FRANKLIN COUNTY COUNCIL.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 163, 7 April 1916, Page 2

FRANKLIN COUNTY COUNCIL.

Monthly Meeting. The regular monthly meeting of the Franklin County Council was held yesterday, the members present being : Crs J. Flanagan [chairman), J. Henry, H. Wilcox, J. A. Renall, W. C. Motion, J. T. Lockwood, T. W. Woods, R. Higginßon, R Lyons, together with the clerk and engineer, Messrs A. P. Day and J. F. McArthur, respectively. WEEKLY MALI-HOLIDAY l'ATVMAuot's position.

The Department of Labour advised that Wednesday had been gazetted as the weekly half-holiday for the County. Cr Henry stated that he was not aware until a fortnight ago that the alteration had been made and suggebted to comply with the wishes of the business people of Patumahoe, that application be made to have the holiday amended in that district to what it was previously (Thursday). It was decided to enquire what steps would have to be token to allow districts to lix the date of their own half holidays and whether the districts concerned could not revert back to the day of the previous half-holiday.

AEROPLANE GIFT FUND. A letter was received fr.'in the Auckland Executive asking for support to the Auckland Provincial Aeroplane Gift Fund. Cr Henry claimed that there was a necessity to give assistance as Great Britain was behind the Central powers in regard to that branch of the service and suggested that subscription lists should be placed ia Post Offices throughout the County. • Cr Wilcox seconded the proposal and it was carried. WAina-'S DEVELOPMENT. The Clerk of the Waiuku Town Board advised the Council tint as a census showed the population of the Waiuku district to be over 600 application had been made to the Governor for an Order-in-Council separating, as fiom April Ist, the Waiuku Town District from the County. OI.D RAILWAY TRACK A letter was received from the Minister of Railways acknowledging the Council's request for the old railway line from Runcimaa to Pokeno to be vested in the Council and stating that he was having the matter enquired into and would communicate later with the Council.

The Secretary of the Whangarata branch of the Farmers' Union wrote stating that at a meeting of his branch it was decided to suppoit the Council in their endeavour to acquire the old railway track for a main arterial road and they would urge the Couucil to push the work on as speedily as possible after tin land had been acquired. The clerK reported that the Minister of Railways (the Hon. W. H. Herries > had promised to receive a deputation from the Council on the subject when next in Auckland, and the Chairman, Crs Motion, Lyons, Henry and Woods were appointed as the deputation tj wait on the Minister.

HU-TS !OR SOLD[KR> Support was sought by the Auckland Women's Patriotic League for the new Dominion scheme for gifts for soldiers.—No action was taken. GOVERNMENT (IKAXTS. Notification was received from the Public Works Department that application for assistance iu the matter of road and bridge construction works should be forwarded not later than May loth next. Dnder date of March Nth the Assistant Under-Secretary of the Public Works Department wrote re authorisation of votes saying that proposals for the following works and amounts could be submitted to the District Engineer, viz , Beloe Road, £IOO ; Bombay to Pukekohe, £IOO ; Clark's Road, WaiiuilOO ; Drury to Waiuku via Karaka, £230 ; Happy Valley to Hunua, £97 15s ; Karaka to Waiau, £l5O ; Mangatangi to Smith's v £loo £ for £) £2OO ; Patumahoe to Drury, via Woodhouse Hill £l9-1 ss; Pukekohe East to Rami Rama, via Kearn's £l5O ; Wairoa Palls Road, £IOO ; Waiuku-Pollok Road to Te Toro Wharf, £IOO ; Cain's corner to Section 27, Puni parish, £125 : Graham's Beach to Palmer's £100; and Pollok Wharf Road, £l(i Us 3d. The letter further stated that there was no authorisations in respect of the Great South Road (Drury to Mercer) and Tuakau to Pukekohe.

The chairman suggested that when njembers were preparing estimates for grants they should send them forward as £ for £ as far as possible, particularly in regard to metalling work.

Cr Eenall considered that if the Government was going to make a hard and fast rule as regards £ for £ grants in preference to straightout grants, that it would be detrimental. He contended that it was the place of tli9 Govarnment to assist settlers in getting access to their sections.

