of the Franklin County Council, held at the county offices, Pukekohe, there were present-Crs W. C. Motion (Waipipi, in the chair), R. Higginson (VVaiuku), J. A. Kenall (Awhit'j), Dynes Fulton and H. Wilcox (Pukekohe), J. Henry (Mauku), K. Lyons (Pokeno), G. Campbell (Hunua). Tha county solicitor (Mr Hanna) was also in attendance. THfc BY-LAWS. The special order confirming the by-laws was passed, the by-lawH to come into force on June Ist, and to be advertised in the "Times." DAMAGE TO ROADS.

A discussion arose as to whether sufficient provision had been made to protect the roads and bridges. Cr Lyons wanted it made compulsory for drivers ot traction engines to use planks when crossing bridges. Cr Campbelll spoke strongly against the wilful damage that is frequently done to roads, especially to the water-tables, through careless or mischievous driving. The damage done was very costly, especially on newly-formed roads. He thought provision should be made whereby those damaging the road 9 should pay or be brought up. Cr Renall saiJ the damage ti the water-tables was generally done through drivers going down hill without using brakes. The chairman said these matters were provided for in the by-laws. Cr Campbell said he had achieved what he desired; people reading the "Times" would now see that

the Council was prepared to tak 3 a stand to enforce action against people guilty of wilful damage to the roads.

FINANCE.

Accounts, passed for payment totalled over £2OOO. The general bank balance was £1337 in credit, and interest and sinking fund £375. THE COUNTY SOLICITOR. The county solicitor (Mr Hanna) fully explained what had transpired at the hearing into the allocation of the cost of constructing the Ksraka bridge.'. He also related what had happened in connection with the summonses for rates overdue There were 40 objections. Reports of these matters have fully appeared in the "Times." PENALTY ON RATES.

Cr Lyons said that if rates were unpaid after a certain date 10 per cent, pealty was added. He wanted to know if the Council could not allow 2J per cent, «r 5 per cent, discount to people who paid within three months. If they could do this it would be good business as it would put the Council in a good financial position and save interest on overdraft. Mr Hanna said this could not be done; the Council was bound by the four corners of the Act. APPLICATION FOR RELIEF. A Puni settler, recently widowed, asked for a rebate on her rates.

It was pointed out that something had already been remitted and the Council decided it could do nothing further, saying that if it did so applications of this nature would come in from all sides. PILGRIM'S KOAD.

W. Nicholls, Mauku, wrote saying that if the Council would metal the cutting on Pilgrim's road ita full length he would contribute £3 towards the cost.

On Cr Henry's motion it was decided to write thanking Mr Nicholls for his offer, and saying that if the Council could it would do the wotk. TRAMWAY KOAD.

T. Smeeton, H. Pearman, F. Henry, W. Glasgow. J. S. Rowe, H. S.merville, D. MacPherson, A. Franklin, J. Gillon, A. W. Bell, E. Gillon, S. A. Harmswoith and R. B. Carpenter wrote: "We, the undersigned ratepayers adjoining tbe Tramway road, are hereby agreed that half of said road should be sold, and that we are willing to purchase the same abutting on our several properties."

The chairman suggested that this matter should be deferred until the railway site was determined. Cr Henry agreed, and this course was taken. GOVERNMENT MONEY.

The Treasury notified that £231 3* 4d had been forwarded to the Council's banking account—Coronation road earthwork £Bl 3s 4d, Creamery bridge £l5O for material and work in connection with erection of bridge, £ for £.

BETTER ROAD WANTED. T. Johnstone, Whangarata, aaked that the Council make some improvements to the road between Fraser's bouse and his house. The distance was about 20 chains. If the Council would put in the watertables he would form the road and keep same in repair. There had been three capsizes on this road and it was impassable after a shower of rain.

Cr Fulton said there was only one property there and a good many hundreds of pounds would require to be spent to make a good job of the road. He would be willing to spend a few pounds on it and perhaps the immediate requirements would be met by filling in a few holes. Left to the riding members. PARKER'S DEVIATION.

W. J. Paikej, in sending his rates for Drury and Hunua road districts, drew attention to "the very bad state of Parker's deviation,'' due to the want of formation. Every time it rained the water ran along the middle of the road and washed out ruts making the road impassable. Cr Campbell said he hoped the engineer would get along as sunn us possible. There was a grant of £SO to be spsnt which would make a reasonably good road. He urged that attention should be centered upon the money that was available to Le spent. CULVEKTS WANTED.

