FRANKLIN COUNTY COUNCIL.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 141, 4 February 1916, Page 1

FRANKLIN COUNTY COUNCIL.

Monthly Meeting. The regular monthly meeting of the above-mentioned authority was held yesterday (Thursday). Present: Councillors J. Flanagan chairman), J. Henry, J. A. Renall, 0. Motion, H. Wilcox, T. Lockwood, R. Lyons, together with the clerk (Mr Aian P. Day), and the engineer (Mr J. F. McArthur).

ROAD BOARDS AND THE COUN< IL A letter was received from Mr H. E. Glasson, clerk to the Karaka Road Board, stating that the Council's letter inviting his Board to merge into the county was read- at the last meeting of the Board, and he had bten directed to reply to the effect that the Board was not disposed to merge under the existing circumstances.

Cr Lyons suggested that public meetings, with the primary object cf getting the various Boards to merge, should be held in the Road Board districts, the chairman and councillor for the ridings to be present thereat. The chairman said that if the Road Boards merged the Council would get the maximum amount of the subsidies. Seeing that the Road Boards were not taking the lead in the matter he was prepared to support Cr Lyons' suggestion. Cr Renall considered that the Council would have no difficulty in the district mentioned.

Cr Henry was also of the same opinion. Cr suggestion was adopted. .lOIXT J'OUND PROPOSED.

Application for assistance towards procuring a site at Ardmore for the purposes of a pound was made by the Papakura Town Board. It was pointed out that the Papakura Valley and Wairoa Road Boards and the Papakura Town Board had bespoke the sight, which wou'd also be suitable for Hunua and Drury. The estimated cost, together with the fittings was between £6O and £7O, of which amount the Council was asked to contribute one-fourth, with legal rights to that extent. The Chairman faid that the site was in the Manukau County and it would benefit the Hunua and Drury ridings but nevertheless he could not see why the whole Coun cil should assist in the matter.

Cr. Henry was of the opinion that it would not be of any benefit to the Mauku Riding. Cr. Lockwood suppoited the application saying that it would assist in the better upkeep of roads which were depreciating through straying cattle. It would also remove the danger of straying cattle. He proposed that the Hunua Riding should be charged with two-thirds of the cost and Drury with one-third of the cost.

Cr. Henry was aware of the danger that existed as a result of straying cattle but was not in favour of the whole Council assisting towards the project financially. The bett policy for the Council to adopt, in hie opinion, was that pounds should be erected throughout the whole County, and to appoint a poundkeeper in each district. Cr. Motion seconded the motion and said that it would suit the Hunua district admirablyCr. Renall claimed that farmers had a right to run cattle on the roads.

Cr. Henry considered otherwise and said that if a farmer chose to keep cattle he should provide property to graze them on. The motion was earned unanimously. MEROtN'- 01 I'OKENO KO.Wi BOAltl). The Pokeno Road Board wrote asking to be assured in regard to the following points before further dealing with the Council's request that the Board should merge into the Council, viz., (First'. That the boundaries of the Mercer Riding be so altered as to include the Maungatawhiri Outlying and to exclude the greater portion of the Maungatawhiri road district. (Second). That the Council agree not to oppose the foi'.nation of a proposed county which would absorb the Mercer Riding ot the County. It was pointed out that if assurances were given there would be every possibility of the Board merging and that -would mean that the Council would secure its metal reserves, whilst the Board also had no loans or commitments but possessed a very creditable credit balauce at the bank.

Cr Lyons proposed that the assurances as asked for bo given.—Cr Kenall seconded and the proposal was carried A MAI'NGAI AWIIIUI lUi'H'E.-i. Mr W. K. Comthwaite, Clerk to the Maungatawhiri Road Board, wrote asking for the sido load, from Mr Warm's gate to be continued down the Pokeno Hill and stated that the Board was agreeable that the balance of a £26 grant to be spent over the hills on the Great South Road, amounting to £ll, should go towards assisting the work.

