OHINEMURI COUNTY.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XXVII, Issue 3615, 5 May 1916, Page 2

OHINEMURI COUNTY.

MEETING OF THE COUNCIL. The usual monthly meettng of the Ohinemun County Council was held in the County Chambers, Paeroa, yesterday, there being present Councillors Lloyd (chairman), Strange, Robinson, McGuire, Laughlin, Morgan, Keeling, and the County Clerk, Mr R. W. EvansVALUATION. The Chairman explained that the clerk had made enquiry about the revaluation ot the Netherton and Waitoa Ridings* by the department, and tound that it was not a matter that affected the County, as the valuation was only on the property which was affected by the Hauraki Plains Drainage Area. TENDERS. Tenders were opened as follows:-— Contract No. 386— Cleaning out 98 chains of Kaimanawa Road Drain. . E. Morrison (accepted) ... 19 12 o Tony Luskovitch... ... ... 20 o o P. Sheehan ... ... ... 38 IS ° Contract No. 387 — Cleaning 96 chains of Paeroa-Te Aroha Old Road Drain. Balfour Nixon (accepted) ... 14 00 Matavitch ... ... ... ... 24 00 P. Sheehan „ 24 o o S. Silcock .... ... ... ... 24 o o Contract No. 388—Cleaning 100 . chains of Rangiora Road Drains (east of Waihpu River). G. Paul (accepted) ... ... 15 00 S. Silcock' ... ... 25 00 P. Sheehan ... ... 27 o o ENGINEER'S REPORT. The report of the engineer (Mr G. S. Gould) was read as follows :—

" Since making my last report I have prepared specifications tor cleaning-out drains on Kaimanawa, Old Te Aroha, and Rangiora Roads. Your instructions at last meeting were that I should inspect these drains and report, but in order that no delay should occur I have called tenders for these works to close at 2 p.m. to-day. In regard to the drains on Kaimanawa and Rangiora Roads I would recommend that Council pay halt the cost, as it is necessary that they should be cleaned out to effectively drain the roads. As regards the Old Te Aroha Road drain, I would recommend that you pay full cost of cleaning on this occasion, as the silting up of the drain was caused by the diverting of Kaouiti Creek (which matter has since been rectified) and the farmers interested have expressed their willingness to contribute towards the up-keep ot the drain once it has been restored to its normal condition. While dealing with this subject I must state that I have given careful thought to the matter of land drainage as its affects this County, wherein drains are made to serve the dual purpose of road and land drainage, and I am of the opinion that some im-

provement on the present system of drain cleanage could be inaugurated, either that you accept the liability oi maintaining certain road drains and outfalls, and leaving the balance to farmers interested in such drains ; or as an alternative, and to my mind the better scheme, would be to accept responsibility at least in certain ridings for the upkeep of all road drains and outfalls and levy a rate accordingly. It some such arrangement was made, these drains could be dealt with as a whole at the most suitable season of the year and the full benefit of drainage obtained, whereas at the present time drains are only cleaned when they become so blocked as to be useless tor the purpose intended, and in many instances are left untouched when the necessary contribution from land owneis is not forthcoming.

" Contracts have been completed on Waitawheta to Waihi and Netherton to Turua Roads, and fair progress has been made with contracts on Komata to Maratoto, Paeroa to Te Aroha New Road, Paeroa to Tahuna, and other roads. The cleaning out of Kurere Creek drain has also been completed, to which Council has contributed half cost, but I would suggest that no further contribution be made towards cost of cleaning this drain until it has been fenced on both sides by the farmers through whose property the drain passes. At the present time stock are allowed to enter the drain for water and thereby breaking down the banks and filling the dram, and until it is securely fenced it will be impossible to keep it clean for any length ot time, and the annual cost of upkeep is double what it should be in consequence.

" The road roller has been delivered to us and has stood a very satistactory trial. The order work on Paeroa to Te Aroha new road has been completed, and similar work on the old road will shortly be commenced. " I propose during the next period to carry out the usual work of maintenance and repairs, and if possible prepare further plans for expenditure of Govern-, ment grants." . The report as read was adopted. ORCHARD BRIDGE. Mr Bidwell, representing the Hauraki Plains Settlers' Association, waited on the Council and urged upon it^the necessity of this bridge being pushed on with. " For God's sake do something,'? he said, "do something. We have been > working for three and a half years, artd still seem to get no further advanced. If the County will take a poll we will guarantee to carry it by 90 per cent, and also supply all scrutineers. settlers have put up a guarantee of to be handed over to assist with work if it is wanted. Do^Mßing now. It

will help Paeroa and district, and help - more particularly the settlers on th«^|^ plains." • -. On the motion of Cr. Laughlin, seconded by the chairman, it was resolved that the clerk be given power to raise a loan by special order and to strike a rate over the special area. ;> - , The Chairman moved " That; the clerk be instructed to take the necessary steps to ascertain whether a loan can be obtained from the New Zealand State Guaranteed Advances Office for the Council's proportion of the cost of erecting the bridge." • This was seconded by Cr. Robinson and carried. NETHERTON BRIDGE TO HUBBARD'S. The Chairman proposed, and Cr. Laughlin seconded, and it was. carried " That the Council, under the provisions of Section 103 (sub-section 3) of the - Public Works Act, -10,08, to declare the road known as Netherton Bridge to Hubbard's to be a carting road. (^ PERENIKI'S CUT.

