Mangonui County Council Meeting

Northland Age, Volume X, Issue 91, 25 September 1941, Page 1

Mangonui County Council Meeting

With the exception of Cr. Shaw all members of the Mar.gonui County Council were present at a meeCng hcl.l yesterday. The Chairman (Mr. C. J. E. Barribail) presided. By-Laws Discussed The main business of the early part of the meeting was the discussion of the proposed by-laws, and with minor amendments these were confirmed. Such questions as the advisability of the total prohibition of bullocks on roads were discussed and it was pointed out that where it was still necessary tc use them special permission could be given. Other points in connection with the keeping and housing of stock and i pigs were amended to conform to local conditions. A short discussion took place upon the proposed building by-laws, during which it was pointed out that it was sometimes difficult to get buildings inspected quickly enough for work on them not to be obstructed. Native Rates Mr. J. B. Reynolds waited on the Council with a report of progress made in the obtaining of signatures of native ratepayers to the agreement providing for a deduction from their dairy cheques. The total was now almost 100. Mr. Reynolds was heartily congratulated on his efforts. Accounts amounting to £1460/2/4 were passed for payment. A statement was placed before the meeting giving particulars of rates owing by the Parenga Tung Oil Company, which with the 1941-42 rates added will total £794/13/1. Traffic Report , The Traffic Inspector reported that 33 heavy traffic license fees had been - collected for the quarter corrmenung September 1. As dog registrar, Mr. Mackenzie reported that the supply of dog collars had been received since last meeting, but the sales had not been as good as he would have liked. The pound had taken up a good deal of time, but now that the grass was beginning to grow there should not be so many wandering stock on the roads. The pound at Awanui was in need of repair. Engineer’s Report The Engineer reported that various rood works had been put in hand since the last meeting Main high- ' ways had been kept graded and were all in fairly good order. Surfacing had been put on the Mangonui-Kaeo road from Oruaiti creek. Replacement of stringers and redecking of Peria bridge was in hand and would be completed when more decking was available. The contractor for Wattomo bridge had made a start and would be constructing piles next week. Fencing of the deviation had been earned out and legislation was being effected. Authority had been received for the construction of Hump Back Bridge and tenders had been called for Hump Back Bridge, Otaneroa Bridge and Powell’s Bridge. A new approach to Ahipara Beach has been constructed and should lessen the trouble due to drifting sand. Surfacing of roads in the Victoria Valley riding was now in hand and Snelgar’s Road, Ruaroa Road. Dig- ■» gers’ Valley Road had been dealt with and the patching of pot-holes on the Takahue-Herekir.o road was being » carried out. Patching of roads in the Herekino Riding was under way as shingle becanje available. Repairs to the Parapara Road and Oruru-Taipa bridge had been effected. The Kaimauraau Wharf had now been completely removed and some useful bridge timber thereby obtained. The new power grader was put to work on arrival and was giving every satisfaction until on the Houhora Road, when trouble was experienced with the engine. The Caterpillar agents sent a mechanic up to examine the engine and effect repairs. The trouble was caused by a set of defective rings having been fitted in Christchurch. New rings were fitted and the engine was now runrir.g well, ® although the consumption of lubricating oil was excessive. This, however, should remedy itself as the new' . rings bedded in. In a letter from the Minister of Public Works regret was expressed that a grant could not be made so as to complete a road outlet fom Mrs. A. A. Wilkins’ property beyond Whatuwhiwhi, to be surveyed and legalised, could not be made as the

department was spending money or legalised roads. Rangiputa Road Writing with regard the Rangiputa road, giving access of vital importance to settlers, most of whom arc returned soldiers, the Minister oi Public Works expressed disappointment that his offer of £467 on a £2 for £1 basis, the council’s share of £233 to be made by way of machine \ work and a cash contribution, had not I been accepted. “It is extremely di.?■ - j appointing to me,” the Minister wrote, “to receive communications which state that your council has de- | clined the assistance I offered. I am surprised also to note from a newspaper report that you yourself ex- ; pressed the opinion that money spent on the Rangiputa Road would be | wanted particularly in view of the fact that the council had intended spending £l2O of its own funds and £290 of Government funds upon improvements considered necessary. He had noted the council’s willingness to consider a contribution to a central road, but at present the Government found itself unable to contemplete expenditure on such a project.” After a discussion of the circumstances the council resolved (Crs. Matthews and Holder) “that the Minister of Public Works be informed that in the opinion of the Council the grant of £2OO applied for with the Council’s offered contribution of £l2O would meet the present requirements on the Rangiputa Road. The Council considered that its funds should be preserved for a central route, in order to serve the requirements of the greatest number of ratepayers in that area. Roads and Bridges Advice was received through the Acting District engineer that Cabinet had approved of the issue of authority of £IOOO on a £2 for £1 basis for the Huntp Back Bridge, Oruru-Taipa Road, this to be the total of the Government’s contribution. Writing with regard to the Whatawhiwhi and Merita Bay roads, the acting district engineer stated that as the roads passed through or alongside the Parakerake block, understood to be European freehold, it was only reasonable that the Council should attend to the land survey and legalisation of the roads, or portions of them. Dealing with the Far North Road, the P.W.D. acting engineer estimated that it was shortly intended to commence metalling some 15 miles of the road, and the Council was asked to assist in the preparation work and trimming and reshaping the formation. In the course of a lengthy discussion on roads it was decided that the District Engineer be informed that the Council would assist to the amount of £2OO in the grading and reforming of the Waipapakauri-Hou-hora Road before the actual metalling was undertaken by the department. The Council consented to the taking of a portion of lot 1, block v, Takahue Survey District, for road purposes. The handing over of the road serving the Otaneroa Small Farms Settlement was accepted and the Council also agreed to accept the control of the following roads: Te Paki-Ninety-Mile Beach Road, Waipapakauri-West Coast Road, Church Road, Epikauri Road, Parapara School Road, Champion’s Road and Gurr’s Road, Heavy Traffic Fees A letter from the New Zealand

Counties’ Association regarding the proposal to abolish heavy traffic fees and substitute an increased petrol tax was discussed vigorously and the following resolution carried: “That this Council enter a protest against the abolition of heavy traffic fees for a proposal to increase the petrol tax.” The engineer was instructed to accompany the Native Supervisor and report on proposed repair work on the Tokerau Beach-Merita Bay Road. On the motion of Crs. Hoskin and Matthews it was decided that a remit be forwarded to the New Zealand Counties’ Association drawing attention to the large number of road's being handed over to the local bodies for maintenance by the Public I Works Department, many not being sufficiently metalled. It was resolved that the Council contribute the sum of £2/2/- to the Auckland Orphanages’ United Council’s appeal fund. In the course of general business, the Council agreed to pay the dairy companies in the district the commission of 2i per cent on native rates collected by them. On the motion of the chairman and Cr. McKay the motion agreeing to refund 25 per cent of the drive >.’ licences to the Transport Department was rescinded. The Council agreed to refund 33 1-3 i per cent as from Ist of last April. A large number of small reading

items were dealt with before the cios ing of the meeting in the late after noon.