County Council Meeting.

Northland Age, Volume 6, Issue 48, 20 August 1937, Page 7

County Council Meeting.

The usual monthly meeting of the Mangonui County Council was held on Wednesday, there being a full attendance of councillors. Owing to illness, the County engineer, Mr. R. Ralph Torrie, was not present. Mr. F. T. Costall wrote, drawing the Council’s _ attention to the dangerous state of the decking on a bridge on the Paranui-Utakai road. The engineer and I‘iding member are to attend to the matter. The riding member is to look into the position of the request of Mr. Heal, for permission to fence across a road at Ahipara township. Financial Accounts amounting to £359 19/5 were passed for payment. The Council’s bank account is £4,136 14/10 overdrawn. Returned Soldiers’ Rates A special meeting of the Council is to be convened at a suitable date for the purpose of considering the position of returned soldiers in arrears with their rates. Unregistered Dogs The Council supported the regulations giving authority for local body officials to destroy unregistered dogs and effect is to be given to these regulations where possible in this County. Cartage Charges A report on the conference held in Auckland between representatives of County Councils, Dairy Companies and Farmers’ Union was tabled. As the position regarding cartage costs required careful consideration, discussion was deferred until next meeting when fuller particulars will be available. Diggers’ Valley Road The secretary of the Takahue School Committee, Mr. H. Sanders, wrote to the Council' requesting that repairs be carried out to the Diggers’ Valley road. This was in a shocking condition and unsafe for the school bus. The Council is to reply to the effect that arrangements are now being made to have the work carried out. Footpath to Awanui School The Awanui Women’s . Institute wrote to the County Council requesting that, in the interests of the public safety, a footpath be formed from the end of the present footpath in the Awanui township to the Awanui school. This request met with ready support at the meeting and the work is to be proceeded with, spoil from the dredging of the river, being used to raise the level of the road for the paths. The drains by the school are also to be cleaned. Motor Camping Grounds Reporting to the last meeting of the Mangonui County Council, the health inspector stated that it would be of great assistance in the supervision of motor camping grounds, if the Government regulations governing the control of these grounds were adopted by the Council. He stated that he had inspected Cooper’s beach camping ground and furnished a report on this ground to the Council. The Council is to consider adopting such regulations. County Contributes to Improvement to Far North Road The County Council was divided in opinion when discussing the payment of £l5O, the Council’s contribution, as requested by the Public Works Department, towards the erection of the Wairaha bridge on the main road just south of Te Kao. Crs. Wrathall and Holder contended that the Council’s funds could be used to better advantage in improving access to the more settled areas. The cost of the bridge and deviation of the road was estimated to cost £1,400. The P.W.D. were granting £550 the Native Department £7OO and £l5O was requested from the Council. “This is the only expenditure required from the Council,” said Cr. Steed. “Very little county money is expended in the North. 90 percent of money spent there is Government money. The Council’s contribution is to be paid, Crs. Wrathall and Holder voting against. At the suggestion of Cr. Thompson, the Kaitaia Dairy Company is to be asked for a statement showing the return of butterfat from the area from Waipapakauri northwards.

Housing Scheme for Mangonui Replying to the County Council’s request that the Government arrange for the erection of houses under the Housing Scheme at Mangonui, owing to the shortage of houses in that township, the Hon. J. A. Lee, Parliamentary Under - Secretary, stated that it was impossible for the Government to institute a housing scheme simultaneously in all the cities and towns in New Zealand. Mr. Lee pointed out that the Council could themselves, undertake a housing scheme in Mangonui to relieve the shortage. The Government was making available to local authorities at a low rate of interest, funds for this purpose. When the letter was read, Cr. Holder said that the Council should undertake the erection of houses where required in the County. “We will have to consider this very carefully as building costs are so high, and the Council may lose on the transaction,” said the chairman. It was decided to fully discuss the question when full information was available. Visit of H.M.S. Wellington to Mangonui A committee consisting of Messrs. R. T. Wrathall, C. J. E. Barriball and F. Holder, with the County Clerk, was appointed by the County Council to make arrangements for entertaining the officers and men of the H.M.S. Wellington during the visit of that vessel to Mangonui. Horses on Roads Arising out of the traffic inspector’s report, a discussion took place at the last Council meeting, regarding the number of old horses wandering on the roads and the danger such are to motorists. Harbour Improvement Rate A communication was received at the last County Council meeting regarding anomalies in the Harbour Improvement rate that is now being charged at the port of Awanui. A suggested scale of fees was also enclosed. A rate of 1/- a ton was approved by the Harbour Board but on some articles, the by-laws provide for a higher charge. The opinion of the Northern Steamship Company is to be obtained and a special meeting is t 0 be held to consider the position. Extra Accomodation for Native Department A larger office in the Council Chambers is to be let to the Native Department by the Council. This extra accomodation is required as there are now two supervisors stationed in Kaitaia, and an office assistant is, it is stated to be transferred to Kaitaia. taia. It is probable that the Agricultural Department will occupy the present Native Department office, if it is vacated, as two officers will be stationed in Kaitaia within the next month or so.