MANGONUI COUNTY

Northern Advocate, 19 March 1937, Page 10

MANGONUI COUNTY

Meeting Of Council

The monthly meeting of the Mangonui County Council was held on Wednesday. Present: Councillors W. Vickers (chairman), C. J. E. Barriball, J. N. Berghan, F. Holder, L. -J. Matthews, W. J. Stead, H. H. Thompson and R. T. Wrathalh Paparore School Road.

The Public Works Engineer, Whangarei, writing with regard to the Waipapakauri Aerodrome, which is now being extended by the department, asked that provision be made for closing the road to the Paparoa school. The adjoining owners, Messrs Thode and Evans, had agreed to the proposal. Cr. Steed: Arequate provision is being made for the children travelling to school by means of a road Cr. Thompson: I can’t understand side ‘the big drain.

why the school has not been shifted to the main road, Cr. Steed: The matter has been considered, but it has been decided to leave the school in its present position.

A resolution was passed consenting to 4 the closing of the road, and it was further decided to request the Native Department' to have the school re-' moved to a more central site. A letter was received from Mr Packwood, stating that the question of the construction of Wilkins road would be dealt with under the next Estimates Held Over. A letter from the Hon. F. Langstone was read, stating that as the Pairatahi road had not been legalised throughout the question of making a grant for the road would have to remain over for the next Estimates. - It was decided, on the motion of Cr. Matthews, to request that the Public Works Department lay out the best route. Noxious Weeds. The Commissioner of Crown Lands wrote asking for full particulars of the Crown properties, on which noxious weeds were growing and to which reference had been made by a deputation to the Minister. When particulars are available removal of the weeds would be dealt with, Cr. Wrathall referred to Crown properties in his district which, as a result of noxious weeds, had become a menace do adjoining properties. In one case a road had been so closed in with gorse that cars could not be driven through without scratching the paint. There was a Defence reserve of 60 acres, which was one mass of gorse. There was a little ragwort in the county, but that, he understood, was being dealt wnth. Cr. Steed said a topographical survey of the whole of the North was being made and the man in charge had Ween instructed to report any ragwort that comes under notice. In his district the department had given every assistance in dealing with any patches of ragwort which appeared arid tMa vigorous steps taken had been very effective. Native Kates. The Hokianga County Council, writing on, the very unsatisfactory position in 1 connection, with native rates, urged that concerted action be taken by the four northern comities and suggested that a meeing be held in the near future, say, at Rangiahua, when a line of action could be determined.

Cr. Wrathall moved that the Hokianga County Council be informed that the Mangonui council was in sympathy with the object it had in view. The promise made by the Government that under the consolidation of native lands rates would be collectbale had not been fulfilled. A lump sum of £2500 had been granted in part payment of native rates some time ago and they had received nothing since. The motion was carried, and the chairman, Cr. Berghan and Cr. Wrathall were appointed to attend the conference. Amalgamation Of Counties. A letter was received from the Whangarei county clerk on the Amalgamation of Local Bodies Bill, submitting a motion of general observations, the chief of which were; It would be necessary to convince the people that the movement is in reality an enlargement of democratic principles and' not a curtailment. No provision, was made for a review of rating and other problems and no indication was given of whether it was the intention of the Government to pursue a policy of progressive absorption of the functions of rural bodies. If the peaceful penetration which is gradually taking place by the State was in pursuance of the policy of absorption then amalgamation was unnecessary, unless it was to be used in bringing about complete nationalisation. 'There was need for a declaration by the Government, clarifying the position. The subject might be dealt with at the proposed conference of Northern local bodies to be held at Whangarei in May. Little advantage could result from amalgamation if carried out on the lines visualised today, and it would be ineffective to attempt remodelling of rural local bodies without including State Departments over the same area. *

It was decided to defer consideration till the Minister’s reply to the observations made is available.

General.

Mr E. W. Foster wrote asking that as county trucks were working at Oruaiti at present a little metal be placed on his access road.—lt was decided to comply with the request. A letter was received, inquiring as to the price the council will accept for its sections and house property at Awanui.

The clerk said the property cost the council £6OO. The chairman: We must call tenders or offer the property by auction if we are going to sell. The clerk said the property, comprising two aci’es, was let at 5/ per week.

It was decided to inform the writer that the property is not for sale.

Cr. Steed said he had heard that the metalling of the main north road was to be discontinued. This may only be a rumour, but if there was any such intention he would like his council to move in the matter. Cr. Wrathall asked that something be done to Dominion Road at Mangonui, the only car road access to the Anglican Church.

Cr. Barriball urged that to give greater safety to . .traffic the hand railing on the Taipa bridge be restored, but at a lower height than the original railing. In its present condition the bridge was unsafe on a windy day.—Referred to engineer. Mr M. Matich wrote objecting to the closing of the road to his house at Waipapakauri. The road, he staled, had been in existence for 50 years.—The engineer was asked to interview Mr Matich,