WAITOMO COUNTY

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXVI, Issue 3442, 12 March 1932, Page 5

WAITOMO COUNTY

MONTHLY MEETING OF COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the Waitomo County Council was held yesterday, there being present Crs. R. Were (chairman), R. Neal, C. K. Wilson, L. R. Jones, J. Old, C. Jensen, W. A. Lee, G. P. Webster, the county clerk, Mr. F. C. Perry, and engineer, Mr. R. H. Browne. An apology for absence was received from Cr. Georgetti.

Correspondence

A letter was received from the Kawhia County Council asking what would be that Council’s liability in appointing a heavy traffic inspector for this district. The county clerkstated that he had replied to the effect that’the cost would be £l3O to the local bodies, approximately £SO of which would have to be provided by the Kawhia County. The Waitomo Power Board was granted permission to cart poles up to 35 feet in length, provided the usual safety regulations were complied with. I. W. Hunt was granted permission to erect a fence close to the legalised boundary formation. The Minister of Public Works wrote acknowledging the Council’s letter stating the amount the Council was prepared to contribute towards Bell’s bridge at Kiritehere and announcing that the matter had been referred to the Main Highways Board for consideration.

Cancelled Allocations,

Several communications were received from the Minister of the Public Works Department announcing that owing to the financial stringency it was found necessary to cancel a number of allocations which had appeared on the Public Works Statement of the year. Amongst the roads affected was the Mokau Valley Road. Cr. Jones said that an allocation of £3OO had been on the Public Works Statement for this work for several years on a £2 for £1 basis. Some time back the settlers had raised £l6O for the road, but for some reason the authority had never been given to carry out the work which could have been started months ago. Then at the last minute the grant was cancelled, which the speaker considered very unfair. There appeared to be no good reason for holding back the authority for the work. A similar letter was received concerning the metalling of the MaparaTiki Tiki Road and Paro Road.

Speaking in regard to the Paro Road, Cr. Webster said the Riding had made £4OO available' for this work, and it would be a great disappointment for the settlers that the metalling was 'not to be completed. He suggested that the position be placed before the Minister of Public Works asking that the allocation be restored.as soon as possible. The Minister also wrote stating that no further work could b,e carried out on Fullerton’s Road.

The county clerk stated that it was understood ■ that the money for this road should come from the petrol tax, •and. that representation had been made accordingly.

The Rebate on Rates,

Cr. Jensen brought up the matter of the 12% per cent, rebate on rates and the position of the settler who found it impossible to pay on due date. The speaker said that in the majority of these cases it was impossible to pay the rates and secure the rebate, and it was no fault of the man himself. The man who could not pay was in an unfortunte position, and under present-day conditions should have some consideration. The position of the sheep farmer was almost hopeless in regard to rates, and he should be given a chance.

The chairman said that this matter had been under discussion at last meeting, when Cr. Jensen was absent, and the matter referred to the Minister of Public Works, who had stated it was felt that if the obtaining of the 12% per cent, rebate was made conditional on the ratepayer paying his current year’s rate before the last day, together with the 10 per cent, penalty usually imposed for late payment it would, produce a very strong incentive to ratepayers to pay in the prescribed time. Cr. Webster said that this brought up the old question of. derating. While there were instances of men who were shirking payment of their rates, the majority would pay.if they could.

A councillors asked what would be the position of a man who was ome or two years in arrears with his rates, but paid this year’s in full. The county clerk said that such a man could obtain the rebate.

Cr, Jensen said the position should be made clear to all ratepayers, so that all those in arrears should have the opportunity of paying this year’s rates and so have the advantage of the 12% per ce'nt. rebate. On the motion of Cr. Jones it w'as decided to circularise those in afrears to this effect.,

Cr. Jensen said that all settlers in a position to do so would pay their rates by the 22nd inst., as it meant a 22% per cent, saving. Cr. Webster said it should be made clear that the rebate would only be on the percentage of the current amount paid. Some may only pay a portion. Native Rates.

The county clerk stated that no reply had been received from the Native Minister to the Council’s request for the exemption to be removed regarding rating on native lands. Cr. Jones said that the present Native Minister in 1928 had asked for two years’ exemption from native rates, after which it was promised that native lands would be placed in the same position as European glands.

Miscellaneous.

Cr. Wilson moved and the chairman seconded a motion that the Highways Board be asked to submit a statement of the money that had been spent in the county the last twelve months, and to which the county contributes.

It was decided on the motion of Cr. Lee that the executive of the Counties’ Association be written to asking that mere consideration be given to the matter of rates on Crown lands.

Messrs. Ellis and Burnand asked for a rebate on their timber levies on the same bas's as the rates. The county clerk stated that he had obtained an opinion on the matter from Wellington and these levies did riot come under the heading of rates. No action was taken. Cr. Lee stated that the Government proposed to spand £3OOO by unemployed labour in clearing the Waitomo Stream, but asked that the settlers interested provide £IOO for tools and plant. The settlers could only raise £45, and he had been requested to ask the County to contribute towards this work. Cr. Lee moved that the sum of £ls be allocated for this purpose on condition that the Otoroh'anga County provide a like sum. The motion was carried. •