FRANKLIN COUNTY COUNCIL.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 172, 9 May 1916, Page 1

FRANKLIN COUNTY COUNCIL.

Monthly Meeting.

The usual monthly meeting cf the Franklin County Council was held last Thursday, the members present being Crs J. Ilanagan (chairman), T. J. Lockwood, H. Wilcox, R. Iligginson, J. A. Renall, T. W. Woods, and J. Henry, with the Clerk (Mr Alan P. Day) and Engineer (Mr J. F. McArthur). ABSENT MEMBERS. Apologies for non-attendance were received from Crs Lyons and Motion. THE RABBIT VEST. Writing in reply to two letters, one from the Council and another from the Rama Rama Extermination Committee, in regard to the destruction of rabbits in the County, the Secxetary of the Agricultural Department stated that he had been directed by the Minister of Agriculture to inform the Council that the question of granting Inspectors of Rabbits fuller powers in connection with instituting legal proceedings against offenders under the Act had already been considered and the Department regretted that for reasons given in a previous letter to the Council that it could not see its way to agree to the wishes of the Council.

The chairman mentioned that he understood that one of the Committees had been advised that the Inspector would be given a free hand to prosecute and he further stated that Inspector Rowan had informed him to the same effect. He therefore could not understand the communication just read. Cr Henry remarked that the only remedy seemed to be the establishment of a Rabbit Board. Cr Renall stated that if power was not to be given to the Inspector he would support the formation of a Rabbit Board.

On the motiou of Cr Lockwood, it was decided to empower the chairman to consult with the Agricultural Department on the occasion of his forthcoming visit to Wellington with a view of, if possible, persuading the Department to accede to the wishes of the Council.

UNIVERSAL WEEKLY HALF-HOLIDAY.

In reply to an enquiry, the Department of Labour informed the Council that Wednesday must be observed as the weekly half -holiday for the whole of the Council s district as there was no power under the Act to appoint diiferent days in different parts of the County. II LATA FALLS KOAl) The Chief Surveyor, Department of Lands and Survey, notified the Council that Inspector Wheeler would be instructed to take the survey of the road to Hunua Falls via Hurst's iu hand when in the locality. Cr Lockwood mentioned that Inspector Wheeler had hoped to make the survey that week, but had to postpone his visit. RAILWAY CROSSING NOTICES. Intimation was received from the Kailway Department that it was proposed to erect " stop " notices on the roads about 100 to 150 yards from the railway crossings. It was decided to reply approving of the oourse suggested. A DEFECTIVE BRIDGE. The Wairoa Koad Board drew the Council's attention to Kelly's bridge, on the Wairoa road, which the letter claimed was out of repair and needed attention. Cr Lockwood mentioned that the road was a Government track as never having been completed it had not been taken over by the Council. It was resolved to inform the Wairoa Road Board accordingly. WHERE IS THE ROAD ' J . Application for permission to feed off and clear the unopened road running between his farm and Mr McGahan's property at Whangarata was received from Mr H. Marx, who in addition offered to destroy the rabbits theron. Cr Wilcox remarked that Mr Marx probably knew the road in question, but he (the Councillor" did not as it had never been opened. It was decided to reply, as in previous similar cases, that the Council would not object to an alteration of the fence, Mr Marx to accept responsibility for the same. KEl'AlllS UEyI'ESTEI). Mr John A. Govan, Bucklaud, informed the Council of the necessity of repairing the road between Mrs King's gate and Mr E Appleby's property. The road, the writer explained, was used by settlers from Kazorback and Harrisville going to Buckland station. Cr Wilcox stated that the road was used by residents of Cr Lyons' Mercer) riding mure than by the people of his (Fukekohe) riding, but ho would agree to find a contribution if Cr Lyons was willing for his riding to share the cost. The matter was, owing to Cr Lyons' absence, deferred to next mooting. DISABILITIES AT I'AI'ARATA. Messrs G. A. and F. Edge, Paparata, drew the Council's attention to the bad condition and the steep grades of the by-road running from the Paparata road to their farm, and also suggested that as their farm and one adjoining had no road frontage that a new road, on property which they understood the , owner would exchange for the present road,

should be made. At present they said they had to transport cream fiom their farai either by sledge or pack horse. The chairman remarked that the surfaceman at Bombay had reported to him that the request was reasonable and that the proposed deviation would not be a costly item. The engineer was instructed to report as to cost, etc. EXTRA (OST 01 METAL.

A letter was received from the management of the Morningside Quarries, Auckland, informing the Council that owing to increased cost of labour the price of metal had been advanced Gd per yard. Cr Henry: The increased charge is not unreasonable under the circumstances.

