COROMANDEL AFFAIRS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19511, 15 December 1926, Page 10

COROMANDEL AFFAIRS.

ROADING REQUIREMENTS. NEW COUNCIL OFFICES SCHEME. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] COROMANDEL, Tuesday. The Coromandel County Council met yesterday, the chairman, Mr., S. James, presiding. A petition from settlers in the! Colville Riding to the Minister of Public Works urging the early construction of the Col-ville-Port; Charles Boad was received and forwarded with the council's endorsement. A section of land, near Fury's Bridge, was offered to the council as a gift by Mrs. A. F, A. Woollams and was accepted with thanks. The Under-Secretary of Mines advised that, in response to the council's application for assistance, the Minister has approved of a grant of £IOO with which to put the Hauraki Mines Road in order. The money will be expended in metalling the road leading to the mine and filling up the ruts on the main road to the wharf. A reduction of rent, to one shilling per acre, was granted by the Minister of Mines in respect to the New Waitaia claim, Kuaotunu, and Hauraki Special at Coromandel. An application from a local firm for permission to erect a petrol pump on their premises in Tiki Road was granted. The council's action in attending to bad spots on the Coromandel-Papa Aroha Coast Road evoked an expression of apreciation from tho Colville Progressive Association, as there is bound to be an increase of vehicular traffic this summer. It was resolved to purchase the section of land adjoining the council's premises which had been offered to it for £4O. Satisfactory reports were submitted by the acting-engineer, Mr. W. B. Inglis, and the foreman, Mr. W. Beech, on work in the county. The Main Highways Board is to be requested to declare tha Coroinandel-Mer-cury Bay Road a main highway. A motion by Mr. Hamilton "that the resolution passed at the meeting held on November 15, 1926, in reference to the provision of a J-d rate to provide the cost of new Council Chambers be rescinded," was lost. The chairman explained that there was an impression that a rate of Id in the £ was to be struck next year in addition to the general rate to meet the cost of the proposed new Council Chambers. This was not the intention, but that -|d ,of the general rate was to be hypothecated for "the special purpose. Mr. James submitted figures which showed that the storm damage in 1924-25 amounted to £4127 and in 1925-26, up to September, was only £1377. These items were subsidised by the Government, but it was a serious matter for the council to meet such an exaction from county revenue. As- in 1924 the council also provided £IOOO for a crusher, on a 1 7-8 d in the £ rate, it was considered that this year the council could take, say, £7OO to build new offices, the present building being practically condemned by the Health Department. McCabe and Jephcoate's tender of £IOO was accepted for the Port Jackson Settlement Road.