PIAKO COUNTY COUNCIL

Matamata Record, Volume XX, Issue 2019, 23 March 1939, Page 5

PIAKO COUNTY COUNCIL

MARCH• MEETING

The Piako County Council met on Monday, Mr. W. C. Kennedy (chairman, Waihon. presiding). Those present were: Messrs. W. F. Stark (Morrinsville), J. M. Stewart (Tahuna), D. Johnson (Waitoa), W. A. Rushton (Kiwitahi), A. Orr (Manawaru). D. J. Burgess (Te Aroha). Leave of absence was granted to Cr. W. McLean (Walton).

Rates in Arrears

Lists of rates in arrears by settlers in various ridings were discussed by the council.

The clerk said he intended to make up complete lists of all rates in arrears at March 31, so that councillors could get down to the position. Unless those in a position to pay were made to pay their rates, the council would find itself in a serious financial position during the next financial year.

In the case of several settlers with move than two years’ arrears, instructions were given for the clerk to write giving the people concerned 14 days in which to effect a satisfactory settlement before legal action will be taken.

Summonses will be issued against several settlers who have not made arrangements with the clerk to pay arrears.

Rates Written Off

“There is no option but to write off these arrears,” said the chairman, when putting the annual resolution that arrears of rates regarded by the councillors as not collectable be written off. It was regrettable, he said, that in the small Tahuna riding the sum of £754, mostly owing by Natives, should have to be written off. This sum was mostly rates for the year 1935-36. The resolution was passed. On the motion of the chairman it was decided to send a copy of the Tahuna rate statement to the Minister responsible. Cr. Johnson: Is it any wonder that we, as councillors, felt strongly about being asked to make a donation to the Maori hostel in Hamilton?

Natives Not Paying Rates

On the motion of Cr. ( Stewart, it was. decided to send copies of the Taliuna rate statement, showing how much rates were written off every year, to the Prime Minister, who is in charge of Native ’Affairs, and also to Mr. J. M. Allen, M.P. for Hauraki. Cr. Rushton spoke strongly about the fact that no rates were being collected from an area of Native land fronting on to Kiwitahi, ,rogd,- close to Morrinsvilie.. He regretted having to write off £3O of arrears dating back move than two years. The clerk agreed, saying it was regrettable that the land was owned mostly by. Natives who were being paid £4 13s id a week by the County Council. The County Council was sending £BO to £9O every week to Morrinsvilie to . pay the \ Kiwitahi Natives their wages. 1 • The clerk was instructed to take the necessary legal action against Native landowners of the Kiwitahi and Tahuii a ridings who are in arrears for not more than two years.

Walton Riding Boundary

Advice was received from the .Matamata County Council that .several settlers in the Matamata dounty in the Richmond Downs district, Walton, had petitioned to be included in the Piako county. The Matamata County Council was agreeable ,to this.

The chairman and Crs. ; W, McLean (Walton), W. A. Rushton (Kiwitahi) and the engineer were appointed to confer with the Matamata county representatives. ■ Subsidy for Tree Planting The Tabuna Hall Committee wrote applying for a subsidy of £l2 10s for tree planting round the Tabuna Hall. This request follows on the council’s decision at a recent meeting to co-operate with hall committees in beautifying the vicinity of country halls as a form of Centennial memorial.

The council agreed that nothing was likely to be. done this winter.