TARANAKI LOCAL BODIES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 29 August 1929, Page 2

TARANAKI LOCAL BODIES.

ASSOCIATION'S QUARTERLY MEETING. At the quarterly meeting of the Taranaki Cocal Bodies’ Association, held at Elthani yesterday, there were present the following representatives of county councils: Messrs J. S. Connett, chairman (Taranaki), T. R. Anderson, J. AY. Spence (Stratford), C. H. Foreman (Clifton), A. Gorki]] (Inglewood), W. C. Green and E. A. Collins (Egmont). Boroughs were represented by Messrs 11. V. S. Griffiths and J. Blown (New Plymouth), E. A. George and T. B. Ewens (Waitara), W. H. Winfield (Inglewood), P. Skoglund (Stratford). An apology for absence was received from Mr E.‘ A. Paeey, Mayor of Hawera.

COMPENSATION FORi ROADING. In reference to the endeavour by county councils to obtain compensation for tarsealed roads which were laid down prior to the establishment of the Highways Board and the suggestion of the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce to limit the term for compensation to five years previous t.o that date, it was resolved that tlie latter be thanked for its interest in the matter and that renewed efforts, be made to obtain from the Government recognition of the claims of the local bodies. The executive was instructed to take further action, Mr George urging that the claims of the smaller boroughs should net be. overlooked.

JOINT TRAFFIC INSPECTORS. A circular from the Highways Board in reference to appointment of joint traffic inspectors was read, together with an expression of opinion thereon from the Elthani and Egmont County Councils and the Hawera Borough Council. —It was resolved to reply pointing Quit that local bodies employed their own inspectors, Ob-y whom the worlc was carried out in a satisfactory manner. CEMENT PENETRATION PROCESS. A sample specimen of cement penetration process for road building was submitted, and the chairman explained that he had made arrangements for the supply of fuller information on the subject.—lt was resolved to thank the interested company for the sample and i nfo rmation received. PUBLIC WORKS GRANTS. The Hawera County Council wrote in regard to the Public Works Department’s decision that work done under department grants. should bo carried out. by contract, pointing out that the council’s staff do such work quite satisfactorily and that the association should enter a protest against the proposal in case s where local bodies had staffs competent to execute the work.—lt was decided that the matter ho held over until the next meeting.

MODEL COUNTY BY-LAWS. A communication from the Counties’ Association dealing with the framing of new county by-laws was held, over, pending receipt of further information.

WAITARA LEVEL GROSSING. The District Highways Council and the New Plymouth Council wrote in reference to the elimination pf tile level railway crossing at Waitara, favouring the work being carried out under the same conditions as were imposed in regard to the South Road crossing at Hawera—five per cent, from the heavy traffic fees and 10 per cent, from tlie local .bodies interested, which in the case under review are the New Plymouth and Waitara Borough Councils auj the Taranaki and Clifton County Councils. Tlie expenditure involved is estimated at £SOOO,

The association favoured a proposal made by tlie Railway Department to invito tenders for the work, provided the cost to local bodies does not exceed six per cent, on the bridge; contracts to bo let for (a) bridge and (b) balance, of the work; the department to supervise construction of tlie bridge and tlie comity engineers to supervise the approaches. A. conference of representatives of local bodies will be arranged to discuss the apportionment pay able by each of the four local bodies concerned.

HEAVY TRAFFIC FEES. The Municipal and Counties’. Associations submitted their views in regard to the proposed reduction of heavy traffic fees. It was understood that no legislation on the question would be enacted during the present session of Parliament. The chairman expressed his opinion that the fact that decision was being delayed indicated that the authorities recognised there were two sides to the matter.—. Received.

The chairman said there was a good deal of disappointment over the proposals of the authorities. It was plain that the proposed restrictions would curtail the proposals of local bodies as approved by the District Highways Council. The association should enter a protest, expressing regret at the action of the Prime Minister, who saw lit to curtail the vote of £200,000 to tlie Highways Board, as it would very considerably hamper next year’s, work. Motorists were contributing a large sum towards the roads and local bodies were doing their very best to provide their quota and get money from the Highways Board for many works. One would think, he said, that tlie Government would appreciate the efforts of the moioiists and local bodies. He thought alteration of the contribution would have been one of tlie last things to be done.

A resolution was framed ag follows: “That this association expresses regret that the finances of the Dominion rendered necessary idle curtailment of the vote of £200,000 to the Highways Board, and feels that it is> against the spirit of the policy of the Main Highways Board, creating undue hardship ou local bodies, who framed their wot]; in anticipation, of -the subsidy.”

Mr Green said lie could not- Maine the Prime Minister., after seeing the amount ef money being spent in other places, some receiving £5 for £l, whereas in Taranaki £ for £ ivas received. The following addition was made to the resolution: “And the effect of which would he to necessitate local bodies dispensing with many of their employees, thus adding to tne ranks of the unemployed.” The motion was carried. TRAFFIC FEES DISTRIBUTION. The New Plymouth Borough Council wrote favouring a continuance, for another year, of heavy traffic fees, and on the motion of Messrs Green and Griffiths it was resolved that the present method he continued. MAHOENUI-TE KUITI ROAD. It. was resolved to support the Taranaki County Council in its endeavour to have the Mahoenui-Te Kuitd Road improved without delay. GENERAL'. it was decided that the rate of subscription to the association he the same as for fast year. Accounts amounting to £•>! los o«i were passed for payment.