A letter was received from the Hon. the Minister of Mmes with reference to this work. (The full text of the letter was published in our report of the Chamber of Commerce meeting on the loth April). The Chairman said the letter was pretty emphatic. Possibly there was a pull somewhere and until there was a counter-pull nothing would be^done. Cr. Keeling said that it was the department's own proposition that this work should be done and now it seemed as though it was turned down. The letter was received. PROSPECTOR'S BATTERY. ' The Under Secretary of the Mines Department wrote stating that the Minister of Mines has obtained a full report on* the question of a prospectors' battery for the Ohmemuri District, and it appears that there is no warrant at present tor establishing a public battery at Waitekauri. After giving the matter care- • ful consideration the Minister regrets being unable to accede to the Council's request. The Chairman said that the letters on this matter had been overlaping. The Council was not in of purchasing the old battery but it was decidedly in favour of having a central battery. The miner wanted every help and especially the genuine prospector. In helping the prospector the country was only helping itself. He moved that the Department be written to expressing a hope that it will consider the matter of erecting a prospector's battery on some central and suitable site as the mining in this district should be fostered. This was carried. AID TO PROSPECTING,

The Mines Department wrote that a subsidy oi ios for 100 feet of sinking had been granted to Mr W. M, Wallnutt. Mr Wallnutt wrote asking for the usual local subsidy for this work. Cr. Morgan said thai the Council should not entertain this application. They had turned others away, and he did "not think that the present applicant was a genuine prospector. The Council should find out who he was. He might only be a nominee of a syndicate. There was no one more in favour ot

granting assistance to the genuine prospector than he. If this application was granted the Council -would be flooded with applications. [The chairtsan: Let them all come.] They were not all genuine,- and. they had turned down plenty of real genuine ones, but he did not consider the present one genuine. Cr. McGuire said he believed in helping the genuine applicant, and considered the Council should be careful who they helped.

The Chairman said that he had recently had his eyes opened in the Rising Sun property. Prospecting had been neglected too long. It was the Council's duty to help to discover new mines. Last year the applications were not grafted as the Council was paying into the Qhinemuri Prospecting Associationr That was now practically dead, and in this case he was sure the Council would be doing the right thing to grant assistance, and moved to that effect.

Cr. Keeling seconded the motion, but considered the Council should come to some understanding with reference to future applications. Cr. Laughlin said that he w.as in fay- >- our of helping the genuine prospector. His heart was always with the miner. He believed this was a genuine case. The erigineer on being asked said he had visited the claim in. company with the mining inspector, and considered the claim looked promising. Mr Grace, an ex County Chairman, was one ot the • party in the claim, and was working there when he visited the claim. The motion was carried. ' TOLL GATES. The Taieri County Couucil wrote asking the assistance ot the Council to petition the Government to limit the power of Municipal Councils to erect toll gates and take tolls on bridges under . the provisions of the Municipal Corpor-. atiohs Act, 1908. It was decided to assist with the movement. NGATITANGATA ROAD. The County solicitor wrote advising that the rights of the Crown to take the road through this block without compensation had expired. The Chairman said that there was , : already a good road to the Waihi beach .. and he did not think that the County r should trouble about this road. -\. k ' .'■'-:

BALANCE-SHEET. ■ ■ The Controller and Auditor General wrote stating that he had certified to the balance-sheet for the half year ended 30th September, 1915. MANGAITI BRIDGE. The County solicitor lorwarded copies of correspondence written between himself and the Northern S.S. Co. on the matter oi injury to the Mangaiti bridge. TIROHIA FERRY. The Northern S.S. Co. wrote stating that when the s.s. Matuku was coming past the Council's ferry at Tirohia on loth April it narrowly escaped an accident The punt had been left in the channel, and the wire across the river was taut. Had an accident occurred the company would have held the County responsible. , Cr. Keeling said that people passing, through used the punt but failed to make it secure after using it. He moved that the engineer be empowered to make arrangements for having the punt looked after and also that a notice board be posted on it that passengers cross the river at their own risk. Cr. Strange seconded the motion. He thought that care should be exercised with regard to the punt. The County had already had one experience.

