FRANKLIN COUNTY COUNCIL.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 282, 8 June 1917, Page 2

FRANKLIN COUNTY COUNCIL.

Monthly Meeting

The monthly meeting of the Franklin County Council was held yesterday when there were present Crs J. Flanagan (chairman), T. J. Lockwood, R. Lyons, H. Wilcox, T. W. Woods, J. Henry, W. C. Motion and E. Higginson, with the Clerk (Mr Alan P. Day). An apology for absence was received from Cr Renall, who stated in his letter that he was suffering from an attack of influenza. It was also mentioned that the County Engineer (Mr J. F. McArthur) was absent through illness and that in the meantime his father, Mr D. W. McArthur, was assisting in carrying out his duties. TRAMWAY ROAD The Public Works Department wrote forwarding copy of the Order in Council consenting to a closing of a portion of Tramway road. RAILWAY CROSSING AT PATUMAHOE A letter was received from the District Engineer stating that the complaint with regard to the state of the railway crossing at Patumahoe was being investigated. Cr Henry mentioned that the crossing had been improved but that the grade on the Patumahoe side was worse than before the. railway had been laid. He moved that the Clerk should be instructed to reply that the Council appreciated the repairs made at the crossing but would like the grade improved. — This was agreed to. GOVERNMENT GRANTS. A schedule of unauthorised grants on the appropriations for 1916-17 was received from the Assistant Engineer Public Works Department, Auckland, who asked if there were any other works which the Council desired to have substituted for such items enumerated in the schedule. The Clerk was authorised to suggest alterations. GOVERNMENT VALUATIONS. The Valuer-General, Auckland, forwarded copies of the revised Valuation Rolls for the Ridings of Pukekohe, Mauku and Waiuku. The Valuation Department, Auckland, wrote that Mr F. V. Frazer, S.M., had appointed Monday, the 18th June, for holding the Assessment Court at Pukekohe to hear any objections to the revised valuations in the Franklin County and it was asked that such appointment should be communicated to the assessor representing the Council at such Court. HOSPITAL BOARD LEVY. The Hospital and Charitable Aid Board forwarded notification of levy on the County for the year ending the 31st March next of one-sixth of a penny in the £ on the County valuation of £2,666,595, including Mercer £23,045 and Tuakau £92,171. The Clerk explained that in those ridings where the properties had been revalued the contributions would be increased. MILITARY SERVICE.

The support of the County Council wa9 asked by the Alexandra Borough Council to resolutions urging that (1) a more liberal scale of pensions should be granted to discharged soldiers and their dependents and that (2) industry should be organised and developed more fully by the Government introducing a system of national service. Cr Wilcox proposed a resolution in support and expressed the opinion that ho did not think the Government allowed sufficient pension in many cases.

Cr Lock wood considered that despite many difficulties that the Government had to deal with they were doing their best. He would second Cr Wilcox's motion though he was not very enthusiastic about it. The Chairman explained that when the Prime MinUter some time ago placed the scale of pensions before them be thought they were very satisfactory. Cr Henry considered that the pensions were very liberal and that there should be no cause for complaint. It was ultimately agreed that provided the Government kept to their promise the pensions allowed were sufficient. Arising out of this discussion Cr Motion gave notice to move at the next meeting that death duties on deceased's estates should not be imposed in the case of soldiers. WILLOWS IX CHEEKS. The Clerk (Mr Alex Bell of the Manukau County Council forwarded a cipy of a resolution passed by that Council to secure the amendment of Section GG of the Land Drainage Act so as to give County Councils the same powers as are invested in Drainage Boards in Counties where no Drainage Boards exist or legislate so that County Councils should have power to compel owners to keep clear till creeks of wilk-ws or other big obstructions. Before -ujtpoiting tho resolution it w..s agrot (1 that the Chairman and Clerk should look into the question rai-od V XI.C.A. 1 I'.N'D. Kit) Chairman of tho Y M C.A. War Work Committee wrote thankii;g the Council for their donation towards the Association's funds. I'EAl'll ti11.1., RAMA KAMA. Mr .1. Kelsall wrote enclosing cheque for £2 2s for Mr A Sitnmond's (Te Kauwhata) contribution fir work on Peach Hill, Kama Kama. A MOVMOUKAI LAMENT A letter was lecpivel from Mr J. : K liilliuruo, of Mournoukai, stating | that he saw no pro&pect of the pro- | posed road being put through to; give liim anvss to his property and lie ha<] accordingly taken his wife and family away from the distriec. ! lb' asked the Council to return him the e r> lie had paid towards the! construction of the road The matter was jeferrod to the chairman andCr L>ekwood. \ I I'M I'F.TI HON. A petition was received from seven owners of land on Waller's toad, Pimi, complaining of the unsitisfaetory state of tliat road. It was pointed out that it was under-

