MANUKAU COUNTY COUNCIL.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 243, 19 January 1917, Page 4

MANUKAU COUNTY COUNCIL.

Monthly Meeting.

The regular monthly meeting of the Manukau County Council held in Auckland on Tuesday last was attended by Crs H. R Mackenzie (chairman), A. I). Bell, A. Muir, J. C. Bryant, F. H. Brownhill and the clerk (Mr A. Bell). HEAVY MOTOR TRAFFIC.

A letter was read from the Ohinemuri County Council relative to the vast increase in motor traffic throughout the Dominion, and particularly of the heavier class such as lorries. It was pointed out that the necessity for making provision for the abnormal wear of roads by that traffic was apparent' the letter asked whether the Council had taken any steps by passing a special bylaw imposing any form of motor tax : if so, the Ohinemuri Council asked to be supplied with particulars. The ehairnan moved that the clerk reply that the Council had no special by laws applicable to the traffic referred to. He thought the Government would ultimately take over the main roads. Cr Brownhill said that there was no doubt that that sort of traffic had a serious effect on the roads. The motion of the chairman was agreed to. A MENACE TO SAFETY. A letter was read from the Mangere Eoad Board relative 10 the danger caused to horse-drawn vehicles by the loose metal advertisements that had been placed on the Black Bridge. Complaints had been received of horses shying at that spot and the Board asked if something could be done by the Council to prevent the same

The Board decided to communicate with the owners of the advertisement plates in question. brown's bridge, clevedon. In accordance with a letter from the Auckland Provincial and War

Relief Association, who agreed t< make a loan to the Council of £6O( for the purpose of building a rein forced concrete bridge as above t< replace the present existing woodei structure, the clerk reported that hi had been in communication with Mi Bell, the riding member, and hac accepted the loan. The Council confirmed the actior of the clerk. Mr Bryant expressed his opkuor that it did not appear good businesi to borrow money for the erection of a bridge, which was not their own property. Mr Bell said that it was only a matter of time when the Wairoa Road Board, as other Boards, would be merged in the County. The chairman said that the County would be carrying out the work of the bridge. Mr Bryant: After all the same ratepayers pay. Mr Bell: Yes : the same ratepayers but not the same people have the financial control. After discussing details on the motion of the chairman it was agreed that £6OO be borrowed, and that the County take over the bridge, the Wairoa Road Board to be informed that they would be charged the full amount for the work, it being understood that the Board would confirm that arrangement It was also decided that tenders I be called for the erection of the bridge. Mr Bryant re-opening the discusa sion suggested that it be made a - Wairoa riding. The chairman : Make it a Wairoa Road Board and Riding—this wonld ■ cover any dispute that might posaibly arise. The motion was then agreed to by tho aldition of the words " that the charge be on the Wairoa riding which included the Wairoa Road .Board district." ■ RESERVE. Med Has Hce led ■lid ■cebeen taken on by ! had not been satisfactory. The j bulk of the timber still remained on j ' the road, left by Multrus Bro-., I contractors. The steam hauler had

beon moved for the hauler's convenience. He understood it was their intenti >n to replac* it and to continue to haul across the road which it would be necessary to do to complete their contract. The hauling of timber from its present position along the county road to the beach would be started in a fortnight's time by Mr H. Wilson, c mtractor, Auckland. Arrangements had been made with Mr Cambridge to erect a notice board at the new bridge limiting the weight of traffic to three tons.

The report was adopted and on the motion of the chairman, seconded by Cr Bell it was resolved to take proceedings against Multrus Bros , contractors, for alleged damage done by the haulage of timber an 1 to prevent future recurrence by such usage of the tenders being left to the discretion of the clerk.

NORTII ROAD. Cr Bell brought ug the question, mentioned at the last meeting of the Wairoa Road Board, of the Council taking over the North road, it being thought that the road would receive better attention under the County and would be generally more satisfactory. He promised, he said, at the last meeting of the Board to bring the matter to the notice of the Council. The chairman intimated that more work if taken over by the county would mean more rates However, the question could be considered later. Like Cr Bell he looked upon the merging of Road Boards as only a matter of time.