FRANKLIN COUNTY COUNCIL.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 308, 7 September 1917, Page 1

FRANKLIN COUNTY COUNCIL.

Monthly Meeting At the meeting of the Franklin Council held yesterday there were present Crs J. Flanagan (Chairman), J. Henry, B. Lyons, T. J Lockwood, W. C. Motion, E. Higginson, H. Wilcox, T. W. Woods and J. A. Renall, together with the Clerk iMr Alan P. Day) and the Engineer (Mr J. F. McArthur). CB renall's re-appearance Before commencing the business of the meeting the Chairman said he felt sure he was voicing the opinion of members in expressing pleasure at seeing Cr Eenall present at the meeting after his long absence through illness. He trusted that he would be well enough to continue to be present regularly as in the past. Cr Renall thanked the Council for their expressions of goodwill towards him. Although he had not yet recovered in health he was very pleased to be able to be present that day. He especially desired to thank the Councillors for the assistance they had given him in his Biding during his absence. With regard to the coming election lie said that he understood two opponents would enter the field against him but he intended to offer himself for reelection. .

WAK LOAN A circular letter was read from Sir Joseph Ward, Minister of Finance, asking for the Council's support in the raising of the War Loan, which provided one of those elements necessary for the successful prosecution of the war. DEATH DUTY ON SOLDIERS' ESTATES

In reply to the Council's representations that Succession or Estate Duty should not be charged where, as mentioned by Cr Woods at the last meeting, the estate of a brother who had been killed on active service was willed to a brother who had also served at the front, the Kt Hon W. F. Massey wrote that priori to the passing of the Finance Act, 1915, the question was carefully considered and it was eventually decided that in respect of exemption from death duties the Government could not go beyond probable dependents of deceased soldiers. Provision was made for exemption up to £SOOO in respect of wife and children, father or mother of a deceased soldier. In the case quoted that of an estate valued at £737 bequeathed by a deceased soldier to his brother the estate duty amounted to 1 per cent and thesuccessionduty to five per cent, but it was pointed out the beneficiaiy could not be held to be a dependent of the deceased. He considered that the Government had acted very liberally and he could not recommend any further exemptions being made Where any injustice arose, however, the case would be considered on its merits and if any hardship was caused by uajmeut of duty the Government would consider a petition for refund. Cr Woods remarked that the position was not fair at all. Cr Henall said that there were a good many laws on the Statute book which were unjust.

GOVERNMENT GRANTS The Hon W. F. Fraser, Minister of Public Woiks, in reply to a letter from the Clerk, wrote that the balance of unauthorised items would appear on the Estimates, but he could not how much of those he would be able to authoiise during the financial year. He added that he would advise as early as po- sible what money could be spent Gr Henry asked the Clerk when communicating with the Minister to draw his attention to the sum of £2OO which was put down to be expended on the road between the township of Fatumahoe and the railway station.

WAIROA RIVER BRIDGE The Under Secretary of Public Works Department, Wellington, wrote iti reply to representations made regarding the erection of a new bridge over the Wairoa river on the Clevedon-Hunua road that a repoit would be obtained fiom the District Engineer, at Auckland, and the matter could be further considered.

OI.U UAILWAY LINK The District Engineer, Railway Department, Auckland, in a letter to ihe Council enquired if they had abandoned the idea of purchasing ihe old railway liue for road purposes as he to make a recommendation to the Department about dealing with it.

On the motion of the Chairman it wai le.-olved that the Cleik should reply that the Council could not entertain the question of the puichase of the old lino from Auckland to Tunkau

With tegird to the line from Poki no in Whangarata I'r Lyons said hi- ui do stood that the Council ha . bn ii r. served the option to purch si ■lih laud adjoining from the owner a the rate ot £o an acre. VA' NGATAWIIIRI ROAIi LOAN Til State Advances Office notified that a loan of £ISOO had been grauted for the construction of the Paparimu-Maungatawhiri road and lorwarded debentures for execution.

