COUNTY AFFAIRS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 May 1939, Page 7

COUNTY AFFAIRS

MEETING OF MAURICEVILLE COUNCIL NO ALTERATION IN GENERAL RATE. REDUCTION IMPRACTICABLE. ("Times-Age” Special.) The monthly meeting of the Mauriceville County Council was held yester day, there being present Councillor: E. W. Cheetham (chairman), R. Judd C. Welch, A. Forsberg and A. Gray. Leave of absence was granted to Councillor D. Bennett. The submitted a financial statement showing a debit bank balance of £614 2s Bd. Accounts totalling £'447 7s 2d were passed. The chairman was deputed to instruct the clerk (Mr A. W. G. Hollings) in regard to making proposals for mam highways and public works estimates for the current year when required without waiting for the next meeting of the council. It was decided to close certain roads being the same as those closed last year, against certain heavy traffic for the winter months, notice of which will be advertised. Estimates of the cost of work ano other expenditure for the current year and the requisite general rate required were considered and councillors strongly commented upon the continued rising costs, which included a further substantial increase in the hospital levy, which was paid out of the general rate and owing to which the council could not feel justified in reducing the rate as had been hoped. To do so would undoubtedly have necessitated a reduc tion in the road staff and consequent less maintenance work being done on the roads. Councillors also remarked that owing to the present unfavourable financial conditions a good deal ol contemplated work urgently required for the improvement of certain roads (including some sections which were considered dangerous) could not be undertaken in the current year. After careful consideration it was decided to strike the same rate as last year, that being l§d in the £l. The chairman was appointed delegate to the New Zealand Counties; Association conference, to be held on July 26 and the following remit was proposed to be forwarded: “That where the average traffic on country roads exceeds one hundred vehicles per day such roads should automatically become main highways.” The Masterton County Council forwarded particulars of a proposed amendment of the by-laws relating to licences being issued by county councils in respect to dangerous goods requesting to know whether the Mauriceville Council would support such an amendment. It was decided to take no action in the matter. Mr W. J. McGruddy waited on the Council and discussed the position regarding a bridge adjacent to his property and arranged to make proposals for the consideration of the council at its next meeting. He also requested to have the road at Hastwells adjacent to his property attended to and the matter was referred to the overseer. The Transport Department forwarded particulars of proposed regulations for the better control of motor cyclists learning to ride, which provided cer tain tests to be required at the commencement and at the end of three months’ riding and also L signs to be affixed to the machine. The Department also forwarded particulars of regulations for improved lighting equipment of bicycles and riding abreast conditions for the general safety of the public. The council expressed itself as being in favour of all the proposed regulations. It was decided to ask the Eketahunt County Council if that council would undertake the maintenance of the Putara load to a limited extent of costs on behalf of the Mauriceville County. It was agreed to call tenders for the purchase of surplus timber from McKenzie’s bridge. It was resolved that subject to the approval of the Main Highways Board further sealing work be proceeded with on Highway No 443 from the railway level crossing near Mauriceville School southward to Highway No 87 (Dreyers' Rock corner). The clerk was directed to write te Mr Bryant asking him if he would be kind enough to cut back the trees on his property to the boundary line oi further for public safety purposes. The overseer reported upon curren< work for the past month and prospective work was discussed and arranged for.