MANUKAU COUNTY COUNCIL

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 514, 16 March 1920, Page 4

MANUKAU COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING. (Continued from Fvlday.) North Road, Cleverion. A petition, signed by Mr. C. H. Mellsop and four-other ratepayers on North Road, Clevedon, drew the council's attention to the state of the North Road, and urged upon the necessity of having the road repaired, several dangerous comers widened and straightened, and the removal of trees and hedges which obstructed the view of the road. The petition also requested the council to metal the Maraetai end of the road.—Left to engineer and riding member to inspect. Native Rates Collectable. In reply to the council as to the question of liability of natives for payments of rates, the council's legal advisers contended it was most probable that the rates were recoverable. In respect of native lands judgment may be recovered at any time within four years from the time when the rates first became due.— Received. Benzine Shortage. In connexion with the benzine shortage, It was reported that arrangements had been made whereby the council was to receive 10 cases per week. Mangere Loan Matters. In connexion with the Mangere loan of £30,000, Sir Frederick Laing stated that he had seen the Public Trustee on the matter, and he could not make a definite promise that the money would be forthcoming, but would do his best.—Received.

In reference to this matter, the assistant Public Trustee intimated that the Public Trust* Office has had considerable difficulty in meeting all the applications for loans submitted by the various local bodies. He pointed out that he had conferred with the superintendent of State Advances Office, and as a result the latter had agreed to reconsider the council's application .—Received. A Request. Mrs. D. Mclnnes, Mill Road, Papakura, urged upon the council the need for cutting blackberries, gorse and ti-tree on Mill Road in order that her children could use the road without getting their clothes and boots torn.—Left to engineer to deal with. Legal Opinion. The council's solicitors wrote stating they understood that Mr. W. O'Hara, of Papatoetoe, had erected several buildings upon Allot. 41, Parish of Manurewa, held by him under lease from the Papatoetoe Road Board, and the council wished to be advised as to whether he had any right to remove such buildings at the end of the term of his lease. They had perused the lease carefully, and were of the opinion that provided the buildings were affixed to the soil, there was no right of removal. Of course, that was subject to their being no subsidiary arrangement to that effect between O'Hara and the board..—Received. Redoubt Road. The engineer was instructed to call tenders for the formation of Redoubt Road, Papakura Riding, returnable by next meeting. The council decided to metal the road by its own teams and workmen. It was decided, on the motion of Crs. Reid and Waters, to erect a suitable building on the present depot at East Tamaki for the purpose of housing the council's plant. —The engineer was instructed to submit plans and estimates of cost of concrete and iron buildings at next meeting. Dedications.

In reply to the council's query as to what local authority had jurisdiction under Section 116 of the "Public Works Act" to accept dedication and make stipulations in regard to the laying out of new roads running through a road or town district with the county, the council's legal advisers stated that the above sanction requires the approval of the local authority, but they could find no clear definition of what local authority was included. They were also of opinion that by necessary implication the local authority intended was the particular body having jurisdiction over the roads within the area, and as the council had jurisdiction only over county roads, in their opinion it would not "have power to accept dedication of new roads within the areas mentioned.—Received. Valuation Roll. The officer in charge of the Valuation Department advised that the district valuer has the work of revaluation of the county well under way, and expects to hand the council the new rolls about the middle of June.—Received. Papakura Riding Ranger.

Cr. Reid reported that the manner in which the Papakura Riding ranger had been conducting his duties had been unsatisfactory. There was no pound where the stock could be taken to. He moved that the services of the ranger be dispensed with.— Cr. Waters seconded, and added that he had also received complaints that cattle were straying on the roads. There was no pound, and an odd one or two offenders had been prosecuted.—The motion was carried. Concrete Mixer. It was decided to purchase a concrete mixer. Dump Truck. The engineer was empowered to secure an option over an A.E.C. 5ton dump truck, the engineer to call members together to inspect the truck before making a linal purchase. Supply of Bitumen. It was decided to purchase 200 tons of bitumen for the road work in Mangere Riding, same to be paid for out of the general fund, failing the loan money of £30,000 being granted by the State Advances Office. Finance. The pay-sheet, amounting to £1662 19s, was submitted, approved of, and passed for payment. The clerk stated that the financial position at the present time was very sound, the small increase in the rate being due to this. As compared with the corresponding period of last year, the council was £3OOO or £4OOO better ofF. The rates had come in very satisfactorily. Councillors considered the position highly satisfactory indeed.