OHINEMURI COUNTY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5149, 8 July 1927, Page 2

OHINEMURI COUNTY.

MONTHLY COUNCIL MEETING.

ROUTINE BUSINESS. The monthly meeting of the Ohinemuri County Council was held yesterday, the chairman (Mr H. M. Corbett) presiding over Crs. C. Mason, W. F. Johnstone, F. C. Hubbard. C. Hands, R. R. Morrison, A. R. Robinson, C. E. Mace, and Messrs R. W. Evans (county clerk) and L. E. Shaw (acting engineer). CADMAN ROAD BRIDGE. The resident engineer, Public Works Department, wrote advising that it was proposed to apply for a Governor’s Warrant authorising the Cadman Road bridge over the Tirohia main drain to lie handed over to the county. An assurance was required that the council was prepared to accept control. On the motion of Cr. Johnstone, seconded by Cr. Hubbard, it was decided to accept control.

ELECTORAL BOUNDARIES.

The chairman of the North Island Representation Commission wrote acknowledging receipt of two letters from the council covering objections to the boundaries of the proposed Thames electorate. He advised that the various points submitted would receive due consideration.-

The chairman said that the Commission was now sitting, and a reply should be forthcoming within a yveek. Cr. Mace said that so far as he was concerned he would have liked to see the Mangaiti riding included in the proposed Thames electorate, as there was little community of interest between Te Aroha and Taurflnga. HOSPITAL CONTRIBUTION. The Thames Hospital Board forwarded a statement of. the estimated expenditure for the 1927-28 financial year. The contribution required from the council was £991 10s sd. The assessment wfls 0'.357d in the £ on a valuation of £666,317. The letter was tabled, the chairman remarking that there was an increase of £36 in the levy requiied over last year. TRAFFIC INSPECTOR.

The Te Aroha Borough Council wrote approving of the appointment of a traffic inspector jointly by several local bodies, but doubted if Te Aroha could be advantageously included. However, a representative would attend the proposed conference at Paeroa,.

The Hauraki Plains County Council advised that jiJiil? it recognised the necessity of more systematic inspection, it was of the opinion that it required the full-time services of one man, and that the Ohinemuri County’s suggestion, if followed, would not give the Plains County adequate attention. In any case, the council had been employing an inspector under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1924, for the last 18 months. The Paeroa Borough Council wrote agreeing -to the conference and .advising that the Mayor had been selected to attend, with power only to confer aud report back to the council. The Thames Borough Council wrote pointing out that owing to, the distance separating the districts, it was of the opinion that it would be difficult for Thames to be advantageously served by one inspector in charge of four districts.

The Thames County Council wrote expressing itself as being favourable to the proposal, and advised that the chairman had been appointed to attend the conference. It was resolved that the matter of arranging the date of. the conference be left in the hands of the chairman. ERECTION OF MILL. E. R. Revell,, contractor, Paeroa, wrote applying for permission to erect a sawmill at the end of Komata Reefs Road, at the foot of atoto Road. Permission was also sought to cart timber over the road under the county restrictions. The enginefer explained that the tram would be placed on the side of the road. The applicant had worked in with the owners of the property facing the road. Cr. Hubbard said hei did not see how the tramway could be Ifiid without interfering with the traffic. He. was desirous of assisting any industry.

The chairman said that the laying of the tram-line would probably ease the wear and tear on the road. Cr. Hubbard thought that the usual restrictions' should be enforced, so as to protect the road against heavy traffic.

It was resolved to refer the matter to Crs. Robinson and Morrison and the engineer for investigation and report. ERECTION OF CREAM STAND. The Te Aroha Dairy Co., Ltd., wrote seeking permission to erect a cream stand at the corner of Maratoto and Hikutaia roads.—Granted, the stand to be erected to the satisfaction of the engineer. SALE OF TREES.

A letter was received by D. Spence, Tui Pa, offering to purchase two bluegum trees which were growing on the roadside near his property. It was decided to advise that the trees were not for sale.

WHANGAMATA ROAD.

The Mataura Valley Fanners’ Club wrote asking if the council would supply cement pipes for an extension of the culverts on the Whangamata road. The necessity for a culvert or bridge on Paterson’s Road was also pointed out.

The engineer said that the pipes would be placed in position by the Public Works Department. It w r ould be advisable to supply about 60 feet of 9in,pipes. The bridge referred to did require attention, and an estimate was being submitted for the necessary work.

