OTAMATEA COUNTY COUNCIL

Northern Advocate, 18 November 1929, Page 6

OTAMATEA COUNTY COUNCIL

1 I MONTHLY MEETING. j i The usual monthly assembly of the j above council, on Wednesday, Novem-( ber 10, was attended by Messrs K. Coates (chairman), G. W. Heslop, W. Fitness, R. Smith, L. Ramsbottom, W. Collins, W. Betts, Hastie, Littin and W. T. Hunt. Ml SEE ADIN G ESTTM ATES. Tr was reported that there were items appearing on Public Works Estimates for load grants for the county totalling £T)4fi(), but that the amount that the. Public Works Department v.ould allow the council to submit plans and specifications for was £3710, leaving £1747 of grant money which' which cannot possibly be utilised, and which might as 1 well be left off the Estimates,

Out of the £3710 there is already authorised to the council a sum of £I2BIS, leaving only £OOI of new items to be authorised for tho current year.

It was pointed out that settlers, seeing grants on the Estimates, looked to the council to expend them, but it would be seen that it was impossible in every case, and it would be better if the Public Works Estimates contained items totalling the amount of the county’s permissible authorisation, viz., £3719, instead of £5466.

A further point was that though the department would authorise grants totalling £3719, it will only issue cash to the amount of £2861, thus leaving a balance of £.858 as a charge against next vear’s allocations.

BLAKE'S ROAD. A deputation was informed that the eouncil could do little towards metalling Blake's Road (which the cream lorry cannot negotiate), as only £l6O of the ‘loan money was loft. PAPAROA—WATKIEKIE. The council resolved to accept responsibility for legalisation, compensation and fencing' affecting sections on the Paparoa—Waikiokie road, in order that relief work could be continued. GENERAL. The Native Land Court wrote asking’ for a .statement of arrears of native rates, and the clerk reported submitting a 'statement of £1763 outstanding, Messrs Elliott and Holden wrote in connection with Taylor and Cayne's claim for £22 10/ for elevator. Resolved to pay the account.

The Kaipara S.S. Company forwarded a cheque for £6o:6s 2d for wharfage flue for quarter ended September 30. The amount was allocated proportionately to Ruawai, Raupo, Naumai and Toka Toka wharves.

The N.Z. Counties’ Association wrpte advising that Mr T. F. Martin, the association’s solicitor, was preparing a ipodel set of by-laws adaptable for all counties, .so as to secure uni-

funnily throughor! tho Dominions, and asking' if Otaniatea Council would join in.—Agreed to. The Rt. Hon. .1. (1. Coates wrote ;i(-kmisvledgin<>- the receipt of the petition from 24” i residents and settlers of Unawai, urging grants for district, hack roads. He had immediately passed this on to the Minister of Public Works and promised to do all in his power to assist. Councillor Collins urged the immediate further prosecution of the work .of .settling tip the new Power Board to include Hobson, Otamatoa and Kod;:ey Counties, with a view to securing hydro-electric 'power for the district as early as possible. It was reported that the movement was being pushed forward in Hobson County. It is hoped hv avoiding unnecessary nominations to obviate the cost of an election for the board.

In anticipation of the Commerce Train visit, the clay portion of the Toka Toka —Matakohe road has been graded, but owing to the condition of the road between the access road and the Parahi finger-post, it has been impossible to do anything with this portion.

It was resolved to ask the Hon. E. A. Ransom, Minister of Public Works, to visit the county, and Jif possible spend two days, so that the urgency of the various works may be brought before him.