Geo. H. StubbJ, of Maungatawhiri, in forwarding a cheque for £7O 16s 8d rates, expressed pleasure that the road had been started through his property oi, the way to New Brighton. He would be glad if the two crossings could be made on the road between Mr Graham's and his property so that the road could be put in its proper place. Cr Lyons said they would consider the matter when the engineer was in the district. TWO UNBKIDGED CREEKS. W. Caßhmore, of Kiripaka, Sandspit, drew attention to a break in the road from Clevedon to Orerc. There were two tidal creeks to be bridged, 8 feet and 20 feet wide. As these cieeks are in the territory about to be annexed by Manukau county no action was taken.

DAMAGE DONE. D. Miidio. Follok, drew attention to eeriom damage done to the Pollok wharf by rome cf the boats. Re Wharf road, nothirg had been done ! about grading the road He asked i that this road be do.je immediately. | A "P.S." added: "The™ must be a considerable amount of our rates on I hand."

I . Cr Renall laid he had drawn the attention of the engineer to this 1 road and had given instructions that | ti-tree be cut away so as to enable the road to be formed. Left in the hands cf the ward„'r\ A MERCER REQUEST.

The secretary of thi Mercer Road Board intimate! that there was £250 available for the road from ReiJ's corner to Maagatangi bridge and if the expenditure was to be undertaken it should be done at once. It was aho said that the culvert on the Great South road above Mercer waa again broken up and considerable attention was required to it. Cr Lyons Eaid he understood that there was only jyso available; if it was £250 so much the better. He had partly arranged with the engineer and was quite prepared to take up the grant. It was decided to advise the Board accordingly. A PUKEKOHE KOAD.

Lewis tiyre, Pukfkohe, drew attention to his road. He bad no other access. Ha had heen paying rates for threa years and bad not had one penny in return. The road was now (April 3rd) under water and in winter would be impassable unless some repairs were undertaken at once.

This was left to Cr Fulton and the engineer to attend to. POKENO GOODS-SHED.

The Prime Minister, acknowledging receipt of a letter urgi-g that the "(joods-shed at Pokeno be retained on tha present tide of the railway line, wrote saying that he would confer with his colleague, the Minister of Railway.*, on the subject.

NEW ROAD WANTED. A. A. White, E. Roose, W. C. S. Hosking, W. M. S.uith, wrote offering to give the land required for a new road from Mrs A. A. White's gate on the Pukekoh? East read through Koose's Hosking's and W. M. Smith's, in consideration of the Council fencing and consUucting the road and paying all expenses of putting the titlts in order. The petitioners added: "This route is very suitable for a road and is absolutely necessary from the point of view of Pukekohe East residents who have, some bad hills to climb on the present road. The proposed grade is splendid and is eaiy ot construction."

The councillors lor the riding, with the engineer, are to view the site and report to the next meeting.

THE HUNUA LOAN.

The Advances to Settlers Office forwarded debentures to be signed and saying that as soon as these were completed the £I6OO Hunua loan would be available.

Cr Campbell: I feel like singing the Doxology! It was agreed that the debentures be signed. TWELVE COUNCILLORS WANTED.

A petition, with 86 signatures attached, from ratepayer* in the Awhitu riding petitioned the Council to increase the number of its members from 9 to 12, also that the area of Awhitu riding be considerably reduced "as we are of opinion that it is, in its present size, too large for one councillor to giv<> the attention required." Cr Renall said this brought up a large question as if twelve councillors were to be appointed then they would have to consider the representation of every riding in the county. The valuation cf the county at the present time was £2.353,053. One-twelfth of that sum was £196,087, whereas Awhitu now only had a total valuation of £141,019. Consequently, if twelve wards were made of the county, Awhitu as constituted at present was still £55,000 short of its quota of valuation, and in order to Ret the required land value would probably have to be extended into the centre of Waiuku, which was directly against what the petitioners wished. With respect to the signatures they required 141 more in order to huve -mough to carry the proposal; twotbirds of the whale of the ratepayers was required. He took it that the Council did not intend tu interfere with the wards this year; a sufficient trial had not yet been given. When it was found that the present conditions were disadvantageous (.hen be wac sure that all councillors would be agreeable to change. He moved, That the petitioners be informed that if thtir request were acceded to it would extend tha ward instead of lessening it. Cr Higginson seconded the motion, which was carried. MERCER MUkGING.

