FRANKLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 265, 5 April 1917, Page 2

FRANKLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monthly Meeting. The monthly meetiog of the Franklin County Council was held to-day when therewere present Crs J. Flanagan (chairman), R. Rigginson, T. J. Lockwood, R Lyons, H. Wilcox, T. W. Woods, J. A. Renall, J. Henry and W. C. Motion with the clerk, Mr Alan P. Day, and the Engineer, Mr J. F. McArthur. NATIONAL EFFICIENCY. A circular letter was received from the National Efficiency Board, Wellington, who wrote asking for a special report from the Council's Engineer relative to the curtailment of other than necessary work and as to the number of men in the Council's em* ploy who could be released. It was also asked what works could be partially completed or postponed and for particulars of any schemes for desirable works for the employment of labour at the conclusion of the war. With a view to the employment of women as far as possible various suggestions were made by the Board, the main object of the circular being the conserving of the forces of the country during the present war. A discussion followed, a report of whioh will appear in our next issue. COUNTY BE-VALUATION. The Valuer General Wellington, wrote asking the Council to nominate someone to act on behalf of the Council as a member of the Assess* ment Court in connection with the revaluing of the Pukekohe and Waiuku Ridings and of the outlying portion of Mauku Riding. The Chairman and members of the ridings concerned were authorised to make the nomination. FLOOD DAMAGE SUBSIDY. A letter was received from the Minister for Public Works (the Hon W. Fraser) stating that on considering the reportsjfrom the District En* gineer relative to the damage dose to roads and bridges by the recent floods he was prepared to grant assistance to the Council to this extent of £2OO (£1 for £1) in repairing the slips on the Hunua Gorge road (etti* mated damage £262, subsidy to be given £150), on Hunua to Papa* rimu read (damage £3B, subsidy £2O), Otaua road (damage £55, sabsidy £3O). He added that if the Council had not sufficient funds available for its share of the expenditure it would be necessary for the Council to raise a loan. In that case he would endeavour to arrange with the Minister of Finance to lend the Council the money and to avoid delay he would instruct the District Engineer to pay the Council the cost of such works as he might'deem to be the most urgent up to £2OO. Or Lockwood claimed that inasmuch as the Hunua district was already paying interest on three loans it wculd be undesirable for another loan to be raised. He therefore sag* gested that the Council's share of the repairs should come out of overdraft. It was resolved to make application for the payment of the £2OO subsidy. LAND FOB BOAD. The Under-Secretary for Public Works wrote forwarding copy of Proclamation re taking land for a road through Block Y. Opaheke Survey District A similar Proclamation was received in respect of Blocks 13 and 14 Titirangi Survey District (Awhitu Parish.) NEW BOAD AT PAEBATA. The District Engineer of the Bailway Department wrote relative to the offer made by the Karaka Road Board to provide land for a new road south of Paerata station and to fence and pay all survey fees on condition that the Railway Department made the level crossing free of cost to the Board and contributed £SO towards the cost of making the road on the West side of the railway from the present crossing to the proposed new crossing. The view at the present crossing was bad for road vehicles approaching from the South whereas the suggested crossing would give a clear open view in both directions. The Department was prepared to supply scoria spawls to to the value of £SO and to shift the crossing. As the Council had taken over the road the Engineer enquired when the road would be proceeded with. It was agreed to accept the Railway Department's offer and to proceed with the surveying and fencing of the road. MOTOE CABS IMPORTED. A circular letter was received from Mr R. W. Dalton, His Majesty's Trade Commissioner in New Zealand, forwarding statistics of motor cars and cycles imported into New Zealand with the country of their origin and where registered. ANZAC DAY. The Under-Secretary of the Department of Internal Affairs wrote enclosing copy extract from the New Zealand Gazette respecting the commemoration of Ansae Day and the observances in connection therewith. TOLL GATES ON BOADS. The Clerk to the Hawera County Council wrote giving information as solicited in regard to the adoption of toll gates as a source of revenue and enclosed a schedule of toll fees payable. The writer mentioned that it was never intended that the gates should be looked upon as a revenue producing medium but merely as a means of contribution to the upkeep of the main road.—Similar information was also supplied by the Stratford and Eltham County Councils, and in the letter from the latter body it was pointed out that experience showed that toll gates saved an endless expense to local bodies by the regulation of traffic and the avoidance of extraordinary damage to roads. In each letter it was further stated that the greater part of the traffic, viz, in the form of motor cars, came from "outside-" districts. A report of the discussion which ensued will appear in our next issue. MILITAKY BEFTICB. The Waipa County Council forwarded a resolution adopted by them " that in the opinion of the Council the age limit of men in the First Division should be raised to 50 years before the Second Division is called on " and asked for support to the

same. No action was taken. GOYEBNMENT COLD STOBAOK. The Eketahuna County Council wrote asking for the Franklin Ooun* eil's rapport to the following resolution: "That the Government be requested to erect Cold Storage at main centres or in conjuncpresent works so as to be - Sfc*> store all surplus meat and awry produce so that our produce can be shipped regularly all the year round." It was pointed out that unless the Government moved in the matter the country would be faced with a very serious position owing to the grave shortage of shipping. The letter was "received." Y.M.C.A. APPEAL. A circular letter was received from the Auckland Y.M.O.A. appealing for financial assistance towards their work in connection with the boys at the Front. The Clerk was authorised to receive any subscriptions that might be forwarded.' KARAKA S NEW BBIDGEB. A letter was received from Mr J. Batty (chairman of the Road Board) enclosing a statement of the cost of the construction of the Hingaia and Whangamaire Bridges, viz., £5794 4s 2d, to which the Council's share was £379 8s 5d less £199 15s already paid, leaving a balance due of £179 13s 5d together with £l7 10s interest overdue. HOSPITAL BOARD REPRESENTATION. The Acting-Secretary of the Auckland Hospital Board wrote intimating that the Inspector General advised that it was proposed to give a second representative on the Hospital Board at the next County elections to the combined Counties of Franklin and Manukau. PAPARATA VALLEY ROAD. A letter was-received from Mr Hy. McArthur asking that the last 2} miles of the Hunua road leading into Paparata Valley should be metalled as it was almost impassable in winter. He also suggested that a culvert should be put in so as to carry the road across the gully near Messrs Boss, Shaw and his proper tie*.— Bef erred to the Chairman and Or Lockwood A ROAD DEVIATION. Messrs Nicholson and Cribbin wrote enclosing plan of proposed road deviation through sections 31 and 40 Earaka Parish and asking that the Council's seal should be affixed to the plan.—Seal to be affixed. A MOCMOUKAI BOAT). Mr A. B. Brown, solicitor, wrote explaining the terms on which his client, Mr B. H. Parker, was prepared to dispose of land at Moumoukai required by the Council for reading purposes. Referred to Cr Lockwood and the Clerk. HORSE DROWNING INCIDENT. Mr C. F. Griffiths, solicitor, wrote renewing the claim of Mr J Gate, of Maungatawhiri Valley, for £25 in respect of a horse drowned in a recent flood as the result, it is alleged, of a dangerous hole being allowed to exist on the Maungatawhiri Valley road. It was resolved to reply that the claim was under consideration. OTHER BUSINESS. The council was still sitting when we went to press. A report of the remainder of the business transacted will appear in our next issue.