COUNTY COUNGIL

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 294, 6 August 1932, Page 2

COUNTY COUNGIL

MONTHLY MEETING The monthly meeting of the Opotiki CouYity Council waa held yesterday morning the following beipg present. Crs. J. H. Reid ' (chairman), J. M. Butler, W. Butler, A. F. Joblin, Y. Wilson, A. E. Martin, J. Neilson, R. Hedley, W. Gault, C. Black, G. P. Powell, J. T. Murray (clerk) and W. W. Upton (engineer). The chairman spoke feelingly of the great public work done by the late Mr. H. R. Hogg over the last 50 years, during which time Mr. Hogg had been associated with ahnost every public body in the district. As a tribute to his memory, niembers stood in silence and it was resolved to record in the minutes the excellent work dpne by the deceased gentleman and to forward a letter of condolence to his relatives. A notification was received from the Bay of Plenty Power Board and the Opotiki Hospital Board asking the council to appoint a member in place of the late Mr. Hogg. Mr. Gault was appointed the county council's representative on the Power Board and Mr. C. Black representative on the Hospital Board. A letter was received from Quirk Bros. protesting against the closing of Tutaetoko Road for heavy traffic during the winter months, it being stated that the "closing of the road would cause them serious loss due to the fact that they would be unable to keep contracts for carting firewood to the dairy factory. This would result in about 8 m3n being thrown out of employment. It was decided not to close the road providing Quirk Bros. lodged a guarantee of £10 that they would keep the road in good repair. Mr. J. McDonnell again wrote with reference to an access road, and it was decided that the committee would meet and discuss the matter with the Maori owners affected. Mr. C. Clarke wrote complaining that rubbish was being dumped on, the roadside near his property by Mr. W. Oakes, to the danger of road-users. It was decided to write Mr. Oakes requesting him to remove ths rubbish. The council's assistance was sought by Mr. J. T. Woodside, in getting the property owners below his property to open a blocked drain which was causing water to back up onto his property. Instructions to o,pen the drain are to be given to the owners roferred to. A complaint that county workmen had damaged a shelter helt of trees on 1ns property through firing grass on the roadside, was made by Mr. C. J. Hollard. The engineer advised that the fire had temporarily got out of control but that he had already ordered new trees to replace those destroyed. Lorry Accident Mr. It. J. Mercer, of Edgecumbe, advised that while following the council metal lorry in his own lorry, the council lorry had suddenly backed with the result that his lorry had been struck and damaged. He asked the council to assist him to pay for the repairs. The engineer advised that he had reported the matter to the Council's Insurance Company and that investigations were being made with a view to adjustment. The Pukekohe County Council asked the support of the council in support of its efforts to get the Government to reduce the charge for electric power to county boards to the same rate as supplied to the Auckland Power Board. Unemployment Secnetary The Unemployment Board asked the council if it would increase the amount granted towards the salary of the secretary as the work had increased considerably. Cr. Gault explained that the work had certainly increased very considerably. It was decided to increase the grant from 10/- to £1 per week. On the motion of Mr. Joblin it was decided to recommend to the Unemployment Board to allow farmers to select any man they wished from the unemployment lists. The Acting Minister of Public Works advised that as the proposed improvements to Wilton Road would cost approximately £2000, the work could not be done at present and also that the' possibility of establishing a relief eamp there was being considered. An oifer of £10 a year as rent of a section at Ohiwa harbour now occupied by*Mr. Wagner, was received from Mr. H. Williams, of Waiotahi. In view of the fact that Mr. Wagner had carried out certain improvements on the section it was decided that he be given the option of renting the section and that he be asked to make an offer. Ratepayers' Roll Mr. T. Kururangi wrote stating that as he understood the council proposed to purge the ratepayers' roll he offered his services to carry out tha work. The clerk stated that Mr. G. Shalfoon had undertaken to do the work, with

the exception of the coast riding for £25. It was decided to allot the position to Mr. Shalfoon. Traffic By-Laws Cr. Powell asked when it was pro-' posed to revise the traffic by-laws. He pointed out that there had been several accidents on the Coast Road owing to heavily loaded lorries being unable to pull up when travelling down hill. Cr. Black said that he understood that there were some trucks running on this road without bralces. Cr. Butler said he had received complaints that in several cases trucks were not registered in their correct class. After considerable discussion, it was decided that the engineer should report at the next meeting as to the best means of dealing with the matter. The rates as agreed on at the last meeting were confirmed. It was decided to allow a rebate of five per cent. on rates paid within 30 days of the date of demand (before October 26.) Cr. Gault proposed that 10 per cent. penalty he imposed on all rates for the last year which were unpaid by October 26. Cr. Joblin moved an amendment that the date be November 26. The amendment was carried. The clerk then asked for permission to ' place the collection of the previous year's rates^ 1929-30, in tlxe solicitor's hands. Permission was granted. ' The engineer's report was read and adopted, and arising out of this it was decided that the Waikohu County diiiiUiliiiiMHiliMwiiriii