Mangonui County Council Meeting

Northland Age, Volume IX, Issue 65, 24 May 1940, Page 4

Mangonui County Council Meeting

Break in Weather Adversely Affects Roads The break in weather conditions since the last meeting had held up road works in the County, stated the Engineer’s report which was presented to the meeting of the Mangonui County Council on Wednesday. The metalling of the reconstructed portion of Diggers’ Valley Road was in hand and required only some four to five days’ favourable weather to be complete. During the recent torrential rain over the Eastern area of the County considerable damage was done to roads and bridges, but urgent repairs have now been effected and the damage done was being repaired as men and plant were available. One bridge on Parapara Road was badly washed out but had now been repaired and made fit for traffic. Repair work had also been carried out to the various bridges throughout the County, and continued work on them was necessary to keep them reasonably safe. Work had been started on the construction of the Te Karoa bridge, and given favourable weather the contractor (Mr. R. White) would be completed at an early date. Maintenance Work

Maintenance of the main highways j 1 was being continued by grader gangs, and all main highways are now in j ] good order. Work is being carried - out on the roads in the Herekino Gorge to make them safer for traffic. ; Maintenance shingle had been spread on Spain’s Road, Unahi Road, Kumi Road, Clough’s Road and Church Road. Larmcr’s Road was in ■ need of patching metal and would be attended to when metal was available from the quarry. The newly metalled portion of the road gave trouble over the weekend but inspection since showed that it was settling down and as soon as the weather cleared the top course of metal would be put on. An inspection had been made of the main North Road and it was evident that this road would give considerable trouble during the wet weather. It appeared that all that could be done was to meet the emergencies as they arose. If the weather cleared up for any length of time, it was proposed to shape up the unmetalable portion with the grader. Heavy Vehicle Regulations A copy of the Heavy Motor Vehicle Regulations gazetted on May 1 was now to hand. Under these regulations roads already classified had been revised and weight limits' considerably increased. A Fourth Class road would now carry axle loads of four tons for fourwheelers, and three and a half tons for multi-axled vehicles and trailers. The old classification had been five tons gross weight or four tons per axle for fourwheelers and three tons axle weight for mul-ti-axled vehicles or trailers. In extreme cases it was now possible for a four wheeler to carry a gross load of eight tons on a fourth class road and six tons on a fifth class one. It was evident that the roads which had ’ been re-classified recently as fourth class roads would now be subject to heavier traffic than had been anticipated. Taking into account the state of bridges on these roads and the low standard of construction and metalling, the Engineer advised that none of them was fit to be classed as fourth class roads under the new schedule. Even a fifth class road was liable to a total load of six tons for four wheelers and seven and a half tons for multi-axled vehicles and trailers. Most of the trucks operating in the County were designed for gross loads of five to five and a half tons as four wheelers and multi-axled vehicles from six to seven tons.' If all roads in the County were classed as fifth class, these trucks would be able to carry full loads. It was advised that consideration should be given to having all roads and main highways in the County re-classified as fifth class. Restricted Loading Advised Restricted loading was advised on the following roads during the winter months (June, July, August and September) : Apenturewa, Carr’s, Champion’s, Clough’s, Diggers’ Valley, Epikauri, Fern Flat, Fisher’s, Fryer’s, Garton’s, Herekino-Whanga-pe, Honeymoon Valley, Houhora, Te Kao, Kaingaroa-Fairburn, KaitaiaAwanui via Waihoe, Kitchen’s, Kohumaru, Kumi, Larmer’s, Church, Mangatoetoe, Oruru-Taipa, Oturu, Paranui, Parapapa-Tcunata, Pekerau, Powell’s, Puhata, Quarry, Riley’s, Ro ma, Ruaroa, Snelgar’s, Spain’s, Taka-hue-Herekino, Te Rore, Thompson’s, Unahi, Wainui-Lake Tangonge, Wai-papakauri-Houhora, Warner’s, Wireless, Well’s, Awhata, Lake Ohia, Tokerau Beach. The following have not yet been

.dassified but should, it is advised, have restricted loading dui’ing the winter months : Herekino Riding— Smith’s, Derrick’s and Lunjevich’s Road ; Ahipara Riding Okahu Block Road ; Kaitaia Riding Sturmfell’s Road ; Victoria Valley Riding—Werner’s, Braithwaite’s, Veza’s, Simpson’s, Crene’s, H. M. Thompson’s, Panther’s, Wallace’s Switzer’s, Meffin’s, Metcalfe’s ; Oruru Riding—Parker’s, Te Koroa, Dangen’s, Taylor’s, Edward’s ; Mangoliui Riding—Pirikoha, Barriball’s. Again to be Re-Classified After a discussion upon the roads mentioned, Cr. Hoskin gave notice of motion that the resolution classifying fifth class roads as fourth class roads be rescinded at the next meeting of the Council. A further motion (Crs. Hoskin and Holder) was passed to the effect that the use of motor vehicles likely to inflict serious damage on class D roads was prohibited during the months of June, July, August and September. Sanitary Inspector’s Report The Sanitary Inspector reported that 20 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis had been notified. These cases were in scattered parts of the county and some had yet to be "attended and reported upon. A sample of water for chemical analysis had been taken from a stream at Cape Reinga. The water is to be used in connection with the new lighthouse and dwelling houses.. Twenty-one inspections of various premises had been made and there were seven requisitions. Visits had been made to the settlements of Cape Reinga, Waipapakauri, Mangonui, Parapara, Oturu, Oruru, Pamapuria and Ahipara. The annual inspection of hotels was made during the month. Traffic and Dog Licenses The traffic report indicated that 111 heavy traffic licenses had been collected this quarter. 628 dog collars had been sold and others sent out to collectors. Considerable numbers of stock were in the pound and prosecutions were to follow in some cases as some of the offenders were bad ones. Review of Main Highways Advice was received from the Main Highways Board to the effect that, in view of the present financial stringency, it was not the Board’s intention to declare any new highways this year and consequently applications of this sort would not be required for this year’s annual review of main highways. This will be confined to adjustments in the system such as are necessary or desirable owing to changes in traffic conditions. Foster’s Bridge to be Erected Advice was received from the District Highways Council that the erection of Foster’s Bridge on the Pa-karaka-Awanui main highway was to be proceeded with.

