FRANKLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 547, 9 July 1920, Page 2

FRANKLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING.

The monthly meeting of the Franklin County Council was held at the chambers, Pukekohe, yesterday. Present: Crs. W. Claud Motion (chairman), J. S. Montgomerie. T. W. Woods, J. S. Shoi-tt, C. J. Thomas, I. J. Lockwood, J. Keith, with the clerk (Mr. Alan P. Day), and the engineer (Mr. J. F. McArthur).

Condolence. A motion of condolence, moved by the chairman, was passed to Cr. R. T. Reid on the death of Mrs. Reid. This was carried in silence, all piesent standing. Sympathy was also expressed tor Cr. H. Wilcox, on account of his illness.

Rabbits and Noxious Weeds. Additional Inspector Not Deemed

Necessary.

With reference to 'the council s suggestion of the appointment of ;tn additional rabbit and noxious weeds inspector for the Franklin distiict, the Prime Minister (Right Hon. W. F. Massey), and the Minister for Agriculture, intimated that adequate arrangements had been made to enable the inspector engaged to give full attention to the control of rabbits and noxious weeds in the district, and that the appointment of another inspector was not considered necessary at present. Crs. were not satisfied with the plyCr. Loekwoud instanced cases where 3000 and 0000 rabbits had been secured during the late period of high prices for skins, in areas where inspectors had declared such was to be fairly clean. Obviously, tthere was not enough inspection. The council decided to write to the Minister for Agriculture protesting against the reply. 1 Shortage of Paper. The Minister for Internal Affairs advised that owing to the scarcity of paper it had been considered necessary to curtail the free distribution of the New Zealand Gazette, therefore in the meantime the free copy to the council would be discontinued. Shortage of Cement, Bricks, and Timber. In view of the fact that the demand for cement, bricks, and timber is much in excess of the available supplies, the Government recently decided that some restriction should be placed upon works carried out in order to ensure that these materials should not be applied to non-essen-tial works. Regulations delegating powers to local authorities had been issued under the Board of Trade Act. Among the essentials is the erection of dwellinghouses and farm buildings. Clerk to write to Board of Trade, suggesting that the regulations should be advertised in the "Franklin and Pukekohe Times." Government Subsidy on Rates.

The Valuer-General forwarded forms for claiming?subsidy on 1919 1920 rates. t'f

Workers Dwellings' Loan. In reply to the council's letter regarding* loin erection of State Advances Office, Wellil(|ton, stated that money borrowed 'under the Housing Act can only be expended in the erection by the council o{ workers dwellings on land owned by it. Advice was also received that the State Advances Board had resolved to entertain the council's application for a loan*of £SOOO at 4* 2 per cent, for 36V 2 years for the purpose of erecting workers dwellings. To be proceeded with, and plans to be prepared for houses. flflangatangi-New Brighton Loan. The controller, mortgage division of the Public Trust Office, advised that the council's application lor a loan of £SOO, being 10 per cent, on the Mangatangi-New Brighton loan of £5001), had been granted at per cent, plus 1 per cent, sinking fund, for a period of 36 years. Special order to be prepared. Koheroa-Kaiawa-ittiranda Loan, £3OOO. The Public Trust Office, Wellington, forwarded documents for the completion of proceedings in connexion with the raising of the Kohe-roa-Kaiawa-Miranda special rating area loan of £3OOO. —Adopted. Taking and Closing Road. The chief surveyor returned plan of the proposed exchange of land for road purposes, Mr. E. Dromgool's land, Kowhai Road, for consents to be endorsed.—Approved. Motor Traffic. The advisability of having legislation passed which would give drastic powers to magistrates dealing with motorists convicted of driving at excessive speed or in a manner which is dangerous to the public, was contained in a circular letter received from the Manawatu County Council. In view of the fact that accidents caused by collision between motorcars, motor-cycles, and other vehicles were occurring at an alarming rate they solicited the co-operation of the council in the direction suggested. The letter also advocated that every driver of a motor vehicle must have a driver's license before he can diive, and that such license could be suspended by a magistrate in cases where a conviction had been record-

ed. Further, that the amount of fine for breaches of the Act be increased to £IOO. They urged the matter be placed before .the Government and the member for the district. Removal of Duty on Cement.

The Hamilton Borough Council solicited the council's co-operation in an endeavour to induce the Government to remove the duty on cement imported to New Zealand. The writers emphasised the existing extreme shortage in this material, and pointed out that the position was becoming f.cute owing to building operations being retarded through the shortage of cement. Strongly supported. Native Rates.

The New Zealand Counties' Association asked for a return from the council showing the area and value of native lands rates levied, and rates collected for the year ending March 31, 1920, or for the previous year. The information was required oy the president of the association, who proposes to place such information before the executive committee 'jhortly with a view to urging upon the Government the necessity of having legislation introduced whereby the rates unpaid could be forcibly col-

lected. The Auckiand Railways and i)e\elopment League forwarded a circular letter regarding sending a deputation to Wellington to urge upon Parliament the necessity of the Auckland Province securing a larger of public works appropriations. Request to Expedite Work.

