RATES COLLECTED

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20909, 14 September 1939, Page 12

RATES COLLECTED

OTOROHANGA COUNTY IMPROVEMENT ON LAST YEAR LOSS OF TRAFFIC LICENCE FEES (Special to Times) OTOROHANGA, Tuesday The Otorohan?a County Council met today, when the following were tn attendance. Messrs P. T. Crowley (chairman). Walter Pluck, J. L. Wallis, W. A. Thomson, Angus Jamieson, W. V. .Simmas, H. G. Grierson, S. J. Fortescue (county clerk) and Gerald Jackson (county engineer) . The chairman extended a welcome to the recently elected councillor for the To Rau-a-Moa riding. Mr J. L. Wallis. Mr Wallis thanked the council for the welcome and he would do his utmost in the interest or the ratepayers who returned him to offleo, and Tor the county generally. The rates collected since last meeting have shown a slight improvement, the outstanding amount of £7 15 at the same period last year being reduced to £532. ATter five months’ expenditure, all the ridings still show credit balances, as follows: Ilonikiwi, £B2 0s 1 cl; Mangaorongo, £1075 9s 7d; To Rau-a-Moa, £GGS 11s sd; Waipa. £326 6s 9d; Whare-papa, £403 05 sd. The expenditure out or riding funds is as follows: Ilonikiwi, £154 19s lid; Mangaorongo, £587 17s Gd; Te Rau-a-moa, £246 13s 2d; Wharepapa, £437 11# lOd. Noxious Weeds Mr rtoel Smith, noxious weeds inspector to the county, reported that since last meeting he had started another gang of workers and now had 27 men operating in the county area. Many properties were booked up for assistance, but camps could not be established at Korakonui, and Malhlihi, until the men were available. The question or support to a centennial memorial was fully considered. Messrs Simms and Wallis expressed the opinion that owing to the war all monies should be rigidly conserved, and nothing spent that was not imperative. Messrs Bluck, Jamieson and Grierson considered that the planting or trees was a cheap way out or the matter, and it was decided to adopt this method. The matter of taking over a proposed road in a subdivision or a residential block fronting Kakamutu Road, Otorohanga, was considered and lert in abeyThe clerk reported that two 3-ton trucks had been ordered, and stated that he would endeavour to have the vehicles delivered as soon as possible. A purchaser of the old truck was available. The half-ton truck had been purchased. It was decided to instruct the county ranger, Mr Meredith, to make regular tours or the back country roads, as many complaints were received of straying stock. Following complaints of sheep worrying in the Honikiwi riding, Mr Simms asked whether the dog tax ranger carried a rifle with him, in order to destroy killer dogs. He was assured that he did, and shot dogs involved in worrying sheep, with the consent of the owners of the dogs. The clerk was authorised to purchase a further 2 0 tons of sodium chlorate. The price was stated to have been increased to 373 Gd per ton. Drivers’ Licences Members expressed concern regarding the Government proposal that all drivers’ licence fees for the future be collected by post offices. Mr Simms was of the opinion that under this method or collection the ratepayers would have to And something between £3OO and £4OO in increased rating for the future. Two applications were received from farmers requiring culverts to be lowered for the purpose of draining their lands. The work would be done partly or wholly at the public’s expense. It was stated that there was no legal obligation on the council to spend any public money on these culverts and the council had no definite rule as to whether it would contribute to the cost. The question was deferred. Petrol Increase The truck hirers to the county asked for an increase or 4d a gallon on the benzine used, to compensate for the recent added State tax. On the motion of Mr Simms, seconded by Mr Thompson, the council decided to take no action. i Owing to change in ownership of seci tions adjoining the public pound it was , found necessary to re-organise the pound fences, to exclude the public road, and thus give the owner of an adjoining propl erty (Mr Sowerby) the legal access to his property. Messrs Grierson and .Simms were appointed the county delegates to the Otorohanga Defence League. A communication from the Te Awamutu Physical Welfare and Recreation Committee, was Tully considered. On the motion or Mr Wallis, seconded by Mr Simms, it was unanimously decided to take no action regarding the proposals. Overdue Rates An application from a Honikiwi riding ratepayer Tor a reduction or his rates, overdue £163, to £lll provided payment was made within a month, was carerully considered. It was thought that the ratepayer should pay the full amount due. and a resolution was carried to this effect.