FRANKLIN COUNTY COUNCIL.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 208, 12 September 1916, Page 4

FRANKLIN COUNTY COUNCIL.

Tho following matters', in add;-: tion to those reported in our last) issue, were dealt with at last Thurs-1 day's meeting of the Franklin County Council, viz. COMPLAINTS AND REQUESTB. An application for sn nutlet from his property to the main road, at Awbitu, wes submitted by Mr J. H. L. Walteis, and t'r Kent 11 and the ergireer were deputed to "> rpect the road. Mr J. W. McLario, eenr.. of Fdtumthoe, wrote applying to the Council to open the putlic road fronting bis property at Pollok. He alio suggested that the eastern part ot the ptoperty would make a suitable site tor the Pollok wfcarf, and offered to give land tor a chain viide road to concect with the wharf.-Cr Hensll suggested that a public meetirg, at which the sub jret could be discussed, should be convened. —Cr Renill was deputed to go into ths matter and to leport to the Courcil. Messrs Haines Bios., Rama Kama, applied tor formation work to be done to one chain of the road leediog to their property at Kama Rama.—lhe chairman said that the matter was already under consideration.

Mr J. Crotty drew the Council's attention to the urgent necessity of repairing tbe road leading to bis property at Waipipi.—The application was referred to the Engineer. ARE THEY ALIEN ENEMIES? A letter from Mr H. Anderson, a returned soldier, of Awbitu, requested that Cr Kenall take steps to secure the release of a Mr Ler.dish and bis cousin, of Awhitu, who are interned.

Cr Kenall said he was prepared to act as suggested, as he believed the men were Servians.

The chairman and Cr Lockwood were against any action emanating from the Council, the chairman remarking that Cf Kenall could move in the matter if he wished in a private capacity, but it was not for the Council to take action.

HAPPY VALLEY SETTLERS. A petiton was received signed by Messrs G. Koss, J. and M. Gorea, G. Nicholas, C. Home and J. Shaw asking for a drain on the Happy Valley-Paparata road to be extended, as the private property through which they had access to their noldiogs was to be sold. The chairman rematked that the only tbir.g to be done was to open up tbe present road. On the engineer statirg that the Council had money in hand for their drain it was agreed that it should be expended in opening the drain as far as the money would allow. MISCELLANEOUS. Upon Cr Hecry's suggestion it was resolved that he and the engineer should inspfct the Tramway road, in front of Mr Ziczan s property, with a view of having it attended to, storm water havirg found an outlet across it.

Cr Higginson reported that the lease of tbe gravel reserve at Aka Aka, which was Lett by an Aka Aka resident, would shortly expire.-It was decided to call tenders for the lease fjr a term of seven years.

L'OKENO ROAD UOAKL) MERGES

At « special meeting h.ld at 12.30 p.m. a resolution intended to ocerate as a Special o:der wes passed acrging the Poke no Road District in the County.

Engineer's Report. The County Eugiueer (Mr J. 1» McAtthur) reported as follows : DEVI ATI OX Ol t'REAT SOUTH ROAD AT I'OKENO. At a previous meeting the Railway Department forwarded a plan of this deviation requesting the Council to take the road over. In reply the Department were informed that the road must bo metalled and blinded with scoria; this has since been done. 1 would therefore recommend that tho plan s be signed and feal affixed as required.

biley's mudge, karaka-waiau ROAD. During tbo mouth it was found necessary to order timber for repairing and strengthening this bridge. When completed the structure will be fit to carry hoavy traffic such as traction engines, etc. WHITFORD DUOS' A< CESS ROAD, POXGA. I was instructed to inspect and report on the above. Whitford Bros, wrote asking that the road up to their boundary be formed to carry vehicular traffic The road is approximately 2 ) chains in length and practically unformed. With an expenditure of £l3 to £2O it could be greatly improved. If the Council decide to carry out the improvements as requested Messrs Whitford Bros, would undertake the work at a choap rate

HO A 1) 1 HOM fUKEKOIIE, AKA AKA ROAD 10 MR E HENRY'S, I'URA I'URA. On the 31st of July Mr Henry wrote on behalf of the ratepayers concerned, drawing the attention of the Council to the bad stato of this road. In company with Cr Woods I made an inspection and it was found that the road was cut up in places. The road is not metalled and the only improvements that could be made with the funds available would be to reform and improve the drainage. This I would suggest should be done during the coming summer.