AWHITU WHAKI- SHED,

Mr J. W. Beliz, storekeeper, Awhitu, enquired if an allowance of £5 per year made to his predecessor by the Awhitu Road Board (now merged) for acting as caretaker of the shed on the wharf would hold good now that the Council had charge of the shed. Cr Renall approved of the continuation of the payment, and the same was formally agreed to. EGNINE DRIVERS' I'AY. The Inspector of Awards forwarded particulars of the revised award for wages to engine drivers. The clerk reported that the minimum wage fixed was 10s 6d, whereupon Cr Renall remarked that the Council was more generous in its rate of pay than the award rates.

A COUNCILLOR AMI HIS CKITIi S.

Mr William Douglas, Kohekohe, applied for particulars of a Government grant, part or the wholo of which, had been expended about 18 months ago on Renall's Deviation. Cr Renall explained that the grant referred to by Mr Douglas was in respect of the one for the Waiuku-Awhitu through road, the greater part of which was spent at the Waiuku end. As a matter of fact there was only £12.3 of the grant spent on the Awhitu portiou, mentioned by Mr Douglas, together with £4 8s out of rate.-. Ho personally paid the survey fees of £lO and therefore if the £1 8s payment from rates was objected to it really meant that the council would be indebted to him for the difference between that amount and the £lO, which he had not asked the council to pay. Cr Renall went on to say that probably what Mr Douglas desired to knew was whether he (Cr Renall) was telling the truth but added Cr Renall " I always tell the truth." The clerk was instructed to forward particulars of expenditure to Mr Douglas as asked for. sjl'Bl'ACE WATER AT KAKAKA. Messrs Ainbury's, Limited, Auckland, in drawing the Council's attention to storm water from off the main road at Karaka, which flowed over their farm through an open drain cut through the boundary fence, suggested that the Council should provide pipes for a pipe drain to divert the water into a gully adjacent, they (Messrs Arnburv) to put the pipes in. On the motion of Cr Henry the letter was referred to the engineer for a report. lII'M'A li"AI) rUO.IEiT. Mr H. E. McEntee asked for particulars of a new road which, he said, had been surveyed through his propeity at Hunua despite the fact that it was not mentioned on the deeds of the same. Cr Lookwood was authorised to supply the information to Mr McEntee. A i j.MI'ENsAI 10.V CLAIM. Mr Geo. Hirst, Hunua, wrote offering to meet the Council halfway in connection with the proposed purchase of a portion of his property for tho purposes of a proposed road and agreeing to accept £ 17-3 for compensation and fencing provided the Council could see its way clear to accept the responsibility arising from the growth of noxious weeds on the road.

The chairman and Or Lockwood considered that the price asked by Mr Hirst was too high. It was decided to write informing Mr Hurst that the request would be forwarded to the Lands Department, after which the Council would communicate further with him. STEAM KULLLR 111 lil.. A reply stating that they would bo willing to hire out their road roller including drivor, for 10s per day was received from the Waiuku Town Board with a proviso that the council should be held responsible for damage incurred to bridgos, culverts, etc. The Engineer stated that the price was reasonable. The chairman concurred, but said that the money so paid would pay intorest on twenty engines. lie thought the council should see about purchasing their own roller and scantier. AX OTAI'A HKAIX. A letter was received from the Otaua Drainage Board soliciting linancial assistance from tho council for deepening the 10ft drain from liulk Hoodgate to Wright's Gate. Awaroa. It was suggested by the Board that the interests of the council and board were mutual in the matter as the scheme had tho twofold object of obtaining more eflicient drainage and of improving the road with tho excellent matfrial excavated from tho drain.

