WHANGAMOMONA COUNTY

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIII, Issue 23, 24 May 1912, Page 2

WHANGAMOMONA COUNTY

COUNCIL'S MONTHLY MEETING;. The regular monthly mooting of the Council was held on Wednesday last, the 22nd inst. The Councillors present wore: Messrs A. Meredith (chairman), J. Diggens, M. I. Jury, A. Coyne, C. B. Roberfon, N. R. Cleland, \V. Bacon, and \V! A. McCutchan. Engineers' Report. The engineer reported as follows: Upper Mangaehu Road: The felling and clearing' contract on this road is about completed, and the extension of same is well in hand. The construction and erection of small bridge at the upper end of Kerrish's contract length has been completed so far as the undorstructurc is concerned. The decking will be put in when the road is open for carting same. Kerrisk's formation contract is proceeding steadily, being taken up to peg 26chs 25 links. He applies for an extension of time in connection with same. Brewer Road: The necessary assurance .having come to hand that the balance of the first £7OO subsidy will ho available on completion of the metalling of one mile of the Upper Mangaehu Road, .1 have instructed C. MePhee to proceed with Contract No. 35. Kohuratahi Road: Repairs have been made to the lower portion of this road and are still in progress. Upper Mangaehu Road continued :The drawings and specifications for form ation of a further mile of this road have just been returned approved by the Public Works Department. I recommend that tenders be called for the

same, closing in a fortnight. Makaihu Road (Strathraore Riding): The necessary improvements authorised have been completed with the exception of some minor details. Brewor Road: General surfacing has been carried out on the road during the month. Ohura and Kini Roads: The necessary repairs have been executed on these roads. Mahaku Road: The widening of the tunnel (out of Government grant money) lias been completed. Other roads in Strathmore Riding: These have received attention. Tawhiwhi Road: The extension of dray road formation has been completed as far as funds will allow of at present. ( Makahu Road (Pohokura Riding): I have inspected the road, and find that it is in need of attention as regards watertabling' etc. 1 would recommend that £ls be spent on it and the Arnold Road in repairs. I have arranged with Mr Robson (the sawmill proprietor) at Stratford to make necessary repairs to a portion near his mill. Work in hand: The Pakeho Road formation contract: and also the Paorajigi Road formation contracts KR- -Smith) are completed. The Mauku Road formation contract (T. Ryan) is about twothirds completed. The further length of Paorangi Road under formation (A.

Agosterielli) is in progress. Langden and Jensen's formation contract on Marco Road has been completed. Maingare' Road: The pipbs necessary to renew a culvert near Shield Eros,' property have been carted'up to-day. Putikituna Road: This road has again slipped and is in a bad state .Whangamomona Road: Tliis road is passable considering the time pf year and the wretched season experienced.Bridges in the Whangamomona township: Tlhie Public Works Department find it necessary to raise the two bridges on Ohura Road in Whangamomona township about, four feet to conform to the railway level at- crossing of road. The bridges in question are old structures and the jacking unavoidable in raising them may possibly have the effect of rendering them unfit for heavy traffic. In conversation with the Public Works Engineers I ascertained that a siderable sum of money would be required to carry out the necessary work of raising the bridges, and as they have only a short life, in any case, I discussed with him the feasibility in spending the same amount in renewal, also the obtaining of the

necessary hardwood timber at cost price. fam of opinion that it would pay the Council to seriously consider this proposition, as the bridges in question must inevitably be renewed in a few years.

The following resolution was passed by the Council: That the Putikituna Road be kept open for horse traffic. The matter of the renewal of the bridges over the Whangamomona River in the Whangamomona township was then gone into by the Council. The engineer gave the Councillors an account of a conversation he had had witli the Public Works District Engineer, in which Mr Mackenzie had stated that he thought that the Department would meet the Council in several particulars, if it decided to erect new bridges over the Whangamomona. The Council discussed the advisability of raising a loan for that purpose. Cr McCutchan said that he thought the chairman should go to Wellington and make the best bargain he could with 1 the Department, and arrange for the loan.

Cr Bacon wished to know over what

area a .special bridge loan rate would be struck. The chairman thought that it would embrace the whole riding. Cr Bacon was not sure that this would be fair.

After sonic discussion the Council authorised the chairman and engineer to interview the P.W. Department's District Engineer, and that the chairman afterwards proceed to Wellington to interview the Minister for Public Works, and to ascertain if the necessary money could be raised. The chairman stated that ho would call a special nicotine: of the Council with regard to the bridge loan if necessary. Correspondence. A. letter was received from the Stratford Hospital and Charitable Aid Board stating that the following as-

sessments had been made, under the provisions of the Hospital and Charitable Institutions Act, 1909, on the local authorities within the jurisdiction of the Board: '■] 11-20 of a penny and 7 .'27-01 respectively in the £IOO of capital value of rateable properlies; and directing how the same amounts should he paid. The total amounts due by the Whangamomona Council to the Board were £7l 12s 2d and £159 :?s.

