PIAKO COUNTY.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20274, 17 August 1937, Page 11

PIAKO COUNTY.

MONTHLY MEETING HELD. NON-PAYMENT OF RATES. (Special to Times.) TE AROHA, Monday. The monthly meeting of the Piako County Council was held at To Aroha to-day, the chairman, Mr J. M. Stewart, presiding. Also present xvere Messrs D. J. Burgess, D. Johnson, W. R. Lawry A. Orr, W. F. Stark, W. McLean, the clerk, Mr F. I. Clarke and the engineer, Mr B. H. Horner. Reporting on the work carried out during the month, the engineer stated that the Otway bridge had had all the work possible done oh it pending the arrival of steel joists which had now been on order from Australia for over six months. In addition, two rotten bridges at the Tahua quarry were being replaced and an outlet to the Maori creek bridge on Gordon Road was being built up to prevent further erosion. Plans had been got out for the sealing of portion of the Te Aroha-Waha-roa main highway and also for a new bridge on Melliri’s Road. Both of the proposals had gone forward for approval. A considerable amount of discussion took place on the question of delinquent ratepayers. The clerk stated that there may have been some excuse for the non-payment of rates in the depression but" even now, when matters were considerably Improved, a large number of ratepayers refused to pay their rates. They wanted all the benefits but were not prepared to pay for them. The matter had now reached a serious state and something would have to be done about U New Electoral Boundaries. “At present most of our cases in this matter come up before the Te Aroha court with the result that the people in the Morrinsville end of the county hear practically nothing about It.” said the chairman. “Perhaps it would be a good idea to gain a little publicity for the matter by bringing some of the cases forward in the Morrinsville court. Such a course may have the desired effect.” It was decided to forward a final notice to all ratepayers who were six years or more in arrears with their rates. “It is interesting to note that our county has been cut In half,” said the clerk in presenting a supplement of the New Zealand Gazette containing flio revised boundaries of the electoral districts. “Two features are that we now have no community of interest with Tauranga and that Morrinsville has been included in the Hauraki district.” A deputation was received from settlers on the outskirts of Te Aroha asking for the council’s assistance in the formation of an improved road access. (Continued In next column.}