WHANGA COUNTY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume LV, Issue 91, 16 June 1925, Page 8

WHANGA COUNTY.

MEETING OF COUNCIL. Tlie monthly meeting of the Whangamomona County Council took placa yesterday, when there were presentCouncillors N. R, Cleiand (chairman). C. B. Koberton, K. 6. Callaghan, M. F. Ford, F. H. Catehpole (clerk) and Sladden (engineer). Apologies wenreceived from Crs. J. McCluggage and G. Gower, who were granted leave of absence The Acting-Prime Minister, Sir F. H. D. Bell, forwarded a circular regarding voluntary subscriptions towards a National Memorial to the late Prime Minister.—lt was decided that a subscription list be opened and .the Clerk be authorised to receive subscriptions. The Publicity Office, Department of Internal Affairs, requested information regarding the County, in order that the same pay be incorporated 1 in a booklet which was being prepared. A similar communication had been sent to various other local bodies, chambers of commerce, and tourist leagues. The Chairman said the Tangarakau Gorge should l>o advertised. The paddle was also m splendid piece oP scenery. The' Clerk will forward the necessary information.

The District Engineer, Public Works Department, wrote in reference to the Council's claim for £975 10s lid for work done on the Marco Road; This work had been inspected, and it was pointed out that the/ overseer had reported that the maintenance was bad. H was requested that this matter should be given attention. This was, the writer stated, a very important matter, and if not attended to, be would feel compelled to curtail grants for metalling work to the Council. This also applied to any other metalled roads that were not receiving proper maintenance. The Engineer thought the piece of brunt papa, on the far side of the Saddle on the Marco Koad was pubably the chief difficulty. The Chairman said that £2O had been spent on the road recently, and a settler had told him the road had never been in better order. The .matter was left in the hands of the Chairman, and Engineer.

The Stratford Hospital Board forwarded copy of resolution making the annual levy which in the case of the Whangamomona County was £596 19s 6d per annum..—Received. The Taumarunui County Council wrote in regard to the necessity for organisation of Counties remote from the main centred, particularly those more or less partly developed, whose requirements and difficulties are somewhat identical. An informal discussion 'oh this subject had taken pWce after the meeting of the No. 6 Highways' Council, and the opinion, was "expressed that the operation- of outside .influences detrimental to rural interests make it imperative to take some decided measures . for mutual protection, and if required to provide machinery for intelligent direction of combined effort. The New Zealand Counties' Association was,'it was stated, purely a deliberative body and disinclined to participate in controversy. : r ■ ■ • '*!.' : ■

The following and' J other matters urgently needed adjustment which conltl easily be effected by an organs isation determined to get results: (a) Hospital levies and bisis of contributions. (b) Operation of the Main Highways Act. (c) Motor and heavy traffic taxation. (d) Native land settlement. It. was stated that other local bodies having interests in common; had' been approached and if the response received indicated a, genera! desire for a vigorous organisation it was intended to call a conference to formulate a definite scheme.—(Received). It was decided that the Chairman, and Councillors to gether with the Kngineer wait upon the District Engineer of Public Works for the purpose 0 f submitting next year's esti-. mates. Mr M, Geevcr applied for a renewal of a slaughter-house lie3nss. A similar application was received from Mr Owen B. McAloon, Te Wera.— Granted. The Clerk and Engineer were instructed to go into the question of? loan money, the latter to make applications for the Council's requirements for the coming year. Accounts amounting to £7J3 13s lOd were passed for payment.