Cr Lyons supported the request and proposed that it be acceded to. Cr Lockwood seconded.—Carried. FKOIO3I.D NEW liKlli',l; A 1 WAH'KU. Request for suppoit towards the Waiuku Town Board's application for a grant of £IOOO for the erection of a new ferro concrete bridge,

Pukekoiie Road to replace the present structure was received from that body.

Cr Motion considered that if the Council could strengthen the application support should be given. He proposed accordingly.—Cr Renall seconded and the motion was carried. A FORTHCOMING, ENQUIRY Notification was received from the Public Works Department that Mr Wm. Stonham Short, solicitor, of Wellington, bad been appointed a Commissioner to hold an enquiry into the question of the cost of the maintenance of the Whangamarino and Maugatangi bridges. Cr Lyons explained that the Franklin County had been cited by the Waikato County as liable for a contribution, but in the case of the Whangamarino bridge there was really no necessity for a commission, us the payments from the respective authorities were previously determined on. He suggested that the matter should be left in the hands of the chairman, the engineer and himself to take action for the Council to be represented at the enquiry. Cr Lyons' proposal was agreed to.

XRAMWAY ROAD The Department of Lands and Suivey advised the Council that the plans of the portion of the Tramway road, from Packington to Cameron Town, which the Council intended closing, had been placed on the urgent list. Cr Henry proposed that in replying to the Department a request should be made that they should expedite their portion of the business in connection with the plans, as the property owners thereabouts were anxious to acquire and work the land.

Cr Lyons suggested that the Council should appoint a valuer to value the property.

The clerk pointed out that after taking the preliminary steps they could appoint a valuer. Cr Renall suggested if the property owners were anxious to procure the property, as stated by Cr Henry, that the latter should interview them in the matter and ascertain the names of those who were prepared to purchase. The chairman considered that the matter would be satisfactorily settled. The letter was received. IiOI'NDARY ALTERATION'S. Advice was received from the Lands aud Survey cthee that the alterations of the Pukekoke borough boundaries was gazetted on January 13th. The chairman pointed out that the readjustment of loans had not taken place and he proposed that Cr?. Woods and Wilcox, the clerk and he be deputed to adjust them— Agreed.

GOVtK.NMENI OKAXIS Ji.\ I'ilXmU'RE. The Minister of Public Worka wrote stating that his letters dealing with grants for road work, etc., did not mean that no grants were to be given to local bodies to expend in the future, but that under the present circumstances more road work would have to be done by the Department than had been the case during the past few years, that money the authorities at present held could be expended, that grants would be available where definite promises had been given regarding metalling and that the £1 for £1 subsidy votes, except in the case of large bridges, were also available for expenditure by local bodies.

Cr. Kenall considered the fairest procedure would be for the grants that had been longest on the list to take precedence. Cr. Heniy said that th<' Minister of Public Works had said at Whangarei recently that the idea was so that works could be stopped when the Department were short of money. Letter received. A ROAD WANTEH. Mr John S. George, of Paparata, made application for a road to his property which was only served at the present by a track. He considered that he was entitled to consideration as he had paid rates for the past oO years. The chairman said the engineer and he had inspected the track referred to and had decided that it would lie impossible to make a road without heavy expenditure and that accordingly the proposal was impracticable. They had suggested to Mr George that he should make enquiries as to securing other property in order to provide access to his holding.

I HE |!I,A< KHEKI;V Ml ISA.N' K. Mr J. Hood, Paparata, asked for permission to shift his road fence out so as to deal with the blackberry pest. —lt was decided to oiler no opposition provided the applicant agreed to remove the fence to its original lino when called on to do so. The question id noxious weeds being discussed, CrLockwood moved tlmt examples be made of several oll'enders from each riding by taking legal action against them.—Cr Henry supported the motion and the same was agreed to subject to a final warning, preparatory to proceedings, being inserted in the " Times."

Monthly Meeting.

