HUTT COUNTY

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 249, 17 July 1937, Page 7

HUTT COUNTY

Increased Rates Struck BURDEN OF COSTS “The increase in rates is regretted, but additional costs for wages and material have made it inevitable,” said the chairman, Mr. D. R. Hoggard, when the Hutt County Council at its monthly meeting yesterday adopted the rate estimates for tile coming year. “Another factor in increased costs is the greater holiday traffic which is burdening the roads. The council has done its best to keep the rates down, but it is not altogether a free agent in the matter.” The general rates are as follows, the corresponding rate for last year being shown in parentheses in each ease:— Epuni Riding, 1.25<1. in the 11 (1.5 d. ; Heretaunga Riding, .GSd. (.68d.) ; Horokiwi Ridmg, .78(1. (,72d.) ; Mungaroa Riding, 1.9 d. (Id.) ; Taupo Riding, l.Mkl. (1.41 d. ; Wainui-o-mata Riding, Id. (,78d.) ; Whareroa Riding, 1.5(1. (1.5 d. The rates are estimated to produce £15,325. compared with £14,338 last year. All other rates are the same as last year. , . ' Or. J. J. Maher said the increased rate would be one of the added costs which the farmers in the Mungaroa riding, mostly dairy-farmers, were facing. The guaranteed price was supposed to have been fixed to give them a reasonable standard of living, but this had been filched away. Cr. W. R. M. Pearce: The market gardeners at Taita do not know whether their land is to lie taken or not. They are afraid to embark on developmental work, or even to buy manures. _ The Government should make clear its intentions. The chairman said an injustice was done to those across whose titles the Government had written a centre-line proclamation. Those who had been informed that their land was under proclamation should be told the Government's intentions. He moved that the injustice be brought before the Government, and this was carried. Motor Taxation. The Matamata County Council forwarded a copy of its remit:—“That the time is overdue for the more equitable distribution of motor taxation, and as a means of enabling county councils to efficiently maintain roads other than main highways, we suggest a £1 for £1 subsidy on all rates for reading purposes.” , The chairman: The ordinary rural roads as well as the main highways are carrying an enormous amount of traffic, and it is only fair that some contribution should be made. My own opinion is that the Matamata suggestion is a very moderate one. His motion that the council support the remit was carried. New Eastbourne Bus. A permit to place on the road a new 33-seater bus was sought by the Eastbourne Borough Council. It was stated that the gross maximum laden weight of the vehicle would be , approximately 0 tons. The road between Day’s Bay and the Lower Hutt boundary was a secondclass one with a maximum of S tons. Owing to the activity at the Seaview Road area, the loading of the buses was now heavy, and it was essential that vehicles with the maximum seating capacity be provided in order to give a satisfactory service. The loading varies a good deal, and smaller vehicles were of very little use in this service. It was resolved to inform the Bastbourne Borough Council that the council was not satisfied that the 25 miles an hour speed limit was being observed, and to ask whether the borough council could suggest any means of enforcing it. Speaking to a suggestion from the Plimmerton Ratepayers’ Association that unemployed labour be engaged under the new scheme to erect a sea wall, the chairman said that with the county overseer and clerk he attended a meeting called by the Minister of Labour, who suggested that the county’s quota should be 50 men. They had informed him that the county could place that number provided it secured suitable men. The action was confirmed. The county engineer reported that the Public Works Department had approved his plans for the new Plateau Creek bridge, and he was instructed to call for tenders. Lighting at Taita. The district engineer forwarded a letter from the Taita Ratepayers’ and Progressive Association asking that lighting be improved on the main road from Park Avenue to Cemetery Road. The bus stop between Park Avenue and Avalon tearooms going north was alleged to be dangerous, as passengers had to step into the long grass or ditch. The district engineer suggested that the City and Suburban Highways Board might provide white traffic posts. Cr. Pearce: There is any amount of light there now and plenty of room to walk without going into ditches. What is needed is a path for bicycles. As it is, it would be a good idea to give cyclists permission to ride on the footpath. The chairman : Wo could suggest the shifting of the bus stop. Cr. Pearce: We are always asking for the stops to be changed. The council resolved to take no action on the letter. An investigation of the lighting on the section of the main highway from the Lower Hutt boundary north to the Taita Gorge was urged by the Automobile Association, Wellington, which stated that there had recently been a number of accidents on the road. The clerk was instructed to reply that the road would probably become a main highway shortly. Tenders are to be called for the widening bf Wellington and Ocean Roads, on the recommendation of the engineers.