FRANKLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 334, 30 November 1917, Page 1

FRANKLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Statutory Meeting The first and statutory meeting of the Frapklin County Council following on the recent elections was held on Wednesday last, all the members being present, viz: Crs W. C. Motion, H. Wilcox, T. W. Woods, T. J. Lockwood. J. A. Short, W. H. Thomas, J. S. Montgomerie, C. A. Hille, and R. T. Reid, together with the Clerk (Mr A. P. Day) and Engineer (Mr J. F. McArthur). ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN At the commencement of business the Clerk temporarily occupied the chair and invited nominations for the position of Chairman of the . Council. Cr Wilcox proposed the election of Cr Motion as Chairman and took the opportunity of extending a welcome to the new members, who were there for the first time that day. Cr Thomas seconded, remarking that he believed in having "an old hand "to guide " new colts" in the right way. Cr Reid supported the nomination of Cr Motion and on behalf of the new members thanked Cr Wilcox for the welcome given them. The proposition being carried unanimously Cr Motion took the chair and applause. Returning thanks for his election, he said it would be his desira to .give each and every member all possible assistance for the carrying out of works in the various ridings. Matters, he added, could very often be made easier by members helping one another. Cr Lockwood congratulated Cr Motion on his election and said that he could testify that Cr Motion had done his duty faithfully and well a? a member of the Council. A revolution, Cr Lockwood proceeded, existed in the world and results had shown that Franklin County was not free from it (laughter). In a big County such as Franklin there was a lot to do. He had always advocated that it was necessary for a new mam road to be constructed through from Auckland to Wellington and he hoped the Council during its term of office would move in that direction as it was a disgrace to Auckland that the main road going south was in its present condition and position. Cr Lockwood referred to the capital roads which formed the exits from Wellington and remarked that although he would like to see hydroelectric power established he regarded good roads as being of greater importance. Cr Hille added his congratulations to Cr Motion and agreed with Cr Lockwood in his remarks re the Great South Road. He suggested that the local bodies ought to unite in an effort to get the Government to take over the road and, if properly agitated for, he thought such would come about.

Cr Montgcmerie, in also expressing approval of the choice made of Chairman, asked that he (the speaker) should not be looked on as an outsider. He had. he said, an interest in the County and he intended in duo course to permanently settle in the Karaka district.

ADMINISTRATIVE WORK With a view of improving the efficiency of the Council's work the Chairman recommended that a Finance Committee and also a Works Committee should b9 up. In the past, he explained, the full Council had constituted the Finance Commit but experience had been that everybody's business was nobody's business. As regards a Works Committee there had been "growling" that works weio not carried out and ratepayers by everything being left to the Engineer got to think that the Engineer was the Council. A Works Committer would, however, give instructions as to what should be done and would take the responsibility from off the Engineer's shoulders. The Chairman's proposil having heen adopted, Crs lteid, Lckwood, Wilcox, Woods and the Chairman were appointed as the Finance Committee and the Chairman, Crs Hille, Thomas, Short and Muntgoinerie as the Work* Coinmi'tee.

Ac n later sta<;e in the meeting Cr H illo complained that there was au absence of supervision of the men engaged on the roads in the Mercer riding, work being most unsatisfactory thme. He considered that m tiie outlying districts it would be butter if the surfacemen acted under the directions of the Hiding member i s f ead of being* controlled by the Kri^iiißer. Cr Thomas «greed with Cr Ilille and -tiit-vi thdt in his (I'ruiy) riding the men wem t »'i rk and knocked >.ff when they liked. Or llul- next in ade various sug ge.'-ti -Us as ro : lie urgency of Worklll his riaing to ui.prwvo the c nidi tion of tho roads. A suggestion by the Chaiimat. t iiit the new members stiouJd in e >mpany with the Engineer beft.ri the next meeting in-pect the loads ii their respective ridings mul should make recommemlatious as to tie best procedure t<> ho .ideptul me! with general approval. CHAIRMAN'S UONOttAltlL'.M The Chairman's honoiariuui wa> fixed at £IOO for-thi cuirent ynij beiflg ii similar sum to that paid las y>'a'. A sdulo of payment for vw. bers' expenses wus also i <ed Cr Motion mentioned a' it wa; not his intention as Clifiiruian : draw any amount ovei and übovt actual expenses incurred.

MEETING DAYS It was resolved that the Council should continue to meet at 9 30 a.m. on the first Thursday in each month, subject to next month's meeting being held on Thursday, December 20th, and the usual vacation being observed in January. The Chairman, Cr Woods. Wilcox and Reid were appointed as a Special Committee to meet on Thursday next- to pass accounts for the current month. VOTE OF SYMPATHY A. resolution, similar to that passed last year, was adopted placing on record the Council's deepest sympathy with the parents and relatives of all soldiers from Franklin County who had given their lives for their country in the war PROPOSED NEW BOAD A letter was received from Mr P. J. Cooney, secretary of the Whangarata branch of the Farmers' Union, advocating the construction of a road along the old railway track from Buckland to Pokeno. It was understood, the writer said, that the Ministeriof Railways was prepared to enter into negotiations with the C uncil for the disposal of the old track at a reasonable price and the road, it was urged, would be of the greatest importance to the district and would also effect a saving to the Council in the upkeep of other roads. Cr Wilcox stated that certain pro perties would have to be acquired to make the road and he recommended that particulars of the same should be obtained although he questioned the, possibility of taking the schemo in hand at the present time owing to the cost entailed and financial stringency. Cr Hille spoke in support of the application and pointed out that the proposed new road wou'd have a much better grade than the existing one.

