COUNTY COUNCIL NOTES

Northland Age, Volume 14, Issue 31, 12 April 1917, Page 5

COUNTY COUNCIL NOTES

The following is the ordinary meeting of the County Council held on April 5- There were present Councillors Houston, Evans, Long, Garton, Panther and Wrathall. Proposed by Cr Wrathall and seconded by Cr Garton : “That “the minutes of the “special” “and of the ordinary meeting “held on the Ist March, and also “the minutes of the Committee “meeting held on the 23rd "March be adopted as read.” — carried. Proposed by R. Wrathall and seconded by J. Garton : “That the “resolution of the Ist day of “March, 1917 passed by “spe“cial order” of the Council as “set out in the minute book “making the “Heavy Traffic” “Amendment by-law 1917 be “and the same is hereby con“firmed.”—carried. Garton—Panther: That the proposed alteration to the Black Bridge hill as set out in the Engineers plans be adopted and that the work will be put in hand in the spring.—carried. Garton—Panther: That the postal authorities be written to asking them to make provision for the conveying of northern mails through Victoria Valley road instead of Fairburn as at present for a period of about two months commencing early in the spring on a date to be appointed by this Council, owing to alterations being necessary to the Black Bridge hill road.—carried. Garton—Houston: That Messrs Logan and Stout be informed that the Paranui settlers have decided to postpone the raising of a loan until after the war.—carried. Wrathall—Long: That the Chairman be deputed when at* tending the Development Board Conference in Auckland to advocate the following as being the only section of the present unsatisfaction of the promiscuous grants in aid system. 1. County’s Classification scheme a.b.c.d. with maximum £ for £ subsidy on the whole of the rates collected within a County. 2. That it shall be mandatory upon the Government to give a £ for £ subsidy upon all loan for Public Works undertaken under the Local Bodies Loan Act. 3. That the Government shall take over all the main arterial roadways in all Counties where there are no railways. Houston—Wrathall: That at the conference in Auckland of the North Auckland Development Board a remit be made with regard to the collecting of Native rates as follows: That the Government be requested to pay into all local bodies the total amount of rates on Native lands in each County and make all such payments a lien on such lands on the same principle as the present Survey liens.—carried. Houston—Long That the certificate asked for by Messrs Parr & Blomfield that the Awanui river is reasonable access to obi Land Claim No 119 be signed as requested by Mr McMullen until such time as the road access to his property is completed by survey and dedication. For—Long, Evans, Panther, Garton and Houston. Against—Wrathall. carried. Wrathall—Panther: That all motor cycles within the County register and have the registration plate so displayed as to be in a conspicuous position upon the rear of the machine.—carried. Evans—Long: That in reference to the Minister of Public Works letter dated 28th February 1917 the Council recommend that access grant to Sec. 137 Mangataniwha Parish be diverted to Waiharara and Houhora road. — carried. Garton—Panther: That the letter received from the Fairburn Vigilance Committee be replied to stating that this Council is not in possession of the report asked for and that these reports are not distributed amongst the ratepayers generally, but are prepared

solely for the Public Works Offices and they will not agree to the distribution of the same, -carried. Long-Evans: In pursuance of a resolution passed by the Mangonui County Council on the sth day of April 1917 consenting to the taking and closing of the roads as indicated in the consents of the interested parties endorsed thereon the Common Seal on the Mangonui County Council was hereunto affixed this sth day of April 1917 in the presence of the Chairman and Clerk. No. of plan ißst>B. Houston Evans: That the Engineer be requested to inspect the road and culvert complained of by Mr G. Donald and report at next meeting.—carried. Evans Long: That in reply to Messrs Spain, Brown & Co’s letter this Council instruct the Engineer to inspect the road in question and report at next meeting.—carried. Wrathall- Houston: That the account of Messrs Reed & Miller of £27 15 s 2d be referred back for detailed particulars and on receipt ol same such will be considered.—carried. Panther -Carton: That Messrs Kitchen N Switzer be informed that their cheque for £6 lOs has been received on account and that upon their forwarding the balance ol £5 5s a final receipt will be issued to them, carried. Houston Wrathall: That this Council agree to accept dedication of the balance of Bonnett road with also Jameison road, Kaitaia township as described on Kaitaia Extension Plan distance approximately 26 chains on condition that the necessary bond is signed and a cheque for £SO is deposited in the Council such bond deposit to be returned when work is completed to the satisfaction of the County Engineer, —carried. Long—Evans: That in replyjo petition re opening of Simpson’s drain this Council instruct the Engineer to have such work proceeded with provided the cost does not exceed the amount consented to by this Council.—carried. Wrathall Carton: That the Northern S.S. Company’s letter be received and as it does not contain the details bearing upon the decision arrived at between the County representatives and the Northern Company’s delegates the matter be left in the Chairman’s hands to communicate with the Company for the purpose of obtaining further and fuller information. —carried. Carton Panther: That an additional sum of £4 13s be passed for payment being extra out of pocket expenses incurred by the County Chairman on his trip to Well i ngton.—carried. Wrathall -Panther: That the Clerk be instructed to wire to the under secretary as to whether it is finally decided that the 23rd of April shall be observed as Anzac Day. carried. Houston Wrathall: That the Council offer no objection to the erection of a swing gate by Mr F. T. Wyatt provided he carry out the statutory conditions re advertising etc.—carried. Wrathall —Carton: That the request of the Eketaluma Council be acceded to re the Government establishing cold storage depots in the larger shipping centres of the Dominion and this County’s endorsement be forwarded to the Government through Mr V. H. Reed, M.P. —carried Panther—Houston: That Councillors Long, Holder, Garton and the Chairman be appointed a finance committee to act on behalf of the Council. For —Casting vote Houston, Panther, Houston. Against —Evans, Wrathall, — amendment carried. Crs Long and Garton not voting. Wrathall -Evans: That a finance committee be appointed in this County such Committee to be composed of the County Chairman, Councillors Long, Garton, and Wrathall, three to form a quorarn and such Finance Committee to hold office until the annual meeting and such office is

filled at each and every subsequent annual meeting. For —Wrathall, Evans. Against Panther, Houston, Houston casting vote. Councillors Long and Garton not voting. Houston —Garton: That the County Solicitor be instructed to take immediate proceedings against all persods who have not paid their rates by the 31st March last. —carried. Wrathall —Garton: That the metalling at the wharf filling be proceeded with and that Berghan’s offer be accepted to Quarry Nap and deliver 70 yards at 8s per yard. —carried. Garton—Panther That owing to the high price of meat and dairy produce there is a grave danger of the Agricultural fanners of this Dominion neglecting to grow wheat and adopting the easier methods of farming by raising stock, etc. We would urge upon the Government the necessity of encouraging the farmers to grow all the wheat possible by guaranteeing a payable price for all wheat growers. — Wrathall —Panther: That foxglove be placed upon the first schedule of the noxious weed in the Mangonui County.—carried.