FRANKLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 8, Issue 471, 6 May 1919, Page 4

FRANKLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Thursday's Meeting

The following is a continuation] of the proceedings of the Franklin County Council meeting, held on Thursday. Mr E. W. Boulton, Papakura wrote asking the Council to open up the road giving access to his property—The matter was referred to Cr Thomas and the Engineer to inspect. Mr John Sim, Runciman, wrote ■tating that so far nothing had been done to Mercer Road, Runciman, and requested the Council to form a footpath to his residence. Left to the Engineer and Or Thomas to deal with, A request by Mr 0. S. Kinlock, of Drury, to have the road between Mr H Cossey's corner, and the bridge in front of Mrs Chamberlain's house attended to, was left in the hands of Cr Thomas and the Engineer. Charles Anderson, Paerata road, drew the Council's attention to a culvert between Mr J. Hogan's and his properties. He pointed out that the culvert was blocked, and this caused water to lie on his property. In order to have the work done before the winter set in, he offered to give the Council two or three day 9 gratis.—The matter was referred to the Engineer to attend to, and the Clerk was instructed to reply, thanking Mr Anderson for his offer.

lOHZ 10HE The Kohe Eohe branch of the N.Z. Farmers' Union wrote regarding the proposed loan for the Awhitu riding, requesting the Council to call meetings of ratepayers tc consider the question. The matter was left in the hands of Cr Short to attend to.

DEPUTATIONS. ▲ deputation, consisting of Messrs Charles Given, Fred G. Gummer, S. Hanger, and J. Lehndorf, Paerata ratepayers, waited on the Council, and lodged an objection to their inclusion in the proposed special rating area for the purpose of raising a loan of £6,000 for metalling certain roads in the Paerata district.—Cr Montgomerie introduced the deputation, and Mr Given acted as chief spokesman. In the course of his remarks he said the deputation desired to be excluded from the special rating area. Their grounds for such a request were that the proposed metalling did not come far enough to be of much use to them, as their outlet was the road leading towards Drury. At the present time they were conveying their cream to the Paerata station, but next season proposed to take it to Drury. The al-o wanted the Council to metal the road leading towards Drury. For this to be done, the deputation desired another special rating area, to include the properties as far as Aa junction of the Karaka road. Mr Given pointed out that the proposed loan, as set out by the Ceuncil, only came as far as the batch of properties they were representing. If they were included in the special rating area, they would be in exactly the same position as they were to day, with the exception that they would have to pay an extra penny rate, for which they would receive no benefit. They were willing to be taxed a penny (or even more) to have the through road to Drury metalled. They were always willing to assist and hely the Council, in its works. Cr Montgoraerie said he auite agreed** with the objectior raised, and thought it was quite wrong to include them in the special rating area. The best way would be to g* on, cut out the portion asked for, and tnen ask for a Government subsidy to do the through road to Drury. __ The Chairmau said lie thought the objection was a reasonable one, and pointed out that the Council could not exclude therr, but the matter could be put before a Magistrate, who could decide on the merits of the case. He advised the deputation to do this, and advised them that the Council would tender no objection. The deputation then thanked the Council, and withdiew.

Messrs C. J. Leatham and Robert Munro, residents of Pokeno, delegated bj ft meeting of citizens of Pokeno, waited on the Council, regarding the granting of a site, in the centre of tae Market Square, at Pokeno, fov the purpose of erecting a War Meni irial. —The question of title arose, and it was resolved to defer the matter, and the Clerk was instructed to have a search of titles made to ascertain if the Council had power of control over the Reserve.

OKsBIiAI. Mr Lockwood drew the Council's attention to the fact that the slips on the Moumoukai road, which the Government should clear, had not been cleared. On his motion it was decided to ask the Government to grant the Council perniis>siou_to put men en, and to have the work done Cr Lockwood also 9tated that the work on McDonnell's Hill had not been done.—The Engineer was instructed to attend to the work. As suggested by Cr Lock wood the Engineer was authorised to attend t<> Sky High bridgo. Cr Lockwood said lie thought it was time the Council prepared a list of the grants required, so as to tie able to submit them to Parliament for next sessiou. He pointed out that as a number of soldier 1 - were returning quite a lot would roqivre work, and if the Council Lid work to do, it could empby the returned men. He thought they should have everything in readiness for the opening of Parliament - It was resolved that each Councillor submit a list of proposed works in his riding for next meeting so that the Engineer tould go into them and prepare estimates of cost. Cr Woods said ho would like some formation work done on the Pukekohe Paerata road, :>;ir Mr Hodgson Keith's place.—The Engineer was instructed to attend to the matter. Cr Woods thought that it would be cheaper if the spa wis from Men* cer Quarry were brought here antf

conveyed to wherever they were required and then crushed.—The chairman said that such a proceedure would entail extra handling and therefore would be far more expensive.

The Engineer said by the time it was handled and crushed it would cost about 10s a yard. Cr Woods allowed the matter to drop after hearing the Engineer's explanation. Or Short brought up the matter of Gibbon's bridge at Pollock. He pointed out that the settlers were prepared to build the bridge if the Oouncil found the material.—The matter was left in the Engineer's and Or Short's hands to confer with the settlers ou the matter.

It was decided to supply tents for the workmen shifting about to live

With regard to the matter of leasing the Puni Reserve Cr Woods said the Council had received no tenders for the leasing thereof. He said arrangements had been made with a man to lease it for two months. The Chairman 9aid that the Council required a place to accommodate its teams and he thought it would be an ideal spot.—Cr Woods stated that the section was covered in blackberries and he suggested putting a man on to clean it up. Eventually the matter of arranging for the cutting of blackberries thereon was left in Cr Wood's hands.

In answer to Cr Lock wood con« cerning the outstanding rates the Clerk said a number of statements of claim were in the course of preparation and would be in the solicitor's hands as early as possible. With a view to opening the Karaka Station for passenger and goods traffic Cr Montgomerie thought the Council should again urge the Railway Department to comply with the Council's request.—He moved and Cr Woods secconded that the Council again write the Railway Department urging it to open the Karaka Station for passenger and goods traffic. The motion was carried unanimously without discussion, Councillors being of the opinion that such was absolutely imperative. If, in the event of the Department acceding to the Council s request, a road to the station will have to be constructed possibly from the eastern side. We understand if the request is granted the Oouncil will prcceed to construct a road.

KIXAXCE. The Treasurer and Clerk (Mr Alan P. Day) reported as follows:—The County Fund Account shows an overdraft of £7,504 7s 4d; plus unpresented cheques, £606 12s 4d; total debit, £8,140 19s Bd. The accounts now due and payable from this account amount to £ 1,173 14s Bd. The credit balances and accounts pa) able under the various loan accounts are as follows: Arrowsville (Aka Aka'; loan, credit balance £4lB 6s 9d, accounts payable, nil; Hunua (1917) loan £1,500, £369 12s 9d, £ll9 7s 4d; Karaka Road Board bridges loan, £177 9s, nil; Kaioro top road loan, £350, nil; Mangatangi loan (£4,000 received), £2,195 13s 61, £207 9s; Moumoukai loan (£SOO received), £206 Is 2d, nil; Waiau-Karaka loan (£7,000 received), £4,930 10s lOd, £557 9s 2d ; Mission Bush-Kahawai loan, acts pay ,£lB4 15s.