FRANKLIN COUNTY COUNCIL.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 229, 24 November 1916, Page 1

FRANKLIN COUNTY COUNCIL.

Mr Flanagan Re-elected Chairman. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Franklin County Council, combined with the statutory atanual meeting, was held on Wednesday in the County offices at Pukekohe, all the members being present, viz.: Crs J. Flanagan (chairman), W. C. Motion, T. J. Lockwood, B. Lyons, H. Wilcox, J. Henry, T. W. Woods, J. A. Renall and R. Higginson, together with the County Clerk (Mr A. P. Day) and the Engineer (Mr J. F. McArthur). ELECTION' OF CHAIRMAN. Fending the annual meeting taking place at noon the ordinary business was proceeded with. At the annual meeting, the clerk temporarily occupied the chair. Cr Lyons proposed the re-election of Cr Flanagan as chairman. Cr Henry seconded, remarking that it was to be hoped by the end of another, twelve months the war would be over, and then with a new Council they would probably have a new chairman in accordance with the suggestion made two years ago that the appointment should be passed round. Some of the members, ne added, had considered that a change should be made that day, but eventually it had -been agreed to follow the precedents set by the English and New Zealand Governments and not to disturb existing arrangements during the time of the war. Cr Lockwood proposed as an amendment the election as chairman of Cr Lyons. He stated that he did so in compliance with Cr Henry's statement of two years ago that a change of chairman should occasionally take place. He (the speaker) had no fault to find with thoir late chairman, but he believed a change would do good. The work of the Council had been free from wrangling and all had worked cordially together, but he was dis-satisfied with the results of work put through. For instance, they had passed bylaws, and he asked "Where are they?" Then again it was agreed to make an adjustment of fina,nce in respect of allotments of traffic, but nothing had come of it, and his (Hunua) ward continued to get no satisfaction although one-third of its traffic came from the Drury riding. Cr Lockwood proceeded to refer to ineffective decisions relative to dealing with the blackberry pest and also argued that no finality had been reached in regard to roads, there having been no outcome to a proposal he made some IB months ago that the Council should purchase teams of horses. Cr Higginson seconded the amendment.

Cr Lyons declined nomination, stating that be was not desirous of accepting office in the current year and would prefer to stand down. He had, he said, when first approached only offered to accept nomination if there was a unanimous wish that he should be elected, and if he had taken office it would have been at considerable personal inconvenience. He certainly did not desire that any feeliDg should be introduced into the election, and consequently he would not be a candidate for the chair on that occasion. The amendment was then withdrawn. Replying to Cr Lockwood, Cr Henry claimed that he had not "gone back'' on his statements of twoyears ago. His views had not been that there should be a change of chairman every year but that the occupancy of the chair should not be regarded as a " life" appointment. In re-electing Cr Flanagan they were, as he had previously remarked, only following the precedent set by the highest authorities. If there had been a contest he did not believe any friction would have arisen as all would have abided by the result and none of them would have been worse friends. However, on that occasion he considered it wiser that they should extend Mr Flanagan's term of office. Cr Renall said that he was glad no friction was in ovidenco. He thought it wa3 he rather than Ci Henry who made tho statement two years ago that the chair should be changed at intervals and he still considered occupancy lor two years sufficient. Although ono chairman might be good it was possiblo to get even a bettor one and all members were entitled to aspire for tho position. He would .have liked to have seen Cr Lyons appointed and to that end he approached him at the previous meeting but Cr Lyons then informed him that he did not see his way to accept nomination. He desired to compliment Cr Flanagan on his performance of duties as chairman and trusted that he would act as efficiently in the future as in the past. Cr Wilcox remarked that he had been willing to support either candidate but Crs Flanagan and Lyons had arranged things between themselves and thus saved a vote. He nevertheless hoped to see Cr Lyons occupying the position in the future. Cr Lockwood explained that he bore Cr Flanagan no animosity and he had only proposed Cr Lyons for the post as he thought it should pass round. He (Cr Lockwood) quite knew the troubles and trials Cr Flanagan had had to contend with. Cr Motion was of opinion that Cr Flanagan had done his best in the chair. It was very easy he said to find fault. They might differ in opinion but such was beneficial as