It was resolved, on the motion of Cr. Hands, to supply the pipes, and that the matter of the bridge be referred to the engineer. COMPLAINTS ABOUT ROADS.

A complaint about the condition of Old Tauranga Road was received from Mr F. N. Sleep, Waihi Plains.

Complaints were also received from ratepayers about Golden Cross Road,

Waitekauri; Houmanga Road, Waihi; and Pukewera Road, Wqitawheta. Cr. Hands explained the position, and said that the work on Old Tauranga Road could not be put in hand during the winter. It was decided to defer the matter for the time being.

With reference to the Golden Cross road, the matter was left in the hands of the engineer for investigation.

The chairman said that there was a p lion cf the Houmanga road tnat required metalling. It was impossible to metal the whole icad, but application had been made for a subsidy towards the cost of metalling about 27 chains of the lower end. Cr. Johnstone said lie was familiar with the road, but did not think the

position was very serious. Concerning Pukewera Road, the engineer said that there was no heavy carting going on as had been stated. One settler had done about £3O worth of work. It was decided to inform the writer that in the opinion of the council the road was being maintained satisfactorily. LEASE OF RESERVE. An offer to lease the Komata Reserve for a term of years was received from Mr R. Gibson, Komata North. Cr. Hubbard said that he did not think it was advisable to lease the area, in view of the council’s crushing plant being in close proximity. In any case, if the council did decide to lease the area ha thought it should be advertised, so as to give everybody a fair chance. It was decided to reply to that effect. ROAD AT TIROHIA. A petition, bearing the signatures of 13 ratepayers living on the eastern side of the railway line at Tirohia, sought to have the old road leading to the- railway station reopened for traffic. In support of. the request it was pointed out that the distance front the main road to the station would be lessened by two-thirds ; that part of the present road from the bridge to the station became almost impassable in wet weather, whereas the old road was at all times a fairly good one; and that the Railway Department had recently moved the station on to the- eastern side, so that the reopening of the old road would afford much easier access to the station.

Cr. Mace reported that he had interviewed the Railway Department and Public Works Department at Auckland, and had been advised that before the road could bet reopened a petition from the residents concerned was necessary, and also the approval of the council. It was not thought that the expense would be very great, and there would be no need to carry out a survey for the road. The matter was referred to the clerk and engineer for a report. ADDITIONAL WATER SUPPLY. The chairman said that it was necessary to give the water supply committee authority to take the preliminary steps to proceed with the erection of the second dam in order to keep faith with the Paeroa Borough Council. Cr. Hubbard moved accordingly.

PETROL TAXATION.

The Question oof the levying of a petrol tax on motor vehicles was advocated by Cr. Johnstone. He said he greatly favoured the tax, which was in operation in some States in America, and it worked, successfully and considerably the revenue for expenditure on main highways. He thereupon moved the following resolution : “That this council considers that a petrol tax would be a, fair and equitable means of providing revenue for the greater improvement of main highways, and respectfully urges that legislation be passed this session bringing it into force, with a view to the qomplete cost of the upkeep of the main highways being eventually taken over by the Main Highways Board.” Seconded by Cr. Robinson and carried.

The chairman said hei agreed with the resolution, and thought that such resolutions might be of assistance to the Prime Minister. WAITAWHETA ROAD.

The serious state of disrepair of Waitawheta Road was referred to by Cr. Mason, who said that tfie road was at present impassable for motor traffic and the settlers‘were practically isolated. The chairman agreed, and said that it was the duty of local bodies to assist the settlers to get fertilisers on to the farms, but at present the road was too bad to permit of heavy carting. An effort had been made to get a giant from the Public Works Department, and negotiations were proceeding to get authority to spend about £2OO. The sum of about £6O would give a temporary passage. Cr. Johngtone said he was familiar with the rood, and he thought some relief should be given at once.

Cr. Mason said that all the rates collected were being spent on the main road, and the settlers were getting “fed up” with the disabilities they were called upon to suffer. Over 100 tons of manure had to be carted, and yet the settlers could not get it on to their holdings. Every settler was a “trier,” and was deserving of immediate relief. It was resolved to expend a sum not exceeding £6o’, and that the worst portion be metalled ; also that negotiations be continued with the Public Works Department. FINANCE. The revenue received during the month of June was £967 14s. sd. Accounts amounting to £1636 2s 4d were passed for payment.