FRANKLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 255, 2 March 1917, Page 2

FRANKLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

The monthly meeting of the Frarklin County Council was held yesvrlav, wh n there were present, Crs J Flanagan (chnirman, VV. C. Motio'i. T.J. I.ockwood, K.Lyons, R. Higginwn, J. A. Renall, T W. W-»ods, J. Henry. H. Wilcox, .with the clerk (Mr Alan P. Day) and the engineer (Mr J. F. McArthur). TRAMWAY RO D SECTION'S A letter was r x c 3 ived from the Public Woiks Department notifying the council that before consent could be given to the sale of the Tramway road sections the council would have to execute under seal an undertaking that the money receired for the sale of ttie land would be expended in the permanent improvement of the road. On the motion of Cr Higginson, seconded by Cr Motion, it was resolved tint the r*-quund undertaking seal by the (Council be given as stated. I.AKD FOR ROADS .Printed copies of, the Gazette notices were received from the Public Works Department taking land for a road and closing a road at Hunua and at Papikura. The Department also advised the council that similar applications in regard to roads to In taken and closed at Awhitu, Waipipi, and Hunua were receiving attention CONTROL OF WHARVES. A letter was received from the Auckland Harbour Board, iu reply to the council's application, that licenses would be granted to the council for the following wharves, viz., Waipipi, Te Tora, Awhitu, Graham's Beach, Orua Bay and Pollok, the council to maintain the wharves. The Board, tin letter also stited, would take over th 3 Spit Wharf as requested. PROPOSED MOTOR TAX A circular letter was received from the Mackenzie County Council asking support to a resolution passed by that authority urging the Government to impose a Customs duty of not less than ten per cent on motor tyres, the money so collected to be local bo lies for the upkeep of roads on the basis of capital value. It was claimed that the time had come for a tax on motor cars and that by means of the tax those using the roods most would have to pay the greatest amount of tax whilst as British made tyres were the best the tax would tend to the use of such tyres. A letter was also received from the Piako County Council suggesting that a motor tax of £5 per annum on motor cars and £1 per annum on motor cycles should be levied, the council being of opin-on that by far the most damage was caused to roads by motor cars. The tax, it was suggested, should be collected by eack local body. A good deal of discussion took place relative to the motor tax. Cr Renall regarded the points raised in the letter as requiring a good deal of consideration. He agreed that motors did to some extent damage the roads but there were probably other compensation). The point he wished to bring forward was that the whole matter required more careful consideration than could be given at that meeting. As motors and motor lorries had come to stay the question of concrete roads might have to be considered, but it was a question of money. Cr Lockwood supported the letter from the Mackenzie County Council but not the Piako County Council's communication.

Cr Lyons said he would support a motor tax provided that *' all other vehicles " were also taxed.

Cr Lockwood suggested that other vehicles had been provided for by the by-laws which only required adoption. Cr Henry was of opinion that motors should not be taxed more than other vehicles. As soon as • roads were in a better state the damage would be lass. Cr Wilcox expressed disgust that 83 many motors had come into existence since the war. If he had the money he would use it for a better purpose. The chairman stated that he looked upon the taxing of motors as simply a matter of time. In Taranaki and other places toll gates had been erected and a good revenue had thus been raised. He suggested that a better plan would be to call a conference of county representatives in the Auckland area Cr Motion said ho did not think anyone would obj»ct to pay taxes if good roads were provided. He supported the proposal if 'he local bodies could combine in some scheme. Cr Henry was of opinion that the better the roads the more they would attract visitors to the district and that would prove beneficial to the neighbourhood "We should never restrict traffic' in any way," said Cr Henry. On the motion of Cr Renall, seconded by the chairman, it was eventually resolved to defer the matter for further consideration. FARMERS A>"D THE WAR The Manukau County Council wrote approving of the resolution recently passed by the Franklin <Jouncil in rftgard to Farmers and Military Service and stating that their chairman (Cr H. R Mackenzie) and Cr A Muir had been appointed to confer with the Franklin Council, with power to act. As it was mentioned that the Hon. Jas. Alkn (the Minister of Defence) was likely to be ir. Auckland next week it was resolved to arrange to inte-view him on the subject discussed at the list meeting, the Manukau County Council's representatives to be invited to act on the deputation. A letter on the same subject was also r ad from Mr G. B Insoll, of Rangiriri, referring to £is own* case from a farmer's point of view. He was, he said, working 1300 acres and having failed to get a ploughman at the right time he had been unable to sow any swedes, with the exception of ten acres,—now being drilled very late and a very doubtful crop. Having a big part fern country, which needed heavily stock ng in spring and summer it was necessary to winter a fair number of stock but in consequence of having little or no turnips he would have to face a pre-