*Cr. Bacon said that ho thought the Council should draw the Board's attention to the matter of recovering hospital foes from persons able to pay the same. The chairman in reply gave several instances of the Board endeavouring to recover fees from persons whom they considered able to pay them, and against whom they had been given judgment, but the Magistrate had refused to enforce their claims.

Cr. Bacon proposed that the Council refuse to pay its contribution to the hospital Board, as a protest against the Government not enforcing the payment of hospital fees in the case of Public Works employees able to pay thorn.

Cr. McCutchan said that the Council should boar in mind that the hospital was a charitable aid institution, and that the Magistrate would '-:tve enforced judgment k. the caw's brought before their notice by the chairman if he had thought it justifiable.

Cr. Bacon still thought that the Council siliould protest in the ma nun he had stated.

It was finally agreed that a list of those persons owing money to the Hospital Board should be laid before the Council at its next meeting. . A communication was received from the Palmerston North Chamber < f Commerce, enclosing copies of the following resolutions :—(a) That this Chamber desires to express appreciation of the attitude slhtown by the Hon. the Minister of Defence ; n connection with his expressed intention of enforcing the law relating to the compulsory provisions of the Defence Act; (1)) and that this resolution be forwarded to the other Chambers of Commerce and to all local government and other local bodies concerned in the welfare of the Dominion, with the request to endorse same, if they approve of it. The Council endorsed the resolution of the Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce.

The New Plymouth Harbour Board forwarded the following copy of a resolution ma.de by that body:—"That while the Board recognises that it would he unreasonable to expect that each individual local body should have a representative at the proposed conference on the Local Government Bill, the Board considers that it is essential that each class of local body in each district, should have a separate representative. The proposed alteration would make the conference more representative. Cr. Bacon thought that the view of the .New Plymouth Harbour Board was correct.

Cr. McCutchan pointed out that it was too late to take any action, as the conference was now sitting. It was agreed that the New Plymouth Harbour Board be informed that the letter had been received too late for any action to be taken by the Council. The Ohura County Council wrote, re the alteration of the boundaries between their district and that of the Whangamomona County Council, stating that the petition of the settlers in the AVhangamomona County wishing to be transferred to the Ohura County would be forwarded to the Council, with, if possible, a map of the district.

Xo action was taken in the matter. A letter from the Taranaki Education Board, saying that the Hoard had protested against the erection of a magazine for explosives, on a site adjacent to the Whangamomona. School, without effect, and hoped that the Council would also protest to the Department with regard to the matter. The Council reviewed the precautions to be taken by the Public Works Department against accident, and thought that they were quite sufficient and' consequently would take no action in this matter.

The,Public Works Department forwarded a circular letter requesting applications for assistance in the matter of road and bridge construction work, to be sent as soon as possible. The engineer recommended the Council to apply for grants and subsidies, which it thought fit to made. Cr. Roberton proposed that the engineer be authorised to apply for such grants and subsidies as he thought advisable for the Council to expend. The Council agreed to this course being taken. Another letter from the Department was also read, notifying the Council that portions of the Ohura road had been declared a county road, viz., that portion commencing at the Xgatimaru railway station and terminating at tiie Pobokura railway station in all about 5 miles 72 chains, more or less.

The chairman moved, that the engineer be instructed to write to the Department, requesting that tii slip at Ngatimaru station be removed or the cost of same be allowed to the Council before it takes over the road. Mr Victor Klee wrote re arrears of pay. The chairman explained the matter to the Council. I\?r Foley wrote requesting that accrued thirds on Sec. 9, Block 16, Ngatimafu, be spent in making a 5-foot track to his section. He stated tfeat rent and rates had boon paid on the section for the last; 1,3 years. Crs. Coyne and Diggons explained Mr Foley's requirement:: to the Council, who decided that the engineer should construct the track as far as the available thirds would allow.

An order in Council with n covering letter from the Public Works Department was read, declaring that the portion of the Kohuratahi Road commencing at its junction with the Whitianga road, and terminating at a point about 18 chains X.E. of the Tongarakau suspension bridge being a distance of i miles I I chains, more or less. The Council instructed the engineer to report on the condition of this portion of the road to the next meeting of the Council. Mrs Court wrote to the Council, drawing attention to the state of the road in front of ihier boarding house at Whangumomona and asking the Council if it could not effect some improvement. The Council directed that Mrs Court be informed that, in consequence ol t ji o- heavy traffic on the road in front of her premises and the Council's lack

of material, it would not be advisable for the Council to expend anything in this case. A Jotter was received from Mrs Rogers stating that she was now in occupation of sec. '4 1 on the Ma road previously occupied by Mr Haltz, and requesting that the gate should be removed from the road, so that she could obtain free access to her laud and stables.—The matter was left in the hands of the chairman t > deal with. The district road overseer, Mr Strombom, wrote to the Council informing them that he had been instructed to wait on tie Council, and ascertain if they proposed to expend any of the grants on the various roads, Mangare, Marco and others, so that there would be no misunderstanding before the Department starts tin work.

Mr Strombom stated that in the event of his not being able to be present at the next meeting of the Council, he would like them to decide whether they would expend any grants present or future.—The Council decided that they would not expend any grants on the roads mentioned.

