Lack Of Men, Plant For County Work

Northern Advocate, 12 June 1942, Page 5

Lack Of Men, Plant For County Work

Heavy reduction in the construction of roads and bridges during the past year as a result of nearly all contractors and plant being utilised for urgent defence works was recorded in the report presented by the chairman (Mr. J. A. S. Mac Kay) to the annual meeting of the Whangarei County Council today. "The total extension of metalling for the year amounted to five miles," stated the report.

"One reinforced bridge GOft. long, one New Zealand timber bridge 25ft. long, and one steel joist and hardwood bridge 36ft. long were constructed. “The following figures will give some indication of the reductions in our activities: In recent years from 25.000 to 40,000 cubic yards of crushed metal has been delivered under contract annually, but this year the amount has been just under 10,000 cubic yards. Bridge repairs were exceptionally heavy during the year, as many old bridges have reached the limit of their service and the prospects of new bridges are limited by war conditions. The renewals of decking alone is a heavy item of maintenance.

“Although the cost of bridge construction in reinforced concrete is high, the freedom from deterioration and breakages makes them immeasurably superior for adoption on all important roads.

“I regret to have to report that there is a growing' trend to fast and heavy traffic and rigid control is a matter of great difficulty. The evidence necessary for convictions for traffic breaches is not easy to obtain and motor drivers take advantage of this fact. Hospital Levy "The council's share ol' the current hospital levy is £8741, which means a rate of approximately ILct in the £ on rateable property in the county. This makes a serious inroad into our average general rate of As my comments on the subject at the annual meeting of the hospital board were fully reported in Monday's 'Advocate’ I will not repeat them. Noxious Weeds “The control of such weeds as ragwort and oupatorium has become extremely difficult owing to sodium chlorate and other materials used for their destruction being off the market. I appeal to all settlers, however, to do their utmost with the means at their disposal to keep this menace in check. Patriotic Activities “Our people are to be congratulated on the splendid response made to tire various patriotic appeals. For the All Purposes Patriotic Appeal our people have contributed an amount approximating £SOOO, which 1 submit is an excellent effort, when we take into consideration the ever-increasing demands being made on the people's resources by way of taxation and rising living costs. I,oss to Ratepayers

“Since last annua! meeting we have mourned the death of one of our oldest councillors in the late Mr. A. .T. McKay, who first sat at the council table in 1908 as the representative of the Waipu riding, and after a period of retirement resumed his seat in 1920. With bis death this council and the people of Waipu have lost the services of a man whose interests were ever those of the people he represented. The people of Waipu riding elected unopposed Mr. J. 11. Garland 1o fill the vacancy, and I congratulate him on his election and also the people of Waipu on having avoided a by-election at this time. By so doing they have shown a true understanding of the ’imes through which wc are passing. E.P.S. Activities "During the year, by reason of the Changed war conditions already referred to. there has been greatly increased activity in E.P.S. organisation, and the compulsory registration of Maori and European alike has thrown a great deal of extra work on the depleted staffs of local bodies. The various district units set up by the council are functioning and cooperating enthusiastically, and arc to be congratulated on the manner in which they are discharging their duties. The central committee, with the approval of the Director of National Service and this council, has made first aid units available to each of its branches, the council's contribution to this exoenditure being subsidised on a £2 for £1 basis by the Government. Apart from the emergency conditions under which we are now living making it imperative to make this provision, the central committee feel that these first aid units will fill a long felt need in our rural districts, many of which arc long distances from a centre where medical aid can be obtained. Finances “Although today our finances are in a healthy condition. I would like to point out that many of our roads are deteriorating through lack of maintenance and that there is need to conserve our resources until the needs of the army become less pressing and our contractors and plant again become available, so that we can make up the leeway without making greater demands on our ratepayers. “During the year the chief items of expenditure on roads and bridges were as follows: Out of riding revenue. £9079; on highways out of county revenue. £2176; on main highways, £4545; Government grants. £2450; power graders, £3709; thirds and halves. £199: total. £22.158. Government contributions during the year from all sources totalled £10.622. “Heavy traffic license fees showed a sharp decline, the figure being £1712. a decrease of £ll7l on the previous year. Continued impressment of vehicles is the chief factor bringing about this reduction. “Receipts and expenditure for (he past year totalled £91.088 and the year concluded with a credit balance of £10,901. of which ridings account for £6387 and loan interest accounts £4022. “The gross public debt of the county remains at £103,309 and has stood at this figure since 1928. Accumulated sinking funds and repayment of principal has reduced this debt to £64.923.” Co-operation, Efficiency The report concluded by expressing thanks for the co-operation given by councillors during the year, to Mr. J. G. Barclay M.P.. the district engineer and staff of‘the Public Works Department for assistance, and the Press for able and generous handling of questions appertaining to the county. . The chairman said he felt that special thanks was due to the staff for the efficient and smooth manner in which the wor’- had been carried out since it had suddenly been depleted by the mobilisation of the clerk (Lieut.-Colonel H. C. Hemphill) and the inspector (Mr, W. R. Vallan.ee). , , , . .. . In tribute to those who had given thenlives in defence of the Dominion and the Emoire, members stood in silence. Moving the adoption of the' report, Cr. j Morrison thanked the chairman for the kindness he had shown to councillors, and said they were pleased to see that he was weathering difficult times so well. Other councillors supported the motion and endorsed Cr. Morrison’s remarks, Cr. A. Clarke stating that when the chairman undertook a duty it was carried out. as evidenced by the comprehensive nature of the report. Special mention was made by councillors of the consideration always shown to new members by the chairman. The motion was carried.