FRANKLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 266, 13 April 1917, Page 1

FRANKLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monthly Meeting.

The following business was transacted at the meeting of the Franklin County Council on Thursday of last week, in addition to that reported in our last issue, viz.:—

National Efficiency,

Arising out of a communication received from the National Efficiency Board, relative to the conservation of all resources, and the utilisation of available labour to enable the national efficiency to be maintained, the chairman (Cr. J. Flanagan) officially reported that Cr. Lyons and he, tocefher with Mr. J. Batty (chairman of the Karaka Road Board), had been appointed members of the Druty Trustee Board to watch over absentee soldiers' farms in the district. In that connection he asked for the use of the Council's office, and mentioned that the clerk (Mr. Alan P. Day) had agreed to give his services in connection with the trustees' meetings. The chairman further stated that he had -Ireen approached by several appellants in regard to exemptions, but such matter was quite outside the duties of the trustees, and could only be dealt with by the military authorities. The chief duties of the trustees, said Cr. Flanagan, as far as were at present defined, were connected with the control of soldiers' farms, the management of which had been referred to them by the Efficiency Board. Cr. Lyons said he did not see where the available labour was to come from. Reference had been made in the circular from the Efficiency Board to the employment of %)men on road work, but that; to the least, seemed altogether imprac-fmble.

Cr? Lockwood strongly objected to the inference in the circular that women should be employed. Such might apply to the towns, but he eontended that farmers' wives and (heir (laughters were already doing their duty, many assisting in the. milking, harvesting, and the general work of the farm.

Cr. Renail enquired if the Government proposed to find money to carry on the soldiers' farms, to which the chairman replied that he believed .the Government would treat tho matter in a very liberal - spirit. Cr. Renail hoped the Trustee Board would be a success, but he very much doubted it. He considered that a stranger had not so much knowledge of a soldier's affairs as his own relatives, and that in most cases a soldier was quite competent to make his 'own arrangements. He was afraid the whole tiling would be a failure. Cr. Henry asked if the duties would he of an advisory nature or would the trustees have power to act. The chairman replied that the trustees would have very wido powers. It would not merely be an advisory committee.

Cr. Homy contended that the alien labour should be organised to carry on the work. He had always stood up for the Dalmatians, and knew they were not pro-Germans but pro-Allies; Although such men had offered their services to fight, the Government would not accept them. He felt sure those men would ho quite capable, if properly organised, to work and to do effective service until after war was over. Cr. Henry also urged that Maori labour should be taken advantage of. The food problem, he added, would soon be a serious question, and farms should not be left and allowed to go to ruin.

Cr. Wilcox was not in favour of the Trustee Board, ho being of opinion that most men had friends, and that their affairs could be best managed by them, and not by outsiders. He thought the Government should see that the interest on mortgages should be reduced to, say, 4 per cent, during the absence of tlio men at the front.

Crs. Renall and Henry did not consider Cr. Wilcox's suggestion a just one, because the mortgagees had to )>e considered.

Cr.'Henry said he was afraid that the men put in to manage the farms would not be practical men, and poor results would accrue. Cr. Motion said that the success of the Efficiency Hoard would depend on tbe action the Government would take in commandeering labour, and everything would hinge on what labour the Government had to dispose of. As a Council they therefore could not at present comment on it. Good men, In; felt sure, could be utilised, it was for the Government to take the initiative.

Cr. Lockwood, in moving that the litter of the Efficiency Board, should be "received," thought the Council should congratulate the Government on the formation of the Efficiency Board, which, in iiis opinion, was the best thing that had been done since the war started. He did not consider there wa- any overlapping of labour, and in due time he felt sure the Hoard would do good work. The letter was "received."

In reply to a question as to what it was suggested the trustees would do when a farmer called up by ballot was financially involved, the chairman stated that both Mr. Gillies, the Commissioner, and the chairman of the Efficiency Board had stated that in such a case they, as trustees, were not to upset it. Of course, said Cr. Haiiagan, they a- trustees would have to iin—t difficulties as they arose.

Cr. Renall remarked that a man involved would fall, whereas in his opinion he should receive more ton- -. deration and be assisted.

Cr Henry suggested that it might not lie out of place on the part of the Council to take action, and that i neb riiling member should arrange a meelinu and urge upon everybody in their district to grow a certain amount ■■l wheal even ii rmlv a lew aciv-.

