RAGLAN COUNTY COUNCIL

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 311, 18 September 1917, Page 1

RAGLAN COUNTY COUNCIL

At the bi-monthly meeting of the Raglan County Council held at Ngaruawahia on Wednesday last there were present Crs Campbell Johnstone (Chairman), C. Swann, J. E. Lowry, A. McKinnon, D. A. Moore, A. Cobourne, W. Wilson, C. W. Ealfe, W. Seavill, G B. Morrison, C. C. Otway, with the clerk (Mr H. Marsland). RATES ON NATIVE LANDS The Hokianga County Council forwarded copy of a letter they had sent to the Minister for Native Affairs suggesting the amendment of the Bating Amendment Act, 1913, relative 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. The letter pointed out that where rates on Native lands wore in arrears 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 Land Registrar's Office the registrars refused to accept such lien. It was suggested that the law should be amended so that a 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 ai rears. It was asked that the Council should assist to obtain an amendment to the law as indicated. The Clerk mentioned that he had gone into the matter ©f Native rates. He had formulated a scheme whereby he hoped to get m quite a large amount He suggested that the county solicitors obtain the addresses of native owners and send out notices in European and Maori, demanding payment of rates and threatening proceedings if the rates were not paid within a month. The cost of this scheme would be about £SO and would probably bring in £SOO or £6OO. The Chairman moved that the Clerk's action be approved. Agreed to.

HOSPITAL EXPENDITURE A circular letter was received from the Mount Herbert County Council (Purau, Canterbury), forwarding a resolution and asked the support of the Council to the same, viz, " That owing to the large annual sums required by the Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards for the purpose of replacing old buddings and extending institutions to meet the demands of an increasing population this County Couccil desires to represeLt to the Minister for Internal Affairs the need of an amendment to the Hospital and Charitable Institutions Act enabling Boards to borrow money for capital expenditure, due safeguards being provided against over borrowing and that representations be made to the various members of Parliament asking them to urge upon the Minister the need for such amendment to the Act under notice." The Chairman moved that the Council support the resolution. The hospitals were overcrowded, and a large sum was required annually to provide for the purpose of replacing old buildings and extending institutions. Cr Seavill seconded, and the motion was carried. SUBSIDY OX KATES The clerk stated that he had received from the Valuation Department £2067 subsidy on general rates for the year 1917, made up as follows : —Onewhero Riding £359 9s 2d, Pukekawa£l47 ISs Bd, Whangape £3OO lis lOd, Pukemiro£2o.s Gs 2d, Waingaro £360 0s 2d, Te Akau £IBB 17s lid, Port Waikato £llß 16s 2d, Karioi £92 8s lid, Whaingaroa £9O 5s lOd, Karamu £9l is sd, Pirongia £ll3 17s 7d. This was stated to be a record, increasing from £538 in 1911. ACCIDENT AT WAIPA PERRY Mr A. H. Hyde, Hamilton, forfor warded an account of £3l 18s for damage done to his motor car, which he alleged was caused through the defective punt over the Waipa river The ferryman reported that the driver of the car put on power and went over the end of the punt into the river. After the accident the driver of the car told him that the brakes were " crook."

It was decided to inform Mr Hyde that the Council recognises no liabi lity. HEAVY TRAFFIC The county solicitors notified that the Council had no power to frame by-laws re county roads, as suggested. It was mentioned that it would he a serious matter if the balance of loan money was spout on the Kaglan road and heavy trallic allowed. The Clerk thought the [difficulty might be met by demanding a bond Cr Seavill moved, and the Chair man seconded, that the maximum load during the winter months be one ton.—Agreed to. It was resolved that the matter of the carting of flax on the Waingaro ro*'l be left in the hands of the Engineer to regulate same. FINANCK Accounts amounting to £lß3l were passed for payment.

WAR BONDS The Clerk was instructed to make enquiries as to whether the moneys in hand could be invested in War Bonds. The opinion was expressed that, besides receiving an increased rate of interest, the Council could at the some time be helping the Government. ALTERATIONS OK BOT/NDARTES The Awakino County Council asked support of resolutions passed by a meeting representing Waitomo, Kawhia and Awakino counties urging that the time is opportune for steps to be taken as regards altering the boundaries of surrounding counties. The importance Df the matter was generally recognised, and it was decided to support the resolution. RETIRING COrNCILLORs The chairman referred to the fact that they were approaching the end of their terui as Councillors, that being the final meeting. He regretted that Messrs McKinnon, Moore, and Wilson were not seeking re-election. These gentlemen had done valuable work for their respective ridings and for the Council as a whole, and their efforts were much appreciated. He moved that the retiring councillors' splendid services be placed on record. The motion was carried amid loud applause. Messrs McKinnon, Wilson and Moore returned thanks for the kindly remarks made, and expressed their gratitude for the help given them throughout their terms by fellow-councillors and the office staff, They regretted that pressure of private business necessitated their retirement from the Council. Mr McKinnon has served about 20 years on the Council, and Messrs Wilson and Moore three years each.