FRANKLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 359, 12 March 1918, Page 1

FRANKLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

(Concluded)

The following matters were dealt with by the Franklin County Council at its monthly meeting last Friday in addition to the business reported in our issue of that date: COMrAIHTS AND REQUESTS Mr A. G. Potter wrote complaining of the removal of a bridge from a drain on a road giving access to his property at Waiuku West. He also asked that the road should be fenced and the gates thereon removed. In a further letter he complained of the state of Cameron Town road adjacent to his property at Fukekohe West, saying it was impossible to drive a cart over it—The Chairman undertook to inspect the localities and report at the next meeting. Mr (J Dickey, of Eohe Eohe, drew the Council's attention to the dangerous condition of the road fronting his farm. If the Council woujd spend a little money on it he offered to use his team of horses free of charge for the work.—On the motion of Cr Sbort the Council decided to do the work as proposed and the Clerk was instructed to reply that the Council much appreciated the offer made by Mr Dickey. A request was made by Messrs P. Q. Wyman and W. H. P. Evans, of Razorback, for repairs to be effected to the Great South Road down Pokeno Hill from Razorback to Pokeno—The matter was referred Jo Crs Wilcox and Hille with the Engineer to deal with as they thought best

The suggestion of the Maufcu Farmers' Union for the constiuctiqn of an approach road to the beach at White Cliffs was deferred for consideration till the next meeting In the matter of the claim by Mr P. G. Chalmers, of Mauku, for the loss of a horse alleged to have been brought about by the Council's failure to pipe and fence a drain on his property as promised the Council decided to reply disclaiming any liability. Cr Wilcox reported that Mrs Pollock, of Harrisv'lle road, Tuakau, had made application to him for repairs to be done to a culvert adjoining her property on Harrisville road. —lt was resolved that the Engineer should have the work carried out.

The Oh air man reported that Messrs J. McFarland and Geraghty had interviewed him and asked that the Counod should form Geraghty'B road, which was a boundary road between the County and the Tuakau Town Board. It was stated that there was a sum of £SO part of a loan available for the work.—On the motion of the Chairman it was decided that the member for the riding and the Engineer should view tjie road and were empowered to act. ROt'XDAKIRS AT PAPARUKA In regard to the proposed extension of the Papakura Town Board's area the Cleric to the Board forwarded a plan of the boundaries as agreed upon at the recent conference of Council and Board members. He stated that his Board had agreed to the expenditure of £SO on Dominion road as asked for by the Council. The Chairman remarked that the exact arrangement entered into between the respective bodies with regard to the control of Walker's and Dominion road was not mentioned in the communication received and until the same was set out in a letter from the Papakura Town Board the Council could not agree to the confirmation of the conference's settlement of the area to b9 included in the Board's district. The Clerk was directed to repfy accordingly. FINANCIAL ADJUSTMENTS A recommendation by the Finance Committee that the sumof £7O should be transferred from Drury to Hunua Biding as previously agreed upon for work done some years ago in Drury Riding and charged to Hunua Biding was agreed to without comment.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPROVEMENTS The Finance Committee reported tnat they had had under consideration the matter of the functions o! the Works Committee and of the administration of the Engineer's department and they recommended that a sub-committee should be appointed to go into the question of the Engineer's and Clerk's staffs in regard to additional assistance required. The Chairman (Cr Motion) suggested that the full Council should form the Committee, who should meet on the night prior to the day of the next monthly meeting. Cr Montgomeiie thought that the whole of the administrative system should be considered, for which purP'se he advocated enquiries as to working being obtained from other Counties.

Cr Lockwood was of opinion that better results accrued from small rather than larger committees. He added tuut it wis impossible for the present stall to cope with the work. Cr Moutj;omerie stated that all the Councillors weie interested in the matter and he opposed the appointment of a small committee.

Cr Reid thought that the experience of other authorities would be no guide to them as they alone knew their own requirements.

