PATEA COUNTY COUNCIL

Patea Mail, Volume XLV, 14 September 1921, Page 2

PATEA COUNTY COUNCIL

<g, MONTHLY MEETING The monthly meeting of the Patea County Council was held yesterday, Mr. A. J. Gibbs presiding. Crs. W. H. Watkins, E. Hurley, F. McDonald, Sutherland,'W. G. Belton, Taylor, E. S. ( Scown and F. Hooper were also present. Prior to the commencement of the ordinary business the Chairman took the opportunity of welcoming Mr. Sutherland to the Council table. He was pleased to see some young blood introduced into the Council and hoped that they would pull along together in the future as harmoniously as they had done in tiro past. Or. Sutherland briefly replied and expressed his pleasure at the Chairman’s remarks. He would do his best for the riding he represented and for the Council as a whole. Ho was not thoroughly acquainted with local body matters and hoped that Councillors would be patient with him until he became acquainted with the Councill’s affairs. Cr. Sutherland then took his scat at the table. LOWEE WAITOTAEA P % Air Leahy of Waitotara waited on the Council in regard to the completion of Mr. Nicholson’s contract on the Eaugitatau Eoad in the Lower Waitotara V alley. He stated that the Engineer had said that the contract had been finished although Nicholson was prepared to continue with extra stripping work at this portion. The Engineer explained that as far as he was concerned the contract had been wound up. The job had been an expensive one and there was no more money available for this particular work-. Air. Leahy said that £7OO had been spent on the lower portion of the road in question and settlers considered that the work done on that portion did not warrant the expenditure incurred. The Chairman, said Air. Leahy was not giving the Engineer his dues. In fact ho was suggesting that the Council had been wasting the money in the ICapara hiding. In regard to Nichollson’s contract, the matter would have to be discussed later from a financial point of view, but he could not see any prospects of any fresh work being undertaken at pircsent. After a short discussion the matter was left in the hands of the hiding representative,Air. Sutherland. WAIEOA DOAIAHST Air. T. J. Davis representing the Wairoa Domain Board waited on thcCouncil in regard to a bridge on the Wavcrley road to the beach, requesting that the Council provide pipes for the work of repairing the bridge, the Domain Board agreeing to supply the labour. The Council decided to supply the pipes. PAEITUTU PEESEEVATION LEAGUE The Secretary of the above League wrote rccomeuding the objects of the League to the Council’s favourable cot?sideration. The Chairman said that although personally he was in sympathy with the objects of the League he regretted that the Council could take no definite action ' n support of thir proposals. .SLIP AT TAUAIATAHI Mr. F. Train wrote asking for the slip at. Taumatahi to be made passable for sledging so that he could sledge his wool out. He also asked for information as to what amount of Thirds are available for the bridge at the junction of the Eawhitiroa and Waitotara Valley Eoads The Engineer stated that the road could easily bo made fit for sledging. About £IOO was available in “Thirds” for this work. The matter was left in the hands of the Engineer.

MT. EGMONT STONE The Minister of Public Works wrote that in view of the high cost of opening Mt. Egmont Quarry on account of the financial stringency it was intended to open' up limestone deposits at To Wcra. He asked the Council, whether it was prepared to take'annually from To Wbra. the same amount as it was prepared to take from Mt. Egmont. The price for the broken stone was set dour; at 9/6 per yard. The Council decided that no specific quantity of metal could be procured but they were quite agreeable to give the stone a trial should the quarry be opened up. SURFACEMEN Mr. P. G. Grogan wrote applying for the position of surfaceman at Upper Waitotara. Referred to the Engineer. FENCE ON BLOCK S HILL Mr. W. Hicks wrote asking that the fence on Block S Hill which had been pulled up in order to remove mud from the road bo put in repair. Referred to the Engineer to inspect. SOLDIERS ’ RATES The collection of returned soldiers* rates was referred to in a letter from the Ekatahuna Council who stated that they had about £750 outstanding in soldiers* rates and were unable to recover them.’ They asked the Council to pass a resolution to the effect that the Government be asked to accept responsibilities in regard to the collection of these rates- from soldiers in various districts The action of the EK.atah.unu City Council was endorsed it being pointed out that the Council was entitled to these rates as well as those of other ratepayers and Councils were of the opinion that the Government should shoulder the responsibility of their payment. AUCKLAND PROVINCIAL HYDRO ELECTRIC POWER LEAGUE The Secretary of £he League wrote asking the Council to join, the subscription being fixed at an open amount. The letter was received no action being taken. ENGINEER'S REPORT The Engineer's report was read and adopted. z Accounts were read and passed for payment and the Council rose.