stood that the Engineer (Mr MoArthur) advocated that the road should be graded and the neceasary watertables formed. The petitioners urged that the road should be repaired at an early date. They also mentioned that the portion of the road known as Murray's Hill needed attention. Cr Wood reported that the work had already been done. WATER TABLES DAMAGED. Messrs Frost Bros., of Tuakau, drew attention to the way drivers of heavy vehicles were damaging the water tables on the road near the Tuakau landing by using the side of the road as a brake for their wheels. The chairman mentioned that the question of vehicles damaging the watertables was a somewhat serious matter. It would be remembered that some time ago Or Lyons suggested that an inspector should be appointed to see that the Council's by-laws should be enforced and the Council's rights safeguarded. There were many matters relating to the roads which called for attention and sometimes prosecutions were necessary. On the motion of Or Lyons it was resolved that an inspector should be appointed for a period of twelve months determinable by one month's notice. This was carried, Cr Wood being the only Councillor voting against it. REQUESTS AND COMPLAINTS. A letter was received from Mr T. Hoult, of Karaka, asking for the road from the Karaka Road Board's Office to the Black Bridge to be metalled. He stated that he had lived in the back blocks for five years and on going to Karaka he had expected to be in modern civilisation.—The chairman having explained that the metal was available the clerk was instructed to reply that the road in question would be metalled at an early date. Mr Cecil H. Mason, of Pukekohe Hill, wrote asking the Council to allow him to lay a water pipe across the road connecting his property with Mr John Blake's opposite, and Mr James Douglas, of Pukekohe, wrote making a similar request in respect of a Jin. pipe across Puni road from Mr Joseph Wright's well to his property —The clerk reported that permission had been granted to the requests, subject to the Engineer's approval of the work. Mr A. McCrae, of Hunua, enquired the position relative to compensation in respect of a road made through his property by Messrs A. Sutton and W. Gillespie which had not yet been legalised.—Or Lockwood explained that he was familiar with the circumstances and had informed Mr McCrae that although the road had not been legalised he believed it would be.—The clerk was instructed to reply explaining the position and to state that the Lands and Survey Department had been communicated on the subject. Mr J. F. Campbell, of Dominion road, Papakura, wrote complaining of the overflow of water on to his land owing to the stopping of a road drain.—The chairman explained that he and the Engineer had inspected the drain and that the owner in question had himself caused the overflow. —It was decided to send a letter to Mr Campbell asking him to put the drain in a proper state. A letter was received from Mr W. Jackson, of Buckland, drawing attention to the unsatisfactory state of the footpath on the east side of Buckland station. He stated that nothing had been done to it since the Road Board had been merged in the County although the rates collected by the County within an area of 23 chains amounted to about £4O per annum —Cr Wilcox said that the work would be attended to as soon as the surfaceman's services were available.

Mr David Hill, of Pokekohe, wrote complaining that the surface water from the road overflowed on to his land and he ask*d that a drain should be placed on his property sr> as to carry away the surplus water. It was reported that the work was being undertaken. Mr A. J. Williams, of Glenbrok, wrote and pointed out the dangerous state of the bridge over theEuakohua stream at the northern end of the Mission Bush road which it wis alleged was dm to the outlet drain not having been opened for some years. It was pointed out that tin bridge was afloat above the stringers. —The clerk reported that the surfaceman had the matter in hand. A petition was presented from several ratepayers on the Harruville Road, Tuakau, cabin* at;en tion to the bad state of the mam road and footpaths from the Tuakau Town Board boundary to H ns»n*a Corner.—Cr Wilcox undertook to procure some metal for th 9 road if possible and he was empowered to act as he thought be<t Mr W. L'.lley, of Hunua, wrote complaining of the bad state of the roalway past bis property and asked that the drains should be atondel to and the rushes removed. He also asked if it were possible for some arrangement to be made between Mr W. Trails and himself so that the work could be done.—Cr Lockwood explained that owing to slips on the road it had been impossible to do the work, but that it would be done as soon as the weather improved The clerk was instructed to write to Mr Lilley accordingly.