WAIAPU COUNTY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19123, 18 September 1936, Page 2

WAIAPU COUNTY

MANGAOPORO BRIDGE LAND TAX PROTEST NEW MEMBER ATTENDS The new member of the Awnnui riding of the Waiapu County, Mr. F. Manuel, attended the monthly meeting of the Waiapu County Council on Tuesday fm the first time, and was cordially welcomed by his colleagues on that body. Mr. Manuel succeeded air. V. G. • Rickard, who formerly represented Awanui riding on the council, hut who retired some weeks ;mo. The new county clerk, Mr. A. G. flicks, was also in attendance at the meeting. In the absence of Cr. IT W. TV. Williams, chairman of the council. Cr. 0. 1. Williams was elected to preside over the meeting. A considerable amount of routine business was disposed of, and correspondence with Government departments and with the member of Parliament for the Bay of Plenty. Mr. A. Gordon Hultquist, raised a number ut topics for discussion. The council received a letter lrorn airs G' Richardson stating that tile Commissioner of Crown lands had agreed to form the roads of Ruatoria township extension Xo. 3, if the County Council would undertake to metal them, and the writer asked if the council would give that undertaking. A further letter was received from the Crown lands commissioner, conveying the same offer on liehalt of the Lands Department,—On the motion of Cr. H. Williams, it .was agreed to ask' the Lands Department to advance the,-finance necessary for the metalling, with' arrangements for recouping the expenditure from the council. Strong support for the action of the Gisborne Chamber of Commerce in protesting to the Government against the reintroduction of the graduated land tax, owing to the hardships which it was considered would accrue to owners of conn - try'and town property alike, was expressed 'by the council, on the motion of Cr. ,T. Busby, seconded by R. G. Sherwood Hale. • A letter was received jfcsn Mr. Hultquist mentioning that direct application had been made by Mr. J. J. Brownlie ior a public works grant to assist in the erection of a bridge over the Mangaoporo Stream, near Mr. Barrett’s homestead. Mr. Hultquist advised the council that he had pointed out to Mr. Brownlie that unless the, council could he induced to •jive its support to his request, there was not much .chance of a grant being made. The district member also forwarded a copy of a letter from the Minister of Public Works, pointing out- that it had ■been ascertained that the council was not prepared to contribute anything towards the cost of the Mangaoporo structure, and that in consequence no provision for the bridge could be made front the public-fiitids. Members of the council discussed the matter briefly, speakers pointing out that the bridge would serve a good purpose if erected, and, that while the council had not been approached so far to contribute to the cost - it was prepared to do so if the Public Works Department, would fumiska subsidy. It was decided, on the motion of t'he chairman, to advise Mr. Hultquist accordingly.