VALUATION ROLL SUMMARIES Owing to the Valuation Department being understaffed, that Department intimated that they would be unable to supply roll summaries as formerly and asked that the Council would take out their own summaries. COUNTIES ASSOCIATION A memorandum from the New Zealand Counties Association was received giving an account of the business transacted at the last annual conference on the 25th July last.

Arising out of the reading by the Clerk qt the remits referred to in the Counties' Association business Cr Lyons mentioned that with regard to an absent soldier's vote he was of opinion that a person holding n power of attorney could vote for the absentee on producing such power of attorney. The Clerk explained that the production of buch a deed was not sufficient but that an entry in the rate book required to be made to that effect. After some informal discussion it was resolved to obtain legal opinion on the subject from Mr T. F. Martin, counsel to the Counties' Association. HATKS ON NATIVE LANDS The Chairman of the Hokianga County Council forwarded a copy of a letter sent to the Minister for Native Affairs suggesting the ammendment of the Bating Amendment Act, 1913 with regard to the registering of a lien in respect of anears of rates on Native Lands. The letter pointed out that where rates on Native lands were in arrear for more than nine months a lien could be registered against the title in the Land Transfer Office, but unless there was a title in the Law Begistrar's office the Begistrars refused to accept such lien It was suggested that the hws should be amended so that in the case of Na'.ive land having no title in th e offices of the District Land Begi<*trar the lien for unpaid rates should be registered against the title in the Native Land Court Such a provision would secure the Council against rates being unrecoverable by lapse of time and would make unpaid rates an asset regardless of the length of time rates on Native lands might be in arrears. It was asked that the Council should assist to obtain an amendment to the law as indicated.

On the motion of Cr Henry it was resolved to support the proposed amendment ef the Act MAXUKAU WHARVKS Messrs Resell, Campbell and McVeigh, solicitors, forwarded licenses from the Auckland Harbour Board to the Council in respect of the Waipipi, Te Tora, Awhitu, Graham's Beach, Orua Bay and Pollok wharves Cr Renall moved and it was agreed that the seal of the Council should be affixed to the licenses. A MAXOATAXOI REQUEBT

Mr B. H. Mattson, Manager of the Mangatangi Land Co , wrote applying for permission to do certain work on the Mangatangi-Miranda road in the Esk Valley, viz, (1) To lower present pipes in fillings to give fall for drainage purposes; (2) To form a drain from No. 2 bridge N.E. distance about four chains; (3) To construct a bridge over a waterway on the eastern boundary and to repair Canoe creek bridge and approaches. Mr Mattson waited on the Council and said the Company aimed at improving the settlement of the district. The Valley road was in a very bad state.

In answer to Cr Lyons, Mr Mattson said his estimate of the work which it was asked the Council should do was about £IOO. Unless something was done he feared the bridge would be lost as there was a good deal of flood water which seriously weakened the structure. Mr Lockwood remarked that according to the Minister of Public Works where settlers had lived for a number of years and had been without roads the Department would give such settlers their first consideration. He suggested that a strong representation should be made by Mr Mattson to the Public Works Department.

Or Lyons mentioned that he believed there was still some unexpended money available for expenditure on the road and it was possible a £ for £ subsidy could be obtained. He also thought that there was some possibility of a big loan scheme being submitted to the ratepayers which among other tnings would provide a direct road from Mangatangi to Miranda. The matter was eventually left to Cr Lyjns and the Engineer to inspect and report. I LOOI) DAMAGE

The District Engineer Public Works Department, Auckland, wrote stating that the Minister approved of a further grant of £3B for repairing damages on the Ilunua Gorge road caused by the ilood and asked that proposals for such expenditure should be submitted by the Council. The Engineer reported that the work had been attended to.

lIARKISVILLE LOAN PROPOSED Eight ratepayers from Harrisville in a letter to the Council stated that in accordance with a recommendation from Cr Wilcox they had agreed to a loan of £2OO in respect of the road leading from Johnston's to the main Tnakau-Pukekohe East road upon condition that the Council made a £1 for £1 subsidy representing £4OO worth of work. It was suggested that the hill should be cut down and bridge raised about four feet, and the metalling of the road to be carried out to a chain on Johnston's side of the bridge and two chains up the Jericho, Smith and Johnston's roads. The signatories especially asked that the work should be carried out in the coming summer.

