HAWERA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 June 1919, Page 6

HAWERA COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. ■The monthly mooting of the Hawera County Council was i'jJd on Saturday. . Present: .Councillors H;i\vj;iii (chairman), 32. Washef, 11. Line, C. C. Tarrant, T. A. Winks, W. Williams, B. C. Lysaght.

CORRESPONDENCE. The directors of the Joll Co-operative Dairy Company asked for permission to remove earth from the cutting on Skeet Koad, opposite the Te Ngutu factory, as tliey wished to do some filling in connection with the factory.—'flio ■ecretary said the foreman had no objection to offer, and the request had been granted. The Eltham County Council v wrote drawing attention to the blackberry on Skeet Road, and requesting action by the Hawera County Council to prevent its spread. Cr. Linn thought the council should draw the attention of the noxious weeds Inspector to the need for action. Cr. Williams said there would have to be more activity In connection with the noxious weeds than lu the past. Be did not knovt whether the Inspectors lacked sufficient power, but apparently they did not get much further than sending notices to offenders against the Act.

The chairman said that latitude Lad been given on account of the war and the shortage of labor. It was decided to send a copy of the letter to the noxious weeds inspector. The acting Prime Minister, In acknowledging a copy of a resolution favoring a State-owned mercantile fleet, stated that the matter must stand over until the Prime Minister and Sir Joseph Ward had returned.—Received. Mr. G. V. Pearce, M.P., writing on the sama subject, said the matter would have his most careful consideration. A the letter stated, had been adopted by a Wellington meeting favoring a shipping company owned partly by the State and partly by the producers. A committee of seven, consisting of Sir James Wilson, Sir Walter Buchanan, Mr. Panneit (chairman of the Canterbury Farmers' Co-op.), Mr. Ralph (managing director for the Canterbury Farmers' Co-op.), Mr. Yavaseur (Blenhelm), Mr. W. D. Lysnan (Gisborne), and Mr. G. V. Pearce (Patea) had been formed to so i further Into the matter. On account of the i war and the price of steamers the matter had been held in abeyance, but no doubt when peace was declared meetings would be held, and further consideration given.—Received. TheVecretary of the By-laws Conference (Mr.! Tristram) wrote stating that it had been decided to meet the Taranakl members of Parliament oh Wednesday, June 1(3, at 11 a.m., Instead of June 3.—lt was decided that the chairman attend the conference. The secretary to the Counties Association | wrote asking for the name and address of the delegate to the conference; also for any remits the council desired to have placed on the agenda paper. A further letter stated that a conference would be held during the forthcoming session of Parliament. The chairman said they should chiefly aim at getting an Act passed by Parliament which would enable them to collect native rates. The Maoris were now receiving high rents for their lands, and should be made to pay. Replying to a question, the clerk stated that the native rates now amounted to £4OO or £SOO. Cr. Winks said If they could get power to sell a portion of the land after recelvng judgment for rates It would bring tho natives up to the mark. He thought a remit could be passed along those lines. It was decided to adopt Cr. Wlnks's suggestion. The chairman and Crs. Winks and Linn were appointed to go further lntb the question of remits and frame any that might be deemed necessary.

I The State Advances Office wrote In reply to i lite council's application for permission to ! raise a loan of £9OOO for reconstructing bridges and purchasing road-making machinery. In a further letter the,council was informed that the Public Trustee had granted the upplication. The loan was granted at 5% per cent, per annum, plus 1 per cent, sinking fund for a term of 36% years, subject to the office solicitor being satisfied as to the sufficiency and legality of the security.—Received. The Marine Department wrote stating that no alteration could be made in the time during which it shall be lawful to tako shingle and sand from the Walngongoro beach, and licenses would only be issued to take it between October 1 in one year and April 30 in the following year. The old conditions had been cancelled i and a copy of the new conditions were at-1 tached. Members agreed that. the conditions 1 were very satisfactory to the council. The sanitary inspector wrote stating that he was making his half-yearly inspection of the county, and asking what arrangements, if any, the council was making regarding a rubbish tip. Replying to a question, the overseer stated that the council had no reserve suitable for the purpose. It was left with the boundary roads committee to meet representatives of the Borough Council, with a view to discussing the matter. Cr. Linn was appointed to fill ihe vacancy on the committee caused by the retirement of the late chairman.

OVERSEER'S REPORT. The overseer reported that the bill against the bacon factory on Tawhiti Road had been attended to, and was now in good order. The roller had been moved to the Ohangal Road to scarify from, Tawhiti Road to the Pah. The piers for the Tongahoe bridge, Ohangal Road, were now finished and ready for the superstructure. The timber was coming to hand very unsatisfactorily for this work, a lot coming forward that had not been ordered, there being a mix up generally. Some arrangements would hare to be made in regard to tßr for the coming season. There were about 30,000 gallons on hand at the present time, so if the council could arrange for another 40,000 gallons it should see them through.

The bridge carpenter was at work on the Tongahoe bridge. Main South Road, trying to lift the bottom stringer on the up-stream side of tho bridge If this could be done the bridge would last for many years yet. It was a very difficult piece of work, but worth trying. Lake Boad would have to be re-coated with metal, as it was getting just about worn out. There was a considerable amount of traffic to the abattoirs, and they had jus! been able to hold it for the past two years. This work should be gone on with at once if it Is decided to bare it done. The Austin Road at 'Brett's corner had been metalled to the full width, so there was ample room for traffic to pass with It was decided to metal the Lake Bond, and the report was then adopted. The chairman was appointed a member of the tar committee. GENERAL.

Sir. Wybourne waited upon the council in reference to the dedication of a piece of land for a public road. The council was asked to undertake the formation and metalling and any necessary guarantees were offered. The chairman: We have too much In haod at present The council was asked to provide a certificate before the work vras done which wonld enable a property owner to obtain a title to his land. Consent was given provided the work Is done' within twelve months, and that the council's action is legal. Accounts totalling £650 lis 5d were passed for payment. Cr. Williams urged the necessity for metallise Austin HilL A returned soldier was using the road, and It was almost Impossible to get his milk to the factory. The cost of repairs would be about £SO. It was decided that the work be done, a It was stated that Mr. Guys, who bad been appointed representative on the King Edward National Park Domain Board, had not replied to the communication asking him if he would accept the appointment. Falling & satisfactory reply, it was decided that Cr. Lysagbt be the representative.