PIAKO COUNTY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18663, 20 March 1924, Page 9

PIAKO COUNTY COUNCIL.

main HIGHWAYS SCHEME. [BY TELEGRAPH.OWJf CORRESPONDENT.] TE AROHA. Wednesday The Piako County . Council met at Te Aroha yesterday, Mr. F. W. Walters presiding. Mr. T. McGregor, Morrinsville, wrote stating that the side road from Kereone Road to the Piako River would be unfit for traffic in wet weather unless it is graded and the hollows filled in. Mr. Loury was instructed to inspect the road and report. The Bay of Islands County Council asked for support of the following resolution :'That it is the opinion of the council that an injustice is being done to the ratepayers of the county by the failure of soldier settlers to pay their rates, and that the council is prepared to take any steps to have the justice Removed." It was decided to advise the Bay of Islands Council of the action taken by the Piako Council, when it decided to write off all arrears in soldier rates. The statement of ridings expenditure submitted showed the following totals Credit balances, £1780 rates and subsidies, £18,360; over-expended', £2235 ; debit balances, £2232; estimated amount to be transferred to general account, £7530 ,* expended on works. £9939; refunds to loan account, £1658; balances for expenditure, £1689. . In reply to an inquiry in respect to finance for proposed mam roads within the county, the No. 2 Main Highways District Council pointed out that the _ initiative at present must largely rest with the County Council and the District Highways Council, principally with the former. It was obvious that work of this nature could not be done out of rates, and that a loan must be raised. •It was recommended that the council consider a scheme for the permanent improvement of the proposed main highway, and for the arranging of the council's share of the fianance in respect, thereto.