FRANKLIN AFFAIRS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 45, 22 February 1929, Page 11

FRANKLIN AFFAIRS.

COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING. VISIT OP CABINET MINISTERS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) . PUKEKOIIE. this day. The chairman. Mr. ,T. N. Massey. M.P., presided at yesterday's meeting o£ the Franklin County Council. Ministerial Visit.—The Minister of I.ands (Hon G. W. Forbes) and the Minister of Public WorKs (Hon. E. A. Kansom) intimated that they would visit the Franklin, Raglan and Hauraki electorates early In March. Main Highways.—ln view of the annual review of declared highways taking place in April next, and o£ possible adjustments being made, the Main Highways Board asked the council to forward any application it desired to make for new highways to be declared. It was stated that when members of the board were in Pukekolie last week, the application was made then, but it was decided to make application through the No. li Main Highways District Council. Advice was received that the Bombay Hills deviation for a distance of seven miles 14 chains, had been declared a main highway. Whakatlwai Bridge.—The Public Works Department intimated that Cabinet had approved of a grant of £1470 for the Whakatlwai Bridge and New Brighton to North County Boundary Road. Pollution of a Creek. —Following complaints received regarding the pollution of Hay's Creek, Papakurn. by a metal quarry company, the Health Department urged the council to take action under section 61 of the Health Act. No action was taken, as it was understood the settlers concerned were applying to the Supreme Court for an injunction to restrain the company from polluting the waler. Clevedon-Miranda Road. —The Manukau County Council forwarded correspondence from the Public Works Department relating to the Clevedon to Miranda Road along the coast. It was stated that the proposed work would cost about /.40,000. and the Government was unable to promise that provision would be made for the work required at present. Further representations are to be made to the Minister of Public Works for a grant, when he visits the distlct.

Whangarnta-Pokeno Road. — Sixty-one ratepayers petitioned the council requesting an estimate be made of the cost of grading and metalling the existing road from Whangarata to Pokeno before a poll was taken on the loan proposal for the new road along the old railway line route. The request was acceded to. Special Rating Aivas. —A resolution was passed, authorising the raising of a loan of £400 over the l'aparimu-Millbanks Junction, special rating area. A return war. presented showing that for the past 10 months. ±'23.044 hud been expended on Main highways and main county roads. Of this amount £13.(>f!N had been expended on main highways, the Highway Board's contribution being Outstanding rates totalled ±23.402. Dangerous Corners.—A subcommittee was set up to negotiate for the purchase of four small areas of land to improve four dangerous corners on the IJrur.v-Pufeekohe-Waiuku main highway, while steps are to be taken to have lieilges cut ;it tlie intersection of the Pukekohe-Bomliay Road, and the Bombay Hills deviation, to improve the view. Tender Accepted.—Tt was decided to accept the tender of Mr. A. O. Reynolds, of Devonporr. at £!»!»1 14 8. for the construction of the Whakatiwai Bridge. Three other tenders were received. Road Sealing Experiment.—The engineer. Mr. J. McArthur. in his report, suggested that experiments be made on several onemile lengths of road. with a sealing material before it was used as an improved form of maintenance. The approximate cost was £320 per mile. The principle was affirmed, but action was deferred pendinir advice being received from the Highway* Board as to whether such experiments we're subject to the usual maintenance subsidy.