As tho drain was in Or Motion s

riding, consideration of the letter was deferred by reason of his absence. HIGHER HOSPITAL KATE. The secretary of the Auckland Hospital Board notified the council that the rateable capital value of the county as at March 31st last as returned by the Valuation Department was £2,659,341. The Board also mentioned that the hospital rate would be one-sixth of a penny in the £ as against two-thirteenths of a penny last year. The clerk, who was deputed to check the figures to see whether the same were correct, mentioned that the ridings that were recently revalued were paying more than those ridings which had not yet had their valuations revised. A KOKE KOIIE ÜBJBTOR. Mr W. Ponsford, jnr, ol Kohe Kolie, wrote objecting to the proposed closing of the road on the frontage of his property. Cr Eenall said that the deviation through his property had cost the Council nothing and the old road ran over a hill 80 feet high. Cr Eenall was requested to interview Mr Ponsford and to explain matters to him. MISCELLANEOUS. Mr G. Heald, of Waiuku, wrote asking the Council to repair bad spots in Kidd's road, Waiuku, if the work of forming it had to be postponed.—Cr Higgiuson stated that the engineer already had the matter in hand. A letter was received from Mr T. E. Hearne, of Patumahoe, asking that he should be allowed to erect tie-up posts in front of his business premises.—Permission was granted. A letter was received from Mrs Fahey, of Bombay, claiming £2o as compensation in respect of a new road put through her property. — The chairman and Cr Lock wood were authorised to negotiate with the writer. *Cr Henry reported that Mr W. J. McFaddyn complained of water llowing from the road on to his farm at Patumahoe and the engineer was requested to attend to the complaint. 'J 11E MERGING CAMPAIGN. A petition, signed by 71 ratepayers of the Opaheko Eoad District, was received asking the Council to pass a Special Order abolishing the Eoad District and merging ic iu the county.—The chairman and the clerk were deputed to take the nfccssary steps to give elfect to the position, Cr Eenall congratulated the chairman on the energy he had displayed in addressing meetings with a view of inducing the ratepayers of the four unmerged Eoad Board districts to come into the County. KII.U) G ATE CASE. A petition, signed by 101 ratepayers, was received favouring the retention of the gate on the road at Kohe Kohe, which is the subject of the action pending in the Waiuku Magistrate's Court, was presented by Cr Eenall. It was decided that the petition should be put in as evidence at the hearing of the action. 1 CTURE EXPENDITURE. In view of the framing of estimates of expenditure for the current year the chairman asked that members should forward a list of most pressing works in their respective ridings for consideration at the nest meeting of the Finance Committee. JAMIESON's ROAD, HIGHLAND. A resolution was passed confirming the Special Order authorising the raising of a loan of £IOO for Jamieson's road, Buckland, special rating area. DOCI TAX COLLECTORS. In regard to the appointment of dog tax collectors, the same arrangement was made as obtained last year, namely, that the riding members should appoint collectors foi their respective ridings. DELEGATES TO WELLINGTON. On the motion of Cr Woods, it was decided that the chairman and Cr Lockwood should go to Wellington to represent the Council in connection with the proposed Government grants. Cr Eonall reminded the delegates that lie wanted £IOOO for his "through." road. A IoUND A 1 I'l'AlvA I". Messrs Dynes Fulton and W. Glasgow attended as a deputation from tlio Tuukau Town Board and asked the Couucil to assist in the provision of a pound atTuakau. Straying cattle, they said, did a good deal ot damage to both the County's aod Town Board's roads, and with a local pound the ranger would be able to exerciso greater energy than was now possible by reason of tho nearest pound being at Pukekohe. ihe auctioneering companies, tho deputation said, had agreed to a pound being constructed iu the Tuakau saleyards, and they (the deputation estimated the cost thereof at £lO. The Council agreed to contribute £o towards tho cost of the pound, tho understanding being that the Town Board's ranger would bo empowered to act as the Council s ranger for the Council's district adjoining Tuakau. 1 INANCE. Tho Clerk reported as follows County Fund Account. —l'lio overdraft at the National Bauk on this account amounts to £3l.};) 0s 3d ; unpresentod cheques amount to £ll3 10s Id, making the total

debit balance £3296 19s 4d. The accounts due and payable from this account amount to £IBBS (3s sd. Loan Accounts. —The following are the credit balances under Loan Accounts :—Hill Distiict Loan, £ls 3s lOd; Hill District No. 2 Loan, £458 7s lOd ; Hunua Riding Roads Loan, £7O 15s 9d, lees £39 9s accounts payable; Hogwood's Deviation Loan £221 14s Id, less £l9 3s 8d accounts payable; Pratt's Hill Loan, £18(19 7s Cd, less £BB 7s Id accounts payable; Puni District Loan, £34j 13s 3d; Needles Whart Loan, £149 6a 3d, le s £75 accounts payable

The report was adopted and accounts totalling £IBBS 6s 5d were passed for payment, as follows: General Account, £IBO 15b 7d; Awhitu riding, £52 19s 9d; Drury, £209 4s; Hunua, £23 7s 6d; Mauku, £l7B 12s; Mercer, 104 16s; Pukekobe, £351 5s 7d; Waipipi, '£B7 14s lOd; Waiuku, £lO5 4s 3d; Contractors' deposits, £3l 11a; Land Fund Account, £1 10s; Interest Account, £93 Is lOd; Government Grant Account, £460 4a Id

The clerk also presented an approximate statement of tinpnces for the close of the financial veir on March 31st last, with a comparative statement if the debit balances a year previously, viz. Dr balance L)r balance rates Outstanding March 31st, March 31st, March

t Totals £5561 £3096 £2158 It vraa explained by the clerk that the liabilities, as they c-xiated on March 31st, were not included in the statement, but taking them into consideration the Couccil's financial position had very much improved last year

Cr Henry thought the Etatement very satisfactory, as it showed that the outstanding iutta and £7OO due on Government bubaidies equalled the amount of the debit balances Continued on Page 4.!

1915 1916 31st, 1916 Hiding £. £. Awhitu 321 255 142 Drury iai5 555 381 Hunua 6fj3 666 574 Mauku 1095 210 203 Mercer 208 316 286 Fukekohe 987 137 250 Waipipi m 716 333 Waiuku 512 239 287