WAITOMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXII, Issue 2409, 9 April 1927, Page 5

WAITOMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. The usual monthly meeting of the Waitomo County Council was held yesterday, when, there were present: Crs Were (chairman), F. M. McKain, L. R Jones, P. C. Rose, T. Boyd, C. K. Wilson, A, Wilson, J. Andrew, S. C. Piatt, also Mr M. Fennell (engineer), and Mr F. C. Prrry (county clerk). CORRESPONDENCE. A. letter was received from the Public Works Department stating thajt the next meeting of the District Highways Council had been fixed for the 20th April to consider Main Highway estimates. The Department asjked the Council tot forward a list of requirements for the coming year. It was left in the hands of the Engineer to supply this information. PLYING FOR HIRE LICENSES. The County solicitors wrote stating that notice of appeal had been lodged by Mr J. D. Vernon in respect to the reserved judgjment given in the case of W. H. Bentley in, regard to a plying for hire license. In the meantime other informations had been adjourned pending the. decision on the appeal to the Supreme Court. In reply to a question by Cr Boyd, it was stated that other informations laid in the interim would be decided upon acording to the decision given by the Supreme Court. A letter was received from T. H. Morris, of Pio Pio, stating that although a loan was floated to metal the Kahuwere and Te Mapara Roads, seven years ago, that portion of road past his section was still uumetalled. The matter was referred to the engineer-

PUKERIMU LOAN The State Advances Department wrote asking the Council to pass a resolution in terms of section 23 of the Local Bodies Loans Act,, increasing the rate so that it will produce the required amount; it stated that the application will again be submitted .id. the Board of the Department for consideration. On the motion of Or Pratt, seconded by Cr Boyd, a resolution was passed increasing the rate from 9-16 dto 11-16 d. GRAZING RIGHTS. The Main Highways Board wrote stating that their attention had been drawn to the danger incurred through stock being allowed to graze on, roadways. The Board wished to draw the attention of local bodies to this matter. It was suggested that local bodies should limit the hours of grazing. It was pointed out that as the Waitomo County did not have any grazing rights it would not/ be necessary to take any action in this matter. BOROUGH BOUNDARIES. The Department of Internal Affairs wrote stating that the commission set up to g(o into the matter of alteration of Te Kuiti Borough, and Waitomo County boundaries had made its report. The ratepayers’ petition would be granted with the exception of r small area of Somerville and Me Adam’s property, which would remain in the Borough. DETERIORATED LANDS IN COUNTIES. A letter was received from the Waitotara Comity Council (Wanganui) stating that this matter was causing all county councils with such lands grave concern. Tire Wai/totara County Council suggested preferential subsidies from the Government towards the upkeep of roads through deteriorated lands. The Council was asked, if in favour of the, scheme, to appoint a delegate, to attend a conference, in that regard, to be held at Wanganui on May 18th. Cr O. K. Wilson said this matter affected the Council considerably, and he thought that a delegate should bo appointed. Crs Pratt and Andrew also thought that a delegate from the Council should attend the meeting. Crs Rose and Jones said that perhaps the Council could support the movement without going to the expense of sending a delegate. After further discussion, on the motion of Cr Pratt, Cr C. K. Wilson was appointed a delegate, to attend the conference.

A letter was received from the Minister of Lands, addressed to Mr J. C. Rolleston, M.P., in regard to a deputation which had waited on the Minister in Te Kuiti in regard to the widening and metalling of Hunt’s Road. The letter stated that the deputation’s representations had been brought under the noitice of the Minister of Public Woff.cs and lie had intimated that he would formally consider a grant on a £2 to £1 basis up to £BOO, providing the settlers ar j range for the other £4OO. It was decided in accordance with the Finance Committee's report to take the necessary steps to apply "for sanction to raise a loan of £4OO for metalling Hunt’s Road, also a loan of £5500 for metalling the Te KuitiRulls Main Highway. RATING ON TIMBER. The secretary of the Rural Counties’ Association, Taumarunui, forwarded a copy of a letter from the Dominion Sawmillers’ Association re rating on timber. The letter stated that the Dominion Sawmillers’ Association was in favour of arranging a conference with three representatives of the Rural Counties’ Association and the Minister of Lands to take place some time after Easter. VALUATION REVISION. The Valuation Department wrote to the Council to the effect that in view of the proposal to carry out a general revision of the valuation roll for Waitomo County, it will be necessary for the Department to know what the rating liability each property is subject to, also the amount' of the special loans, and the estimated sinking funds to be accrued on March 31, 1928. It, was left in the hands of the county clerk to reply to the Valuation Department in this matter.

MOKAUITI ROAD.' Cr. Andrews reported that Mr. I. J. Wilson had informed him that he was going ahead with the scheme .for continuing the metalling of the Mokauiti Road as discussed some time ago at the Council office. It was decided that the chairman and Cr. Andrew should get in touch with Mr. Wilson with regard to finalising the arrangements. It was reported that regarding the Mokauiti Valley loan proposal, Mr. G. F. Wilson had waited on the finance committee and discussed the question of the special rating area and the prospects of a loan. The Council went fully into the position of the rating area and the heavy liability of the loan, and decided that they could not recommend the placing of the loan before the Local Government Loans Board at the present time and that the promoters should approach the Government with a view to obtaining a grant for the necessary work. TE MAPARA DEPUTATION. A deputation of ratepayers from Te Mapara, comprising Messrs. McGrath, O’Shea, Churcher and Stevens, was introduced to the Council by Mr. H. T. Morton. The deputation asked for particulars of the Te Mapara loan in the following points:—• (1) What money was the last lot of metalling paid with ? Was it taken from the Te Mapara road loan ? (2) Has the Council power to transfer money from one road to another ? (3) The deputation asked for an itemised account of how the Te Mapara loan had been spent. (4) Also for the proposals as set out on the ballot paper.

In reply to the chairman, the deputation stated that they had no proposal to offer regarding the expenditure of the amounts allocated in the Tiki Tiki and Mapara extension roads until the metalling of the loop road was completed. The deputation also intimated that they had applied for re-valuations and asked how that would effect the rates.

The chairman replied that the revaluation would not effect any rates which are now owing. The chairman intimated that the Council would consider the requests, and a reply would be forwarded in due course.

Arising out of the engineer’s report in regard to the Maiora riding, the engineer was authorised to protect the washout on’ the Ngapaena Road. The engineer was also instructed to proceed with the spreading of metal on the Papakauri Road. MOTOR LORRY LICENSE FEES. Arising out of the Finance Committee’s report, which was adopted, the following recommendations were made: — That a request from service car proprietors for payment of motor lorry license fees by instalments be declined and that the Council require that all license be paid for in full at the time of issue. That Mr. Grant be informed that the Council has no power to issue motor lorry licenses from month to month, but that provision was made for refunds, should a licensed lorry be laid up for more than a month. That "the owners of service cars and lorries whose names had been taken by the ranger, be notified that summonses will be issued unless licenses are obtained immediately. REVALUATIONS. That the Minister of Lands be approached with a view to holding over individual valuations, notice of which had been received regarding various properties, until a revaluation of the County took place. Cr. Wilson was appointed to wait on the Minister.