Cr Lyons intimated that very few of the grants placed on the estimates last year had come forward.

AKA AKA DKAIY-. A letter was received from the Aka Aka Drainage Board asking the Council to formally transfer to tho Board the control uf the road drain fronting the properties of Messrs Douglas and Hiscock, l'ura I'ura block, tho Board having already informally assumed the control thereof. A request was also made for financial assistance from the Coypcjl for placing larger pipes across the east drain load. Cr Motion considered that a iloodgate would be necessary the entrance to tho Eastern Drain. Cr Higgioson suggested that jurisdiction as asked for should be inveu to tho Aka Aka 1 hainairo Boaid. Cr Wood was prepared to hand it over conditionally that tho Board bear the expous 1 and agree to keep it clean. Cr Higgin3on agreed that his

IiOAD WANTED AT HAITY VALLEY. A letter was received from Mr J. J. Hills in reference to roading provision at Happy Valloy. He asked if the Council would either complete the road, marked Road Reserve," at the top of part section No. (i or continue the public road through Nobs' section. He explained that at present his neighbours and the public were using his property but as he would soon commence ploughing and making improvements he would have to close that track. It was decided to reply that there was a grant fortho work and that as soon as it was available the work would be undertaken

PROPOSED DEVIATION". A letter was received from Messrs J. E and D Makgill suggesting that in view of the f •rthcouiiug subdivision of their property at Waipipi it might be to the Council's and iheir advantages if a road deviation was agreed upon in place of the road now running through sections 127, 128, 12'J and 130. Left to Crs Motion and the Engineer to report on the matter. ATTENTION, I'LEASE ! Mr F. Grattan, of Bombay, wrote calling attention to the state of the road adjoining his property and leading to Rauia Raina, which he stated had not been attended to for tive years. Ho offered to provide stone if the Council would lay the same on the road, —It was decided to reply that the road was under the jurisdiction of the Opaheke Road Board.

A K<>}f IS KOIIE ItE'il'EST. Permission was sought I>y Mr L. Lever, of Kohe Kobe, for him to erect a fence across the road on his property, the road, he said, not being in public use as it was full of gorse, which he would clear if h s request was grantei The application was left to Cr Eenall to report on. ROAII GATE WAXTEI). A request was also received from Mr D. C. Kay, of Pollock, to erect a gate at the junction road leading to his farm. The road, he stated, was only used by anyone visiting hitn and a gate would obviate a heavy expense for fencing that would otherwise be entailed on him. Cr Eenall said he knew the road and property to Mr Kay's house and he considered that parmisfion should be granted as no one would suffer by the erection of the gate and the Council should assist settlors whereever possible. The cleik pointed ouMhat tho application for the gate had not been advertised as required and it was decided to defer consideration of the request until such formality had been complied with.

A I'L'NI COM r I,AI NT. Mr W. E. Harvie, of Puui, wrote complaining of water from Waller's Road flowing on to his land and rendering about two ar.ves of his property unfit for cultivation. The matter was loft to Cr Woods and the Engiuoer. JIIE ONSLAUGHT OS KAUMTS. A letter was received from Mr W.

T. Baker, chairman of the Rama Kama liabbit Extermination Committee, stating that he had been requested by a meeting of delegates of various liabbit Extermination Committees held at Drury last week to ask the Counc 1 to write to the Minister for Agriculture urging that power should be granted the Inspector to deal with tbose who neglected to lay poison i'or rabbits. Mr Baker explained tbat excellent work was being done in the several districts where the work had been taken up but it was hampered by owners, chietly absentees, who had not laid poison and it was for such people that authority for the luspeotor to act was wanted. TL>e chairman explained tliat a similar application had previously been refused by the Minister of Agriculture, but thought if the difficulties of the position were again explained discretionary powers might be given the Inspector.

