PATEA COUNTY COUNCIL

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXV, Issue LXV, 9 December 1913, Page 3

PATEA COUNTY COUNCIL

■ ♦ The usual monthly meeting was held at Patea on Monday, when there were present—Crs. <■>. Blake (chairman), H. Dickie, Van Asche, K. H. Cave, and J. Death. Apologies for absence were received from Crs. G. V. Pearce, M.P., Kennedy,, and Symes. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE. From the Institute of Local Government Engineers of New Zealand, stating that the annual meeting would be held in Auckland on March 19 and asking that the Council's engineer and chairman, or a member should attend.— The engineer remarked that the Council j had already given him permission to attend these meetings. From A. Hancock, Manutahi, admitting committing a breach of the Council's by-laws in regard to the width of tyres on his milk waggon, but asking the Council to stay any proceedings as he1 was.'not in a position just now to make the necessary alterations to his tyres. He was share-milking for Geaxy Bros., and as this was his first season ho had had been put to considerable expense in buying horses, waggon, cans, harness, etc. Furthermore, the factory pay-out had been curtailed owing to the strike and he had not the available cash to make the alterations necessary to conform to the by-laws.—After a discussion' it was resolved, on the motion of Cr. Dickie, seconded by Cr. Van Asche, that the engineer be instructed to take proceedings against three or four offenders who had had due notice. The mover remarked that the bylaws having been passed they should now be observed ; any amount of notice had been given and the Council could not countenance the granting of exemptions. From Geo. H. Ryan, solicitor, Hawera, stating that the license of the Manutahi/Hoted (Newnan to Riordan) would,. not be transferred until the quarterly meeting of the Licensing Bench on December Bth. From the Receiver of Lands Revenue, stating that £149 Is 6d had been paiid into the Council's account. This--earn was for accrued thirds to September 27th. From Henry Couchman, Hurleyville, asking permission to graze five cows on the Makino and Hurley roads. He was willing to pay a en tall fee for the -privilege, or to look after the Gorge.—The Council regretted that it could not grant, the request. STRIKE ECHOES. The Chairman moved the following resolution: —"That this Council desires to convey to the Premier and members of the. Government the sincere thanks of the community for the firm and juj dicious attitude they have assumed in dealing with the late industrial crisis and also wishes to convey to those.settlers who so readily offered their services as special constables -and in loading Home vessels the thaaks-of the district in preventing what might have been a more serious financial loss than has been the ease. The Council also wishes to convey to th© Government the sincere hope that effective means will be devised for the prevention of a repetition of unreasonable strikes 'in the future." In moving this, Cr.. Blake «aid they must all understand that mo matter what political party was in '.power the Government of the day must always maintain law and orcier; they could not allow any one section <of people to take possession ,of the towns and produce. As regards those settlers who acted as special constables there .could be no two opinions that ifoey were entitled to the thanks of tbe public. They went to Wellington at 'great ihiconvenienee and rendered invaluable -service to the country. -Cr. Van Asche seconded the motion. In endorsing it, Vr.'Vave thought it a proper resolution to pass. The country should make it perfectly clear that its business was not going to'be interfered with by any one body of men. The motion vas carried unanimously. '. \ ■■'.... , GENERAI/. 1 Cr. Van Asche gave notice of motion that in future the Council's meetings commence at 10.30 o'olock instead of 11 as at present. The,engineer reported, on a rough estimate, the proposed Main Road deviation at the Waverley Racecourse would cost about £1600 for the complete scheme as proposed by the Railway Department. For a nainor scheme, viz., closing up a portion of the Weraroa road and cutting out the overhead bridge, but deviating the' Main Road, as suggested, the cost would be about £750.—Resolved to hold.over consideration pending further information. It was resolved that in future riding members 'consult with the- engineer in \ regard to repairs to bridges which^may 'require attention between iCouricil meeting days. ' ..--'■''''■' The dog-tax for the ensuirtg year was fixed at 2s 6d for sheep dogs up to three, and 10s for sporting dogs. The tender of Mr Beer, of Waverley, was accepted for the eupplj <jf .collars, at B£d each.—Some dissatisfaction was expressed at the quality of collars supplied last year, and it was decided, on :a division, to *go for a higher-priced, ■ better quality article this y«ear. Cr. Cave asked the engineer, in re~ rference to the Ball Road, to what ac- - count, the surfaceman's wages were charged; to loan account or general?— The engineer said, that that depended entirely on what work* the surfaceman <was engaged on. If on loan work his wages were charged to' loan account; if on maintenance to the general account. Several applications were received from varioiui parts of the Dominion for the position of engine-driver. The selection was delegated to a committee consisting of Crs. Blake, Death -anti the engineer. Accounts amounting to £731 were passed for payment. In reporting on the workman's cottage at Kakaramea, the Chairman said he-was very pleased to notice the 5-nter-■est their employee was iakinq; n the grounds and surroundings. rv-"h men should be encouraged, ancf he 1-V- "u----thorised the procuring of another '000 -gallon tank which was required. Mr G. Homer was appointed rlog-tax collector and ranger. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN. Cr G. V. Pearce, M.P., was, on the motion of Cr Blake, seconded by Cr ; Dickie, re-elected chairman for the ensuing year. Cr Blake said that in a conversation Cr Pearee regretted that his Parliamentary duties had unavoidably ket)t him bo much away from the Council s business, and suggested the appointment of a deputy-chairman. Ct Dickie endorsed this suggestion, and moved the appointment of Cr Blake. Cr Cave seconded, and the motion was'duly .carried. ENGINEERS REPORT. The County Engineer' reported as follows:— / General Metalling.—All the mettl for. use during the present season hs 3 now been delivered, and the -twtel : amounts received for the different i works are as follows: Ball read loan 4432 c. y-Pivls, Main South road 443-? c. yards, Patea East 810 c. -yards* Patea West 426 c. yards, which brings the total, including the 465 c. yards carted from Manutahi beach, to 10,087 c. yards. , Mitin South Road.—The usual maintenance has been carried out, consisting for the most part in filling/up tli<3> As of ihe road fldjoiwnft the metal.

This road at the present time is very rough and worn in places, and although we intend remetalling more this season than we have for a number of j years past, a large portion of the road where the metal is now worn through is not included. : Patea West.—The work of improving the grades on the Hursthouse road is now completed, and further improvements have been effected on the Taumana (Hamilton's) road, and several new concrete pipe culverts put in throughout the district. Ball Road Loan.—Owing to the wet weather experienced the work of cart-^ mg out the metal under this loan has been much, delayed, only 146 c yards being carted into the third section and 218 cc. yards into the second section. There are now ten four-horse teams employed on the work, and given moderately fine weather we should easily complete the work in' three months. Patea East.—Beyond maintenance no new work has been carried out iri this portion of the county, except that several old timber culverts have been replaced with concrete pipes. Patea Bridge.—The painting of the ironwork in the understructure of this bridge has been proceeded with, and will shortly be completed. The soltar ordered has now come to hand, and if the weather is "suitable will be put down next week. The timber decking of that portion of the bridge which was metalled is fast 'rotting, and will probably have to be replaced next year. Steam Roller. —I have so far received no further word as to when the roller will be to hand. The portable whare for use with the. road roller is now being constructed, and should shortly be completed. Applications for the position of engine-driver closed on the l>th inst., and can be considered by you at this meeting. [The balance of report referred to th« Waitotara end of the county.]