MANGONUI COUNTY COUNCIL

Northern Advocate, 18 December 1936, Page 2

MANGONUI COUNTY COUNCIL

ORDINARY MEETING t A meeting of the Mangonui County Council was held at Kaitaia on Wednesday. Present: Councillors W. Vickers (chairman). C. J. Barriball, R. Wrathall, F. Holder. N. J. Berghan, and L. J. Matthews. Replying to Cr. Matthews, the clerk said an arrangement had been made for the taking of land for a road, under which Sulenta Bros, would receive £2Bl 10/7, less rates £205; and Prebicevich Bros., £133 9/ less rates £24. Prebicevich Bros, had been very reasonable and had agreed to a reduction of £6O on their first claim, but little concession could be obtained from Messrs. Sulenta Bros. The arrangement was much better than going to the Supreme Court. Cr. Wrathall took exception to the arrangement because no undertaking was given to fence. He held that the matter should have been taken to the Supreme Court. The clerk: “Messrs. Prebicevich Bros, have already done some fencing.” The arrangement was confirmed, but was opposed by Councillors Holder and Wrathall when put to the vote. Tenders. The following tenders were accepted subject to the approval of the Public Works Department:— Fryer’s Road, metalling 85 chains: J. Curreen, £325. Garton’s Road, metalling 72 chains: P. W. Lambley. £270. Pekerau Road, metalling 20 chains: H. Christensen, £9l 4/-. | Kumi Road. 55 chains: S. A. Christensen, £165, lus cost of metal. Smith’s Road, 80 chains metalling: J. Curreen, £250 10/-. Raising road at Orouaiti Creek, 26 chains, 4454 cyds. of earthwork: J. Curreen at 2/6 per yard; total tender £556, not including laying of pipes, approximately £SO. The following tenders were accepted: Delivery of 1200 cyds. of shale from Paranui on main highway, Pama-puria-Mangonui, S. A. Christensen. £555.

Delivery 400 cyds. of Paranui shale on Waimate-Kaeo-Mangonui main highway: P. W. Lambley, £233 10/-. For delivery 480 cyds. of shingle on tlie Waipapakauri-Awanui Road, the lowest tender was that of J. Curreen, £l9B, and as Mr Curreen had already secured two contracts, the question arose of whether he could handle a third. The matter was left in the hands of the engineer. Traffic Inspector’s Report.

The traffic inspector reported that to date, for the quarter, 88 heavy traffic fees had been collected. Wandering stock continued to be a serious problem. Following the reported accident to a child at Awanui, he had visited the place regularly on picture nights with a view to controlling the parking of cars. On the motion of the chairman. it was resolved to display a “No parking” notice.

Government Grants,

The engineer. Mr R. Torrie, reported that all proposals for Government grants had been completed, and most had been approved. Authorities had been received for Smith’s, Carton’s, Fryer’s, Pekerau. Edwards’ and Kumi roads. The issue of the authority for Awanui-Kaitaia Road, via Waihoe. had been held up by Cabinet, but strong representations were being made to have the work done this year. The P.W.D. had asked for information about the proposed State highway from Awanui to Mangamuka Saddle, and in the meantime maintenance work was being carried out by the county. Information was also being sought as to the depth and width of metal on the Awanui Road, with the idea of improving the shape and camber, preparatory to bitumen sealing, which would probably be carried out next year.

Asked what authority he was working under in respect to Carton’s Road, the engineer said a £3OO grant on a £3 for £1 basis. Damage by Motorists,

A resolution was passed under which the truck driver who damaged the Waipapakauri Bridge, will be called upon to pay the cost of repairs. Cr. Matthews said quite a number of bridges in the county have been damaged by rAotorists. He instanced the Taipa Bridge, and said those doing the damage had not been called upon to- pay. The chairman: “In this case wo have proof, and an intoxicated driver is net entitled to consideration.” A letter was received from the District Engineer, Whangarei, asking whether in the event of work on the Kohumaru Road, chiefly metalling, being continued by the department, the council would set aside an annual reserve sufficient for effective maintenance.

Ci\ Wrathall moved that the council undertake to maintain the road, provided it is metalled to standard. In the past, the council, after accepting responsibility for maintenance, had not met its obligations. The engineer said a number of different standards were provided for in the Public Works Department’s regulations, according to the class c road. No. 5 Scheme. Replying to a letter from the county clerk, in which it was stated that the council had for some time been considering the advisability of discontinuing supervision, and acting as paying authority for No. 5 Scheme, the Department of Labour stated that with the increase in the rates for sustenance. the number of men under Scheme 5 would gradually decrease, and this should ease the position as far as the council was concerned. It was realised, however, that a large number of those employed by the council under No. 5 were Maoris, and it was not desired that they should j receive sustenance payments without i work, the council was asked to con- j tinue their employment, in which case ] the department would consider sub- j sidising the wages and travelling ex-! penses of a suitable man as supervisor! on a 50-50 basis. Cr. Wrathall moved, and Cr. Holder I seconded, that applications be invited j from men capable of filling the posi- j tion of supervisor over the men cm- j ployed under No. 5 Scheme, the sal- j ary to be £4 5/- per week, and the j council to provide the necessary con- j veyance and expenses. The motion was carried. 1

Forty-Hour Week, Cr. Wfathall moved that the office be closed all day on Saturday. Cr. Berghan seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. General. It was decided to write to the Minister of Public Works, asking for the reinstatement of the grant for Price’s Road. Mrs C. B. Baker, Herekino. wrote asking for road access. It was decided to g;et an estimate of the cost from the engineer and apply for a special grant. The question of the site for Kitchen's Bridge, Vicjoria Valley, was deferred till next meeting, so that the riding member could be present. Timber Haulage. Messrs. T. M. Lane & Sons wrote inquiring what road royalty the council would ask on the haulage of timber from Victoria Valley to tide-water at Oruru. It was stated that Mr J. Edwards wished to dispose of 50,000 to 100.000 feet in logs, and the price that could be offered would depend on the cost of transport. The distance was about 12 miles.

On the motiqp of the chairman, the royalty was fixed at one penny per 100 feet per mile, a bond of £250 to be entered into.

Mr Chappell, engineer, Whangaroa County Council, wrote suggesting that a conference be held early in the New Year, of engineers and county clerks in the four Northern counties, so that some alternative scheme to that proposed by Mr Hemphill could be prepared before the conference of local bodies is held.

Referring to Mr Hemphill’s scheme, Cr. Wrathall said it was permeated with the clerical mind. He was opposed to Russell forming part of the southern county. The reasons for amalgamation were not dealt with in the scheme. He would move that the council approve of Mr Chappell’s proposals. The motion was carried.

Dog registration fees were fixed at 2/6 for sheep and cattle dogs, and 10/for sporting dogs.