COUNTY COUNCIL

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XLII, Issue 6023, 4 March 1914, Page 6

COUNTY COUNCIL

.MONTHLY (MEETING

Thi'. onliiHtry monthly meeting <>i the 'fanning Couuty Council was held in the Coronation I lull yesterday

Present: Messrs H Soulhey (Chairman), O. V. Stewart, J. Hume, T. Lemon. C. Laliy. M. Spc-nee, "W. J. (-Iniliu uud X >L -Matthews Deputation to Premier Thy Chairman submitted a report, regarding matters affecting the Councirwhich had been placed before the lion. "NY. F. .Massey on the occasion of his recent visit to Tauranga. Tim report dealt with each question in detail, and was on the lines of the report previously published in this; paper. Application for Pumice Messrs-11. King and Co, Paengaioa, wrote asking permission to obtain a tew loads <.f pumice from the Council's pit-, to be used for footpath in front of the applicants premises. It was decided to grant the application and not to charge for the pumice as it was required for the road, .but that pumice be removed under ; the supervision of the engineer. Fukem ap a v (~> uar i y Messrs Sharp and Tudhope wrote re above and intimated that the native owners ask £50 compensation. The solicitors pointed out that the question is, will the Council go oil with the taking of the quarry and pay £00, or fight the question of compensation in the Native Land Court. The area is about five acres ! and the land is of little value agriculturally, but the quarry as a quarry might be of value. It was decided to refer the matter to the Chairman with a view t) arriving at an amicable settlement. Tumu Road Mr E. J. Quinton, Tumu Road, Tc Puke, wrote stating lie understands there is a sum of money available from rates for the purpose of road ing the Tumu swamp road. He said: " If such is the case i would respectfully suggest that your Council spend the"same in putting clay on the road from the end of the section that is already clayed. This road, in its present state, is very soft, but if well clayed before it is cut up bythe ilax carters would carry light tratlic for some considerable time. ' *

It was decided that thirds be spent on the road, but that the supervisor be asked to submit a report as to the best manner in which to expend the money. Public Koads at Maketu Mf A. Tinker, Maketu, wrote <c public roads at JMakctu, and asked for a reply to his letter of January ;K)th. A reply has been forwarded by the clerk to the effect that the matter was laid before the Prime Minister on the occasion of his visit to Tauratiga. Cr Matthews pointed out that there were also sections in the Maungaraugi block that had no accessThe Council decided to empower the Chairman and Clerk to communicate with the Native Minister on the subject. ' Kotorua County Debt The Department of Tourist and Health Resorts wrote re the Council's claim agaiosfc the Rotorua County in connection with the creation ot" the Itotofua County Council in 188.7 and the severance of its area from tliat of Tauranga County. It was stated that the sum of £ 100 was voted by Parliament on the Supple- j mentary Estimates as va grant to the Rotorua town account in order to meet the Council's claim. The letter concluded : 'This amount is now j oiTtred (without prejudice) to your Council in full settlement of its claim ;.against either the Rotorua County Couueil or the late Rotorua Town Board, and I shall be glad to know at your convenience whether your Council is prepared to accept the amount from this Department, as the local authority for the Town of Rotorua, iv full settlement of its claim in connection with the adjusement of accounts beI tween the" Tauranga and Rotorua Counties.''

Or Stewart considered the. Council was entitled to £1000. Cr Lally moved—That the tunouut offered be accepted in full satisfaction of the claim.—(Seconded by Cr Mat-, thews and carried, Penalty on Kates Mr A, Matheson, Otumoetai, wrote re 10 per cent penalty charged to 1 him on rates. Ho stated he called at the offices twice in February, 1913, to pay his rates, and found"them closed. The matter of furnishing a reply was left in the hands of the Chairman and Clerk. Iloat 4 Deviations Tho Hon W. 11. Homes forwarded the following memorandum received by him from Hon W. Fraser, Minister of Wcrks, to thoTauranga County Council : "Your memorandum of the 22nd January to the Hon Minister of Lands, bringing under notice representations made to you by a deputation from tho TauraugiL County Council regarding tho cost of surveying road deviations, has been referred to mo for confident-

tion.' In reply, 1 have to .advise that ecubideratioD has been given to representations previously iu»ile by the Council iv this matter, but I regret that I was unable, on tbe current year's appropriations, to make any adequate provision tor the work in question. The better coiuse for the Council to adopt, however, would bo to make application for assistance in special cases, and 1 sh»ll bo glad to consider each case j ao-. ording to Its merits."