OHINEMURI COUNTY COUNCIL.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3852, 30 November 1917, Page 2

OHINEMURI COUNTY COUNCIL.

ADDITIONAL BUSINESS.

At the meeting of the aibov.e Council on Wednesday the following- further business was dealt with after we went to press:— FLAX CARTING. Cr. Laughlin reported that heavy loads of flax were being- carted over a bridge at Netherton, and he was of opinion tlhat the structure would collapse. The Department should be strongly urged to attend to the matter. The flax was being brought from Government lands at Awaiti, and it was brought by road and placed (on the bank so that scows could take it away. He proposed that the Minister for Public Works be written to asking that the bnidjge be strengthened at the very earliest moment. —Agreed to.

PAEROA-TE AROHA ROAD. Or. Keeling again referred to the Paercia-Te Aroha Road, and stated that the County road roller would' be available in a few days. The work especially neededl was in Mangaiti riding. The cost "would be very small. When in Wellington recently he was twitted about the bad state of the Ohinemuri County arterial roads. He would, if necessary, collect sufficient funds to pay the rollerdriver's wages and the cost of the coal required!.

It was pointed out that there was a resolution on the Council's books that the roller be v put on the Hiku-taia-Paeroa Roadr at once.

Cr. Keeling said he understood the work at; Hikutaiai was not ready.

Cr. Robinson opposed Cr. Keeling's request.

Cr. Strange, seconding the motion, said the loam on the roadsidie was better than sand for blinding metal on the road. This was proven in PiaWo County. He would like to see the work at Mangaiti done at once.

Cr. Johnson: How long would it take to do the Mangaiti work.

The chairman: It would take a week. If it is not an expensive work peirhaps we can dh it.

Cr. Laughlin was favourable. The Hikutaia work would not be unduly delayed. The metal was on the ncad at Mangaiti.

Cr. Keeling again pointed put that the metal was already 013. the road at 'Mangaiti, and it could not be used, as there was no blinding on it. He did not wish to delay the Hikutaia work, but it was cheaper to do the Mangaiti work first.

The motion was carried, Cr Robinson alone opposing.

Cr. Keeling guaranteed to collect the cost from users of the road. (

PATETONGA SURFACEMEN.

Cr. Whitechurch asked 1 what was the position re a surfaceman in the Tahuna and Patetonga districts. A surfaceman, was urgently required, and now was the time when he could do the most good.

Cr. Strange said, as former representative of the districts mentioned, that the Council had: by-laws prohitfiting the use of marrow tires on the road. Flax carters were the main, offenders, and the water-tables and culverts were continually being blocked through heavy traffic on the roads. A surfaceman who would firmly oppose such infringements was required.

Cr. Whitechurch said the roads in his riding were built too narrow in the first place. N

The chairman said he proposed bringing up the matter of by-laws at the February meeting, so that the County may have a complete. set of by-laws.

Cr. Whitechurch. said the former surfaceman was in hospital, but there iwas a prospect of obtaining another suitable man. He 1 would attend to the matter when the engineer visited" the riding. BY-LAWS. Cr. Strange gave notice of motion to have the present by-laws rescinded, and thus enable the Council to adopt a" complete set of by-laws. He understood the Piafco County had a very good set off by-laws. NETHERTON ROADS. Cr. Laughlin asked that the unmetalled portions of the roads in his riding be disced as soon as possible.— Agreed! to. GOVERNMENT GRANTS. Cr. Robinson asked for a list of the Government! grants at present unexpended. He would like the Council to apply for them and get them expend-, ed as soon as possible. The chairman read a list of grants on the last Public Works estimates.

Cr. Robinson moved that all free grants be applied for for immediate expenditure.

Cr. Strange seconded, and suggested that as the Estimates provided £150 ,at £1 for £1 now was the time to take the necessary steps to raise a loan and thus utilise this mloney. /■