('r. Lnckwood, in siipportijig Cr. Il"iny'- suggestion, said he lnul il Jlil (lie mail, i nvi-r, ami ha<l sown

a few acre- in wheal, ami il was I'm' Ihc Council I'i -how an t xinit[>l< . Cr. hvuall -aid the growing of wheal midit, not !»• profitable, and they might <'Xpi'i'ii nrc dillieulty in selling

Cr. Lockwood interposed the remark that the same argument might apply t>. huttcr.

Cr. Renall added that the soil of I'ukekohe was not adaptable (yr wheat LO'OWillg.

Cr. Henry said it all dep'.-llded on the class iif wheat sown.

Cr. Wilcox mentioned that he had -own live acre.-, and had sold it at a good price.

After some discussion, a resolution was passed that the members of the various ridings should arrange meetings to bring before the notice of those in the district the advisability of everyone growing a few acres of wheat.

Farmers and Military Service.

The chairman briefly reported that, as arranged at the last meeting of the Council, he, in company with Cr. H. R. Mackenzie (chairman of the Manukau County Council), had recently waited on the Hon. James Allen, M.P. (Minister for Defence), in regard to the necessity of not depleting farms of too much labour. The Minister, the chairman said, fully recognised the difficulty in which farmers were placed, and promised that as far as possible all deserving cases wotdd receive careful consideration. The Minister, however, pointed out that the seriousness of the war should not be overlooked, and that a good deal of caution would, have to be exercised in granting exemptions. The Minister further gave them to understand that it might be necessary to ask Parliament to pass a Bill to compel people to work on farms, and it was not unlikely that such a Bill would be presented to Parliament next session. "Why should we not (said Cr. Flanagan) compel people here to work on farms, as is the case at Home? It would lessen the difficulties with regard to -the shortage of labour."

■' Karaka Roads. The resolution passed at the previous meeting declaring certain roads within the Karaka Road Board's district to be county roads was formally confirmed. Moumoukai Special Loan.

On the motion of Cr. Lockwood, seconded by Cr. Henry, a resolution was also adopted levying a special rate of lid in the JC upon the rateable, value of all rateable property in the special rating area as security for the loan of £ISOO. Road Opening Request.

Mr C. 0. Mahony attended with his client, Mr. W. McNally, and asked that a road running in a westerly direction off the Pukekohe-Wainku Road should be opened for its entire length instead of only partially, as previously arranged. The chairman pointed out that a committee appointed by the Council had inspected the road, but--the request now made was not in accordance with the wish of Mr. McNally then expressed. If a petition was presented in proper form in respect of the road from" Waiuku Road to Hart's corner it would be considered. Cr. Henry raised the question that on account of water lying there the taking over of the road from Wood's (late Hill's) would be a heavy one. Cr. Lockwood, speaking as one of the committee who visited the site, said he did not recommend the Council to open the road, as Mr. McNally had got one good outlet, and he contended that (lie opening would be of no public benefit. . .' Cr Motion expressed the opinion that the opening of the road would prove of great service, as it would be used for the driving of stock. Mr Mahonv was informed that if a properlv-drawn petition was presented showing the exact requirements asked for the Council would consider the matter.

Toll Gates on Roads

An interesting discussion ensued in regard to particulars furnished by the local authorities concerned as to toll gates existing on roads in Taranaki. Cr. Lyons thought that the toll gate was an advantage where a heavy motor lorry coming from an outside area did so much damage to the road as had been the case by a motor lorry carting material in his riding. The heavy toll payable by a motor lorry would in some measure meet the damage done. , Cr Renall pointed out that where serious damage had been done to a road the Council could proceed against the owner of a vehicle on an estimate of the cost of the damage done being ascertained. Cr. Lyons said that as far as he could find there was no law to govern damage done by motor traffic. As the outcome of the discussion, on the motion of Cr. Lyons, seconded hv Cr Henry, it was resolved that a committee consisting of the chairman and Cr. Lyons be formed to consider the question of amending the law. The chairman, in referring to the valuable information supplied by the Hawera and Stratford County Councils on the subject of toll gates, thought the particulars supplied were valuable. On the Great South Road i„ his own district, said Cr. Flanagan, where motor traffic was heavy, he con-side-red the establishment of a toll gate would bo a good thing As far as he could ascertain, two-thirds of the traffic on the road was motor traffic from "outside," and the upkeep cf the road'since the Council came into operation had been £3OOO. He felt strongly on the matter, and was in favour of the establishment of a toll .r ; ,te especially in view of the revenue produced, which would go towards the maintenance of the roads Cr Henrv contended that the establishment of a toll gate was a sign that ther wore going backwards and not forward. He accordingly opposed the ' The chairman reminded the meeting the Government adopted toll gates 30 years ago and passed the control of them over to local bodies Cr Motion said that in those days that was the only revenue, as there were then no Government grants Cr J.ockwood thought the toll gate the most equitable system for collecting rates that had ever been devised. The chairman mentioned that, according to the information to hand, the Stratford County Council had derived a net revenue of .il'JtHKl from t*.ll gate fees. Cr. Henry contended that the amount of money raised by the cstablishment of a toll gate had nothing t„ ,| () with the question. In his opinion the point was whether it was ii right and judicious principle to ~,!,,,,! He contended it would not