It was agreed to apply to the Minister as suggested. ABSENTEE'S I'ROPEIITY. Mr McDonald, of Rama Rama, wrote urging that power should be exercised under tho Rating Act to fell a certain block of live acres of land on the Tuhimata Road. The land, he said, was covered with noxious weeds and was a breeding place for rabbits and inasmuch as it was often set on fire by pas3ers-by it constituted a danger to neighbours. The clerk reported that steps towards the sale were in hand. DRAIN* OBSTRUCTION'S. Mrs M. Malonev, Puni, wrote explaining her inability to clear the water course through her property within the time allowed by the Council, through a rush caused by harvesting operatious, but stated that as soon as the same was over she would have the drain attended to.

Cr Lyons thought that the Council should require its notices to be complied with by the stipulated date as otherwise confusion would occur.

The engineer was instructed, iu accordance with the suggestion of Cr Henry, to inspect the creek with a view of ascertaining whether the settlers concerned had complied with the Council's instructions, failing which steps should be taken to have the work carried through and charged to owners. Mr C. Dromgool, Mercer, appeait'J before the Council and applied for a sum of £ jO, which, be said, h'ulaccmed by way of thirds from his property to be spmt on a load leading across a swamp adjacent to his property. At Cr Lyons' suggestion the applicant, Cr Lyons and the engiueor letired to peruse a map of tho locality and it was subsequently agreed thai tho road should be defined with a view of having tho money expended thoreuii.

i Mi i,Ut A I KOHL K'OIII.. In accoidance with hid adveitised UMtico Cr Keuall applied for permission to erect a rabbit proof on tho load running through his property at Kobe Kohe. He also intimated that ho bad in his poa-

cecdings for the removal of which are pending at the Waiuku Magistrate's Court. The petition askod for the retention of the gate, which it was urged was more of a convenience than otherwise as tho road was mainly used by picnic parties who were enabled to graze their horses without opportunity of tho animals straying away and further that any money spent on roads could be better spent on other more urgent thoroughfares. Consideration of the applica'im was adjournod pending tho de.i«iou of the Magistrate on tlvo currotit action. liE.U'll Ho All, TUAKAI'. The engineer reportod in connection with a request from tho Raglan Couuty Council for the Beach roa', from Frost's Mill to tlm Tuakau Bridge, to be rep liiwl that the work was to be started next week. l)lttE<T'fiN" rosTS An application was received from the Karaka Road Board for linger posts to be erected in the Karaka district and it was resolved,, by motion of Cr Henry, to have the Karaka district attended to forthwith as requested. ROAD SI'KI Ai E WATER Mr David Hill, Pitkekohe West, wrote complaining of surface water lying on Roger's roid. Cr Woods suggested that Cr Henry, the engineer aud he should meet on the road with a view of havthe matter attended to. -It was resolved to take action accordingly. ROAD AXD 111! I DUE REPAIRS Mr Gearon made a personal application for repairs to be effected to his road, between his property and tho main Waiuku road, and also for a bridge in the vicinity of his property on the same road t) be attended to. The approaches to the bridge, he considered, were in a bad condition while the bridge also require! to b) raised. Cr Henry sail that arrangements had been made to deal with a portion of the road. Theie were bad water ruts on the road and the alterations to tli9 approaches to the bridge, which required to be raised, wore necessary, but lie pointed out that the Cjuncil only had rate money to attempt to do tho work with The Engineer was instructed to inspect both the bridge and road with a view of having repairs effectod. lIACK-ULOCKERS' ROAD. A deputation consisting of six ratepayers, for whom Mr Pearson actel as spokesman, requested tho Council t) expend a portion, if not all of a sum in the vicinity of £oOO, which their late member, Mr Campbell, had informed them they were entitled, on. the Mouuioukai-Papa-rimu road.

Cr Lockwood supportel the request, stating that the amouut as stated by Mr Campbell was due to be expended on the road. The chairmau intimated that ho knew tha road and was anxious to have the work thereon pusliol ahead. It was agreed that tho Council should ascertain the amount available and should inform the Public Works Engineer so that ths work could be started immediately. It was further decided if the ratepayers submitted a potition for a Government grant so as to thoroughly complete tha work the same would be forwarded on by the Council.

