WHANGAROA COUNTY

Northern Advocate, 15 December 1932, Page 8

WHANGAROA COUNTY

(From Our Own Correspondent.) W.D.F.U. Tho ordinary monthly mooting of the Kaeo .branch, which was held in tho library rooms on the Bth inst., look tho form of a biscuit afternoon. Another successful exchange was held. In the course of the meeting a health talk was given by Mrs North, matron of the Whangaroa Hospital. County Council. The ordinary monthly meeting of the. AVhangaroa County Council was held at Kaeo. A letter was received from Mr H. S. Attenburrow, an Akatere Block settler, expressing his appreciation of the council's action In remitting his rates for two years. The same concession was granted to Messrs Jameson and Johnson, settlers on the same block. Tho request of S. Smith for the right to occupy a further strip of waste land lying between the Kaeo river and the Kaeo-Whangaroa road was granted. In Tojdy to the council's letter of protest against the abolition of the Highways Account, a letter was received from the Prime Minister's office stating that the Government had decided not to abolish tho Highways Account as recommended by the National Expenditure Commission. Correspondence was received from the Minister of Internal Affairs, enclosing a copy of the Gazette notifying the merging of the Kaeo and Omaunu ridings, which is to take effect from January I onwards. Tho council decided to hold an election to appoint the member for the combined ridings. Owing to a. legal opinion obtained by a local ratepayer to the effect that rates could not bo claimed on land without road access, tho opinion of the county solicitor was sought. His opinion vindicated that of tho council — that rates could be claimed on land without road access, and that no liability lay on the council to provide access to a section. Permission was given to’ Mr Arthur Shepherd to replace open culverts with flood gates, thus enabling him to shut the tidal water off marine flats occupied by him. With regard to tho access road to Ngawha Springs, a letter was received from the Bay of Islands County Council requesting the council's assistance in the purchase of the road. In the opinion of the council, as the springs were a national asset, tho road should be purchased by the Government; if, however, the Bay Council Avere unable to secure free money for the full purchase of the road, this council would assist in proportion to its rateable value, provided that the other northern counties -would do the same. The suggestion of the traffic inspector to set up local restriction signs in Kaeo, AVhangaroa and Totara North, was approved. A deputation waited on the council seeking its co-operation to have tho motor service deposit passengers at the hotel instead of on the main road. Although this practice at present causes only the inconvenience of a short walk to the hotel, in the winter months the circumstances could be much more distressing. In view of the fact that it Avould moan only an extra two minutes’ run, the council decided to support the request. The tender of Herbert and Co., for the metalling of the Omaunu Block road was accepted, subject to the approval of the Public Works Department. Harbour Board. Following on tho council meeting, a mooting of tho Harbour Board was held. The appointment of Mr Alan Sanderson as collector was confirmed. It had been the intention of the board to reduce wharfage dues, but a statement of the past year's operations, drawn up by the secretary, showed conclusively that a reduction Avas economically impossible.

Unemployment. In consequoneo of the latest ruling of the Unemployment Board with regard to men, particularly natives, on the No. 5 Scheme owning laud, the list of local unemployed was examined, and some IS men wore notified that they are no longer eligible for 'benefits under the scheme. Owing to the fact that no discretion was allowed as regards the quantity or suitability of the land, undue hardship will be inflicted on many of the men concerned. It was decided to write to the Unemployment Board and point out that it is now too late in the season fox' these men to cutlivate the land they have been forced on to, that the season for planting kumaras is long past, and in most cases xio ploughing is possible until the autumn. Dance. A dance was held in Bye’s Hall under the auspices of the Anglican Church. Jt is the general opinion of those who attended this dance that, from a social point of view, it was the most successful that has been held in Kaeo for some time. Music, was supplied by local Anglicans. The local lads were fulL of spirits and flung themselves into (he joy of the dance with an abandon which had to be seen to be appreciated.