The Chairman said it was a pity settlers did not take more interest in this ferry. It was . understood when the Council put it there that the Council would not be under any expense. The engineer said that the punt had been cast adrift several times and it was his opinion that the Council should take some steps to secure it. The motion was carried. : ELECTRICAL SUPPLY. The Rising Sun Goldmining Company wrote asking permission to erect an electrical line on the road near . Owharoa. Permission was granted. WATER TROUGH. The secretary of the Patetonga branch ©fine Farmers' Union wrote urging the Council to erect a watering place on the Patetonga-Morrinsville Road. It-was decided to reply that as the district is within the Hauraki Plains area the Council regrets it cannot see Its way to grant the request. VICTORIA STREET BRIDGE. The Waihi Settlers' Association

again wrote urging the Council to go on with the erection of the Victoria Street Bridge at Waihi; It was decided to reply that the moneyput on the estimates by the Government was not sufficient to do the work. REMIT OF RATES. Sergt. Dobson wrote asking the Council to remit rates due by him during his absence at the front. The Chairman said that this was getting a big question. He certainly was not in favour of remitting overdue rates, but was agreeable to remit rates on property that was unproductive while the owner was away at the war. F. W. Kane also applied to have his rates remitted on the same grounds. On the motion ot Cr. Strange the engineer was asked to make enquiry, and if the property was unproductive exemption from rates be granted. WAIKINO. ROADS. A petition was read from the residents of Waikino asking the Council to repair the road leading to the public school from Abbot's Road.

This matter was left to the engineer. It was decided to reply that application for a grant had been made. PUKEHAU THOROUGHFARE. R. D. Mossman, of Netherton, wrote asking the Council to open up the above road, as it was the nearest access to Paeroa. The engineer was instructed to visit the locality with power to act. NETHERTON-TURUA ROAD. J. Fisher wrote asking what assistance the Council would give to clean out the road drain from Carter's corner along the Netherton-Turua Road. The engineer was asked to report. REFUND OF DEPOSIT. Private F. McKee wrote applying for a rebate of a deposit of £2 10s on a contract as he had enlisted. It was decided to inform applicant that the contract had already been cancelled; : The engineev stated that the contractor had had plenty of time to do the work before he went had he chose to do so. The" contract had been cancelled, and 75 per cent of the cost of work done had been paid. RANGIORA ROAD DRAIN. G, G. Dunlop, of Netherton, vvrot e asking the Council to accept a smaller contribution towards the cost of cleaning out this drain.

Cr. Laughlin said that Mr Dunlop had done a lot of work. Some of the settlers who had promised had backed out. The Chairman said that he was sorry for the applicant. The Council had done what it thought was its duty, and he thought that it should stand by its previous decision. ASSISTANCE ASKED; J. H. Carter wrote offering to assist with cleaning out of drain near his property at Netherton. B. J. Coldicutt also wrote for - assistance in cleaning out the drain near his property. The engineer was instructed to report on both drains. WATER SUPPLY. H. Poland wrote applying for the water to be put on to his farm at Komata. The request was granted. MAORI ROAD. % A petition was received from a number of natives and others asking the Council to keep open the Maori Road leading off irom the. Junction Road, which has been open for the last 50 years and which they believe was to be

closed. The engineer was asked to report. RUSSIAN AND SERBIAN FUND. An application was read from the secretary ot the Paeroa War Belief Committee, Mr A. H. Wilson, asking lor assistance to the above fund. The Chairman moved that a grant of £2$ be made. Cr. Strange seconded, and in doing so said be considered that it was money well spent. :' Cr. Robinson said he saw by the Gazette that the Thames County had granted and he thought it was right for the Ohinemuri County to do the same. RESIGNATION. Mr G. Harrison, assistant County clerk, wrote resigning his position, owin£ to leaving tor the front with the loth Reinforcements. In doing so he stated that he had been examined and accepted and thanked the councillors for

consideration shown him. ■I k% Chairman said that he thought, under the circumstances, the appointment of a successor should be left to the County clerk. This was agreed to. On the motion of Cr. Strange a vote of appreciation for faithful services rendered, and the noble sentiments which had actuated Mr Harrison to enlist was carried. THAMES 1 HARBOUR EXTENSION. On the motion of the ChaipastfC seconded by Cr. RobinsjrtfT'the following resolution wa>^carried :—" That the Council reporas a strong protest against the proposed extension of the Thames Harbour limits and that steps be taken to petition the Cabinet to throw out the proposition. Also that the Paeroa, Waihi and Te Aroha Borough Councils and the Piako County Council be asked to co-operate with this Council in opposing the proposed extension. WAIHI BEACH ROAD. On the motion of Cr. McGuire, seconded by Cr. Morgan, the following resolution was carried :—" That By-law No. 3 ot this Council dealing with the regulation ot motor traffic on the Waihi Beach Road be hereby repealed as from the ist day of June next." SIGNING CHEQUES. Crs. Keeling and Lloyd were empowered to sign cheques in place of Crs. Corbett and Hubbard. KURERE CREEK DRAIN. It was decided not to contribute any further money towards the cost of cleaning out this drain until it was properly fenced.