The Chairman, Cr Wilcox and the Engineer were authorised to secure particulars as to the properties that would be required to be purchased. RIVAL BACON COMPANIES With reference to the Council's suggestion that instead of permission being given for additional pig yards and weighing scafes to be erected at Aka Aka and Otaua landings Messrs W. and R. Fletcher, Ltd, should use the yards and scales belonging to the N.Z Farmers' Co-op. Bacon Coy, the manager of the latter Coy. wr.ite that he hardly considered it a fair proposal but would bring it before his directors. The Chairman explained that the existing yards were on Council property and, if necessary, the Council could order their removal. He suggested tint is space for an additional yard wis impossible at Aka Aka lauding the Council should compel the'iacon Coy to afford a joint use of that yard and should agree to Messrs Fletcher erecting a new yard at < )taup. where there was room for the purp.i e. The m;.:ter was referred to the Chairman and Cr Reid with power to act.

ROAD BOARD LEGACIES In connection with the merging oi the Maungatawhiri Road Board a letter was received from the Board reminding the Council that a promise had been given that the Board's credit balance should be allocated for expenditure on such roads as the Board recommended. The credit balance, it was stated, wa3 £9B Os 7J, which the Board asked should be expended in three equal shares on Buck-land (late Beaver's) road, Wbangarata road, and Bluff road The Engineer was instructed to see that the Road Board's request was complied with. Iu answer to Cr Hille, the Chairman said that it was the usual practice of the Council to fall in with the wishes of the Road Boards in regard to the expenditure of credit balances Cr Hille complained that the course had not been followed in the instance of the Pokeno Eoad Board but he was assured by the Clerk that the money in question had been earmarked for expenditure as desired by the Board and when finances permitted such would be duly complied with.

MANOATANGJ. TO .NEW BKIGHTOX Ihe seal of the Council was affixed to an agreement for the purchase from Mr T. E. Smith, of New Brigh ton, at £6OO, of 46 acres of land in the Opita block for the purposes of a new road, five mile 9 in length, from Mangatangi to New Biighton as approved of by tho late Council, it beiug part of the agreement that the vendor should be permitted to erect eight swing gates on the road.

A I'ATI'MAIIOK QRANT In reply to tho Council's request that the sum of £2OO placed or tho Estimates in respect of the proposed work from the township of Patumahoe to the railway station should be authorised for expenditure the Hon \V. Fraser, Miniator of Public Works, wrote that he had given instructions for the authorisation. The Engineer was instructed to forward proposals for tho expenditure of the money. MISCELLANEOUS In regard to the proposal to lay scoria on Domain and Stuart's roade recently taken over from the PukeKohe Borough Council, Cr Woods urijed that metal would be more suitable anil he was authorised to arrange for the same. Cr Tb " as mentioned that a ! ,ii■i i M- on the Tuhimata road from Kama Kama to Pukekohe East was pirth deiLoliuied and he was empowered to arrange with the Engimw for its repair.

ACCESS TO MAUKU STATION The District Fingiueer of the Public Works Department, Auckland, replying to the Council's request that the approach road to the Mauku railway station should be metalled with blue metal instead of scoria stated that he would accede to sucii request but the width and depth of blue metal would be leys than the proposed scoria. He added that the blue metal would only be used on the longht of the new road in connection witli tlm access to the Mauku station yard outside the railway boundary.

a backblocker's plea A letter was received from Mr A. McNeil, of Moumoukai, pleading for a little more consideration to be extended to settlers in backblock districts by better attention being given to thoir roads. Cr Lockwood remarked that £SO in excess of rate receipts had been expended last year in tho Moumoukai district. KARAKA 1!0\K!> To MEROK The Cierk reportod that the petition for the merging of the Karaka Road District had been received and that it bore 92 signatures of ratepayers. The Clerk added that he had taken the necessary steps to advertise that the petition would be formally presented to the Council at the meeting on December 20th. SPECIAL BUSINESS Sitting in special meeting' the Council confirmed a resolution passed on October 11th merging the Muungatawhiri Road District in the County and also confirmed a resolution similarly passed regarding a loan to meet the Council's share of the cost of the Hingaia and Whangamaire bridges.

COMPLAINTS AND REQUESTS Mr Jas Given, of Pollok, complained of the state of the road leading past his gate—The Engineer reported that the necessary work was in hand. Mr M. G. McArthur wrote asking for the road leading into Happy Valley from Hunua to be improved. -Cr Lockwood reported that the same was being attended to. Mr E T. Douglas, of Miranda, requested that the available Government grant for Miranda road should be expended.—The Clerk reported that he had written to the Public Works Department asking if there was a grant for the road but had not yet received a reply. Application was made for the road leading to Mr R. Keen's (late Rev Clarkson's) farm at Pokeno to be improved.- Referred to Ors Thomas and Hille for a report. Mr <). A. Bowen asked for repairs to be eflVeted to Tramway road, Hunua, in the direction of the Huuu i bridge. Referred to Cr Thomas and the Engineer. Mr J I. W. Spelling offered to contribute i'iO towards the co.it of reins atin.; the bridge on the road leading t.i his property at Bombay. —Refen 1 to Cr Thomas and the Engineer. Messrs Glass Bros called attention to the danger to stock caused by the tram line from the quarry at Mercer to the railway station being uufenced Referred to the Engineer for a report, it being pointed out, however, that the tram line ran through private property. A request was made by Mr Jas Donnelly, of Rama Rama, for the Maketu creek to be cleared of obstructions.—Referred to Cr Thomas and the Engineer to inspect and report. Messrs Wiles and Finlay, of Ponga, wrote drawing attention to the Ponga road beiug dangerous for traffic Referred to Cr Lockwood and the Engineer.