if they all followed cne another like sheep it would not be of service for the ratepayers. Cr Lyons assured Cr Flanagan he would receive every support from him as in the past. r* «- No other nomination being forthcoming, Cr Flanagan was dechred duly elected by the Clerk and thereupon resutnod the chair. In acknowledging appreciation of the renewed confidence reposed in him, Cr Flanagan stated that he had had no idea of being proposed for another term. When- he had read in the " Times " that Cr Lyons was likely to be the new chairman he had been pleased as he recognised that Cr Lyons would prove a firstclass chairman. He had spoken to CrlLyons that morning and both of them had offered to stand down in one another's favour but Cr Lyons preferred to give way to him. Apart from being chairman, he (Cr Flanagan) regarded it as an honour to be a member of the Franklin County Council —a Council that was perhaps destined to be the most important in tha Dominion. If he did not feel that ne would have the support of his fellow-members he would not consider himself competent to occupy the chair. He admitted that for various reasons he had not been able to carry out everything as he would have wished. Then again as chairman perhaps he should have been more strict in controlling discussion. However, they only met once a month, and as matters of importance to their ridings came up he did not consider members' discussions should bo curbed. In tint way he did not intend to use his powers to a severe extent. The growth of the Council had been phenomenal during the last two years, especially as most of the Road Boards had merged. His duties as chairman, however, had been lessened by their good fortune in securing such a capable clerk as Mr Day, and lie was able to say that all technical and detail work in the office was carried through in a most satisfactory manner. In Mr McArthur they had an engineer who was always willing to help Councillors with advice and who also carried out his duties most efficiently. Cr Lockwood's strictures were perhaps correct, but he would ask Councillors not to look at sins of omission but rather at what had been accomplished. In conclusion, Cr Flanagan again returned thanks for his election and expressed the hope that twelve months hence some other Councillor would be given the opportunity of showing his mettle in the chair. A DEFUNCT ROAD BOARD. A letter was received from the Department of Internal Affairs advising the Council that the merging of the Pokeno Road District in the County had been duly gazetted. Cr Lyons explained that on behalf of the Council he had agreed as a condition of the Road Board merging that the sum of £IOO, out o Board moneys to be handed over should be spent on by-roads at Pokeno.—Cr Lyons' action was confirmed. CEMETERY TRUSTEESHIP. The Department of Lands advised the Council that in compliance with the Council's request Mr Dynes Fulton had been gazetted as a trustee of the Tuakau Public Cemetery in place of Mr Jas Bovell (resigned). FAPARIMIT- MAUNGATA WHIRI fiOAD. In respect of works on the Paparimu-Maungatawhiri road, for which the Council had advised the Minister of Public Works that the settlers in the Moumoukai Valley were prepared to raise a loan of £ISOO provided the Government subsidised the loan on a £ for £ basis a letter was received from the Minister agreeing to the terms as stated on the understanding that the Government's contribution would be payable only when the money was available and in such amounts and at such dates as might be convenient to the Government. Cr Henry pointed out that the Government's terms meant that tho payment of the money might be indefinitely deferred. Cr Lockwood considered the teims unsatisfactory, and on his suggestion the matter stood over to enable him to consult the ratepayers affected. I.OAN MONEYS. The State Advances Office advised the Council that the sum of £SOO had been placed to tho Council's credit at the Bank in respect of an instalment of £SOO on Pratt's Hill deviation loan of £2500. A letter was also received from the same office to the effect that the application for a loan of £4OO for forming and metalling Brown's Road, Tuakau, had been acceded to. THE .SINEWS OF WAR. In regard to an enquiry, by the Council whether legislation would permit of the Council levying a small rate to enable them to make a purchase of War Loan Certificates, as suggested a little time ago by Cr Lyons, tho acting Minister of Finance (the Hon. A. M. Myers) wrote that under existing legislation there was no authority for a local body to levy a rate for such purpose but should the Government find it desirable to raise further moneys for war purposes in New Zealand he would be prepared to consider the suggestion. PRISON LABOUR ON ROADS. The Rotorua Chamber of Commerce forwarded a resolution advocating the utilisation of prison labour in making and maintaining the main arterial roads.

