FRANKLIN COUNTY COUNCIL.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 588, 30 November 1920, Page 1 (Supplement)

FRANKLIN COUNTY COUNCIL.

(Continued from Friday) George Street, Buckland.

A petition signed by Mr. C. Rountree and four other ratepayers in Pukekohe West Riding drew the council's attention to the bad state of George Street,' Buckland, which got into a disgraceful state in winter. They offered -*so towards the cost of the work. The road was about 15 chains long. Cr. Woods supported the petition r.nd moved the engineer take immediate steps to put the work in hand right away. Cr. Wilcox seconded and the motion was carried.

General.

Cr. Wilcox asked what was being •done in connexion with the proposed road along the old railway route between Whangarata and Pokeno. He pointed out the matter was one of vital importance.

Cr. Dean also thought some action should be taken to have the matter attended to. The road was badly needed, especially in winter time, when the Whangarata hill was impassable for motor traffic.

The clerk pointed out that they had communicated with the Railway Department on the subject of the Department giving the necessary land, but a reply had not been received.— The chairman and engineer were authorised to interview the District Engineer, New Zealand Railways, regarding the land, while the engineer and Cr. Dean are to see the landowners on the Pokeno end to ascertain what can be done, and to report on at next meeting.

Cr. Mellsop and the engineer were instructed to look into the matter of Johanson's deviation at Awhitu.

In reply to Cr. Dean, the chairman said it was the council's intention to develop the Mercer quarry as soon is possible. The plant would be taken there as early as possible. It was pointed out that there was practic- 0 ally an unlimited supply of metal in this quarry. When the matter referred to above was under discussion, Cr. Cuff said large quantities of metal could be had from the Mauku Falls.—The chairman said he had tried to get the Railway Department to develop the falls quarry for their own purposes, and when they had finished with it the county would take it over, but the Department would not entertain the idea.

Cr. Mellsop said a movement was on foot by a number of ratepayers in his riding to negotiate with the Auckland Harbour Board with a view of the latter taking over the wharves in the riding.

It was pointed out that an agreement was in existence between the parties, and it may be possible for the agreement to be rescinded—The matter was left to Cr. Mellsop and the clerk to look into. Cr. Lowry and the engineer are to inspect bridges in the Drury Riding on their tour of inspection of the riding. In«reply to i question by Cr. Charles, the clerk said the council had asked the Railway Department to erect a ramp leading from the overhead bridge at Runciman to the Drury station, but so far a reply had not been received.

The engineer informed Cr. Mellsop that the work on the Awhitu wharf was now under way. Cr. Cuff was informed that steps were being taken to take a poll jit the ratepayers on a proposal to raSe a loan for the road from Puni to Tita corner and thence to Glenbrook.

The clerk and Crs. Woods, Cuff and Reid were instructed to define a special rating area and to take the necessary steps to raise a loan of £BOOO, as arranged by the previous council.

Cr. Heald requested the engineer to attend to the Gorge road, which was in a shocking state.—Left to engineer and Cr. Heald to see what could be done.

Cr. Dean, on behalf of the newlyelected councillors; thanked the chairman and older councillors for the manner in which they had received the new councillors. He hoped the new council would be a happy family. The chairman said there was no reason why they should not be a happy family. He urged them all to' pull together and work in the best interests of the county.