The estimated cost is £1331 1/7 and advice was sought whether the Council was prepared to find its share on a £1 for £3 basis, which amounted to £332 15/5. It was agreed that the Council should proceed with the work. Proposed Cancellation of Road Works In view of the fact that, owing to war conditions, less money would be available for road works this year, the Public Works Department wrote proposing the cancellation of works on Garton’s Road (£B6 17/7 £3 for £1), Churton’s Road (£7OO free) on which the Council held monetary authority. The letter urged that if, after consideration, it was decided that these works were urgent and would increase production, a note of advice on costs and value should be promptly forwarded to the District Engineer. It was pointed out by Cr. Matthews that Churton’s Road was an urgent matter. Property was being developed there and there were now two large dairy herds where there had only been one previously. A motion was passed that the Government be asked to reinstate the grant. £IO,OOO Grant to be Applied For When a number of letters making complaints and entreaties that something should be done to the Lake Ohia-Karikari Central Road, over

which, owing to collapse of culverts, it was now almost impossible to pack goods, and bringing up a promise allegedly made to the writers by Hon. R. Semple, the Council decided to take the Minister at his word.

After a long discussion in which the position of the road was very fully gone into, it was decided that the Council should make application to the Public Works Department for a free grant of £IO,OOO towards the construction of the Lake Ohia-Kari-kari Central Road. The Rangiputa Road Matters in connection with the Rangiputa Road, where culverts had also collapsed, was left in the hands of the Riding Members and the Engineer to be dealt with. Mr. Barriball Re-elected At this stage of the meeting Mr. Barriball vacated the chair and the election of chairman of the Council was proceeded with. There being no other nominations, Mr. Barriball was re-elected by acclamation.

Cr. Vickers was appointed Deputy Chairman and Or. Matthews was ejected chairman of the Awanui Harbour I Board, while Crs. Shaw and Berghan were appointed chairmen of the Kaimaumau and Waiharara Domain Boards and the Ahipara Domain Board respectively. After these elections had taken place, the Council, following traditional practice, acted on Mr. Barriball’s invitation to partake of his hospitality. Allowance Also Raised Later, on the motion of Cr. Matthews, it was, in view of the increased wox’k of the position, decided that the allowance granted to the Chairman should be raised to £IOO per year. Awanui Street Lighting A quote was received from the Engineer of the Bay of Islands Electric Power Board regarding the installation of street lighting at Awanui. The quote indicated that if no ad ditional poles were required than those needed to supply the Board’s ordinary customers, then the cost per lamp to the Council would be £4 per annum for 100 watt lamps and £4 10/- for 150 watt. These lights were from dusk till midnight; all-night lamps would carry an extra charge. The suggestion was that there should be three 150 watt lamps and two 100 watt lamps, which would make a total of £2l 7/- which, plus 10/- for rental for a time switch, would make £22. This would be the

complete service including erection and maintenance. The matter was left in the hands of Crs. Shaw and Matthews with the proviso that not more than six lamps should be installed. • Deputation Business A number of miscellaneous items came up in the general business of Councillors, and when Mr. Flinn waited upon the Council with reference to metalling of an access road to his farm off Larmer’s Road, the matter was left in the hands .of the Engineer and Riding Member to furnish a report to the Council. Mr. Simon Urlich also waited upon the Council with regard to the condition of the Lake Ohia-Tokerau Beach road and asked the Council to urge upon the Government the necessity of having the Lake Ohia-Kari-kari Central Road opened up for the use of settlers. Stray Horses Upon receipt of a letter complaining about some stray horses on the read which were a general nuisance, it was decided that the Traffic Inspector should be asked to take immediate action. Sheep Worrying In view of a complaint from Mr. Ewbank Parker regarding sheep worrying, the Traffic Inspector was asked to proceed as quickly as possible with the licensing of dogs in the 1 Oturu area so that the rest could be dealt with. Notice of Motion At the close of the meeting Cr. Hoskin gave notice that at the next meeting he would move the abolition of Ridings accounts while representation of Ridings areas should remain as at present.