Hokianga County Debit Shows Increase

Northern Advocate, 15 July 1939, Page 2

Hokianga County Debit Shows Increase

[Special to '‘Northern Advocate ”] RAWENE, This Day.

Heavy expenditure during the past month resulted in a further decline in the financial position of the Hokianga County Council. At this week’s meeting of the council, the treasurer.. Mr H. Chappell, reported that after having a debit balance of £7530/13/9 at April 1, expenditure to date amounting to £7927 18 9. and receipts £4335/1/9, the debit balance now stood at £11,123/7 9. The bank overdraft at July 5. stood at £9948 14.-.

Accounts amounting to £2469/2/vvere passed for payment. The chairman, Mr A. Yarborough, expressed sympathy with the relatives of the late Messrs. Buchanan and Cochrane, both well respected residents of the Hokianga. County, and the council passed a motion of condolence by standing in silence.

Runaruna Domain

The Commissioner of Crown Lands wrote asking whether the council would be prepared to be constituted a domain board to take over the control of the Runaruna Domain.

During discussions it was pointed cut that there was already a domain, board in existence at Broadwood. It was agreed to advise the Commissioner to approach this body regarding taking over the supervision of the domain. The Hospital Board advised that for the coming year the maintenance levy for hospital charges had been set at £3097, with a capital levy of £432.

Protest Against Disenfranchisement. The Omahuta branch of the Farmers’ Union wrote protesting against the disenfranchisement of settlers owing to the non-payment of rates. It was claimed that the disenfranchisement and the imposition of the 10 per cent, penalty rate represented a double penalty for settlers who in the past had been hard pressed.

The council, however, took the view that it was its duty to administer the law, but not to make it. A reply to this effect was forwarded to the branch.

Winter Carting

Messrs. G. L. and S. Winger, of Kaikohe, waited upon the council, requesting permission to cart sawn timber and logs over Renwick’s and Punakitere Roads during winter months.

Mr S. Winger stated that if some concession could not be granted, it would mean the closing of the mill. His firm was prepared to restrict loads to any reasonable extent, and in the event of heavy rainfall to stop carting .altogether for a day or two. The chairman considered that while it was desirable and necessary to keep the industry going, it could not be done at the expense of the roads. It was decided to aIIOAV f the carting of sawn timber at .a reduced load during periods to be fixed by the riding member and engineer. Log loads are not to exceed 1000 feet, and in both cases the speed of the vehicles is to be restricted to 20 miles per hour. ' Information was received from the Main Highways Board that the county would be relieved of the maintenance of 3 miles 56 chains of main highway from the Waipoua Forest to the creek near Taita Road.

Condition of Trucks.

A special committee comprising the chairman and Crs. Freese, Austin, and White, was sat up to inspect and report on the - condition of the council s fleet of trucks, which were reported fcy Mr L. S. Donnelly, county engineer, as being worn out and uneconomical to operate.

Engineer’s Report,

In covering work caried out during the past month, the engineer advised that work had commenced on the repairs to one bridge, and that materials had been ordered Tor the Whirinaki and Minchin’s Bridges.

Little progress had been made with metal crushing at Waima for the remetalling of a section of the KaikoheRawene main highway.

Throughout the county all highways had deteriorated rapidly during the month, and were in a bad condition. Owing to adverse weather, little general maintenance had been possible.

The slip beyond Oue Junction had been a constant source of trouble. Although the whole gang, augmented by casual labour, had been constantly employed, it has been possible merely to keep the road open to traffic. An endeavour was being made to obtain the use of an angle-dozer from the Public Works Department to expedite this work.

Another slip which would give trouble was developing near the Ohiro Road, where three-quarters o fa chain of road was slipping into the Omanaia River.

The water st.pply pipe passed along the centre of the road at this place, and as a consequence it had been necessary to excavate the line and re-lay it. Several other breaks in the pipe line had occurred on the north side of the river.

Attention had been given to the Ivydale, Omapere, Horeke and Taheke Roads, while the grader had covered the Kohukohu-T.akataper and Takahue Roads. Small slips had filled watertables.