Cr Lockwood propose! that the resolution should be endorsed He considered that the people of Auckland should rise as one man and demand that the main arierial road to the south should be put in a proper state of repair. Cr Henry seconded, remarking that prison labour could be beneficially used on the roads. He pointed out that in South Africa the bulk of the main roads had been constructed by prison libour. Cr Lyons thought that interned aliens should be employed on the roads as well as prison labour. After the treatment the Allies' troops received from the Germans they should not be too considerate. Cr Henry stated that he understood that the conditions of internment prescribed by the English Government did not permit of interned aliens being employed on roads. An amendment moved by Cr Lyons, and seconded by Cr Woods, that interned prisoners of war should also be employed as suggested was, however, agreed to, and the motion was amended accordingly and adopted. RECRUITING MATTERS. Support was sought by tho Waitomo County Council to a resolution of that authority urging the Government to discontinue voluntary recruiting and also to prevent underage recruits from joining. No action was taken, as it was thought everything possible was being done. MANI'KAU HARBOUR WHARVES. The secretary of the Auckland Harbour Board wrote informing the Council that the licenses of various wharves on Manukau Harbour, as issued to Road Boards now merged in the County, would shortly expire and asking whether the Council desired to take out fresh licenses. The wharves referred to wore The Spit, (Waiuku), Waipipi, Te Tora, Waiau Pa, Awhitu, Graham's Beach, Orua Bay and Pollok. Cr Renall remarked that he believed the settlers were not prepared to hand over the wharves situated in his riding to the Harbour Board as he understood th% Board, if they controlled them, would appoint officials to superintend them, and thus expenses of control would be increased. He asked that before any decision was arrived at by the council he shUuld be given the opportunity of consulting his ratepay- | era on the point.—The matter of the wharves in Awhitu riding was accordingly deferred for consideration. With regard to the Spit Wharf, it was decided, on the proposal of Cr Motion, that the Harbour Board should be informed that there W"as no objection to the Board taking over the same. As to Waiau Pa Wharf, Cr Henry pointed out that the Northern S.S. Co. were not paying fees for tho use of the wharf, and tho clerk was instructed to communicate with the Company in order to arrange for the payment of the fees as scheduled. A PAPAKURA REQUEST. A request was received from the Pupakura Town Board for repairs to be effected to Dominion road, Papakura, near Wilson's Hill, where the stormwater was destroying the water-tables.—Referred to the chairman and engineer. PATIENCE EXHAUSTED. The disabilities of back-block life were brought under tho Council's notice in a complaint made by Mr W. Trail as to the state of the road at Hunua leading from Lilly's bridge to his property. He stated that he had waited patiently for over 25 years for the road to be formed. He added that the bridge was unsafe. —Referred to Cr Lockwood and the engineer. hewitt's boad, buckland. A letter signed by Messrs J. A. Govan, G. P. Cooper, V. Baston, A. J. Baston, J. Hewitt, L. King, J. Begbie and C. T. Spearpoint, of Buckland, was read complaining of the " deplorable and practically impassable state " of Hewitt s road, adjoining Jericho road, which was tho only access to their properties. Cr Wilcox pointed out that with two exceptions the signatories were ratepayers of Cr Lyons' riding and not in his. If Cr Lyons was willing to find the money from his riding he would assist. Cr Lyons having expressed willingness to allocate for the work money from his riding account equal in amount to the rates paid by the owners concerned less establishment expenses the petition was referred to Cr Wilcox and Lyons for action. A Pl'NI PROTEST. The names of Messrs M. Maloney, Gibson Bros., V. A. Rogers, N. Person, F.Rogers, J. Landon and W Preece, of Puni, were attached to a protest received by the Council against the condition of Roger s road, Puni, and complaint was also made of what was described as a monument erected two years ago in the form of a stack of spa wis, which was humour sly suggested as bearing the inscription "Not wanted on the voyage." It was asked that the hill should be graded and metalled. Cr Woods reported that ho had arranged with the Engineer for temporary repairs to be effected. Cr Henry suggested that it would be to the settlers' interests if they would agree to a special rating area being formed so that the road could bo properly constructed. (Continued on page 4).