COUNTY AFFAIRS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 March 1940, Page 8

COUNTY AFFAIRS

MEETING OF MASTERTON COUNCIL RURAL HOUSING ACT. ADMINISTRATION AGREED UPON. The monthly meeting of the Masterton County Council was held yesterday afternoon, the chairman, Mr R. E. Gordon Lee, presiding. There were also present Councillors H. H. Mawley. W. I. Armstrong, J. W. Colquhoun, P. R. Welch. J. Donald and G. Moore. Mr W. J. Percy wrote drawing the council’s attention to the flooding of the Waipoua River through his property at Akura, and also to the damage caused by erosion to the county road in the same area, and appealed for the council’s urgent consideration in the matter. "The trouble has been coming tip for some time,” stated Councillor Colquhoun in speaking to a motion moved by Councillor Armstrong, and seconded by Councillor Moore that a head from the Public Works Department be invited to inspect the locality with councillors. It was pointed out by councillors that the stream required clearing out to enable a greater flow of water in the actual channel, in order to prevent extensive flooding of settlers' properties and the county road.

The manager of the State Advances Corporation of New Zealand wrote advising in reply to the council’s enquiry. that charges under the provisions of the Rural Housing Act would take priority to all mortgages in favour of the Crown or of any State department, as if they were mortgages in favour of private individuals or companies, subject, however, to the right of the Crown or department to object on receipt of notice, as contained In the Act. It was recognised that amending legislation would be required, but there was no particular urgency about the matter and local authorities might proceed with applications with the full knowledge that priority of the Crown would not be taken advantage of. After a protracted discussion it was decided to administer the Rural Housing Act in the county. “It is a very good thing for the farming community and will enable houses to be built for both the farmer and his farm workers,” stated Councillor Armstrong in support of his motion to administer the Act.

"I have never- seen cheaper money. It would be a pity to turn the proposals down,” stated the chairman, Mr Lee.

"We don’t go to the ratepayers when we raise or lower our rates,” added Mr Lee, in reply to a suggestion from Councillor Moore that the opinion of the ratepayers be sought. Councillor Colquhoun urged that the matter be given further consideration before reaching finality. After several aspects of the Act were freely discussed, and the County Clerk had explained sections of the Act, the motion was carried unanimously.

The County Clerk, Castlepoint County, advised that the milk thistle had been declared a noxious weed in the Castlepoint County, and sought similar action in the Masterton County. The reason for the request, it was stated, was that there were large patches'of the weed in neighbouring counties.

On the motion of Councillor. Colquhoun, seconded by Councillor Moore, it was decided that the letter be received and further consideration be given the matter at the next meeting, after consultation with the Agricultural Department. The following motion, notice of which had been given by Councillor' Mawley, was seconded by Councillor Armstrong, and carried: “That the cost of maintaining any bridge exceeding 20 feet in span, the construction of which was made a charge over ihe whole county, be charged to the general account."

Councillor Colquhoun pointed out that it would be a useful provision if a flood disaster, such as that recently experienced in the South Island. were to occur, as each riding would not be able to pay for the damage. A further postponement of one month in the registration of dogs for the year 1940 was contained in a notice from the Department of Internal Affairs, owing to the hydatid drug not arriving in New Zealand until some time this month. Registration would now be on April 1. It was stated that the inconvenience caused local authorities by further postponement. in view of the present difficulties, was unavoidable.

The chairman of the Main Highways Board, in acknowledgment of a letter from the council asking for an early pronouncement by the board with regard to the possible curtailment of main highway works during the coming financial year, as a consequence of the petrol rationing, stated that he regretted to say that at the present time the board was not in

a position to indicate what funds would be available next financial year. It was expected that there would be a fair reduction in the board’s programme, but until the Minister of Finance had decided how much money would be available the board could not give anything definite. As soon as the board was in a position to do so, the council would be advised of the extent of the curtailment necessary. The letter was received. A similar letter to that sent to the Main Highways Board was sent by the County Clerk to the New Zealand Counties’ Association, urging that the Government make a statement on the effect petrol rationing would have on the revenue of the Main Highways Fund, so that the rate revenue of counties may be adjusted to meet the position, and any saving thus made applied to the farming community in a direction towards assisting .the Government in New Zealand’s participation in the Empire’s war effort. The district engineer, Public Works Department, advised that the Main Highways Board had decided to grant, in approved cases, a subsidy of £1 for £1 towards the cost of both the construction and future maintenance of new footpaths on State and ordinary main highways. The board had decided that, for subsidy purposes, the term maintenance of footpaths would apply only to re-sealing, the construction of which had previously been subject to the approval of the board, and did not include the removal of weeds, etc., and other work which local authorities may normally undertake. —Received. A further communication was received from the district engineer, asking the council to furnish a return showing the average number of men employed under various headings on main highways, roads and other subsidised work, to enable the information to be placed before the Minister of Public Works. It was decided to accede to the request. The county engineers, Messrs Seaton, Sladden arid Pavitt, submitted a special report on their inspection of, bridges in the county, giving the type ] of bridge required to replace the existing one, the estimated cost and site plans showing the location of the proposed new bridges, enabling the council to give consideration to the raising of a special loan next financial year for their renewal. The building and sanitary inspector reported having served seven requisitions under the Health Act, to repair Maori residences at Akura and Te Ore Ore, many of which lacked suitable sanitation installations. The ranger reported having impounded 19 head of stock. In the course of a comprehensive report on the work carried out in the various ridings during the month, tlie overseer, Mr B. L. Larson, stated that usual maintenance work had been carried out and sundry road improvement works attended to. Engineering activities over the past month were fully covered in a report submitted by the county engineers, Messrs Seaton, Sladden and Pavitt.