MANUKAU COUNTY COUNCIL.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 599, 14 January 1921, Page 2

MANUKAU COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. ’ The Manukau County Council met or. Tuesday, when there were present : Crs A. D. Bell (chairman), F. M. Waters, S. A. Browne,j T M. Davies, F. Grainger, A E. Ilattaway, S. W. House, the Clerk (Mr Edgar Ashcroft), and the Engineer (Mr W. J. Lopdell). Public Works Grants.

The Public Works Depaitment advised that it had forwarded a cheque for £l3O to the Bank of New Zealand for credit, to the County fund,, in respect of work done under the following grants: Otau Mountain Road £SO, and Alfi iston to Ardmore Road £Bo.—Received Ranger’s Report. The 'ranger (Mr N. Webster) reported having impounded,, during December, 28 head of cattle and had collected dnJving fees amounting'to 14s. The report was received. Te Waikato Sanitarium. The Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. IV. F. Massey, acknowledged the Council’s letter supporting the protest made by the Piako County Council against the proposal of the Public Health Department to close the To Waikato Sanatorium at Cambridge, as it was considered that the sanatorium was of great advantage and benefit to patients residing in the Auckland province. In reply thereto, lies tated he had noted the representations made, and had referred the Council’s communication to the Minister of Public Health for his consideration. In connection with the same matter, Sir F. Lang, M.P., said he had placed the Council’s letter of protest before the Hon. C. J. Parr, Minister of Public Health, for consideration.

Expression of Appreciation. The Premier (Rt. Hon. W. F.«Massey) thanked the Council for its kind expression of appreciation of the assistance he was only too pleased to render in connection with the various matters placed before him during the recent session of Parliament, and especially in regard to the clause inserted in the Counties’ Act, requiring Road Boards existing in Counties to merge, in cases where the capital value was less than twofifths of the total capital value of the County. New Health Act, The Department of Public Health foiwarded a lengthy circular letter with reference to the new Public Health Act, which came into force on January Ist,, and asked if the Council was prepared to pay the sum of £l5O per annum towards the salary of a Departmental Inspector of Health, to supervise Public Health and sanitary' inspection of the County.—Cr Waters said that if an Inspector was appointed, he would always have to be notified as to where to act. This menat that they were practically in the same position as they were at present, except that they were called . n to pay > £l3) for an of Acer to do this wcrlc. I If the man would act on hi* own initiative and report to the Countv, then it would be aing'vc. He thought it would be wise loj several loud bodies to combine, engage an clficcr, and then he could supervise the whole district, This step would not only serve Manukau, but a district embracing all the Town Boards, Boroughs, and the Franklin County Council. —On the motion of Crs ilmise and Waters. ■lt was decided! lifr uci t OjU U what they intended to do, and to see if the}' would combine in cax-rying out local bodies’ obligations under the new Public Health Act. Auckland Power Board, With reference to the proposed Auckland Isthmus Power Board, the Auckland City Council wrote stating that a conference of all local bodies interested would be held with the Minister of Public Works at an early date, to go into the matter of the boundaries of the proposed Auckland Power District.—lt was reported that Manukau was not included in the proposed power district as laid down by the Minister of Public Works.—Received.

Damage to Hedge and Fences. Mrs K. Finlayson, Manuwera, wrote .stating that damage had been done to her fences and hedge by the felling of the gum trees on Finlayson’s Road.—The Clerk reported that he had replied informing Mrs Hjnlayson that the Council could not accept responsibility for any damage as the work was let by contract, and her only remedy was to make a claim on Hie contractor.—Tim Clerk’s action in replying' was endorsed. Penniseien Granted. Permission was granted the Papatoetoc Town Board to stack metal s pawls on the Pohunui Road, subject to tiie Board accepting ail re.spopsibilily, O’Hara Rood Papatoctoc. Mr W. Cutforth and seven other ratepayers of Papatoetoe, urged the ■Council to place scoria or metal on the balance of O’Hara Road, Papatoetoo as early as possible.—On the motion of Crs Waters and House, the request was granted. The question of material was left in the Engineer’s and Cr Waters’ hands, A Clevcdon Request.

The Clcvedon Branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union requested the Council to reepnsider its decision re impounding of cattle in the Wairoa Riding, as lit considers it both unfair to owners and cruel to stock to be driven a distance of 3G miles to and from the Impounding ground. —The Clerk reported having written to-the Farmers’ Union stating that the Council had instructed its ranger not to impound stock, but to find the owner, them, and collect the driving fees. Manyere Hall Trustees. Cr S. W. House, and Messrs J. D. Montgomerie and Kirkbride were appointed Trustees for the Mangere Public Hall.

Wiri Station Road Loan. It was decided to take steps to ;aise a loan of £2OOO for the construction of a road to the Wtri Railway Stati on. Unpaid Rates. It was decided to impose a penalty of 10 per cent, oil all overdue rates. tVSamjcre Water Supply. The Engineer and Cr House were authorised to make arrangements foi the laying of pipes in connection with the Mange re water supply scheme. Finance. The pay-sheet, amounting to i :7903 Is Gil was submitted, approved of, and passed for payppeni. Enpiticcr’s Report. The Engineer (Mr W. J. Lopdell) reported as follows for December : ■ Owing to tiie interruption caused by the Christmas holidays, work has been more or less at a standstill. We have, however, made a start again in all departments and will cndeav T our to push 'on the work with all haste. Mangerc Riding.—The water pipes have been carted to thglr respective roads, and a start will he made immediately with the laying of same. Several water services have been installed during the month.