THE OI.l) RAILWAY TRACK Mr W. Garrett, land agent and valuer, Auckland, acting on behalf of the Railway Department, wrote stating in connection with the Council's proposed purchase of the old railway liue, Buckland to Tuakau, that he attended a meeting of tho Council on .'3rd September, 1914, when it was arranged for the Couucil to purchase at £7oo, on terms of a loan to local bodies. Since then he had communicated with the Council several times, but had not been advised of late, and ho asked that the matter be pushed on. Cr Wilcox was not aware that the Council agreed to purchase at the sum mentioned. Cr Motion said that the Council never committed itself, and that the amount as stated was tha price put on the property. Cr Lyons was of the opinion that there would be room in the near future for an additional road, and the road in question with a grade of one in forty was an excellent one. Cr Motion proposed that as the Council was not m a financial position to consider purchasing the road that the Department le requested to vest the road in the Council.

Cr Henry seconded, and suggested that the Council should be prepared to hold themselves responsible for the eradication of the noxious weeds thereon.

The chairman said it would cost £ 4000 to put the road in repair. Cr Henry suggested that the Council should confer with the Pukekohe Borough Council on the matter.

Ip reply to Cr Henry, tho engineer stated that the proposed new road would make a better route than the present one. Cr Henry thought that the road should be taken over as a National Highway. The resolution for the Railway Department to be asked to vest the road in the Council was carried on the understanding that the Council would so acquire it for the purposes of the proposed National Highway, would keep it clear of noxious weeds and rabbits and would be responsible for its upkeep. The chairman mentioned that the very important matter of the purchase of the portion between Pokeno and Whangarata would have to be considered.

Cr Motion proposed that immediate action bo taken therewith and this was agreed to. •

lIIXO AIA IiIMOGK A I'l'HOA' II Messrs Yates and Co., Ltd., Auckland, acknowledged the receipt of the Council's letter stating that 3 competent engineer would be inspecting the approach road to the new Karaka bridge. They expressed the opinion that the engineer's re port would be adverse to the present road rs it now existed. It was their opinion that it should run straight from the old road to the bridge without a turn.

Cr Henry said that he passed over the bridge quite recently and was surprised at the points raised by Messrs Yates. The engineer reported that the approach could have beeu straighter but the bridge \\a9 quite strong enough. The letter was received. WATEK-'l AUI.E TKoI'IiLE An application for a water-tablo running along the side of the road adjoining his property at Otaua to bo deepened, was received from Mr R. S. Morrisou. He enclosed a letter from the Otaua Drainage Board, which stateu tint that body recognised that the drain required attentiou, but that possibly the Council, under whose jurisdiction the water-table was, would effect repairs.—Tlie Engineer was instructed

CLAIM FOR LAMi An application for a settlement of the amount due to her by the Council for property taken in Awhitu for a road was forwarded by Mrs Chase, Auckland.—On Cr. Renall's suggestion it was agreed to effect a settlement, if everything was in order. ATTENTION WANTED Mr H. Anderson enquired of the Council's intentions in regard to the uncompleted fencing of a new road taken through his property at Awhitu. Cr. Renall and the Engineer were deputed to go into the matter. Sfi'GIvSTED ROAD IMPROVEMENT A petition applying for tho hill near the main Waiuku-Waipipi road to be rograded was signed by the following, viz.Messrs W. J. Wright, A. Wright, J. T. McDonald, J. Short, M. Keogh and T. Walsh.—Cr. Ivenull and the Eugineer were instructed to iuspect and report. A COMPENSATION' CLAIM Mr J. M. Melville, barrister and solicitor, of Auckland, forwarded a notice of claim by Mrs A. J. Bath under the Public Works Act. He asked that a receipt, as required by that statute, which was enclosed, be signed and returned to him.—The Clerk was instructed to make enquiries and to report, HKOWx's HILL IiOAl) HEVIATION

Mr Wm. J. Kiug, Waiuku, wrote stating that in company with Cr Higginson he had interviewed Mr Timothy Conroy with reference to his terms for allowing a deviation through his property of Brown's Hill road, and after a long discussion Mr Conroy consonted to the same on the following conditions, viz. ; That tho Franklin County Council erect at its sole cost a legal fence on both sides of the road taken and pay him the sum of £-6 per acre of land required, viz , 2 acres odd and pro? vide him with a permanent supply of water for the severed portion of the land, the Council to bo responsible for tho loss of any stock uijtil the road Itnes were fenced, and Mr Conroy not to be responsible for or required to pay legal cost of transfer of land, etc.