carious winter. There were miles of drain on the pl*ce, which he was unable to get cleaned out so that the adjoining land was losing what gra--s was starting to grow an ' going back into raupo and weed* The sheep we*e getting badly affected with foot-rot, many being very lane and skinny. In conclusion, Mr Insoll hoped the council would impress upon the Minister of Defence the unenviable lot of farmers. DOMINION ROAD, PAPAKURA The Papakura Town Bjard wrote approving of the council expending £SO on works at the north end of Dominion road and agreeing to pay half of the c >st of the same. SOLDIERS AND RATES A letter was received from Mr C. Aitchison, of Clevedon, enclosing a cheque for rates due by Mr S. H. Judd, who was on active service, and asking if the Council were exempting sol iiors from paying rates. —The clerk reported that he had .suggested to Mr Aitchison that Mr Judd's legal representative bhould apply to the Council and should furnish particulars, A KARAICA DEVIATION Mr H. Mahaffy, of Sunny Downs, Papakura, wrote with reference to a road deviation taken through laud owned by him which had been approved by the Karaka Road Board. It now transpired that the road in question was under the control of the council. He pointed out that 5 or 6 acres cut off by the deviation had been fenced and that he was expected to pay rates and intn-est on this. Mr Mahaffy enter* d his objection until a satisfactory settlement was arrived at with regard to such land—Mr Mahaffy waited on the council and explained the position. The clerk mentioned that no application to. legalfse the deviation had been before the council as far as he was aware.

After hearing Mr Mahaffy the chairman stated that this matter had probably been before the Karaka Road Board prior to th) coun il coming into existence. If so, the council would have to take over the road and if the Karaka Road Board had not taken the proper steps the council would have to do so and take over the road. Mr Mahaffy was informed that the council would ascertain the facts from the Karaka Road Board and would then communicate with him. a contractor's claim. Mr P. Farrington waited on the council and angrily demanded that he should receive payment iu respect of his contract for work executed on the Patumahoe-Waiau straight road. The chairman informed Mr Farrington that he had not fulfilled hn contract according to conditions and therefore the council could not alter their previous decision. This Mr Farrington disputed and on leaving the council chamber he noisily threatened to close the road in order to enforce payment. It was subsequently decided that the, work remaining to be done on the road should be carried out by the council's engineer A CLOSED HO AD. A letter was read from Messrs Mahony and Son complaining of the delay in the opening of a closed road at Patum-ihoe as promised to their client Mr D. McFadlea. It was resolved to reply that notice had been given by the council to the owner concerned (Mr J. Henry) and that his assurance had been secured that the work would be carried out as early as possible. MISCELLANEOUS. Messrs Shipherd Bros., of Pum, applied for permission to erect a private telephone wire across the Puni-Aka Aka road near their northern boundary.—Granted. Application for the renewal of his billiard license was received from Mr Jas. Evans, of Bombay.—The license was renewed. A complaint as to the state of the road adjoining his property was received from Mr W. H Watkinson, of Papakura.—lt was reported that the work was being attended to. Mr M. Kew, of Pokeno, wrote renewing his complaint of water from the culvert crossing the Great South road near his property flooding his lands, and intimating that if nothing was done by the council by April 30th he would take legal action.— On the motion of Cr Lyons it was decided to abide by the council's previous decision.