The Chairman remarked that it was possible advice received would be valuable or might be improved upon. Cr Wilcox urged that it would be necessary to carefully study their financial abilities. He did not wish to overwork the staff but the current year, being election year, had been an exceptional one. The full Council was appointed as the Committee to meet in accordance with the Chairman's suggestion and members to make enquiries from other authorities if thev so wished. TITAKAU CEMETERY Messrs B. T Frost and W. Gubb attended as a deputation representing the Tuakau Cemetery Trustees and referred to the bad state of that cemetery. They pointed out that the cemetery had got into a dilapidated state owing to the lack of funds They sought the financial aid of the Council to enable the Trustees to repair the fences and improve the cemetery. Mr Frost mentioned that the four denominations using the cmeteiy would guarantee £1 for £1 if the Council would give a subsidy, and he believed the Tuakau Town Board would be prepared to assist them financially if possible. Mr Frost added that it was proposed to increase the amount of the interment fees i so as to provide extra revenue. Cr Wilcox heartily supported the suggestion that the Council should assist in the way indicated. Mr W. Gubb, who has been clerk to the Trustees for many years, endorsed the remarks of the previous speakers and explained that he personally had assisted in various ways to raise funds.to improve the cemetery. Replying to the Chairman's enquiry as to the estimated cost to put the cemetery into a proper state, Mr Frost mentioned about £3O. He added that there was a sentimental attachment among the older settlers towards the cemetery and he h iped that the Council would assist so that it could be placed in a better stat*. The Chairman remarked that as the cemetery was under the jurisdiction of the County they recognised a certain amount of responsibility but he suggested that the Tuakau Town Board should contribute their quota He promised that after the trust' es had consulted the Town Board the Council would consider the matter. engineer's bepobt.

The Engineer reported as fol lows :

Flood Damage, Hunua.—Since February last £268 (£1 for £1) has been granted by the Government t > repair damage on the Hunua Gorge Road this amount has now been increased by £32 making a total of £3OO. A further £6B (£1 for £1) has been granted for flood damage, Hunua to Paparimu. This together with the £2O previously issued will make a total subsidy on that road since February last of £BB (£1 for £1). Claims and statements of expenditure have already been sent in for these amounts.

Metal Dumps at Stations.—ln response to application made to the Railway Department, advice has been received that suitable sites for dumping broken metal at Faerata and Patutnahoe have been set out, viz :-At Paerata : At sou'-h end of station between loading bank and stop block, 24ft. x 30fc. ; at Patumahoe : At Waiuku end of station between goods-shed and loiding bank, 60ft. x 60ft. Waiuku-Otaua Road—Owing to metal for this road being unprocur able' at a reasonable cost arrangements have been made with Bray and Co., of Onehunga, for th' supply of a good class of scoria to bo landed at the Waiuku Wharf. The Waiuku end of the swamp portion of the road is particularly rough and requires scarifying and generally reconstructing. This work should be put in hand as soon as possible. Awhitu Roads—At the meeting of the Council held on the 20tu December authority was given to reform and improve the above road* In company with Cr Short I inspected the roads and made arrange ments to have the necessary woik

done. It was our intention to also inspect the proposed deviation through Cooper's, Kohe Kobe, but owing to the bad weather txperi enced whilst in the district it was found impossible to do so. This matter will receive attention as so n as possible Building and Access Roa', Oil PollokLanding—Mr 0. H. Kelly, of Pollok, made an offer of £lO for old buildings at the above landing. These buildings are useful to settlers for storing manure etc , boats being able to discharge their cargo direct into the sheds. I would suggest that the offer be declined. On ihe 4th October, 1!»17, Mr O C. Kay wrote asking that a survey be made of the access road to the landing. This, in my opinion, is unnecessary. It is not the custom of the Council to define boundaries of roads for other than road purposes. Go dwin's Road, Aka Ak i.— This roid is badly in need of being formed. The Aka Aka Drainage Bard has agreed to assist with the work by widening the road drain five feet and placing the excavated material where it can be removed by scoop or grader. The road is used by a number of settlers] and if not formed this season will become impassable. I would ask for authority to proceed with the work. (Continued on page 4)