PLAINS COUNTY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXXII, Issue 2763, 17 August 1931, Page 7

PLAINS COUNTY.

MEETING OF COUNCIL. ONLY ROUTINE BUSINESS. The Hauraki Plains County Council hold its monthly meeting at Ngatea on Thursday, Mr W. Madgwick presiding over Crs. J. Motion, W. E. Hale, C. W. Parfitt, J. S. McClune, W. McDuff, J. A* Reid, A. S. Fisher, and F. J. Mayn. The Clerk (Mr E. A. Mahoney) and the Engineer (Mr F. Basham) were in attendance. Riding Boundaries. Cr. Mayn urged that the matter of altering the riding boundaries be dealt with. If the Patetonga Riding boundaries had to be altered to give equal valuations he would suggest that the line be located at the l ack of the' sections on the northern side of the Ngarua Road. Tl’e Chairman said that the discussion could only be informal as the Act stimplated a special'meeting in September to deal with the alteration of boundaries. Cr. Mayn said that a lot of data had to' be considered, and for thati reason he would like a special meeting of the Council to be held prior to the statutory meeting. It was agreed that a special meeting the called and that the clerk prepare 'the necessary data. , ' Highway Finance. ' A A circular letter from the North Island (N.Z.) Motor Union was ,received, pointing out that from a recent statement by the Prime Minister on the question of main highway fin- < : ante it was a reasonable inference (hat the Government was considering further raids on the" Main Highway Boaid’s funds, and that the mcneys payable by the Board to County Councils and other - .roading authorities could be cut down, ■ The Council was urged to carefully watch the measures being brought be- , fore Parliament and to register its protest against the threatened raids. Councillors expressed the view that the motorists were not as concerned I s about ratepayers* interests as the letter implied. The letter was electioneering propaganda. • Mangatarata Roads. Correspondence vias received from Messrs Hedley Bros., who had encountered big quantities of 'solid rock | < when undertaking the deviation of the Mangatarata Road at Vincent’s Flat, • The contractors asked that the. Council recommend that they be paid an extra £3O. ■■■ The Chairman said that no contractor could have foreseen striking the outcrop of rock. It was decided to recommen 1 the

Public Works Department to make' a £25 compassionate grant. School Signs. An offer to supply signboards warning motorists of the proximity of schools, as required by the Motor Regulations, was received from the Auckland, Automobile A ssoc iation, on condition that the Council undertook the erection. , The offer was accepted. Claim for Damage. An Auckland legal, firm wrote claiming £lO 10s for damage done to an overcoat belonging to a client, which had been torn on a projecting nail at the Pipiroa ferry. The overcoat had cost £lO 10s and was now unwqar'able. A report by the ferryman stated that the tear had' been a very small one. It was decided to decline liability. Wilson’s Road. Mr G. M. Wilson wrote complaining of the condition of Wilson’s Road, Netherton, as it had been left when the clay had been taken out of the bank. It had damaged his gate entrance and had left a pool of water on the roadside.

Referred to the Engineer for attention. Main Highway Finance. The Counties Association wrote asking the . Council to forward any evidence which it wished to place before the Parliamentary Committee inquiring into main highway finance. The County’s views on the de-rating of farm lands was also asked for. The Clerk was instructed to forward the Council’s views. Advertising Te Aroha. . The Te Aroha Chamber of (Commerce wrote, stating that it intended to inaugurate an advertising campaign, and asked permission to erect 'a‘6ft. x 2ft. sign at the Netherfon turn-off on the Auckland-Paerog. main highway.—Granted. Ranger and Poundkeeper. Thirteen applications were received for the position of ranger and poundkeeper, the remuneration required ranging from £l, and driving fees to £4 per week. The number was .reduced to four, and these will be interviewed. Rivers Control. ’ The Chairman reported on the conference held at Paeroa on the question of the future control of the Waihour and Ohinemuri Rivers, and on his visit to Wellington as a member of 'the committee appointed thereat.