Mangonui County Cl. Meeting

Northern Advocate, 25 June 1940, Page 9

Mangonui County Cl. Meeting

| A financial statement presented to I the Mangonui County Council by the I treasurer showed that there was a credit balance to the general account of £228 10/3. This, he said, was a very unusual position. The total receipts since last meeting totalled £1430 16/5, including rates £599. heavy traffic license fees £348 and. drivers’ licenses £194 5/-. Government Assistance The engineer stated that he had conferred with the P.W.D. engineer with regard to grants. Works which would not help production. such as the Waihoe Road and the Ahipara Beach deviation, could not proceed. The grants for the main highways for the district were to be cut down about 50 per cent., and the maintenance grant would be reduced by over 30 per cent. Favourable consideration was being given to buildings such as Silva’s and the Waitomo. \ Tenders were being invited for the Kaingaroa bridge, and Foster’s bridge was also to be taken in hand. ‘ The department was more favourable to the replacement of dangerous bridges than making deviations and straightening roads. The Minister for Internal Affairs forwarded a circular letter dealing with the emergency precautionary scheme, under which there woud be proper control in all localities of essential services when suspended by disaster, such as earthquake, fire, flood or enemy action. Councillor Holder moved that a committee consisting of the chairman, clerk, engineer and Councillors Shaw, Vickers and McKay be appointed to prepare a scheme. The committee could add the chairman of the town board and president of the R.S.A. The motion was seconded by Councillor Hoskin and carried. The committee is to report to the next meeting of the council. Hospital Levy The Mangonui Hospital Board notified that the levy on local bodies for 1940-41 would be £3500, and of this amount the county council would contribute £3115 16/3, a reduction on last year's levy of £375 14/2. The secretary of the Mangonui Hospital Board informed the council that the seat on the board formerly occupied by Mr T. S. Houston was vacant, making it necessary for the council to appoint someone to fill the position. In proposing that Councillor Barrihall be appointed, Councillor Hoskin expressed his regret that Mr Houston, by force of c ; ”ciinstances, could no longer represent them. The motion was seconded by Councillor McKay and carried unanimously. Should Work Longer

A resolution for endorsement was received from the Wallace County Council as follows: “That owing to world conditions, this council asks for a reinstatement of the 48-hour week without wage increase; also 50 per cent, reduction in holidays, and overtime at ordinary rates of pay.” “A very good move,” said Councillor Holder,” and we should support it. “With the sacrifices being made by those going to the front, wages should be reduced, and hours extended for those at home. He moved that they support the resolution. Councillor Vickers: In England, men are working 12 hours a day without squealing. He thought that what was proposed, if it became general, would be acceptable to all. The motion was carried. Tar Sealing Appreciated Councillor Matthews said the Awanui people greatly appreciated the tarsealing of the footpath from the post office to the public hall, but they now desired that when the culvert just soutli of the Northern Shipping Co.’s wharf is receiving attention, a floodgate be put in to prevent water from the river backing up. On a motion of Councillor Matthews, seconded by Councillor Shaw,, it was decided to ask the P.W.D. to have a floodgate put in. Bad Access Councillor Hoskin said there was great difficulty, owing to the state of the road, in getting to the Victoria Valley cemetery, and if the council would lend a couple of trucks, the settlers were prepared to load them with gravel for the road. It was decided to provide the trucks. Old Taipa Bridge Councillor McKay: The new Taipa bridge will be opened shortly, and we should try to conserve as much as possible of the material in the old bridge for county work. Councillor Matthews: I understand the P.W.D. is laying a claim for the old bridge. The Clerk: The control is with the local body. The engineer: As far as main highways are concerned, the P.W.D., when erecting a new bridge, has a claim on the old one. Councillor McKay moved that the engineer be instructed to make arrangements for dismantling the bridge. The engineer: It will be a difficult and costly job, for no part of a pile can be left protruding above the bed of the river. It may be as well to let the P.W.D. dismantle the bridge and buy what is required from it. The motion was seconded by Councillor Shaw and carried.