WAITOMO COUNTY

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXXI, Issue 4955, 13 February 1937, Page 5

WAITOMO COUNTY

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly "meeting of the Waitomo County Council was held at the County offices at Te Kuiti yesterday, Mr. W. A. Lee presiding over Crs. J. Georgetti, R. H. Mills, J. N. Boddie, L. R. Jones, C. Roberts, G. W. Crocombe, J. N. Boddie, and L. G. Laurenson, Councillor for the Paemako riding, elected in place of the -late Mr. R. W. Neal, also the clerk, Mr. J. N. O’Brien, and the engineer, Mr. R. H. Browne.

The chairman welcomed Cr. Laurenson to the Council table, and also expressed pleasure at Cr. Georgetti being back again to take part in Council business after a serious illness. An application on behalf of ten farmers of „ the Manganui-Waikawau district to shift a telephone line was approved. Cr. Jones said that this line had had to be shifted because, running along the coast, the salt water had caused corrosion of the wires. The Minister of Public Works forwarded" a copy of a circular dealing with, recommendations to local bodies in regard to the road safety campaign, making suggestions such as painting of bridge rails and approaches, likely to be conducive to road safety. The circular was received for the consideration of the engineer, the chairman commenting that the engineer was alive to the possibility of making roads safer and would do the best that finances would permit. A farmer wrote asking for attention to a mile of Fullerton’s Road. The matter was left to the engineer. Mokau Valley Road. The Mokau River Settlers’ Association in a letter brought up the question of metalling the Mokau Valley Road from the end of the Awakau Road at least to the new ferry. Since the boat stopped running, farmers in the area served by this road had practically no access. Cr. Jones said that the Council had continuously brought this road before the Public Works Department for metalling, and that it had been one of the first on the list. The Council had no funds of its own whereby it could metal the road. The engineer said that Clifton County settlers were largely interested —attention should be drawn to that. Cr. Jones added that the settlers concerned were contemplating drawing up a petition to be included in Waitomo. Transferring of Grant. Recently the Council made representations to the Minister of Public Works to have the £250 grant, made on a £1 for £1 basis for the Kie Kie Road, transferred on a free basis to the Waitomo Valley Lower Road and the Te Kuiti-Kopaki Road. The Minister’s reply was received yesterday that that he would agree to £IOO being transferred to the former road and £l5O to the latter, but on the basis of £2 for £l. The chariman said the Hangatiki riding' would do its utmost to lift the amount now required, though he could not possibly go back to the settlers for more money. He was pleased to receive the money, but had hoped the grant would have been made on a free basis.

Cr. Mills also said he could not ask the settlers concerned to contribute more to the road, and though it was a big sum to spend on the one road, agreed to find the extra £75 required from riding funds. It was therefore decided to accept the Minister’s offer. Contribution to Otewa Road. When the estimates were published the Council’s share of the cost of metalling the link on the Otewa Road was set down at £SO, but the clerk said on February 2 it was stated that the Council’s share of the cost was £145. A reply which had been compiled, in conjunction with the chairman, was read.. This stated that the Council had received no advice that the contribution had been raised from £SO to £145 until February 2, when a request was received that £145 be paid into the public account. It was pointed out that only two settlers would receive direct benefits. Details of special rates and other relevant details were included in the letter.

The reply was confirmed. A tentative discussion on the possibility of purchasing the Presbyterian Manse at Aria for a surfaceman’s cottage ensued, and it was decided to ask the Presbytery to state a price. The clerk was authorised to purchase a new typewriter and a new adding machine, the clerk stating that the latter would save much time in the office.