COUNTY AFFAIRS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XX, Issue 147, 11 June 1930, Page 3

COUNTY AFFAIRS

PATANGATA COUNTY MONTHLY MEETING, The Patangata County Council herd its monthly meeting yesterday. Present: Mr. C. Pattison (chairman), Crs. A. W. S. Longley, A. McGaffin, E. C. Nation, H. M. Christie, E. T. Wilder, W. T. Kittow, and C. R. Edgecombe. The Waipukurau Borough Council applied for a grant towards the upkeep and maintenance of the Waipukurau cemetery.—A grant of £lO was made. The clerk was granted permission to attend, if he so desired, the County Clerks’ Conference on Julyl. The Main Highways Board acknowledged the council’s resolution urging an increase in the petrol tax. The board pointed out that the resolution was one for consideration by the Government, and was ‘beyond the jurisdiction of the board.—Received. The Under - Secretary, Public Works Department, wrote advising the council that it was not prepared to depart from the Commissioner’s direction in connection with the payment of costs of the Commission held in reference to the new traffic bridge over the Tuki Tuki river at Waipukurau. Writing on behalf of Sir George Hunter, M.P., Mr. Alex. Dunn, barrister, Wellington, forwarded a copy of a letter sent to the Minister of Public Works, asking that the cost of the Commission being charged wholly against the council be reviewed.—Received. In reply to a letter from the council Mr. J. Hunter advised that his offer to pay for the survey for road access at “Rangitoto” was still open, but he would like the work carried out as soon as possible.— Referred to engineer to make a survey. The Hawke’s Bay citizens’ committee for the reservation of Ball’s Clearing at Puketitiri as a scenic reserve sought the council’s sympathy. A donation of not more than £5 towards the working expenses was invited.—Action was deferred pending fuller information. F. J. Witherow, on behalf of the travelling public, drew attention to the need for improvement of the crossing over the Waipawa stream adjoining his property, Willow Bank, Waipawa.—Work to e provided for in the current year’s estimates. The district engineer of the Public Works Department forwarded a copy of a letter received from Mr. H. W. Thompson by the Hon. E. A. Ransom in regard to the condition of Cook’s Tooth road. It appeared that Mr Thompson considered the road to his place very rough and was desirous ol having it top-dressed with river shingle. The council was asked if it would be prepared to stand the cost of the work, also for an opinion on other matters mentioned. —It was decided to take the matter up with the Hon. Ransom on his visit to Porangahau. No. 5 District Highways Council forwarded particulars in regard to the preparation of estimates tor the current financial year.—Received. The Public Works Department advised approval of the county's work on the Long Range road, 40 chains of metalling, to cost £625. On a £1 for £1 basis £250 was forwarded as a grant. CHAIRMAN RE-ELECTED. Mr. Chas. Pattison was unanimously re-elected chairman for the ensuing twelve months and Cr. R. H White deputy-chairman, while the chairman, deputy-chairman and Cr. C. R. Edgecombe were elected a finance committee. OTANE TOWN BOARD MERGER. In the matter of a petition by resident housekeepers of the Otane town district, the council held a special meeting prior to the ordinary meeting when it was resolved that the Otane town district be dissolved and merged into the Patangata county, on and after October 1, 1930. The Otane Town Board advised that the water supply scheme (£4,000) would not be proceeded with, and asked that the merging take place on April 1, 1981, after the termination of the present financial year.

The chairman stated that the current term of office of the Town Board would expire in September. The Otane town clerk (Mr. W. C. F. Spargo) spoke in support of theTown Board’s overture, which had the endorsement of the councillor foi the Patangata riding of the county (Cr. R. H. White). It was desired to clear up the affairs of the district for the present financial year. The members of the board were substantial ratepayers therefore not likely to encourage unnecessary expenditure. Even with loan preliminary expenses to meet he did not anticipate a rating increase. The engineer of the county pointed out that the rating revenue for the area would only amount to £62 per annum, the basis being Id in the £ on the unimproved value. CHAIRMAN’S REPOORT. Reporting to the annual meeting of the Patangata City Council held yesterday the chairman (Cr. C. Pattis m) stated:—

“I have much pleasure in submitting my annual report on the progress made during the past financial year,

the position generally being most satisfactory, though two ridings, Oero and Porangahau, have a small’debit balance. During the year the county plant has been increased by two 3-4 ton Leyland lorries which are giving splendid service. One McCormickDeering tractor, and a new crusher, the total cost £3577 15s 9d being defrayed out of revenue. In addition to this the final payment has been made on the roller. One grader and the conveyor, and the end of this year the other two graders will be free of debt.

