WAIMATE WEST COUNTY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 14 April 1927, Page 9

WAIMATE WEST COUNTY.

ADMINISTRATIVE AFFAIRS,

MEETING OF THE COUNCIL

The monthly meeting of the Waimat.e West County Council was held to-day. There were present: Crs. E. Long (chairman), W. 11. Le Fleming. J. F. Stevenson, J. S. McKay, E. Mourie, A. Gamlin. An apology for absence Avas receiA'ed from Cr. J. Leslie.

The engineer (Mr. J. A. Hansen) reported that during part of the month the following roads had been resurfaced with bitumen: Oeo Load, 80 chains; Lower Auroa, 90 chains; Lower Glenn, 45 chains; Upper Glenn, 35 chains; Sutherland, about SO chains; Sheet, about 25 chains.

General maintenance lead been carried out. on the Sheet, Oeo, MangaAvliero, Auroa, and Xormanby Loads. Mr.' Parker had made good progress with his Xormanby Road contract, having delivered 350 yards of crushed metal.

The report Avas adopted. “The clerh is to be congratulated on the presentation of the satisfactory balance sheets for two years,” said the chairman, when the financial statements for the years 1924-25 and 192520 were tabled. The auditor had recently visited the council office, and his comments had indicated satisfaction 'Concerning the excellent, manner m which the accounts were kept.

The chairman stated that the balance sheets tverc being printed, and copies Avould be open for inspection by Ratepayers at the county office, and centres in the county, in the near future.

A letter, dated April 11, received from the South Taranaki Automobile Association, stated in reply to' the council’s request that road signs required Avould be made, and forivarded with a minimum of delay. A circular letter receiA’ed from the Public Works Department adifised that it Avas .proposed to amend the definition of a motor lorry in the regulations so that it did not include any A’ehicle, the oavner of Avhieh proves to the satisfaction of the licensing authority that it is used only as a taxi; that Avith its maximum load does not exceed 2 tons 5 CAvt in weight, and that the vehicle Avas, and has remained in possession of its present OAvner on and since March 24, 1925. The Minister of Finance (the Hon. DoAvnie SteAvart)) AA’rote adA’ising that under the Local Government Loans Board Act., Avhieh came into operation on April 1, every local authority Avhieh proposes to borroAV money (otherAvise than in anticipation of its roA’enue) must submit, an application to the Local Government Loans Board for sanction. At a preliminary meeting of the board it AA’as decided that any local authority intending to apply for sanction to borroAV must, give 14 days’ notice by advertisement. HOSPITAL LEVY.

A copy of the receipts and expenditure of the lluAvera Hospital Board for the year ended March 31, 1927, statement of estimates for the year ending March 31, 1928, and a copy of the resolution making the levy for the year Avas receiA’ed.

The leA’y in respect of the county, on a rateable capital A-alue of £2,095,245, AA’as £2577 12s, the amount of the monthly instalment being £214 16s. HEAVY " TRAFFIC FEES.

Copies 6f minutes of the executive meeting of the Taranaki Local Bodies Association held on March 25, and the general meeting on February 23, ' were received from secretary (Mr. W. J. Tristram). Commenting upon the decision of the executive to adopt the Skoglund scheme for the distribution of heavy traffic license fees, the chairman said it ’would be necessary for the council to confer with the Manaia Town Board in the matter.

The chairman, and Crs. Stevenson and Gamblin, the engineer (Mr. J. A. Hansen), and clerk (Mr. V. H. Hobday) were appointed to interview the Manaia Town Board with reference to the allocation of fees collected in the respective areas. MIGHT STOCK ON LOADS.

The chairman of the Alain Highways Board wrote advising that the attention of the board had been drawn to the danger of allowing stock to graze on roads at night time. The letter stressed the point that the presence of stock on roads at night was a source of great danger to the travelling public, and recommended to local bodies who allowed grazing rights for stock that the time for grazing on highways be limited to the hours between sunrise and sunset. The chairman referred to a recent resolution of the Manaia Town Board, prohibiting the grazing of licensed cows in the town area, between the hours of sunset and sunrise. He mentioned instances within his own experience, of motorists being' menaced by stock on roads at night, and he endorsed the Manaia Town Board’s resolution, which he considered should be strictly enforced.

His remarks were supported by the council.

SETTLER’S REQUEST.

Air. H. J. Berry (Kaupokonui) wrote asking if the council could take action to give drainage clearance from his, and other properties, which had been inconvenienced as a result of the construction of the Rama Road drains.

Following an explanation of the position by the engineer, and discussion by the council, it was decided that the council should inspect the area. As the result of representations made by Air. A. Shearer, the chairman and Cir. McKay, and the engineer were appointed to confer with the Hawera County Council concerning maintenance work on the Inaha Road. TOWN STOCK POUND

Alessrs J. Hickey and AY. J. Badley (Town Clerk; representing the Alianaia Town Board, waited upon the council to ask for assistance in the upkeep of the pound enclosure. Air. Hickey explained that the enclosure was used as much in respect of stock taken on the county roads o.s in respect of that found in the town area. An expenditure of approximately £l2 was contemplated for the provision of signs in English and Alaori, to he erected at the pound, and the board asked that a contribution he made bv flie council. Replying to the chairman Air Hickey said that the revenue from the pound wias insufficient to meet, the upkeep expenses. It was. however, a necessary institution, and the work mentioned would add to its utility. The chairman agreed that the county required the services of a pound just ns much, as the town did. and at present the pound served a dual purpose. He intimated that the council would take a sympathetic view of the request, and that the county clerk would be requested to advise the council as: to the legality of making a contribution. After the withdrawal of the deputation, the clerl: informed the council

that a contribution could be mad© under the heading of unauthorised expenditure. During the last tA\ - o years the unauthorised expenditure had been £& and £lO. respectn’ely. The chairman and Cr. Mourie and the engineer were appointed to inspect the proposed work, and authorised to take action accordingly.