MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXXII, Issue 2800, 13 November 1931, Page 5

MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS.

PAEROA BOROUGH. MEETING OF COUNCIL. The monthly meeting of the Paeroa Borough Council was held yesterday evening His Worship the Mayor (?vh* W. Marshall) presiding over Crs. H. M. Shand, H. H. Bray, F. E. Flatt, C. W. Neaber and E. Edwards. The Town Clerk (Mr W. C. Alexander) was in attendance. Highway Estimates. Details of the items covering the main highway maintenance for the vrar 1931-32 were received from the Auckland office. The items for Paeroa Borough were: Pokeno-Waihi highway, £294 (£2 for £1); Kopu-Paeroa highway, £240 (£2 for £1), and Ohinemuri River Bridge, £2OO (£2 for £1). The covering letter stated that although the amounts were shown as £2 for £l, the rate of subsidy had been increased to £3 to £l, so that in each case the Board’s contribution had been increased by one-eighth. Health Officer. Dr. H. Chesson, Medical Officer of Health, notified that his successor from October 31st was Dr. J. Boyd. He thcr.ked the Council for its cooperation in the past. On the motion of the Mayor, it was decided that Dr. Chesson be thanked for the manner in which he had cooperated with the Council. Rates on Crown Properties.

The secretary of the Auckland Suburban Local Bodies’ Association, wrote forwarding copy of a letter which had been sent to the Prime .Minister with reference to arrears of rates on Crown properties. The Council was asked if it will assist in the nu tter by bringing pressure to bear upon the local Member of Parliament The letter to the Prime Minister was ns follows:— "I have the honour, by direction of the above association, to express its strong disapproval of the attitude taken up by the Government in regard to the payment of rates, both arrears and current, on properties which have reverted to the Crown. This is becoming a „verj> serious matter involving thousands of pounds in the case of some unfortunate local bodies. Furthermore, it sets a very bad example to the ordinary ratepayers, who have some reason for endeavouring to avoid payment of their rates. The same attitude is now being taken up by the Crown in regard to the repayment of advances for privat? drainage. Under the provisions of the Municipal Corporation Act, 1930, local bodies are practically compelled to advance money to ratepayers for drainage connections and for the properties reverted to the Crown, the latter is now refusing to pay the instalments due. I am directed to ask you to promote amending legislation, which should be retrospective to rectify this anomalous stale of affairs, which my association considers is only a fair, honourable and reasonable request.” Cr. Flatt moved that the Council support the representation. He point-, cd out that as drainage was affected the Council was very concerned, and in future it would have to examine every applicant who had a State mortgage before lending money for drainage. The motion was carried. Christinas Pictures.

Mr P. J. Jennings applied foe and was grunted permission to screen pictures on Christmas night. Closing a Road. The District Engineer, Public Works Department, Auckland, advised that a proclamation had been issued proclaiming land as a street ai d a street closed in the Borough, and land as a read and road closed in Block IX. and XIII. Ohinemuri S.D. Butter Factory Road. The general manager, New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company (Mr Parlanc) wrote to His Worship the Mayor, stating that several of the Company’s officials had mentioned the excellent ■work which had been done by the Council in laying out the frontage and reading to the Paeroa factory. The company was under a debt of gratitude to Mr Marshall personally for the time and attention which h<> had given to the work. The writer had not yet inspected the work, but hoped te do so at an early date, and in the meantime wished to convey to the Mayor and Council the company’s very sincere thanks for the efforts in this connection. His Worship said that the company had contributed very substantially to the work and the Borough had been able, by utilising relief labour, to do much'more than would otherwise have been possible. While on the subject, he would like to record his appreciation of the whole-hearted co-opera-

tion of the dairy company’s staff in the matter. Claremont Avenue. Mrs M. E. Kebble wrote asking if something could not be done to Glare- : mont Avenue which, she stated, was in a disgraceful state, so that in wet weather her children got their feet wet when going to school. “As other mads are getting a hearing, I fail to see why our back road is so neglected.” she stated. The Mayor said that considerable work had been done, but it was practically impossible to make a satisfactory job. There was pnly one house served by the road. It was decided to advise fhe writer that when -work was being done., in the locality, attention would be given the matter.