A WIIAN<-ARATA <O.MI'LA INT Mr Geo. Rideout, Whangarata, wrote drawing the Council's attention to a bridge on the road between Taakau and Whangarata which he considered urgently required repairing and rails erected thereon.—Tho engineer was instructed to attend t) the matter. Mull t'OLLAKS The tender of Mr Parmeuter Papakura) of 7' J each for dog collars was accepted. RATIN'Ii ANOMALY PROTEST IKOM HUNUA. A deputation of Huuua ratepayers waited on the Council to complain of injustice effected by the Couucil having altered the system of rating iu that Riding from the unimproved to the capital value. Mr G-. W. Heald was the first speaker and he stated that before the Road Board merged and also for the two years under the County Council up to March 31st of last year rating on the unimproved value was in force. The new system qf rating on capital value, which was inaugurated last year without notice, meant that energetic farmers, who improved their properties, were called on to pay double the rates they had paid under the old system of rating while the absentee owners, whose sections in the majority of cases were in an unimproved state, got off at practically half of the sum they previously paid. At the time of merging they were informed that the rating on the unimproved values would cmtinue, and he contended that had the ratepayers known that a change would be made the district would not have merged Hisown rates had increased under the change from £l9 to £3s. In any case he doubted whether it was legal to alter the system of rating for special loans that were raised previous to tho new system being established.

! The chairman pointed out that the Council decided last year to strike a higher rate over tho whole county to put the interest account, which was in debit, into credit and that the Special lvatos would not iu future be as high as at present iu the Special Rating Areas. Mr E. A McCounoll said that the present position was uot understood by many of the ratepayers as the change was made suddenly and without notification. He, himself, was a lig suilerer. Mr F. llolt instanced his experience in the matter. The capital value of his property was £760 and the unimproved £'2ti(). The rate account ho received since the now rating came iu, showed that his increase was from £J 10s to 10s, Thinking that a mistake had arisou ho forwarded hi 3 rate notice back to the cjunty clerk who, iu reply, stated that capital rat ing value w as iu force throughout the whole county, lu a comparison of the rates botween his town owned property and his farm in the Hunua, he olaimed that it was heavier in the county than in the town.

Cr Lockwood supported the views ex pi eased by the deputation. He pointed out that in the time of the late council the Valuer-General, whose ruling could be accepted, had expressed the opinion that rating on the unimproved value could continue in the Hunua riding. Last year, however, the question of the legality of such rating was raised by the clerk and was referred to Mr T. F. Mil tin counsel for the New Zealand Counties Association, who being under the impression that rating, on capital value was in force everywhere in the county leplied that no distinction could be made by one or more ridings being rated on the uuimprovei valu9. His (Cr Lock wood's) contention was seeing Hunua was at that time and pre- 1 viously rated on the unimproved value Mr Martin erred in thinking that rating on capital value was the only system in vogue in the county, on which supposition he had given his advice. He (Cr Lockwood) further maintained that in accordance with the Bating Act it was not possible to alter the system of rating without notice being previously given and a re-valuation of the distiict made. The ratepayers of Hunua, naturally thinking they were only concerned in unimproved values, watched the Valuer's " unimproved " figures and paid no attenti jn to the amounts he set down for capital values, whereas if notice had been given it was probable that the capital valuation figures would have been objected Jo. He suggested that the Council should cite a case tor the Bupreme Court so that a defin.te decision should be obtained as to whether the old form of rating could or could not be continued in Hunua. He propo*-ed that at the next mee'ing of the Council, the Council's solicitor (Mr A. Hanna) should be asked to attend to give the Council an opinion on the scatter. Cr Woods seconded.

Cr Renall said ;the Awhitu riding was in the same position as Hunua and he would be pleased to hear that the matter could be rectified.

The motion was agreed to and Crs Lockwooi and Motion were deputed !to pUce the position before Mr Hanna to allow ample time for his consideration thereof before the Council's meeting. , SPECIAL RATE At a special meeting held after ther the luncheon adjournment a resolution to raise a loan of £IOO for Jamieson's road, Buckland Special Rafing Area, was adopted.