COUNTY AFFAIRS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 June 1940, Page 7

COUNTY AFFAIRS

MASTERTON' COUNCIL BUSINESS AT YESTERDAY’S MEETING. KAHUMINGI DEVIATION HELD UP. The chairman. Mr R. E. Gordon Lee. presided over the monthly meeting of the Masterton County Council held in the council chambers, Chapel Street, yesterday afternoon. There were also present Councillors W. I. Armstrong, .1. W. Colquhoun. G. Moore. J. Donald, and P. R. Welch. An apology for absence was received from Mr H. H. Maw ley.

A resolution passed by special order declaring milk-thistle to be a noxiou:' weed in the county was confirmed. The district engineer. Public Works Department, wrote asking for the council's co-operation to enable the Minister of Public Works to be furnished with a return each fortnight setting ou ; the number of men engaged under the supervision of Local Authorities on maintenance and road works. It was decided to furnish the information required. The District Engineer, Public Works Department, advised that the council was required to sumbit its application for road votes before June 10. It was stated that all applications should be carefully considered in relation to urgency and national importance.

The chairman of the Main Highways Board wrote stating that the amount of money that would be available for expenditure on maintenance, renewals and improvements during the current financial year would be approximately fifty per cent of last year’s expenditure and that the council would appreciate that the serious curtailment necessitated a most rigid control of the. board's available funds. The letter was received.

"Many have given as individuals,” stated Councillor Welch, "and we should not doublebank with the ratepayers money" in commenting on the application received from the secretary of the Wairarapa branch of the New Zealand Crippled Children Society. for a grant during the current year. No action was taken in the matter and the letter was received.

The secretary of the Wairarapa and Ruahine Aero Club wrote enclosing a copy of the annual report and balance sheet, which was also received.

’ The county clerk, Wairarapa South County Council, wrote stating that, his council had agreed to invoke the regulations of the Motor Drivers’ Regulations, 1940. to enable the Masterton County to issue motor drivers' licenses on their behalf, and that the appointment of the fees be one-fifth to the; Masterton County and four-fifths to the Wairarapa South County. The letter was received.

“In view of the present financial situation it is not possible to give permission for the Kahumingi deviation on the Masterton-Castlepoint Main Highway to be carried out," stated the District Engineer, Public Works Department. It was added that the matter would have to be deferred until the estimates were finalised. The Minister of Labour acknowledged receipt of the council's letter concerning the subsidy made available for the improvement of the Opaki water races, stating that it was pleasing to note that the men engaged on the work had by their energetic cooperation completed the job so thoroughly. He would be pleased if the council would submit a schedule of proposed subsidised labour works. The letter was received.

It was decided to make application to the Government Loans Board for the sum of £lO.OOO to be used for applications under the Rural Housing Act, 1939.

A lengthy communication was received from the Superintendent of the National Provident Fund relating to the payment of superannuation to employee's of local authorities on active service.

The letter was received, it being pointed out that the suggestions contained were in operation in connection with the council.

The county clerk. Mr J. C. D. Mackley. reported that there were two notices of sale of property received during the month. The ranger reported having impounded 26 head of cattle, 12 sheep, and 2 horses during the month. The office)- in charge of the Patriotic Purposes Branch of the Department of Internal Affairs wrote stating that s Lady Galway Patriotic Guild, was in process of formation. The duties of the guild would be the provision of comforts for refugees and those in necessitous circumstances in Great Britain owing to the war.

Mr Mackley reported that at a meeting to be held in Wellington shortly Mr and Mrs R. E. Gordon Lee would represent the county and the Mayor and Mayoress, Mr and Mrs T. Jordan would represent the Masterton borough. ‘