In reply to the Board's request to him to clear out the outfall drain running through his property, Mr Geo Allington, of Papakura, wrote that he Would attend to' the same at bis earliest convenience, but claiming that the ditch should be on the road-side and not on his property. Messrs Ambury, Ltd., wrote replying to the council's communication that 9in pipes were necessary to carry the storm water off their Karaka farm. They pointed out that they regarded bin pipes as sufficient, and asked that in the event of their doing the work at any future time whether the council would be prepared to assist. They stated that probably pipes would bo put in by them so that the surface of the land would not be interfered with.—lt was decided to adhere to the decision already come to

A letter was received from Mr T. Tindall, of A whitu, asking for payment of three day-.' work done on the road fronting his farm on instructions from the A whitu Road Board which had bo. r, n merged in the council. - Referred to Cr Renall and the Engineer. Mr L. Lodge, of i uakau, wrote asking for a water-table to be formed and repairs done to the road near his property, which road he regarded as beipg in a dangerous btate.—Cr Wilcox supported the application and it was resolved that Mr Lodgo be informed that the work would be included when other work was being done in the district.

A letter was received from Mr G. Bird, of Otaua, asking for repairs to be done between his and Mr J. Bent's property.—lt was reported that repairs were in hand. Mr C Balle, (if I'uni, wrote asking to have the Puui creek cleared. It was stated that the road drain skirting his land on the tramline was silted up by washings from the road and on account of the back water from the creek he could not clean it —On the motion of Cr Henry seconded by Cr Woods it was resolved that all the settlers interested

he notified to clean out t-h^i»• portion of the creak and that a definite time be given to have the work done. The advisability of forming a drainage hoard so that could control their own work was suggested and Mr Balle is to he notified inglyThe Pukekohe Borough Council wrote forcop : es of the County roll required in connection with the biennial election of one member for the combined district of Franklin and Manukau on the Auckland Harbour Board, which election takes place on the 25th April next. —Copies to be suppl : ed Mr G. Stewart, of Rama Rama, wrote objecting to paying rates in respect of Piatt's Hill deviation, ho contending that no benefit accrued to him by such road.—Referred to the Chairman and Engineer.

Mr L. Logan, of Tuakau, wrote urging that the repairs to the road near his property from the main Tuakau road be done as agreed to by the Council.—lt was decided to inform Mr Logan that the work would be carried ou 1 . shortly. Mr E Neal, of Buckland, wrote on behalf of the Bucktond Methodist Trustees pointing out the practice of tying hfnes to the Church fence was a danger to pedestrians, especially at night. It was suggested that the council erect a notice board forbidding the public to use the footpath for the purpose. Cr Wilcox explained that the practice had become a danger as well as a nuisance.—lt was resolved that a notice board be erected as suggested. Two resolutions were formally adopted to operate as Special Orders, one authorising the raising of a loan of £ISOO over Moumoukai Special Rating Area for the construction of Paparimu-Maungatawhiri road, and the other declaring certain roads in the Karaka Boad District to be County roads. In reply to particulars asked for in regard to a sum of £SOO said to be available for expenditure on the roading of Pakington Block the District Engineer wrote that the sum of £4OO had been authorised for the work, which the Department intended carrying out itself. A request made to Cr Woods by Messrs Boase and Hooey for a road to be formed to give access from the Ostrich farm road to the new Helvetia Station was referred to the Engineer for consideration. Authority was given Cr Lyons to repair flood damage on roads at Maungatawhiri Valley and at Bombay. The Engineer was instructed on the request of Cr Henry to deal with two wash-outs on the WaiauDrury road near Te Hihi school.