MANUKAU COUNTY COUNCIL

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 310, 14 September 1917, Page 4

MANUKAU COUNTY COUNCIL

Monthly Meeting At the usual monthly meeting of the Mnnukau County Council held in Auckland on Tuesday last there were present Crs A. E. Hattaway (acting Chairman), A. Muir. J. C. Bryant, F. H. Brownhill, A. D. Bell with the Clerk (Mr A. Bell). Moroß drivers' licenses With reference to the complaint mentioned at the last meeting of the Council that motorists who desired to have a license issued to them by the Council were unduly influenced by the City Council's officials to obtain such license from the City Council the Mayor of Auckland wrote that as further complaints had arisen the question would be brought before the City Council for definite direction to its ollicials. The letter was received. 9TRAYINO C'AATLE The Chairman drew attention to the damage done to the roads and footpaths by straying cattle throughout the county and considered that some action should be taken to stop the practice. On his motion it was resolved that action would be taken by the Council after public notice was given if the practice did not cease. MAXTJREWA ROAH DEVIATION In a letter to the Council Mr D. T. Mcintosh. Engineer to the Railway Department, Auckland, intimated that if the Council completed the repairs to the road deviation south of Manurewa the Department would pay the sum of £lO in respect of such work as agreed. A DEFECTIVE CULVERT Mr W. W. Grant (Wiri) again drew the attention of the Council to the unsatisfactory state of the culvert in the Main South Road fronting his property. Mr Muir mentioned that certain culverts on private property had been blocked which affected the culvert on Mr Grant's property and he moved that a letter should be sent to Mr Grant suggesting that the owners of adjoining land should have their culverts cleaned out. This was agreed to.

PAPATOETOE LIGHTING Mr H. C. Ernest on behalf of Messrs Cobine & Co., motor garage proprietors, Papatoetoe, applied for the consent of the Council to construct and use electric light lines across Station road, Papatoetoe, for the purpose of lighting the Public Hall now being erected there. The permission, it was stated, was required by the Minister of Public Works whose decision was final under Section 2 of "The Public Works Amendment Act, 1911." ~ On the motion of Cr Bryant it was resolved to grant the permission, on condition that the wirepin question were put underground to connect with the Hall. A MANUREWA COMPLAINT [n a letter to the Council Mr A. Scott (Devonport) drew attention to the serious state of the road at the entrance to Brookby road, Manurewa (late Humphreys), owing to flood water. He asked- that the same should be remedied. The Foreman reported that the work would be attended to at an early date. OPENING A ltOAI) Mr G. W. Saunders {Takanini) wrote asking that the road between Mr Brodie's property at Takanini and his property should be opened. Mr Muir stated that the road in question had evidently been dedicated, but he understood it had been fenced in by adjoining owners. The road m quesfion led to the beach at Papakura and it would probably be of some advantage to the district On his motion it was resolved to remove the fence across the road.

KATES OX NATIVE T,ANI»S The Chairman of the Hokianga County Council forwarded a copy of a letter sent to the Minister for Native Affairs suggesting' the amendment of the Rating Amendment Act, l'.M;), with regard to the registering of a lien in respect of arrears of rates on Native Lands. The letter pointed out that where rates on Native lands were in nrrear for more than nine mouths a- lien could be registered against the title in the Land Transfer Office, but unless there was a title in the oilices of the District Land Registrar 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. Cr Muir expressed his opinion that Europeans and Natives should receive equal justice. The consideration of the question was deferred. WAU AND riIAYKK A circular letter was read from the Hokitika Borough Council drawing attention to the fact that the resolution forwarded by the Prime Minister in connection with the anniversary of the war contained no acknowledgment of the Soverwnty of God. The Council were asked to give their support to a day of National Prayer being declared. Cr Hell said lie thought the resolution in question somewhat " bald." The Council decided to support tho request. I-OKK.MAN's UEI'OKT The Foreman (Mr C. Dixon) ieported as follows : Mangore riding—The wings of tho stone bridge on Favona road have collapsed and lie was authorised by tho Chairman to repair tho same. Repairs and patching on Robertson and liuckiaiul roads had been done. Papntoetoe riding -The stone culvert on Station road, at the junction nf Coronation mad, had partly colplascd and was unable to take the storm water which ilowod over the rood damaging tho metal. Ho had inserted a !' inch socket pipe culvert on a lowor level which would.

remedy the defect Mr Ernest made an application for a crossing to the new motor garago on Station road and a temporary ono had bpcn put in. Further metal patching had been done on Kolinar, Great South, and Station roads, also Main road East Tamaki, with scoria and blue metal. Despite the bad weather the roads in this riding were in a very good condition. He suggested that the Council should instruct the Clerk to write Mr Dreardon as to the damage which has been done to the watertable by carting material to his new building on Kolmar road. Papakura riding.—Since the last meeting the Manurewa Road Board's office had been removed to the closed portion of Weymouth road tt be used as a county depot. All tools remained in the ridingjand the furniture had been removed to the county depot, East Tamaki. ManurewaBrookby road was in a veiy bad state. The road was very weak and he had endeavoured to block all heavy carting and was repairing the worst places with gorse. Metal patching had been done on the Great South Road where the metal was handy. Wairoa Riding- Ness Valley road was in a very weak state. He reported that he had made a start of quarrying in Thorpe's'pit. The main road from Clevedon to Papakura was showing signs pi weakness. It was hoped to get enough metal from Ardmore to keep things going. Mr Furnell, Ardmore: The approach to this gate needed attention as it was damaging the watertable.

The Foreman in his report also suggested that the Council should approach the Wairoa Road Board with a view to taking over their quarry roads or making arrangements to have them properly metalled as these roads occasioned a good deal of trouble. On the motion of the Chairman the report was adopted. ACCOUNTS Accounts amounting to £563 Os 9d were passed for payment.