Cr Henry said that he understood that Cr Higginson, who was unable to be present that day, expected him to attend to the matter in his absence. He (Cr nenrv), however, considered the demands exorbitant, but if Cr Higginson was prepaied to accept them he would not object. It was decided to forward a reply stating that tho Council could not see its way clear to accept the terms mentioned, but was prepared to pay £7O for both pieces of land, failing which they would take it under the Public Works Act and fence it.

A W.W.W UKsEItV e Mr J Wansbone wrote offering to lease a landing reserve at Waiau from the Council on the terms offered. MISCELLANEOUS, A letter was received from Mr W. K. Unvin, Patumahoe, drawing attention to the bad conditiou of the swamp crossing at the foot of Mr Wily's Hill, Mauku. He estimated the cost of effectiug repiirs would be between £1 10s and £2.—Cr Henry stated that he know the crossing but he was not acquainted" with the uaturo of the work required.— The matter was loft to Cr llonry to attend to.

A similar notification iu reference to the road that loads to Mr E. Sutton's farm, Pukekohe, was re- \ ceived from that person, who re- v. quested that repairs should be effected.—Cr Wilcox stated, that the money had already been expended on the road—The matter was left to Cr Woods and the to.

The Chief Surveyor, Lauds and Survey Department, forwarded a duplicate of the plan for the road deviation through sections 77 etc., Awhitu Parish, and asked that the consent of the interested parties be obtained and forwarded to tlie Under Secretary. Publtc Worktl

Department, for the issue of the proclamation.—Left to Cr Renall and thd engineer to attend to The Chief Surveyor further advised tha, the plan of the AwhituPollockioad had been examined, but before -it could be approved for action, an inspection on the ground would be in connection with adjoining Land Transfer Surveys. He would communicate with the Council further when he received the inspector's report. Mr J. D. Chalmers wrote applying for a road to be deviated on the west side of his property at Glenbrook. Mr E. Dromgool, through whose property the road ran was, he said, agreeable to the proposed deviation.—Cr Motion proposed that in the event of the projected deviation being 1 feasible and the applicant being willing to defray the cost of the same that the request be acceded to. —Agreed to. Mr G. Jones, Hunua, notified the conncil of his and his n( ijhbour's plication to the Minister of Lands for the road to their properties to be opened, a r d he asked for the council to recommend the work. - The chairman reported that he and Cr Lockwood were going to wait on the Department in Auckland in connection with the matter.

Mr D. Hastie, Mauku, drew the council's attention to the bad state of the road leading from the tram line to his house, and requested that it should be repaired. He claimed that he was entitled to consideration as he had paid away £33 in rates during the pres'nt year.—Referred to the engineer to inspect and report. Cr Henry mentioned that the road from Morley's corner to Ashwin's was in a bad state of repair and required attention immediately. —The engineer stated that the work had been put in hand. The clerk was instiucted to again notify the owners of property on the Patumahoe-Drury road to cut back the pine trees on their properties overhanging the road. In reply to Cr Henry, the engineer stated that a contract had been let for the straight road Waiau to Patumahoe.

A KOHE KOflE DEVIATION In connection with a road deviation made through Mr James Murray's property at Kohe Kohe, the Council, on the motion of Cr Renall, agreed to fence the road, to exchange certain land taken, and to pay £ls as compensation, in accordance with Mr Murray's claims. GATES OX ROAD Permission to erect a gate under the Public Works Act on the blind road running through his property was asked for by Mr J. T. Jones, Waipipi. Cr. Motion proposed that an indipendent committee, consisting of the chairman and one other member to be selected by the chairman, should be appointed to inspect and report. He explained that Cr. Renall and he had had the matter in hand and they desired outside members to decide.

Cr. Renall seconded but pointed out that since the road was used for vehicular and other traffic the Council would require to be careful before they established a precedent. In a case in which he was concerned the road was not so used and only lei to the coast.

