EKETAHUNA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 September 1939, Page 7

EKETAHUNA

COUNTY COUNCIL MONTHLY MEETING (“Times-Age" Speclnl.) At the monthly meeting of the Eketahuna County Council the Clerk reported as follows:—County Fund Ac., dr. £640 9s 7d; Bridges Loan Ac., £B,000, er. £5057 13s 9d; Worker’s Dwelling Loan, £l,BOO, cr. £998 15s; Worker’s Dwelling Loan, £1550, cr. £52 Is 6d; Bridges Fund Ac., cr. £233 3s 7d. The County Fund Account has shown an improvement over the past month of £1,410, due to the increased receipts during the month. The total receipts were £3,078 16s 3d. The position ol rates has clarified somewhat with the disposal of several objections to new valuations, and it is suggested that the date for-issue of demands be fixed at November 15, 1939. The question of revised estimates is the subject of a separate report, and once these have been adoptd, the preparation of demands can proceed. A letter was received from the Eketahuna Borough Council stating that it was prepared to make a grant of £5O provided the County Council did like wise and stating that the scheme for a children's playground had been approved. Councillor Richardson reported briefly on his conference with the Mayor and Masterton Committee. He was prepared to move that they pay the £5O.

After some discussion the motion was carried, Councillor Bailey being the only dissen.tent. The Town Clerk reported as follows:—"No doubt Councillors are aware that a Transport Bill is at present before Parliament covering several amendments to the present traffic laws. One provision in the Bill is the proposal that the issue of drivers licenses be undertaken by the Government, and that all fees be collected by the Government. As regards County Councils no provision is made for payment of any portion of drivers’ license fees to such councils, and it is evident that this is the last year the counties will receive drivers’ license fees. Concerning the loss of revenue to your council, the amount of drivers’ license fees has shown a steady increase of latter years, as the following figures will show: — 1935/36, £129; 1936-37, £146; 1937-38,. £161; 1938-39, £165; 1939-40 to date, £167 (5 months). It was resolved that a protest be made to the Minister of Transport against the loss of revenue, and to object to his statement that County Councils had done nothing to' ensure the safety of the road traffic, pointing out that the Eketahuna County Council had for several years employed a Traffic Inspector, but that his duties had been taken over by the Department, though he was- still operating over the council’s roads.