County Council

Northland Age, Volume 4, Issue 12, 21 December 1934, Page 11

County Council

ABSTRACT OF BUSINESS The monthly meeting of the Mangonui County Council was held on Wednesday when there were present Crs. W. Vickers (Chairman), C. J. E. Barriball, J. N. Berghan, J. Garton, F. Holder, L. J. Matthew's, W. J. Steed * and H. H. Thompson. Letter of Sympathy Before commencing the business of the meeting, a resolution i of condolence was passed to the relatives of the late Mr. James Beazley of Houhora. Members stated that the late Mr. Beazley was one of the best foremen the Council ever had. General On taking the chair, Cr. Vickers thanked Cr. Barriball for the manner in which he had carried out the duties of Chairman during his absence. Members welcomed Cr. Vickers back to the head of the Council table, he : looking so well after his trip to Australia. The Council supported the resolution of the Whakatane County Council in reference to Markets * for Primary Products. It is suggested that the Government make trade treaties with other Counties opening new markets for New Zealand products, always bearing in mind the necessity of preserving reciprocal trade with Great Britain. Members considered that the finding of new markets for New Zealand’s primary products was most important as Britain did not appear to want all our production. The Engineer was granted permission to attend the Annual * Conference of Engineers in Auckland, and travelling expenses to the amount of £lO were allowed. Mr. T. H. Quartermati was 4 granted permission to cut grass seed on the Te Rore Road on payment of 10/-. Formal application is to be made to the Highways Council to have the Awanui-Mangonui Road via Lake Ohia declared a Main Highway, and it is to be recommended that the Waipapa-kauri-West Coast Road also be declared a Main Highway. The Chief Surveyor wrote, stat- * j ng that there were no legal roads in the Unahi Block, only rights of ways granted in 1860 by A. Maxwell, but never legalised. A petition was received, signed * by six ratepayers, requesting the Council to serve notice on Mr. F. Curreen to remove the gate a across a road at Herekino. As over 5 ratepayers have signed W the petition, the Council had no option but to grant the request, and Mr. Curreen is to be instructed to remove the gate within 60 days. Loan Conversion A letter was received regarding the Councils loan conversion scheme, This had been held up * pfending fresh legislation in fegatd to special area loans. This legislation had now been passed and it allowed for consolidation I over tho whole of a County but with differential rates in different ridings. This would mean that Oruru and Mangonui Ridings could have a lower rate than the Western Area, but all Houbora And Awdnui Ridings, even that ared otitside the special rating {krea t would pay as the other

Western Area Ridings. The rate of interest on loans was now lower than previously so the Council is, as one Councillor remarked, not losing by waiting. The whole question is to be discussed at the next meeting.

Dog Registration Mr. H. G. Dean, Raitaia, wrote regarding dogs Worrying sheep and poultry on his property, and requesting the Council to see that all dogs were registered. The Chairman stated that it was the policy of the Council to have all dogs registered. Cr. Matthews said that be bad been requested by members of the Acclimatisation Society to reduce the fee for sporting dogs to 5/-, but Councillors were against this proposal. In regard to bitches, which were stated to be often sheep worriers, Councillors thought that local authorities should have the power to increase the fees, a power they do not at present possess. It was decided that the Dog Registration fees for the year 1935 be as follows: —Sheep or cattle dogs —2/6 each ; all other dogs—lo/- each. This is the same as last year. Load Repairs The question of repairs to the Te Paid Station Bridge, was left in the hands of the Riding Member and the Engineer to deal with. The Engineer was authorised to prepare fresh proposals for Edwards’ Road, commencing from the Victoria Valley-Peria Road end. Takahue Saddle Road Cr. Thompson brought up the question of the need for urging on the Hokianga Council that their side of the Takahue Saddle Road, which had been blocked by slips since the winter, be opened for traffic and metalled as was the Mangonui side. The Hokianga County Chairman had promised that this work would he carried out, hut so far nothing had been done. The Kaitaip, townspeople had contributed £SO towards the work on the Mangonui side, and as the Hokianga side had not been opened up, despite the promises made, the road could not he used. The Council decided to urge the Hokianga Council to put the work in hand at once. Awanui Bridge The Kaitaia Chamber of Commerce wrote urging the provision for a footway on Sthe new bridge at Awanui which was largely used by children. The request was supported by Councillors who said that this bridge was one of the busiest in the County, and if no provision made for the children, a source of danger, as the the bridge was largely used by children going to school. If tlie suggestion had come before the contract had been let, arrangements could have been made for a footbridge. The Engineer staled that owing to the nature of the new structure, a railwav'truss, it would he fairly expensive to construct a footbridge, and he suggested a platform at each end of the bridge to allow of the children getting out of the way of traffic. The Council decided to refer the matter to the Engineer to report to the next meeting. * * * * At the conclusion of the meeting, Cr. Matthews CoiiVeyed from

the Council members’ season’s greetings to the Chairman and Mrs. Vickers. Their greetings were reciprocated by the Chairman.