The County Clerk reported tbat the merging petition from Mercer had been submitted for inspection. He found tbat 44 wire for and !!2 againit, so that the merger could go through. Those voting for the merging included all the big properties. BYCKOFI'S ROAD. On the motion of Crs Fulton and Wilcox it was decided to take no further action in connection with the dedication of this road. GREAT SOUTH ROAD. The clerk of tho Maungatawhiri Road Board wrote with regard to his Board's £2.5 contribution towards tho Great South road repairs. The grant was promised conditionally that it would be spent adjoining the Maungatawhiri road district: so far tho repairs had only reached the Presbyterian Church hill. On Cr Lyons' motion it was decided to ask for the proportion of i'2") for tho work already done bolow the Presbyteiian Church.

THE BOUNDARY LINE. The Town Clerk of the borough of Pukekohe wrote about the uncertainty which existed as to tho boundary lino between the county and the borough, especially on the eastern side. Ho asked that some joint actiou be taken to finally determine the several points now in doubt.

The chairman said this should be attcuded to. Cr Fulton: Hear, hear. It is a matter in which pukekohe ridiug is koonly interested and I am glad it has come up. Cr Wilcox urged that tho matter should be taken in hand promptly. Along the Swamp road, by the railway, they wore not sure whethor it was iu the borough or tho county. Crs Fulton, Wilcox, Henry and tho engineer were appointed as a commit toe to go into the matter,

K'OAI) .J. Batty, chuirmm of lb.■ Karnka Road Board, intimated tliut tho contract for forming and grading tho last length of tlie I'rury-Waiuku road, in Karaka district, had broil ncceptPil. Tho grading work lnu? been done on the level ol'thooflbbridges which woro now landing in a Bhaky condition. It was a pity that these bridge* could not be fix oil up and rained three or four frot before tho roads wero gradid. Ilia Board had before urged tlint the Council should renew and repair tho biidgos on the Duiry-Waiuku road so as to have the allocation of £'2ooo expended to tho best advantage and have one of tho most important County roads graded and metalled to tho best level. Cr Henry said he understood that tho enginoor had been instructed to inspect these bridges and report. Or Renal! : The bridges should bo made levpl. The engineer said except for McPhorson's bridge the bridges were sound. Cr Henry said if band rails wor.tr put on it would look safer. At onsA bridge near Gordon's thoro was a very sharp angle and that should be altered. The engineer is to report at tho next meeting. AWHTTU RATING.

IT. tl. Hamilton, clerk of tho Awhitu Road Board, asked that his Board he granted tlie right of lovying tho rate over tho district of Awhitu and also the right to spend the money in the district. Cr Renall said this was an unmerged district. Tho Council had struck a ,'d rate over tho whole of the Awhitu ward. It was his intention to ask tho Council to make u contribution. Ho did not 'wish to take even £1 out of that district that was oollootod there. Ho was endeavouring to spend tho money in tho different localities in which it was raised. As soon as ho got fuller figures ho would bo in a position to suggest what amount should bo handed back. * The matter wai deferred. WAIUKU AFFAIRS. J. P. DrOmgool wrot3 asking about certain piping previously asked for, and about a necessary crossing. Another matter mentioned was tho need for a publio pound. Ho complained that some of those who were forming the Town Board were tho worst oll'enders in allowing stock to stray iu tliOrftreets Tho chairman suggested that it was not necessary for the Council to take action smce n Town Board was being formed iu Waiuk'.i. Left over for tho Town Board to deal with. CEMETERY AT AWHITU.

_Cr Eenall reported that ho had made enquiries and found that under tho Act of 1882 tho Government had appointed trustees to- tho cometery. Tho Road Board woro tho trustees, but nobody could toll where they were to-day. Having taken over the Pollok road district this Council. had taken over its responsibilities. Ho moved, That tho Governor bo asked to delegate tho powers of appointing trustees to this Council, that the Council might from tiino to time appoint trustees whore they were not oxisting to-day.

Cr Lyons seconded tho motion, which was carried. THE WHARVES.