Cr Wilcox said he had explained the position of the matter to the ratepayers concerned. The Chairman remarked that the Council could not subsidise the road out of rates. On Cr Wilcox's suggestion it was decided to write to the Minister for Public Works making a special appeal for a subsidy from the Government.

.1 ones' ROAl), IIUNUA The Lands and Survey Department, Auckland, writing with regard To the legalisation of Jones' road, Hunua Fall's road, stated that the work would be carried out under the Public Works Act using the agreement already made as a basis for compensation under that Act. AN AKA AKA LOAN A petition from eleven subscribers to the special loan for metalling the Eastern drain and Mahimiti road was received objecting to it being cootinued from Jolly's bridge as they stated it was decided to start it from Douglas' corner.—Referred to the Engineer. (OMI'LAINTS AND REQUESTS

Mr Owen Wilson, Papakura, wrote enquiring if the Council would assist him by putting in a culvert to give lum access to his section—part of Mrs A. McKinstry's farm. He added that if the Council would give the pipes he would put them in.—lt was agreod to give the pipes. Mr 11. G. Garland, St Michaels, Waiuku, wrote drawing the Council's attention to the disgraceful state of the road from the Lamb Hill through the Maori ground to the metal road. Ho pointed out that he had previously resided in out of the way districts and when he came to Waiuku he thought he was getting into civilisation and expected better roads than in the backblocks but such was not the case. He added that witli four other ratepayers he paid about £7O in rates last year and not one penny had been spent in his locality. —Cr Motion siid that most of the road was through Native land and a very small amount of rates was received. —Left to Cr Motion and the Engineer to inspect and report. A complaint was made by Mr 11. E. Philip, Union road, Mauku, that the drain which ran through his farm on the Union road was choked up and required cleaning out —The Engineer reported that the portion of the road in question was receiving attention.

A latter was received from the Clerk of the Papakura Town Board drawing attention to tho bad state of that portion of tho road from the Hunua Hay's creek bridge to Walker's corner. It was stated that there wore several holes in the road and it was suggested that the services of Mr Harry Lover should bo secured so that the proposod work could he economically carried out. — The Engineer reported that the road was in a bad state but nothing could be done until the weather improved Mr A. P. Home, hon secretary of tho Moumoukai Ratepayers Association, wrote urging that the Council should have the survey and legalisation of tho Maungatawhiri-Papakura road completed as tho construction of the road was urgent —The Engineer reported that the survey had been arranged for.

The Chaiiman (Mr H. 13. Stubbing) of tho Pollok School Committee, in a letter to the Council drew attention to the bad state-'of the main road near the Pollok school. 110 suggested that a footpath of about two chains should be formed from the teacher's residence to the school and a water table constructed to carry the water to tho drain now being put in.- Tho Engineer reported that arrangements had been made for the work to bo done. Mr L. Newnham, Bombay, complained of tho bad state of the of the L'aparata-Boinhay road near Sweetman's gate. If this was nut attended to it was feared there would be au accident.-It was reported that the matter was being attended to. Mr Wm Lean, Pokeuo, in a letter, asked if the Council could uupply him with a truck of metal for repairs.—The matter was refeired toCr Lyons and the Engineer with power to act.

