COUNTY AFFAIRS

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21369, 13 March 1941, Page 10

COUNTY AFFAIRS

RAGLAN COUNCIL MEETS HOSPITAL LOAN APPROVED HOME GUARD EXPENSES (Special to Times.) NGARUAWAHIA, Wednesday At today’s meeting- of the Raglan County Council approval was given the Waikato Hospital Board's pro- ; posed loan for building but the ; council also passed a resolution urg- | ing that during the war essential building only be undertaken. In view of increasing costs and shortage of materials, the council decided not to consider any applications under the Rural Housing Scheme after March 31. Four applications were approved at today's meeting. The chairman drew attention to the fact that the Defence Department apparently intended the cost, of the Home Guard movement to be met by the local bodies. The engineer stated that units in the county were asking the council for assistance to provide drill facilities. It was decided that the council bear the organising expenses and that ail claims lor expenditure for Home Guard purposes be referred to and dealt with by a committee of three, comprising the chairman, Mr TI. W. Wilson, Mr H. Johnstone (Southern area), and Mr E. Lowe (Northern area), with the engineer, Mr K. M. Wright. Mr Johnstone brought to the notice .of the council complaints about the working of the sanitary services instituted by the council, and also of the cost, £2 per annum, which was considered to be too high. The council had received a report on the situation drawn up by one of its officials, and covering most of the points at issue, except costs. The fee had been increased from 30s to £2 p.a. owing to unavoidable increases in costs. It was resolved’ to improve the services as far as possible. Registration of Dogs Donations of two guineas each to the Ngaruawahia and Kagian Plunket Societies, and of £lO towards the cost of a public hail at Pukemiro, were agreed to. Mr C. H. Nicholson, Onewhero, wrote complaining of sheep worrying by unregistered dogs. There were many dogs at the Maori pa. The council decided to reintroduce the system of dog registration, the fees to be 2s lor wonting and 7s bd lor othei dogs. It was suggested that, if legal, a higher lee be levied on bitches. It was decided lo submit to the Counties’ Conlerence a remit suggesting that legal provision be made for doing so. Financial Statement The overdraft including all accounts to date was shown in the linancial report to be £11,248. Substantial credits were shown in many of the special accounts. Riding b.alances were as follows: Karamu, £76 credit; Karioi, £341 credit; Matakowhai, £ll3 debit; Onewhero, £172 debit; Pirongia, £221 debit; Port Waikato, £489 credit; Pukekav/a, £875 credit (£1857 of arrears had been collected); Pukemiro, £696 credit; Te Akau, £321 credit; Waingaro, £4BO debit; 'Whangaroa, £2 credit; Whangape, £413 credit. In the rural housing scheme the erection of 25 houses had been approved, 15 had been completed, and nine were under construction. Rates collected to date totalled £31,613, leaving £BllB outstanding. Mr H. W. Wilson presided at the meeting and also present were: Messrs A. Cobourne, W. A. H. Murray, E. Lowe, H. Johnstone, M. J. Corcoran, W. R. Moore, F. C. Johnstone, R. J. Glasgow, L. C. Logan. Apologies were received from Messrs P. S. Kirk and W. G. Vernon for absence owing to sickness. Mr Vernon advised that he would not be standing at the coming county elections for health reasons. The council passed a vote of sympathy, and wished him a speedy recovery.