Messrs. William, Arthur, and J. I. Douglas, Kohekohe, requested the council to expedite the work promised on the Kohekohe West Coast Road, promised some nine months ago. Foreman to carry out the work. A Pollok Request.

Mr. John G. Hamilton, Pollok, made application for permission to form a side-cutting on county road, to improve access to his property. Granted.

Increase in Bank Interest

The manager of the National Bank of New Zealand notified that as from ■July 15, the minimum rate of interest for bank overdrafts would be increased to 6 per cent, per annum. "Very hard," was the comment.

Telephone Line Across County Road. Messrs. Hamilton Bros, applied for permission to erect a private telephone across a county road to conned. vvilii I'ollok Post Ollice.

The clerk reported that he had given permission subject to the usual conditions imposed by the council. Outlet Required.

In view of the fact that the council would shortly commence expending loan money in the Awhitu district, Mr. C. N. Hamilton, of Awhitu Central, drew the council's attention to the much-needed outlet from his property to Awhitu Central. He pointed out that he had paid rates for 25 years, and that their present value was £4O per year. At the present time he had to travel through private property for a mile and ahalf before reaching a usable public road. If the council require to deviate he would place no obstacle in the way. Engineer to lay oft the work. Slack's Road.

Mr. J. G. Haddow, solicitor, requested to know if the council had decided to waive'the metalling on Mr. Siack's proposed new road at Papakura.—Received. Kiley's Right-of-way.

Messrs. G. H. Gelling, M. Whelan, and P. Chisholm, Aranmu, intimated that they had of work on Kiley s right-of-way, Ararimu, anck requested payment tor the work done by the settlers. Engineer to inspect and report. Access Wanted. *

Mr. A. Maurice, Ararimu, wrote asking for an access road to his pspperty at Ararimu. Engineer to report. i Bonner's Road, Bombay. ~ *<; Messrs. Garlick and Wood, iand « Hawkins requested the council to' effect repairs to Bonner's Road, Bom- : bay, and to attend to the bridgei which is in a 'shaky condition. Left to engineer to act. Electricity Generating Soheme./ Advocacy of harnessing the Hu % a Falls ior a Hydro-electric scheme wis contained in a circular letter from the Clevedon branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union. Thf. letter stated tnat the prospect of gating electricity from the Government^scheme ior local requirements within' a oi.abie time was not at all hopeful," and consequently it was thougnt advisable at a recent meeting of the branch that a move should be made by those locally interested to harness tne Hunua tails. The writer suggested a conference o( the Manukau and Franklin County Councils, Pukekol.e Borough Council, iind the Manurewa, Papakura, Papatoetoe, Tuanau, and Waiuku Town Boards to discuss the matter. Supported,.on motion of Cf. Lock-, woou. 1 Permission to Remove Shell. The Auckland Harbour Board intimated that permission had Deen granted the council to remove shell lrom the Karaka Bank, subject to permission from the Onehunga harDourmaster, and payment of ttie usual royalty. The residents of the district^ottered no objection to the shell being useu for road-making puiposes in the Karaka district, but they would like to have the southern portion ox the bank reserved as a ianding place. Agreed to, subject to engineer's stipulations. Mauku Petition. A petition signed by Mr. C. Given and 'M other settlers of the Mauku riding requested the council to have an estimate made of the cost of access roads to the Karaka station i'rom eastern and western sides foi the purpose of raising a loan over special rating area for such work. To be proceeded with as soon as possible. Anderson's Deviation. v Mr. J. Robertson, Pokeno, '.wrote concerning tne deviation reouire3».oit access roau to properties owi\ed-VbpT Messrs. Hill, Large, and himself, stating that a deviation was necessary in view of the fact that the swamp through which the proposed road was to go was absolutely useless, there being no suitable foundation. Mr. W. Anderson wrote agreeing to sell the necessary land, about one acre, foi £25 per acre, through which property tne deviation ib proposed. Referred to Cr. Keith and engineei to deal with.

A Pokeno Complaint.

Mr. G. H. Ralph, The Manse, Po

keno, drew the council's attention to the awful state of the road from

1 the Presbyterian Church to The Manse, ana requested same to be attended to as it was their only means ol access to the Pokeno township. Property owners to clear footpath. Tuakau Cemetery Trustees. The Tuakau Cemetery Board advised that Messrs. William Booker and John Poland had resigned as trustees of the board, and that the names of Messrs. David H. Maddill and Hugh McGuire had been submitted. The clerk, Mr. W. Gubb, requested that the names of the above be submitted to the Minister for Internal Affairs. t Acceded to. Access Road Wanted. Mr. M. J. Lowry, Buckland, >irged upon the council the necessity of expediting the work on the road leading to his farm, as it was the only outlet he had to proceed to. Engineer to get estimates. A Puni Road.

