WAIKATO COUNTY

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21368, 12 March 1941, Page 9

WAIKATO COUNTY

MEETING OF COUNCIL SUBDIVISION AL ROADS “It is about time we put our feet down solidly in opposing any subdivisional plan providing for 40ft. roadways. The roads should be 66ft. wide. Local bodies should look ahead. It may be that the roads would be important traffic lanes in 20 or 30 years’ time.” This was the View taken by the chairman, Mr J. E. Sampson, at the Waikato County Council meeting yesterday, when application was made for approval of a subdivisional plan for a Hillcrest property, supported by an alleged statement from the Chief Surveyor. Crown Lands Office, that he saw no reason why the 40ft. provision should not be adopted if the building line on sections was set back an adequate distance, 35ft. from the centre line of the road. Several members supported the chairman’s views, and mention was made of the space taken up by telephone and power lines and poles. The council did not approve the application, and it adhered to its requirement for provision of roadways 66ft. -wide. Emergency Reserve Corps expenditure was the subject of a communication from the New Zealand Counties Association secretary, who said the Minister of National Service had set out the view that each local body should arrange for emergency precautions in its own district, rather than that the cost should be borne by the Government. The communication was received without comment. Home Guard Expenses Gordonton Hall committee set out reasons for its charge of £1 10s night as hire for use by the ne Guard. The hall, a wellipped and commodious one, cost :• £1 5s per week for capital and ir,- intenance charges. The chairman said that halls all over the district were of benefit to the communities. He thought lighting should be charged for. It was remarked that in Raglan County organisation of Home Guard units was proceeding without mention of hall hire. “This obtains also in other parts of Waikato County,” remarked a member. A suggestion was made that the local bodies should remit rates on public halls.

Mr G. M. Watt considered the whole scheme was a national effort, and local bodies should be refunded any outlay by the Government. The chairman remarked that it would be more economical for local bodies to be in control, for after all the ratepayers would have to pay.

It was decided on the motion of Messrs Young and Watt to notify the Gordonton Hall Committee that the council has no funds available with which to pay hall hire for Home Guard parades. Members present were: Messrs J. A. Sampson (chairman). G. Smith. G. Walter. R. G. Young. P. E. Dingle. G Watt. J. Primrose. The Clerk (Mr C. F. E. Barton) and engineer (Mr A. A. Woodward) were also present.