HAWERA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 June 1918, Page 7

HAWERA COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETKG. The- council met on Saiturday. Present: Crs. J. B. Murdoch (chairman), Lysaght, Dunlop, Hawker, Williams, Tarrant, and Winka. COKRBaPOa®ENOE. R. W. Ballon, U3I. Trade Commissioner, forwarded circular letter stating that there were 6G79 motor-ears and 2814 cycles in the Dominion, 452 cars *ind 1'95 cycles being in Taranaki. —deceived. The Inspector of Mines and Quarries notified that new regulations tad been brought into force, and were requ-ired to be posted at the county's quarries.— Received. The Hawera Hospital and Charitable Aid Board notified that a levy of Is Id per £IOO had been made on the county. The levy would amount to £I3BO 10s lOd, and would be required in monthly instalments of £lls 0s lid, the rateable value of the county being £ 2,54-8, 057. Other subsidies were: Hawera Borough, rateable value £795,801, annual subsidy £431 Is 2d, instalment £35 18<3 4d: Ellham Borough, £ 387,400, r ' : 1 -Ts 10(1, £l7 9s 3d; Eltham Coq^ ( ., : Bt>7, £1067 Qs 7d, £®B' ".. '.T annate West County, £1,411,1... 14s 4d; Mana.a j -ivn Board, £103,681, £SO 2s 4ld, £4 13s fid.—Received. Ohinemuri County desired the council to approve of a proposal that the Government should take over tho whole of the main arterial roads in the North Island, and maintain same out of consiii'.iiatcd revenue—Received. The District Traffic Manager, New Zealand Railways, notified the council that no concession was made to local bodies in tie matter of timber rates.— Received.

Wanganui County desired support in an appeal to tlio Government to make county elections on the same date as municipal elections, also that ratepayers be not allowed to vote unless they first their ratos.—The cliairman said he was favorable to tho first portion of the request, but they could not very well do anything with regard to those lx&ind with their rates. Six motor-car owners of Eltham forwarded a protest against the action of a ITawera constable who notified them that the number-plates on their ears must be painted in white figures oil a black background. Tlhey pointed out that the system of numbering their ears satisfied the county in which the cars arc registered, and did not wish to be harassed by the police during the few hours they spend in Hawera.—The cliairman said they regretted the incident. They could find nothing in tho regulations regarding the color of the lettering, the size of the plate only was stipulated, and the color evidently left to tiie discretion of tie owner.—To be informed that the council regret the inconvenience, and that there would' be notorouiWe again. W. M. Thomson forwarded particulars of Ifl cases of infectious diseases occurring in the county since last report. All the cases were diphtheria, and the localities Mokoia, Maha,. and Aluturui JioacL— Received. In regard to> the recent county council conference, the chairman stated that a pressing need was a by-law regarding the motor-car traffic at races. The; speed some of the cars gathered up waa a serious matter for the roads. The next conference would be held before the end of the year, and they should consider thig matter.—Crs. Murdock, T.inn t and Winks were appoinftect to represent I the county.

RECENT FLOODSTho recent floods caused a good' deal of damage to roads and brklges in the Tangahoe Valley. The chairman brought up the matter by stating he had waited upon the Minister of Pulblic Woriks in reference to the matter. The latter stated that the district engineer would assist as far as possible, and the Minister was also agreeable to voting a subsidy, recognising the necessity of keeping the thoroughfares open. Bridges were necessary at Ohangai, Kiritahi, and Kotukotu. Good concrete bridges wero a necessity. The Kiritahi would be awkward, requiring a 70ft span. In the meantime, they, would have to have crossings and put in a small culvert. After discussion, it was resolved that tihe engineer be empowered to draw plans for the bridges, and the question of securing a track in the meantime he left to Crs. Winks and Lysaght. FOREMAN'S REPORT. A. Muggeridge, county foiamaa,- reported as under:— A start has beenimfldo with tho ecari-. fying and metalling of tho South Road, starting from the Imaiha PuO&d, and it lis proposed to go to the top of York's I Hill for tho present and patching any I bad places there are on the leveL A: low bridge has been .put over the Tongahoe River to carry light traffic, cattle, etc. The water has been over the top of 'it on one occasion without making any impression. In the first place, the approaches were washed away, and the. track down to the bridge slipped into the river. ISmce tiiis bas been remedied it has been satisfactory. The Touganoe 'bridge, on the South Road, has sunk in the middle about Gin on tho upper side. This is being attended to and will Ibe finished during the comingwee'k. As soon as this is done the carpenter will go on getting the bridge from the Ohangai Road ready for the Tonga-hoe Valley. The tram down to the Wan- j kino beach is in hand and good progress is being made. The clearing of slips in - tho bock country has been going on steadily, and most of the roads are open to horse/traffic.—Adopted.