FRANKLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 367, 12 April 1918, Page 2

FRANKLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monthly Meetlnq. At the ordinary monthly meeting of the Franklin County Council held at the Council Offices, Pukekohe, yesterday there were present : Ors W. C. Motion (chairman), W. fl. Thomas, T. J. Lockwood, J. S. Montgomerie, J. A. Short, C. A Hille, T. W. Woods, H. Wilcox, R. T. Reid, with the County Clerk (Mr Alan P. Day) and the Engineer (Mr J. F. McArthur).

VOTES OF SYMPATHY. Cr Short, before the business of the Council was commenced, made reference to the loss sustained by exCr. J. A. Renall in the loss of his son, who had been killed in action. He moved that the sympathy of the Council should be extended to Mr Renall in bis great loss and that a letter conveying their sympathy should be sent to him. —The motion was seconded by Cr Lock wood and was carried in silenoo by the members rising. The Chairman, on behalf of the Council, also expressed sympathy with Cr Wilcox on the news received that his son had been wounded in action.—Cr Wilcox, in thanking the Council for their expressions of sympathy, said he felt proud to have " boys " who were able to serve their country.

MAUNGATAWHIRI MILL. Mr J. H. Parker, of Maungatawbiri, waited on the Council and stated that he had a timber mill at Maungatawhiri which he had recently found was on a road. He asked that the Council should allow the mill to continue in its present position as the road was never likely to be used by the public.

The Chairman said the Council had no power to grant the use of the road indefinitely but as Mr Parker was already using it the Council were not likely to disturb his occupation until there was an expressed desire on the part of the ratepayers for the use of the road.

The following resolution, proposed by Cr flille was adopted, viz. : " That the Council grant permission to leave Mr Parker's mill where it is until such time as the road is required or they desire the mill to be removed."

SAMOAN ISLANDS The Prime Minister (the Et. Hon. W. F. Massey) wrote acknowledging the receipt of the Council's resolution ad vocal ing the retention by England of the Samoan Islands taken from Germany and expressing appreciation and approval of the same.

WAR LOAN A circular letter was received from the Minister of Finance (Bir Joseph Ward) asking for all possible support to be given to the war loan. The Clerk was asked to report at the next meeting whether the Council had legal power to invest in War Bonds.

OUTFALL DRAIN AT MAUKU. Cr Montgomerie submitted letters from Messrs A. Smythe and D. Hobbs complaining of thie overflowing of a drain passing through their properties, caused through the drain being choked up. Cr Montgomerie advised that the best results would be secured by the drain being straightened out.—Referred to the Engineer with power to act. WEEKLY HYLF-lIOLIDAY

A copy of tbe N.Z. Gazette was received proclaiming Wednesday as the statutory half-holiday in Franklin County.

DRURY RE-ASSESSMENT The Valuation Department, Auckland, forwarded a copy of the revised valuation roll for part of the Drury Biding, namely the old Drury Road Board district. On behalf of the Drury branch of the Farmers' Union Mr S. Fielding forwarded a protest against only part of a Riding being re-valued and asked the Council to support them in the matter.

Cr Montgomerie said he hopel the Council would point out to the Valuation Department the injustice of revaluing only portion of the Drury Riding.—lt was agreed to write to the Valuation Department in support of the protest of the Drury Farmers' Union.

walker's road, papakura

The Papakura Town Board wrote asking the Council to repair the holes in Walker's road. The Chairman remarked that no written confirmation had yet been received from the Papakura Town Board of the enlarged boundaries as agreed upon and the matter was referred to the Riding member and Engineer to deal with.

TUAKAU CEMETERY In reference to the request made to the Council at the last meeting for a monetary contribution towards the improvement of Tuakau Cemetery a letter was received from Mr W. Gubb, Cierk to the Tuakau Cemetery Board, intimating thac the Tuakau Town Board had made a grant of £lO and asking for a similar, or bettor, amount from the Council. On the motion of Cr Wilcox it was resolved to give the sum of £lO towards the improvement <if the Cemetery.

MAI'XUATAWIIIKI CHEEK. In a letter, Mr S. P l\mdergast sought the Council's assistance in the matter tit' droning tlw Mnungatawhiii Creek, thereby to lessen the damage caused to roads by Hoods. £.joo had. he said, already been borrowed lor the work by ratepayers and a further loan of £IOOO had been authorised, hut it was impossible to now rah.t the latter sum owing to the high rate of interest asked for He accordingly asked the Council to assist them.

Cr Ilille, speaking in support .if the request, urged tint th 1 clearing of the ','roek would ultimately benelit the roads us it would prevent lloodiug

The CUaiiman mentioned that money was much needed on the roids and as it would mean the expenditure .>f £IOOO he was afraid

lie Council could not assist to that extent.

On the motion of Cr Montgomerie the matter was referred to Cr Hille and the Engineer to inspect and report. beaoit ai'piioach.

A letter was received from Mr J. W. McLarin senr , offering to ac cept an exchange of land at Glenbrook whereby the Council would transfer to him a road runniDg to the water-edg'i between' sections 11 and l'i and he would give the Council a road from the present public road along his southern boundary to the beach. He explained that at present the public used his property to go to the beach and caused him annoyance through gates being left open and he made the offer in the interests of the public

Mr McLarin waited on the Council and was informed that the Riding member and Engineer would arrange to visit the site and confer with him at an early date.

St 1100 L WANTED AT KOHE KOUE A petition from Mr K. 0. Arvidson and six other ratepayers of Kohe Kohe was presented asking the Council to provide a site for the erection of a school and suggesting that a corner of the public reserve would be most suitable. The petitioners added that the Education Board required to kuow that a site was available before they would entertain the application for a school. Referred to the Clerk for a report.

WAIAU PA LANDING RESERVE Messrs A. G. Grinter, W. J. Scott, Dan O'Neill and H. R. Mackenzie all offered to lease the landing reserve at Waiau Pa, until recently leased to Mr J. Wansbone.—The Chairman mentioned that the property, which consisted of llf acres, might be useful for the accommodation of the Council's horses.*—Referred to Cr Montgomerie, the Clerk and Engineer with power to act. '

MAIORO TOP ROAD A resolution was passed, to operate as a Special Order, authorising the raising of a loan of £350 for a proposed deviation of the Maioro Top Road, Waipipi Riding, the understanding being that if the purchase of the necessary land could not be amicably arranged with the owner, Mr Denize, steps would be taken to acquire it under the Public Works Act.