Consideration of a letter from the Lands, and Survey Department, forwarding a schedule of accrued thirds to 30th March, 1912, amounting to £ll6l 9s sd, and requesting proposed expenditures was deferred until the

next meeting of the Council .to enable details to be put . before the Council. Notice of Motion. Cr. Bacon spoke to his deferred notice of motion that tibe rates of certain sections, 1,4, 5, Block 10, 1, ,2, 3, Block'Xl, or.© section E.R. should be transferred to the central riding from the Strathnlorc riding; ,

Cr. Bacon thought that ,the Council Lotild'.'de'al with ■ tho, matter at {the Regent' meeting of' the Council, al-

though the Council had only received one reply from the settlers interested. In his opinion, it was a matter of common honesty and bookkeeping that the rates of the sections he bad mentioned should go to the road .which

gave them access to Whangnmoimona. He therefore moved that .the rates of sections 1,4, 5, L-lock 10 and 1,2, 'A. Block XI, and E.R. should go to the central riding.

Cr. McCutchan, in seconding the motion pro forma, said that the Council should obtain the opinion of its legal advisers on tho matter, as he thought that the allocation of the rates of one riding to another was illegal.—The Council agreed to adopt Cr. McCutchan's suggestion. Mr Anderson, the Council's solicitor, being in attendance, appeared before the Council and gave a general statement of the provisions of the Act regulating the finances of County Councils, and stated that in his opinion it was legal to expend a. portion of tho funds of one riding in another

riding, if it was for the benefit of the riding whose funds wore ho taken. The Act wa's obscure in several particulars, and the opinion he had given was a debateable one. He would prefer to give his opinion in writing on the matter, as he could then express himself more fully. He thought that Council's opinion should be obtained in the matter. The Council requested Mr Andersen to furnish them with his written opinion. Discussion of Councillor Baron's notice of motion was then proceeded with. Or. McCutchan said that in view of Mr Anderson's opinion of the matter and that the two members for the Strathmor© riding's statement that the ultimate outlet of the sections under discussion would be at Strathmore, he would have to vote against the motion, although he had seconded it pro forma. (Jr. Roberton then spoke, stating that- the traffic from the sections would come naturally' to Whangamomona via the Whangamornona road. The Chairman gave his opinion that the natural outlet of the sections mentioned would ultimately be at Strathmore. Cr. Diggens gave a similar opinion to the Chairman. Cr. Bacon, in reply, said that he was not asking for the future rates of the sections, but last year's rates, his contention being that their present outlet was by the Whangamomona road. Cr. Bacon's motion was piit to the Council, and lost on a division. Cr. Bacon than asked the chairman if it was allowable for him to ask another councillor his reason for voting on this occasion directly contrary to the way he had voted previously. The Chairman replied that he thought that he could not do so. Cr. Coyne expressed his opinion titoat a councillor could vote which way he thought fit, and was not responsible to Cr. Bacon. Cr. McCutchan: If Cr. Bacon refers to rue, 1 can give any explanation required. Cv. Bacon said, he could not sec why Cr. McCutchan should think he referred to him.

Riding Business. Strathniore Riding: Cr. Coyne asked that the scrub be cut along the Brewer road. He said the lawyers growing tihore would take your hat off, when riding along the road. Ol\ Diggins called attention to planks nailed across the decking of the bridge on the Brewer road. It was agreed that the scrub should be cut.

Pohokura Riding: It wa.s decided that the engineer call for tenders for ] the reconstruction of the bridge at the I corner of the Makahu road. Central Riding: Cr. McCutchian asked the Council to express an opinion as to whether it would be agreeable to closing or.selling a portion of the road adjacent to Mr D. Profit, jun.'s section, informing Mr Profit the amount of the probable cost.—The Council agreed to this. Cr. McCutchan asked if the Tahora j riding members knew of any blackberry j bushes growing on the Rerekapa road. He thought that the matter was a very important, one. Cr. McCleland sakT -•» Knew of some blackberries growing if the Tangarakau gorge. j Cr. Bacon: What rtout the Call-j fornian thistle? Cr. Roberton said he knew of the patch of blackberries referred to by Cr. McCutchan, also the patch of Californian thistles mentioned by Cr. Bacon. The Council then directed that the road overseer, Mr Strombom, bo informed of the patches of blackberries and Californian thistle referred to.

Tahora Riding: Cr. Roberton thought that the riding would not stand the expense of more than one, man being permanently employed on surfacing, and moved that the Council make a recomendation to the engineer in this direction, extra labour to be employed in an emergency. The Council agreed to this suggestion. Sundry Matters. The Council wrote off several small amounts, being rates owing on Crown sections forfeited for non compliance with improvement clauses of their leases. It was agreed that the clerk, Mr Coleman, should make enquiries as to a purchaser for the Council's safe, which it was thought advisable to dispose of. Accounts amounting to the sum pi j £1705 4s 6d were then passed for. payment. 'Hie Council then closed its meet-] iug :until the « fourth . Wednesday in June.