STOXE REQUIRED PUKEKoUB EAST TO DRI'RY ROAD. To keep this road in good repair over next winter it will be necessary to provide for the supply and delivery of about 300 cubic yards of spawls. The portion of road referred to is between the Tuimata Creamery and the Great South Road. During 1914 a temporary bridge was erected across the Tuimata Stream for the purpose of conveying stone to the Pukekohe East Road ; as this bridge is only built of a poor quality of timber and will not last, I would suggest that the available stone on the eastern aide of the stream be procured and carted on to the road for future requirements PROPOSED DEVIATION MANGATAXOI -

MIRANDA ROAD. Information has been received from Mr Stubbs, of Mangatangi, that the land required for this deviation can be procured free of cost. I would respectfully ask if it is the wish of your Council to proceed with the necessary survey and legalisation. I might mention that the present road at the point is of a particularly steep grade. The deviation if constructed would be a decided advantage to the settlers in tho Mangatangi and Miranda districts. CONTRACTS LET. The following contracts were let during the month, viz. : Contract No. 184-For the supply and dolivery of 200 cubic yards of spawls Pukekohe East Road : Contractors, J. Dalton and P. McSheen, price £OO (Os per cubic yard) Contract No. 188 -For the supply and delivery of 150 cubic yards of spawls Waiuku Pukekohe Road, Mauku Hiding: Contractors, Mackay and McFadden, £OO (8s per cubic yard). Contract No. 193—For the supply and delivery of 100 cubic yards of spawls Caiu's corner, l'ukekoheWaiuku road : Contractors, Makay and McFaddon, £lO (8s per cubic yard). TENDERS INVITED. Tenders for contract were invited returnable at 5 pm. on Wednesday, the 6th inst., as follows : Contract No. 201—For carting SCO cubic yards of spawls from Mr Maurice Coughlan's property on to the Reserve Road Puni: Contractors, Dalton and McSheen, contract price £l9O (4s 9d per cubic yard . Contract No. 202-For forming portion of Awhitu Wharf Road to Orua Bay : Contractors, G. Millet and J. S. L. Walters, contract price, £3O.

STONE CBI'SIIIXG PLANT. Operations ceased ou tho 1 Gth of last month. The plant is now at Drury and is undergoing necessary repairs. •IOXES-BIDOLEY GATE, WAll'lH. In 1914 Mr 0. Eid gley applied for the road adjoining Mr J. T. Jones' property to be opened. Under instructions from the Council I inspected the road line which was then fenced off and reported that 1 did not consider that it was necessary for the road to be opened at all. According to the Minute Book the Council subsequently decided that subject to proper formalities being followed that permission be given Mr Jones to erect a gate. It now appears that this decision of the Council was never conveyed to Mr J. T. Jones by the former clerk and he has never been officially advised that ho had permission to erect the gate. Since the decision was arrived at Mr Jones has opened the road by fencing off his land. Mr Jones now makes a fresh application to erect a gate across the road under the Public Works Act. The fact of the Council having previously decided to give Mr Jones permission to erect a gate and to such decision not being conveyed to him has rather complicated this question. If a fresh application came forward for permission to erect a gate across a road fenced on both sides we could not recommend that it be granted.

DISiUSSIAX. The engineer's report was adopted, with the exception of matters relative to the road leading to Messrs Whitford Bros, at Ponga and the stone required for tho Pukekohe East to Drury road, both of which matters were deferred. In regard to the Jones-Ridgley gate, a letter was read from Mr Jones requesting a reply to his application for the gate, and he said he had been greatly annoyed by stray cattle and horses.—Mr 0. Eidgley also wrote objecting to the gate on the grounds that tho road was completely fenced on both sides.—The chairman remarked that there weie already three resolutions on the minute book with reference to the matter, which had been hanging on for two years.—Cr Eenall was opposed to permission being given for the gate. lie reminded Councillors that if permission was given to one ratepayer others would have to be similarly treated. —Cr Henry counselled that no good purpose could be served by granting the erection of the gate as both sides of the road were fenced. —Finally Cr Henry gave notice that at the next meeting I he would move that all resolutions relating to permission given Mr Jones to erect a gate be rescinded

Finance The Clerk (Mr Alan F. Day) reported on finances as follows : The overdraft at tho Bank on tho County Fund Account amounts to £7G56 16s 3d, which with unpresented cheques amounting to £1035 lls Bd, makes a total debit balance of £8692 7s lid. On Loan Accouuts credit balances are as follows : —Hill District Loan £1 5 os lOd, Hill No. 2 District Loan £457 7s lOd, Hunua Riding Roads Loan £3l os9d, Needles Wharf Loan £2O 18s 3d, Pratt's Hill Deviation Loan £865 2s sd.

Accounts totalling £865 lis lid were passed for payment, made up as follows: —General Account £132 lis 7d, Awhitu riding £6B lls Bd, Drury £lO3 3s 9d, Hunua £55 ss, Mauku £l3O 5s Id, Mercer £llß 13s 2d, Pukekohe £IOB Is lid, Waipipi £35 13s 9d, Waiuku £49 13s 9d, contractors' deposits £4 17s 6d, interest accounts £34, Pratt's hill deviation £4 9s 6d.