WAIHI RATEPAYERS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 47, Issue 2668, 10 September 1937, Page 5

WAIHI RATEPAYERS

EXPLANATION DESIRED THE OHINEMURI COUNTY CLASSIFICATION OF ROADS. The Ohinemuri County Council met at Paeroa yesterday. Present: Messrs Wm. Marshall, chairman; A. R. Robinson, W. Crimmins, J. J. Shallue, W. G. Thornton, G. Hoye, T. A. Barrett, J. B. Morris, M. A. Ellis, the clerk, Mr A. A. Jenkinson, and the engineer, Mr L. E. Shaw.

The assistant public works engineer, Paeroa, Mr D. R. Williams, advised that the protective works on the Hikutaia bridge would be put in hand immediately the necessary gear and material on order came to hand. Posters For Road Safety. The Commissioner of Transport stated that the Government still viewed with considerable concern the high casualty rate in connection with i’oad accidents. The . Road Safety Council had recommended that, inter alia, suitable posters should be issued and asked the council for its views regarding most suitable type. Extension of permits to exceed road classification in certain areas was granted for a further month until the report of a conference of transport authorities was to hand. '

The Railway Department forwarded a permit for the installation of a culvert under the line at Rotokohu. Electoral Boundaries.

The Electoral Commission acknowledged the receipt of the council’s representations regarding the portion of Tauranga county recently transferred to Ohinemuri to be included in the Thames electorate.

Arising out of a conference among dairy company and county council representatives with the farmers union in connection with transport affairs the council was notified of the decis-, ions made. The conference protested' against any proposal to eliminate competition among carriers by instituting minimum rates and forcing them into a closer corporation. , The council agreed that its attitude was still against price fixation and in the event of district committees being set up regarding cartage charges that it would co-operate. Matter of Donations.

A request from the Workers Educational Association for a donation was not granted. Its general policy, the chairman said, was not to grant donations to such organisations, although he said the association did great work. The secretary of the Waihi, Waikino and Waitekauri Ratepayers Association, Mr K. Bjerring, wrote thanking the council for the permits g’iven to carriers to exceed maximum loads on fifth class roads, and also for supplying valuation figures. The association added: “As to the chairman’s contention that Waihi, Waikino and Waitekauri ridings are ‘leaning heavily on the other end of the county,’—a contention he as yet would give no reason for—the ratepayers’ meeting held in Waihi on August 10, 1937, was none too pleased and now the meeting is backing up the executive in asking the chairman once more, if he would be kind enough to prove his contention with facts and figures.” Meeting at Waihi. The association also asked when the chairman was going to Waihi to explain the whole “road position.” The reply of the chairman stating that the meeting would be called as soon as possible was confirmed. Mr Marshall added that probably the meeting would be called during the month.

A number of property-owners on the Thames road applied for an extension of the water supply to their properties. The engineer was instructed to prepare a report on the matter for the next meeting.