“The receipts from the Main Highways Board totalling £7451 8s 7d snd Government grants for new metalling £1677 IDs have materially helped in the present satisfactory position, the County "und at the 31st March last being in credit £11,012 14s 7d. Thb posi tion in regard to the ridings is satisfactory, a brief survey of the same may be of interest. In the Epaiaima riding there is a credit balance of £2lOl 18s 6d, and some three miles of new metalling has been done on tho Old Hill, Wilder, and Wallingford Bush roads, and the condition of existing metal kept up to a good standard. The Porangahau riding completed the year with a debit balance of £lB3 15s 2d, but during the year has extended the metal on the elay roads for some 4| miles on rhe Upper Mangaorapa, Schaeffer’s, Skipper’s, Te Uri, Hokianga’s and the Old Hill and Siteman’s roads and he existing metalled road have also been improved with tho exception of the Cook's Tooth road. Considering this riding has to meet an annual loan charge of £2705 equal to over Id rate, is quite satisfactory. In the Mangatarata riding the credit balance is small, being £lB 9s 3d, and though the roads are in good order little advance Isis been made for some years. This riding is unfortunate in not having a portion of its roads declare 1 as secondary highways. The Patangata riding has made a start with the oitif men sealing of its main righway, 52 chains through the Otane townsnip being sealed last month, and this work will be continued as funds permit. Other than this no work of moment has been done in the riding, though it is proposed to form ana metal a new road to Papanui pah. The credit balance in the Patangata riding is £1514 10s 6d, and it is proposed to repay to the loan account £306 i'Js 7d expended on bridge and culvert works. The Pourerere riding completed the year with a credit balance of £lllO 4s Bd, and has extended the ’ new metalling on the Long Bulge road by 60 chains and the loads generally have been kept in very g u od condition. In the Octo riding tuere is a debt balance of £242 Is, but the condition of the roads is good, 'I he loan debt in. llio riding is a very heavy tax, the annual payment for loan charges being with thb Hawca payment added a total of £2540, tms absorbing a rate of over Id on the whole riding. The Hawea payment is about £5OO reducing each year i'or the next seven years, £4OO being on account of principal. The Tamumu tiding has renewed a large number of old culverts during the year, and ended with a credit balance of £2loo 18s Id. It is proposed to repay the loan account tho sum of £223 7s Id for work charged to loan during the last two years. In conclusion I wish to thank tho councillors for their assistance in the work of the County, and the stall' for its services during tho past year.” PLUNKET SOCIETY. ANNUAL MEETING. The Waipukurau district branch of the Plunket Society held its annual meeting yesterday, the Mayor (Mr R. McLean) presiding. Officers were elected as follow President, Miss L. Wilson; vicepresidents, Lady Hunter, Mesdames Paul Hunter, P. Hunter, j. W. Harding, J. D. Ormond, B. J. McCormick, M. J. Joblin, E. B. Waddington, and Miss Winlove; lion, secretary, Mrs J. Buchanan; assistant secretary, Miss Winlove; treasurer, Mr B. J. McCormick ; committee, Mesdames A. L. McCormick. E. H. Leigh, J. Huntly Walker, E. B. Waddington, F. S. Hopkinson, J C. Nicholls, J. E. Reid, W. A. Chambers, E. Broad, J. B. Clarkson, B. Mathieson, F. V. Ward, E. C. Bates, J. Hobson, The president and secretary of the Takapau branch were authorised to attend executive meetings during the year.

The chairman paid a warm tribute to the retiring secretary, Mrs M. Sowry, for her loyal and highly efficient service during a lengthy period, wishing her well in the new sphere of life to which she is about to remove. A minute was placed on re cord as to the very valuable assistance rendered the society by Mrs Sowry. R.S.A. MEETING. At the annual meeting of the Waipukurau branch of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, the president, Mr A. O. Williams, presided over an excellent attendance of members. The annual report showed that the membership now stood at 117. The fin ances of the association were in a healthy position, and the Poppy Day fund showed a good credit. The annual reunion bad been a marked success. In discussing the report, members referred to the splendid work that bad been carried out by the president and the honorary secretary. Mr Vv. J. Steere. The report was adopted A motion was passed objecting <o

the permanent curtailment of the provisions of the Defence Act. A grant of £2 2s was made to the library fund. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as.follows: —President, Mr A. O. Williams; vice-pre-sident, Mr J. L. Brathwaite; committee, Messrs G. T. Clarke, G. R. Cook, J. H. Hopkinson. J. Paton. A. C. Rowe. B. Smart, F. V. Ward; honorary secretary and treasurer, Mr W. J. Steere. •