ELTHAM COUNTY MATTERS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 14 January 1929, Page 10

ELTHAM COUNTY MATTERS.

MEETING OF COUNCIL. At. the monthly meeting of the Eltham County Council, held on Saturday, there were present: Councillors C. J. Belcher (chairman;, It. J. Knuckey, A. McWilliam, A. V. Messana, M. W. Barker, A. L. Campbell, W. E. Carter, C. E. MoGuinness, and E. .7. Gifford. MAIN ROAD MAINTENANCE. The Tauranga County Council forwarded copy, of a resolution passed, for which the support of the Eltham Council was asked: “That this council views with alarm the ever-increasing burden upon the ratepayers since the inception of motor traffic, more especially in the case of main roads so largely and continuously used by the general travelling public. This council considers that the one and most equitable method ot coping with the problem of maintenance of main roads is per medium of the petrol tax or other direct levy on motor users, and that the Government be urged to pass legislation to effect this solution at the earliest opportunity.” The chairman said it was difficult to arrive at what the letter aimed at, as all must know that the petrol tax is already in vogue. Mr. Carter remarked that a request was being made for something we have already got, while Cr_ Campbell ventured the opinion that Tauranga is evidently not up to date. He moved that the letter bo received. In further discussion the chairman expressed his opinion that what was meant to be conveyed was that in regard to back loads the heavy traffic fees should be abolished and the petrol tax increased. The clerk was instructed to reply in the following terms: ‘ ‘That this council is of the opinion that as the petrol tax is in vogue, some more definite proposals were required before any change should bo made.” TRAFFIC SIGNS. The Highways Board’s representative at Stratford (Mr. P. Kellar) wrote suggesting methods of erecting road trarric signs by controlling autnorities. In accordance with the provisions or regulation 16 under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1924, signs should, wherever practicable, be placed so as to appear on the left-hand side of the road to a person approaching the locality to which it is intended to lefer, and be clearly and readily visible to such person at a distance of at least 50 yards beiore' reaching it.—Received. OUTSTANDING RATES. The clerk (Mr. A. Tiplady) reported that though rates are coming in fairly steadily, there is still outstanding a sum oi about £5009. It was resolved that with the object of impressing upon ratepayers the necessity of payment before imposition of the ten per cent_ penalty in February next, it would be advisable to advisable to advertise the date when the penalty would be added to all rates outstanding. ABANDONED CROWN LANDS. Mr. W. D. Armit, Commissioner of Crown Lands, wrote advising that with a view to easing the difficulties experienced by certain local authorities as the result ot the deterioration of land and abandonment of farms, with a consequent hardship imposed upon remaining settlers in special rating areas, it had been decided to make money available ifor general use in meeting special rates on unoccupied farms under the administration of land boards. This would mean that the Crown Lands Department would, from April 1, 1929, be enabled to meet cliams for special rates on abandoned areas. The chairman remarked that this was very good news—it was wliat the council had been for years battling for. BRIDGE ON BOUNDARY ROAD. A committee, consisting of the chairman, engineer and riding members (Crs. Carter, Gifford and McGuinness), was appointed to expedite erection of the proposed bridge over the Waingongoro River on Sheet Road. This matter equally concerns the Hawera County Council, with which body a consultation will he necessary. WEEKLY HALF-HOLIDAY.

It was resolved that, as the Minister of Internal Affairs has power to fix the statutory half-holiday observable in the county and ratepayers invariably took little interest in meetings called for the purpose of determining the day, the Minister be requested to fix the day. GENERAL,

Accounts totalling £1856 2s 6d were passed for payment; included in this amount was £683 16s 4d for bitumen purchase, Cr. Knuckey and the engineer were empowered to effect the sale of some of the council’s horses.

A sub-committee, consisting of the chairman, Cr. Knuckey and the engineer was appointed with power to act in connection with earthwork on Mata Road. WORK FOR THE MONTH. The engineer (Mr. F. Muggeridge) reported as follows on the operations of the staff during the past month: South Riding.—Watertahliug, culvert attention, and bitumen patching were attended to oil Fraser and Rotokare Roads. Clay binding was done on Neil Road. The work of widening out 80 chains of the existing bitumen surface on Boylan Road lias been commenced. The first coat of metal has been laid for the full distance. The staff is now engaged in laying the final coat and grouting Mangatolci Riding.—With the exception of bitumen patching on Eltham Road, no work was carried out in this riding during the month.

Omoana Riding.—The grading of the hill leading down to the Whenuakura Valley Road was completed and the plant returned to the depot. Scrub was cut and watertables and culverts cleaned out on the Rawhitiroa and Mataiwhetu roads. The surfacemen are engaged in cleaning up the Moeawatea Ridge Road, but a few days’ work is required again on the Lower Moeawaten track, as slips came down after the hist rain. When these are cleared work will he resumed on the Ridge Road. Ivnnonga. Riding.—Metal patching was done on Palmer and Mangawhero Roads. Bitumen patching was done and watertables attended to on Eltham and Manaia Roads. Clay blinding was completed on the Opu-nake-Stratford Road. The tractor and grader are now being used to grade Aui Road in readiness for metalling. When this work is completed the sides of Auroa Road will lie graded. Eltham Riding.—The widening of 80 chains of the bitumen surface on Rawhitiroa Road was completed. Clay blinding was done on Horoi, Tirimoana, and- Anderson Ronds. Minor si ins were 1 cleared off the Mangamingi ridge.