COUNTY MATTERS

Hawera Star, Volume L, 16 February 1931, Page 10

COUNTY MATTERS

ELTHAM COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING

There were present at the monthly meeting of the Eltham County Council on Saturday Crs. A. L. Campbell (chair), JR. J. Knuekey, P. P. Brown, A. V. Alessana, M. F. Barker, J. L. Campbell, AV. E. Carter, C. J'~ McGuinness and E. J. Gifford. Tlie engineer’s report on work for the month -was adopted. The inspector (Mr. H. E. A\ llliams) reported that the registration of dogs was proceeding very slowly, only 242 having come in. Noxious weeds were not so prevalent this year as last, o win ft principally to tlic liberal use 01 destroyers. There were still some farmers who had made little or no attempt to cope with the weeds on their properyt and these had been or would be reported to the department. The roads had been clear of straying stock and no breach of any regulation had come under his notice requiring a prosecution. . . Cr. Barker: “Some sections around Kaponga are not being cleared, but o-enerallv there is a bigger effort being made this year to deal with the problem.” . , , The chairman said it was good to see the inspector reporting such an improvement. . “It is simple to get rid of weeds, and cheap now; there is no excuse, said Cr. Carter. , ' , , The chairman said that he hoped any cases coming under the notice of councillors would be l reported.

AUROA ROAD RE-CLASSIFIEI). A letter was received from the Awatuna Dairy Company pointing out that the Auroa Road from Awatuna to the station should not be made fourth class, because they carried over it 1200 tons of produce annually, and a similar amount of manures, coal, etc., to supply the farmers oif -the district. They referred to the extra expense that would be incurred in getting requirements to the district and produce to the port, because the nearest point on the railway would be entirely cut off and the department might then close the line from Opunake. After some further discussion it was resolved to alter the classification of the road in question from fourth to third class. Ilncidentally it was mentioned bv Cr. Barker that the position would “create a strong pull in getting the road declared a highway.”

MOTOR TRAFFIC. New regulations concerning the licensing of motor drivers were advised by the Commissioner of Transport, AVellington. The commissioner’s questions asked if the testing officer was an olxicial, if he could drive a car or motor cycle, what experience he had and if he eoulu be recommended It was agreed that the information be supplied. Referring generally to the matter, the clerk said that “even if you put all the tests in the world into force you will not reduce the risks one iota.” Cr. Gifford: “It is on the level, straight roads that most accidents occur.” Cr. J. L. Campbell: “The wider the road the faster they go!” The chairman said that the department was always making more regulations and the people had to pay all the time. The clerk said that inspectors-should go through a test as well as applicants. It was resolved that the engineer (Mr. Muggeridge) anu Messrs Tiplady junr. and Williams be the county inspectors that that the clerk sceure the necessary forms.

IJNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF. A communication was recievecl in reference to the employment of men under scheme No. 5 and this had been considered by the works committee, who had arranged to give wont, so far. for 19 men. Their action was confirmed.

The engineer said the men were working at Moeroa, Patea bridge, Mangamingi and Kaponga, and it was hoped to take all that were offering. Transport was a difficulty, but that had been overcome and the men were using whares at various places. It was agreed to hire horses and drays for the use of the men as required, the matter to be dealt with by the engineer.

GENERAL, The Egmoni National Park Board advised that, under the Act, it was necessary to appoint two members from the council during this month. Crs. Messana and Barker were appointed. Permission to put a quarter-inch pipe across the road at Tirimoana was granted to F. Martin, subject to the engineer’s approval. 1 The clerk and engineer were authorised to supply information regarding annual engineering costs, overseer’s costs, and car or transport allowances for engineer and foreman. As requested l>y Air. Hickey at Mangamingi. notice is to lie sent to a farmer below him to clear liis part of the creek.

Instructions were given to tenders for the Lower Aloeawatea Valley bridge, to be dealt with by the works committee.