A complaint of tho had state of tin' rt>a<l nt tin' junction of the Bom-Itiiy-PdjmrtitM mad was ina<le by Mr 11. Sawyer Bom buy) who asked that nHoiit 10 yards ol metal should In' |ni' mi when weiuhor permits. — The mutter was inferred to the Kngiiieor !n de.il with. i:\.\iil-ill W.'.NI'KI) \T M.W'Kl' A letter was received from Mr II M, Crispo asking on hehall' of the Maiiku Karmors' Union for a ranger to lie appointed for the Mauku and I'atuinalioo districts. 'l'lh' Cl»>rk having explained that at a recent mooting it was resolved that i ai-h riding shouhl appoint its own ranger Or Henry said he would make arrangements accordingly. ■ VIE KOAD, I'OKIiNO. Cr Lyons asked the Council for sanction to spend the sum of £\'> for the formation of Cttio Road which the Council agreed to do as soon as weather permits, (

I MAUNGATAWHIRI IiOARH MERGINO Messrs W. K Cornthwaite and J. M. Wallace attended as a deputation ou behalf of the Maungatawhiri Road Board and deposited a petition in favour of the Road hoard merging in the county. The signatories, 7o in number, represented property owners to the rateable value of £6.5,6.56. Cr Lyons paid a high tribute to the way in which Mr Cornthwaite had succeeded in obtaining such a large support to the proposed merging and the Chairman and others also expressed appreciation of the efforts of Mr Cornthwaite.

In connection with the merging question Cr Lyons then moved a motion, of which he had given notice, as follows: "That all rates collected by the Council in the Maunagfawhiri Road District portion of the Meicer Riding (less that district's share of the general expenses of the County charged to Mercer Riding) be expended on the roads within the said Maungatawhiri Road District and fuither that no notice of motion for the rescinding of this motion or of the resolution passed on Ist August, 1917, to the same effect regarding rates collected in Karaka Road District shall be considered or passed by the Council until after the same shall have been publicly notified for four weeks in some newspaper circulating in the district." Cr Lyons explained that whilst the Council could not bind their successors yet before any future Council, should they so wish, could rescind the resolution passed that day it would be necessary to first give one month's notice in the local newspaper of their intention to do so. The Chairman seconded. Cr Henry, speaking in support, pointed out that the passing of the motion would show that the Council were following on the resolution adopted with regard to rates collected in the Karaka district and he trusted that the result would be that the Karaka would now merge. The Chairman remarked that when Karaka also merged it would increase the Council's revenue by about £IBOO.

Cr Henry expressed the hope that Karaka would follow the example of Maungatawhiri at a very early date.

The resolution was then unanimously agreed to and the Clerk was instructed to take the necessary steps for the merging of the Maungatawhiri Road Board.

COUNTY BALANCE SUEET. The audited balance-sheet for the year ending 31st March last as returned by the Auditor-General was submitted by the clerk and adopted. TRAMWAY ROAD SECTIONS. In reply to Cr Henry's enquiry as to the position of the matter relative to the sale of the land on the Tramway Road, the clerk stated that the proclamation with regard to the closing of the Tramw ay Road had been made and that he now proposed to issue a circular letter to the owners about making arrangements for purchasing the land. UNION ROAD DRAIN

Cr Henry drew attention to the condition of the drain which ran through Mr Haywood's property on the Union road. The drain, he said, had become silted up and he asked that steps should be taken to prevent a recurrence. The Engineer was instructed to have the necessary work done. THE COUNTY CXKRK Cr Motion having mentioned that the Clerk (Mr Alan P Day) had been called in the ballot Mr Day said it was not his wish to apply for exemption but he would desire to have sufficient time before going into camp to arrange Council matters before leaving. A sub-committee was appointed to make the necessary arrangements for carrying on the work of the Council on Mr Day's departure. I'AKK KOAII, PAPAKURA On the motion of the Chairman a resolution was adopted to operate as a Special Order authorising the raiaiug of the Park road, Papakura, Special Rating Area Loan of £450 for the purpose of forming and metalling Park road.