WAIAPU COUNTY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19335, 27 May 1937, Page 9

WAIAPU COUNTY

PAST YEAR'S WORK

chairman's revte\y

EXTENSIVE ROAD WORKS

(Herald Correspondent.)

"A fairly conipfehonsive programme ol works subsidised by the Public Works Department lias been carried out and has greatly facilitated the access to varions localities," staled Ibe chairman ol tlie Waiapn County Council. Cr. D. W. W. Williams, in bis annual report to the council yesterday.

In carrying' a motion adopting the report, the councillors expressed appreciation of (ho chairman's action in compiling such ii comprehensive outline ol the activities and procedings of the council during the past year. Referring to subsidised works the chairman stated :

"The Waiorotigoinai St ream bridge, on the Tapuacroa Valley road, has been completed and has removed a difficult and variable wide river crossing. The formation of a further seel ion of the Kiekie road was carried out. On the rhungia-.Mata-Wa'itiihaia road a further length was formed, and on the same road additional metalling is in progress. Metalling also has been carried out on the Makarika-Ilorehore road. Walker's road. Riiatoria. was. metalled by the council's own plant , the tenders received being too high. Further formation and metalling haw been carried out on the Tokoinaru-Mata road.

"On the highways the following works have been completed:—On the Te I'uiaWaipiro highway a. rolled steel joist bridge was creeled over the Waipiro Si ream. On the Tapuaeroa Valley highway another rolled steel joist bridge lias been erected across tlie Mangarua SI ream. Rate Collections Improve

"The improvement in prices of many of ilie products of the Dominion, particularly in the sbeepfarming and dairying industries, was reflected in the rate collections. The general rate collection —European and native- lor the vear ended .March 31. 1957. was 83.76 ' per cent of a total levy of .e 24,770. the individual percentages being: European 97.7 per cent, and native 59.73 per cent. This is an improvement of 4.26 per cent on the gross collection of the previous year.

"The ]2.', per cent, subsidy on rates which has been granted by the Government in previous years was not available this year, and the increased collection without such subsidy reflects on the improved position of the ratepayers,

"The enactment of the Mortgagors and Lessees Rehabilitation Act, 1936, has had the effect of causing a stay in tlie collection of certain arrears of lates, and until each application under this Act is disposed of. payment of such rates .will be delayed.

"In duly of last year under the provisions of the Finance Act. wages and salaries were restored to the rates appertaining as at March 31, 1931. whilst in December, 1936. the council became bound by the provisions of the locaj bodies drivers and general labourers' awards. These awards have added substantially to the cost of county works, and estimates for the ensuing year will show the effect of the increased costs duo to award rates of wages and increased cost of materials. Maintenance of Highways "Maintenance of highways has been, carried out. throughout the year, and highways to-day arc in fair order. Continued subsidences on the Te l'ioaWaipiro highway has entailed additional expenditure, hut. with recent widening ol' Bcale's cutting and alteration of Ibe road line by l'okai's. (bis trouble should be removed. On November 1, 1936. the Alain Highways Board took over the responsibility, following declaration as a State highway, of tlie section of the Oisborne-Opotiki, via t'oasl. main highway within the boundaries of this county. Tlie action of the board will result in an annual saving t<> the council of approximately £2(X)O.

"Tin' revaluation n[ the county i.s In take place during this financial year. riinl tin' now valuations are to lake itl'ecl as I'rr.ni April I. 197,f1." After referring In Ministerial visits. ami iiiinicil ami staff* changes, (lie chairman concluded : "I wish In express my appreciation of the inanner in which councillors have carried out their dnties, thus assistim; me in the work of my office. To tin' members of tin' clerical and engineering stall's ami the outside workmen 1 lender my sipeere thanks for the satisfactory manner and en-opera-tion in which everything entrusted 10 them has been carried out. The thanks of tlie council are also due to Ihe district engineer, the members of his staff, and to the press."