Mr. A. H. Shepherd, Puni, urged immediate repairs to Waller's Road, Puni. He pointed out that the road was impassable owing to neglect. He stated that he had been a landowner in many counties in the Dominion, but he had never before seen such ill-maintained roads as this district is famous for, especially when stone and metal were to be had in abundance on every hand, this district, he added, being most favoured in that respect, with the exception of Westland, that he had noted throughout Now Zealand.

Councillors wondered why so expeiienced a man settled in Franklin in the first place. Road to Pakingtom

The Glenbrook branch of the Farmers' Union requested the council to take up the matter of getting the Government grant of £4OO available expended on the road leading to Pakington block.

Referred to Public Works Departinen, and failing satisfaction, the council would do the work if the money was handed over.

Waiuku-Drury Road.

The Glenbrook Farmers' Union intimated that it would support a scheme for the metalline of the main Waiuku-Druiy Road from Hall.'s to Cohi'oy, also the re-formiirg of'the tramway foi the above road via Penman's to I. Wymer's, to make it a food summer road.--Received.

Goodsshed at Aka Aka Landing.

The Prime Minister (the Right Hon W. F. Mnssey) advised that the Ministe' •<•:• Vfrire )ad givtn instructions for £225 (£1 for SI) to be placed on the drjift estimates for breastwork and goodsshed at Aka Aka landing.—Received,

\ Ingliss and ethers, from waited on the council road on that hill, which was state. Cream had to be ' horseback. Tradesmen would ' on the road, which was 1 shape instead of convex. There good m&al close shandy, and '■ <:rade was 1 in 25. There wasH ! watertable. It cost 5s a 100 to ! timber on the speaker's road, took five horses to haul a load. were four deserted sections property, all on account of i .road. It was a case of either a road and stock, or a bad one rabbits. The settlers had done far than the council had to the Cr. Thomas said it was tBJ road in the district, and if tne ■ tiers would give further help H council could do something with The chairman said it would loan to metal, but formation c(H be deme without a loan. Cr. Thomas said there were <■ 20 chains, and the settlers were H 3 well off. M ■ The engineer stated that at ■ foot of the hill the grade was ]■ i i Inglis replied that a coupkfl f *#fains of hiring would make 1 taH - grade of <t. The road would y the council access to one of the j quarries in the Island. s Cr. Thomas and engineer to ■ 6 spect, with }>ower to act. H Cr. Thomas added that the quaH e had a face of 150 or 200 feet df t best metal in the county. fl • Park For Waiuku. I , - Mr. John Herrold, of Waipl through his agent, asked if the coH cil would accept the dedication ofl road through his property, whichH was desired the council should } over for a park.—Left in qhairmaH 1 hand, and engineer, to dearTfljth. ■ Ramarama Roads. I 3 A deputation from Ramarama, fl whom Mr. Gardiner acted as spokH man, waited on the council askfl that a special rating area should H former to raise funds for metallfl certain roads, estimated to c<H about £750, with £1 for £1 subside > The chairman said he thought J ! subsidy would be granted, as tfl L Public Works Department were gfl erally willing to help those who wa willing to help themselves. I Central School Wanted. I Mr. W. A. Smeed, of Tuakau, wafl ed on the council as representing tl parents of scholars at HarrisvilM who were in favour of having tfl new central school at Tuakau bufl nearer to Harrisville than was at firl proposed, and that the HarrisvjjM school should be closed. I The chairman said the matter wfl hardly one for a county council fl deal with, but if all the people cofl cerned were unanimous the counJ would try and further their aims. ■ A Narrow Outlook. I Mr. I. Wymer, of Glenbrook, waits on the council stating that the farnfl ers of the district thought the couifl cil's roading scheme was rather tofl ambitious and expensive. A pitta from the hall of about one and M quarter miles, and another stretcfl to the station would be sufficient The Glenbrook settlers were not en thusiastic about the Mauku Road, afl they considered that there would b little traffic between Glenbrook ani Mauku when the railway was work ing. Glenbrook particularly wante< the road from the station to Ti-t corner put in order. The chairman said that the cuttinj down of the scheme would not re duce the cost, as there would thei be a much smaller area to rate ovelp Mr. Wymer agreed, but said fae*ha< been unable to get his fellow-farm ers to see it that way. Cr. Montgomerie suggested that conference should be held, at whicl he believed the residents could b< shown clearly that the larger schema would be the cheapest and The chairman dwelt on factory policy of going ip/icr (.mm rating areas. Inter aIK, it often happened that with several small rating areas in a district some ratepayers were rated twice over, as their properties came into more than cne rating area, due to overlapping. Mr. Crump said it was not desired that the Tramway Road should be metalled, as it was of use to one man only, Mr. Gearon. The next half-hour was spent conning plans of the proposed scheme, and a general korero thereon, and thereafter it was decided to hold a conference on the njitter,. « •> Jig "x- mM