Ihe motion was agreed to. Mr. Ridgely, who was in attendance on the Council, stated that lie and other settlers objected to the proposed gate and he remarked that whereas Mr Jones wanted to have a gate to suit him he was one of those who signed a petition to a gate on a road, which as stated by Cr. Renall only led to the coast. —The Chairman informed Mr Ridgely that the Committee wuuld invite him to meet them when they visited the locality. DROWNS EOAH, TVAKAI'. A resolution was passed making a Special Order authorising the raising of the Brown's Road (Tuakau) Special Rating District Loan of £4OO, the Clerk stating that the State Advances OfHce had agreed to lend the money for 36 £ years at 4 A per cent interest I}A LANCE SHEET 1914-15. The auditor-general returned the balance-sheet for the year ending March 31st last, certified as correct, subject to one or two tags. n< iMAIN WiAlil) MATTERS Sitting as the Whatapaka and Drury Domain Boards for the purpose of holding the statutory annual meetings of those authorities, the Council iorraaily approved of the -balance sheets presented, that of the Whatapaka Domain showing assets value £lO 19s 4d and liabilities nil, with-a credit balance of £2 10s for the Drury Domain. With respect to the Whatapaka Domain, Cr Henry mentioned that the property, consisting of 123 acres, was leased to Messrs Arthur Yates and Co., who ■were keeping it in such order that it would be a valuable property when the lease expired in 1922.

PAKHATA MATTER-. Mr Parkinson waited on the Council in connection with a proposal to extend a road through his and Mr Jameson's properties to the Paerata Railway Station, and thence on to the west side of the railway line. He pointed out that if the work was put in hand it would save two railway crossings. He explained that he had conferred with Messrs Batty and Schlaepper, of the Karaka Road Board, and they were agreeable that the work should be undoitak-ju ! nxjuired the assist,,'u, o of the n<:il The County Engineer, If »pproved of the pnposai. ■ pr'-j-ared to give bis own lan b., property and understood ■ ■' ii'iieaon wanted to do likew '' resolved that (he rfoplkf piace his otter, iu writing,'before th» ouncil. H, ury brought forward, by renuest, the luaUer of r-e tredion of an overhead bri-lj," on be road from pukekohe (o »V:mta, «!>"»« it crossed the tw railway .ire. Ibe bridge, he said , was to hj»: "rected on a hill and would Lost a considerable Hum whilst for a veiv small costa subway could be put across the road. The ratepayers were going to hold an indignation meeting in (jppoaition to the «««"<«? »' ftto. H. proposed the

the erection of the bridge being proposed contrary to the council's and the ratepayers' opinions that it would be less expense to construct a subway.—The motion was carried and the chairman, engineer and the clerk were appointed to enter the protest. A I'AI'AICURA DEVIATION. Messrs Willis Bros., wrote asking the council to approve of a road leading from East street to the Great South Road through sections 27 and 28, Papakura, being closed and for a road in place of the same being constructed through sections 28 and 29.—The request was acceded to. CLOSER SETTLEMENT Cr Motion presented a plan of a road proposed to be constructed by Mr Hanis on his property at Otaua in order to effect a sub-division of the same. Mr Harris, he said, asked the council to accept dedication of the road and to construct the road at his expense, for which work he had forwarded a cheque.— The application was approved. NAVIGATION ON THE WAIJCATO An application asking for the council's support towards obtaining assistance from the Government to improve the conditions in the Waikato river for navigation purposes, wos received from the United Timber Company, and it was agreed that the chairman should attach his signature to a petition bearing on the matter whioh is to be forwarded to the Govment. DOG TAX After a lengthy discussion it was resolved that the dog tax for the ensuing year should be 2s 6d per dog. TENDERS The engineer reported that he had leceived two tenders for 30 chains of draining and forming on the Happy Valley to Hunua road, viz E. C. Hall at£l 5s lOd per chain, and the other of £1 5s from John Grae.—The council decided to accept the lower tender and to proceed with the work.