Cr Ronall also reported that ho had interviewed Mr Gunson, chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board, with respect to tho position of the wharves in the district. Tho Board had taken over tho Manukau harbour but not tho wharves, which were lease! to tho local bodies. That meant that tho Couucil would have to look after tho wharves until tho leases expired. Waiuku, Wnipipi, Needles, To Tora and Pollok whero the wharves which this county was in touch with, and for which tho Northern Company were entitled to Cr Henry said if, us had boon said, i' 6 had been received there was a wharf in his district cntitlod to u BROWN'S DEVIATION.

The chairman said now tbat tJin Waiuku road district hud merged tho Council should consider the proposed deviatidh of the road rftf Brown's gully. A grant of £U»O had been standing for a long tiiuo for this deviation. Tho gully wan exceptionally bad. lie understood fioin Cr Henry that Mr Firth had made a generous offer .of land and he thought they should tako immediate action, apply for tho grant uuil accept Mr Firth's offer. Ho moved, That tho engineer ho instructed to proceed with the work. Or Henry socondod the motion, which was carried.

The chairman, Crs Henry, Higginson ami tho engineer were appointed tn wait on Mr Firth and make sumo final arrangement.

AWIIITU ROAD. Cr Kenall said thoro was a road needed through tho properties of himself: Mrs Given, Hudson and McKay, which would givo an almost straight road from Wuiuku to Awhitu. TUoy would have to take uji a loan later on to eotnplole the road work. He movoil, That the engineer vomo to the district as soon as possible to lay oil the work. Seconded by Cr Lyons and curried. MAUKU WORKS. Cr Henry reported upon various works aud contracts in progress iu his riding, and upon matters affecting hia district. With regard to the Waiuku-Drury road Mr Schlaepfer pointed out that ho was a lug ratepayer and the road should havo some consideration. Ho moved, That the engineer l>o instructed to inspect thn road and have the work douo if it can be (iuauced. He referred now to that portion of the road betweeu the Karaka and Waiuku road districts.—Carried.

• i A TUAKAU ROAD. Cr Fulton referred to the road that was hold to Mr Graham by Mr Poland and for which thoro wa-< no title although Mr Poland had a receipt for the money ho paid. Ue moved, That the chairman and the clerk apply to tho Governor for a title to this roal and assist Mr Graham to got it. Seconded by Cr Wilcox and carried. THE PUKEKOHE RIDING. Cr Fulton gavo notice to movo that the Pukekohe riding bo divided into two ridings. Ct Wiley* suppoited.

GOVEENMENT 0 RANT S. O Henry asked uhttlior the time was approaching when grants should be applied for There worn several works in his tilling that \w would like to make applications for. " The elections were approaching when the Department was especially generous," added the councillor, smilingly. It was replied that May was about the month in which to send in applications. THE COUNTY MACHINERY. The chairman said ho understood that the engineer had charge of the machinery. Or Henry: That is so; the motion was movoJ by Cr Benall. The chairman said the engineer had sent for the heavy grader to do somo work at Purapura but Cr Eenall would not let the grader go. fie wanted to know who was in charge, the engineer or the member foi the riding ? Cr Eenall said it was understood that hie grader was to be paid for by his own ward. The grader was being used. If the grader was to be taken away the expense would be so much that they could not get on He wanted the grader all five year round. What had become of the other graders'? Cr Lyons : You have the only heavy grader in the county. Cr Eenall said he wanted the grader all the time ; what was he to do if they toot it out of his district ?

The chairman said that was nut the poinf. It was a question whether Or Eenall was to dictate to the Council and the engineer. It was not the caie that Cr Renall's riding had paid for the grader. He wanted the question determined—once and for all. ,

Cr Henry said he could not see how they could get away from the resolution already passed. Cr Eenall said he understood the graders were to be employed and kept iu the ridings. The chairman: My own grader has been taken away. He moved, that if the engineer sends for any grader he is to get it. Seconded by Cr Fulton and carried.

The engineer said he needed the grader for a small job at Purapura and if it had come it would have heen back in Awhitu now. A WHEELED SCOOP.

On Cr Campbell's motion it was decided to get a wheeled scoop for Hunua as quickly as possible. NOXIOUS WEEDS.

Cr Wilcox drew attention to the state of the roads near Tuakau's o'.d railway station and he wanted to know if the noxious weeds inspector had omitted to look at the road. Some discussion ensued and finally Cr Henry moved, That tho noxious weeds inspector be asked to make a tour of the couuty and onforce the Noxious Weeds Act.

This motion met with general approval, was seconded by Cr Lyons and carried.