Government Grants. Cr. Lockwood suggested that in order that each im-mlxr should I>o- - acquainted with tho requirements of each district a statement should he prepared by the engineer and clerk showing the amounts spent in each riding from 1915 to date. Such would enable them to be better acquainted with the applications to lie made to the Government for grants in respect of road maintenance. It was decided that the chairman, Cis. Lyons, Lockwood and Motion should be a committee to deal with this matter.

MIRANDA MANOATANGI ROAD

Mr R. T. Douglas wrote on behalf of himself and other settlers and complained that although £IOO had been voted for the above road nothing had been done, the road being now impassable. Mr Douglas pointed out that the amount of his rates exceeded the £IOO voted and he asked the Counc 1 to allocate the sum of £3OO for immediate expenditure. The writer urged that the road if maintained would be of great value to the district.

Cr Lyons reported that he had met Mr Douglas and had suggested that he should attend the Council personally and explain but he had been unable to be present. He (Cr. Lyons recommended that the Council should expend an additional £IOO. Aftpr some discission, in which it was thought some consideration should be extended to Mt Douglas, it was resolved that Mr Douglas should be informed that the Council would fully consider the matter and he would be advised of their decision later.

MISCELLANEOUS. Messrs Russell, Campbell and McVeagh, solicitors to the Auckland Harbour Board, forwarded a draft of the proposed license to the Couucil of wharves on Manukau Harbour.— Referred to the Chairman and Cr Renall to deal with.

A request was received from Mr G W. Allsop for the repair of a culvert on the road near his farm at" Wattle Gully," Awhitu. The writer thanked the Council for the attention that was being given to the roads in his district, recognising as he did that the demands on the Council were many and varied.—Referred to the Engineer and Cr Renall.

Mr 8. P. Lever, of Kobe Kohe, wrote renewing his former complaint of the destruction of his crops by storm water, caused by a culvert being blocked with weeds. The Engineer was instructed to inspect and report in conjunction with Cr Renall.

Complaint of a defective road drain causing the flooding of his property was received from Mr C. Balle, of Puni.—The Engineer reported that the matter was receiving attention. Mr 8. Ballard, of Bunciman, on behalf of several ratepayers in the district, wrote calling the attention of the Council to the obstruction of the Drury Creek caused by willows. —ltwas6tated that the.Chairman and Engineer were already acting in the matter.

Further complaint was received from Mr M. Kew, of Pokeno, in regard to alleged defective road drainage in his locality.— No action was taken.

Application for the repair of the road near Kelland's Corner, Waipipi, was received from Mr J. Kneebone. —Referred to the Engineer, a suggestion being made that possibly a loan could be raised for the work.

Complaint of the existence of blackberries and overhanging tieea on the frontage of Mr J. Donald's property on r'ukekohe Hill was received from Mr H. Rogers.—The Clerk was instructed to communicate with Mr Donald and to call on him to clear the obstructions.

The Aka Aka Drainage Board sought peimission to lay an extra row of 2ft pipes in the Mangawhero Creek at the point it passed Makgill's road, Aka Aka.—Referred to Or Woods and the Engineer. Mr 8 C. Sycamore, of Waiuku, wrote claiming £lB 15s in respect of damage to a horse and cart brought about by an accident he sustained whilst driving from Pukekohe to Waiuku through, it was claimed, his horse putting its foot into a broken culvert—Referred to the Chairman and Engineer to deal with. The District Engineer enquired of the Council whether in connection with the proclamation legalising the Wairoa Falls Roads any steps had been taken towards securing the right of access through part of section 24 to the Falls.—lt was resolved that no steps as suggested could be taken for the present.