LOCAL BODIES

Hawera Star, Volume L, 28 July 1930, Page 10

LOCAL BODIES

TAR AX AKI ASSOCIATION. BITUMEN' AND HEAVY TRAFFIC > FEES'. A special meeting of the Taranaki Local Bodies’ Association was held in Eltliam on Friday, and was attended Iby over 20 representatives. Mr J. S. Connett presided. The meeting was called for the purpose of discussing the questions of the purchase of bitumen supplies and the distribution of heavy traffic fees. Kaponga Town Board, Inglewood county, Inglewood borough, Waitara borough, Eltliam Borough and Opunakc county reported that owing to the financial stringency they would not take any quantities. Taranaki county also did not think any would be required. Hawera county would want 200 tons approximately. Eltliam proposed to reduce their quantity from 200. tons, to 150. It was agreed that the quality of the bitumen offering was good and it was only a ease of the amount required.

New Plymouth borough desired to have a guarantee that the quality was up to the standard required hy the Highways Board. No. 7 Highways Board had circnlarisced local bodies that they would not undertake the purchase of bitumen on behalf of local bodies, and were of the opinion that the local bodies could negotiate equally as well as the hoard.

Mr A. L. Campbell (Eltliam county) moved tliat* tenders be ealled for tilie combined supply. It was stated that to suit the local bodies the supplies must he landed in October. Tenders, to close on August 6, will he called for the supply of 700 tons, the executive committee to deal with same.

TARANAKI ROADS CLAIM. The chairman, speaking to the reply of the Highways Board (Mr Furkert) said the association had been pursuing the suhiect for a long time; in fact, ever since the hoard was constituted ; and it looked as if they were getting, further away. Whethier they should continue their claims remained with the association members. They had enlisted the sympathy and support of the members of Parliament. From time to tune they had received the sympathy of chambers of commerce and M’s.P., Which had heartened them to make further appeals to get some consideration for money spent in days gone. by. Mr P. Skoglund (Stratford borough) said that probably the matter would come before Parliament through the Otah'uhu. borough, which was seeking relief for smaller bodies, which were in the same position as Taranaki counties. IF they gave the smaller bodies relief, no doubt, the counties would also get a. share, hut he was afraid they would not get any. Mr Clarke (Waitara borough) said Mr Furkert’s letter dealt with' the matter from the counties’ point of view, and the smaller boroughs were left out. The chairman considered that if the subject was to be debated! in the House, it would bei just as well to hold over discussion. Tt was agreed that ne action be taken in the meantime. s OBBTR.TTGTTONS ON ROAD. In reply to the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, drawing the attention oi local l bodies to obstructions at road crossings and requesting that steps be taken to provide for the safety of motorists, the chairman said the counties' could not do more than draw attention to the obstructions.

Mr AY. C. Green (O'punakej : AVhat local: bodies ai'e referred to by the union? The union does not seem to have much else toi do! Mr J. B. Murdoch stated that the Hawera county had asked the union f.q r definite eases. Mr Green moved that the union be written to asking them .to state' a ea.se, when the association would be pleased to assist in securing improvement.

The motion was seconded by Mr Murdoch and carried.

HEAVY TRAFFIC fees

A' long discussion ensued 1 on the proposal of the Eltham. County Council toi alter Mr SkogLundi’w sdieme of distribution of heavy traffio fees, but eventually the motion was withdrawn in favour of the following amendment proposed; by Mr S, Vickers (Taranaki county) and Mr V. H. Griffiths (New Plymouth borough) : That the prinlierecl to, and that the basis of future ciple of the present scheme be adallocations from the Taranaki subdistrict ha as follows : Ten per cent, to Inglewood county and borough 2i per cent, to Egmonit comity, three’ per cent, to Strafford County Council 9 per cent, to Eltham, amt 2) per cent to \V hang am om on a county, makincr the apportionment twenty per cent, instead or Iz.j per cent, as at present.