FRANKLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 564, 7 September 1920, Page 4

FRANKLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

SEPTEMBER IKECTINfi.

The September meeting of the above w.is held on Thursday. Present: Crs. W. Claud Motion (chairman), J. S. Montgomerie, W. 1\ Woods, J. A. Shortt, R. T. Reid, H. Wilcox, W. H. Thomas, J. T. Lockwood, J. Keith, also the clerk (Mr. Alan P. Day). The engineer, Mr. J. F. McArthur, was unable to attend on account of illness.

The Prime Minister (Right Hon. W. • F. Massey) replying to a letter from [ the council complaining that there j were not enough inspectors to see to the carrying out of the Noxious Weedls and Rabbit Nuisance Acts stated that the Department of Agriculture had give instruction to inspectors to apply the Acts more rigorously, but that it was of the opinion that a sufficient number of inspectors were already employed. Members considered that the Premier was misinformed by the Agrl-1 cultural Department, and that additional inspectors certainly were required. The clerk was instructed to further protest accordingly. A promise wa3 received from the Prime Minister that consideration of the request that the £SOO grant for the Brighton Wharf (Miranda) to £750 would be considered by the Public Works Department whgn the Marine Department's portion of the estimates were being considered—Received as being satisfactory. The State Advances Office approved the council's application for a loan of £6OO at i\t ser cent, for Urquhart's Road, Karaka.—Received. Also, £I6OO at per cent, for Jesmond Road.—Received. Also, £BSO Wiri Wiri Road, Walpipi riding.—Granted.—Seal of council to be attached. The solicitors for Mrs. Palmer, Awhitu Parish, wrote stating that If the council made a deviation through her property substantial compensation would be demanded. The road would run through the best part of her farm, severing the paddocks, cutting of the water, increase the work of handling the herd, and deprecate the value of the farm.—Further engineering information to be secured before a definite reply is given by the council; interested parties to be consulted.

Mr. H. Curley, Paparata, waxed sarcastic about "the deplorable Btate 6f Burgess Road." He would hold the council responsible for any damage to his equipment sustained on that particular spot. He could not get three horses abreast on the road, and tthe cream had to be conveyed Git spring-cart. The settlers in appy Valley could see it "sticking out a mile" that bad weather next montb would prevent them getting the lucrative butter-fat out.. The writer parenthetically stated that he could get down alright, and tacked on a vivid little simile about the old cutting being of a similar grade (perhaps it was "altitude" he was driving at.) to the side of a house.—Engineer had matter in hand. Mr. A. L. Stokes wrote on oehalf of ratepayers at Balme's corner re metalling.—Left to riding members and engineer to proceed. A petition from Karaka settlers, headed by the name of Mr. J. Muir, requested the council to make greater progress with the forming and metalling of Drury Road, from Black's bridge to Te Hihi school, this being the route of the cream waggon, and also the old main road.

Cr. Montgomerie said the ratepayers had a real grievance, but he was doing the best be could to have improvements made, which would be effected as far as possible this summer Unavoidable delays occurred last summer.

The Puni School Committee asked that a foot erossing from the metalled road to the school gate be put in by "your good council." Also, that a path be formed and some scoria or metal waste be put on. Cr. Woods supported.—Reply that the matter is now in hand by the engineer. Misses L. J. Austin and M. J. Glynes, Waiuku, asked that improvements be effected in Taurangaruru Road.

Engineer J. F. Me Arthur had gallantly replied to the letter assuring the ladies that it was merely a matter of finding sufficient "filthy lucre" to pay for the job, and that if it were not too costly it would certainly be done. —The members smole a smile and agreed to the request. Messrs. Jl. C. Slmmonds and others, Waiuku, requested that a rating area be formed and a loan raised to shell or metal the Sandspit Road, and that the council pay half cost, as over 60 per rent, of the people who used the road during the summer were residents of surrounding districts. Cr. R. T. Reid confirmed the stunt about the road being largely used by outsiders.—Request to be acceded to; cost to be ascertained, and Waiuku Town Board to be asked to contribute.

Messrs. W. Stewart and others requested the council to proceed with the work in their ward as provided for in the £6OOO loan.—Teams to be sent to do the work as soon as possible.—Cr. Montgomerie suppbrted, but denied that no rates had been previously spent. The State Advances Office wrote stating that the consent of the Gov-ernor-in-Council had been granted in reference to loans of £ISOO and £6OO, in respect to Jesmond and Irkut's Roads. Cr. Montgomerie moved that the clerk and member for riding find out the owners of certain sections in Runeiman which were covered with noxious weeds. Failing the finding of owners the sections to be sold. Cr. Reid urged the council to purchase Waitangi quarry—Chairman, Cr. Reid and engineer appointed to negotiate. On the motion of Cr. Montgomerie the engineer was instructed to form Gibb's Road. Cr. Short was authorised to arrange for work to be done on Kellen's corner road, Oldfield's, Cordon's, and other roads.