PIAKO COUNTY COUNCIL

Te Aroha News, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5477, 20 April 1917, Page 2

PIAKO COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING Cr. J. B. Thomas presided at yesterday’s ordinary meeting of the above Council. Also present—Crs. Hughes, Brady, Walterl, Orr, Smith and Jas. Bell. The latter represents the new Kiwitahi Riding. He received a cordial welcome to the Council table. Cr. Hughes reported having let the balance of tho drains in the Manawaru drainage area to Mr E. Rice at 3s 6d per chain. Messrs McCarthy Bros , contractors, asked for a fresh measurement of metal carted by them, as their tally | did not agree with the Council's. — Decided to reply in terms of the supervisor's report and to call attention to the slow progress being made. The clerk Waitoa Drainage Board applied for a set of pipes for the intersection of No. 5 line and No. 8 road.—Granted. Mr J. G. Steele, Tatuanui, applied for 20 9in. pipes to carry flood water across tho road to a draiu. He would undertake the work himself.—Referred to the riding member and the supervisor. clerk’s enlistment. The Council approved the Council's action in askiug the military authorities to grant the clerk, who had enlisted and was due to depart for camp in ten days' time, two months’ extra leave, as the Council's business was very considerable and could not be transferred to the deputy clerk at once. TE AROHA WEST ROADS. Messrs J. Nathan and Co., Well-

ington, forwarded cheque for £IOO towards the cost of improvements to the small Stauley-road bridge, and offered the use of the company's lorry for carting metal uuder certain conditions.—Accepted, and the supervisor will confer with the two riding members with a view to pushing the work on forthwith. ROADSIDE DRAINS The Ngarua branch of the Farmere’ Union asked that a drain near Ngarua Bhould be cleared out before the wet weather sat in. Cr. Hughes said the Council should not be expected to keep the drains open. The Council put the drains in to improve the road, and then settlers used them as outlets from their own holdings. They did not pay drainage ratos. If they wanted the drain cleaned the county would have no objection to the fettlers affected doing the work themselves. —lt was was resolved accordingly. dog registration.

Mr 0. J. Hobbs, dog registrar, advised having registered during the past month 586 dogs. He forwarded details of summonses issued, and recommen led refund of fees paid on behalf of two soldiers. He also wrote“l find on looking through the dog register that a great many people have collars for which they have not paid, somo 140 or more. I would suggest that I be empowered to recover these fees; also, to notify all people who have received collars and who have not been requested to pay up for 1916.” Two councillors expressed doubt as to the policy of demand notices at short notice issued by the registrar, and it was decided to ask him for certain information.

The matter of dogs unregistered last year raised further discussion, the system of cash on delivery of collars being advocated. It was decided to ask last year's registrar to account for collars issued by him and still unpaid for.

MCLAREN’S ROAD Mr A. Mcbareu, Manawaru, attended as a deputation for his fellow settlors in regard to the promised assistance in putting in a drain on McLaren’s road. When tenders were called some time ago prices were considered too high. The sutlers |now were willing to bear half the cost. The chairman said the offer of the settlers was an inducement for speedy completion, and the Council would consider the matter during the afternoon. . , . It was decided to call tenders for the work.

A SHAFTESBURY MATTER Mr J. Hanks, Shaftesbury, called attention to the bad state af the roadside drain on Diagonal road. The drain waß blocked, and the water was coming down the middle of the road, and also damaging his property alongside. Cr. Brady said he understood Mr Hanks had agreed to provide men and the Council would bear half the cost. Mr Hanks had apparently failed to carry out the agreement. Mr Hanks denied any such arrangement as he Objected on principle. It was mutually agreed that the Council do the work at once, the question of proportional cost to be decided by Cr Hughes and the supervisor.

THAMES HARBOR BOARD The clerk reported having, through delay in receiving advice from the Thames, overlooked the necessity for calling for fresh nominations for a Piako County representative on the Thames Harbor Board. It would now be necessary for the Governor to appoint a representative. It was decided to recommend the appointment of Mr H. (1. Cooper, Waihou.

RIVER WORKS. Cr. Hughes reported having represented the council at the Paeroa conference on Wednesday. A committee of all represented bodies was set up to advance the project of having the Government’s river improvement scheme extended to operate higher up the river. It had been agreed that the stop-bank below Mangaiti was the most important work at present. It was proposed to form a River Board.—Or. Hughes was appointed to represent the council on the committee. SPECIAL MEETING It was decided to hold a special meeting of the Council on Saturday, 28th inst, to consider the County’s finances and also to discuss with the Borough Council the adjustment of finances over the alteratiod of boun. dari9S caused by the Greater Te Aroha scheme. Both councils will meet at .10 a.m., and the County Council will discuss its own business in the aftrrnoon.

Ors Thomas and Walters were given authority to proceed with the necessary works on the Stanley road. Mr W. R. Johnson was appointed classifier to the Piakoiti special drainage district. Accounts totalling £1176 17s 5d were presented and passed for pay. ment.