WAIPA COUNTY COUNCIL

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 55, Issue 3929, 21 July 1937, Page 5

WAIPA COUNTY COUNCIL

JULY MEETING. GENERAL BUSINESS DEALT WITH. Cr S. C. Mack}’ presided at the July meeting of the Waipa County Council on Monday and also present were Crs G. S. Clarke, R. J. Graham. G. S. Hall, J. W. Garland, N. Reid, F. L. Onion. 1). B. Livingstone, T. Church and J. T. Johnson. The clerk (Mr T. Grant) and engineer (Mr J. W. Civil) were in attendance. Main Highway Authorities: The Board’s representative No. 2 District Council advised that instructions have been received from the Main Highways Board to the effect that liabilities must not on any account be incurred in connection with Main Highway Board operations unless sufficient monetary authority is actually held to cover the commitments. It is pointed ’out that cases have arisen where the local authority has done work without holding monetary authority and later the Board is faced with a Request to issue money to cover such liability, in addition to providing for further work. It is further stated that local authorities must hold monetary approval from the Main Highways Board prior tj incurring expenditure in connection with maintenance of Main Highways. —Referred to engineer. It was remarked that if this regulation is insisted upon, maintenance work during the early weeks of each financial year would net be approved.

It was suggested that the subject might well be raised at the conference of the Counties Association. The chairman preferred discussing the matter first with the P.W.D. dis- . trict engineer. So far as he knew, ' the conditions had been observed in Waipa County. Arbor Day Celebrations: The Minister of Internal Affairs called attention to the notice in the New Zealand Gazette of the Btlr instant, fixing Wednesday, 11th August, for this year’s observance of Arbor Day. The Minister trusted that he could rely on the whole-hearted support of local bodies in organising suitable celebrations for the day. Received, the chairman remarking that the Council could only co-operate with the borough council’s adjoining. Section 4, Valuation of Land Amendment Act, 1933: The ValuerGeneral advised that a property owner in the Ohaupo Town District had served notice on the Valuer-General requiring him to reduce his valuation, and if it is not reduced, then to acquire or sell the property. A schedule was before the Council giving particulars of the property and the sum specified by the owner.— Discussed in committee. \ Waikato Hospital Levy: The Waikato Hospital Board forwarded a

copy of its estimates, which have (■een approved by the Minister of Health. The amount due from the Council this year is £5,282 Is sd, compared with £4,350 6s Id last year. The chairman said one cause was the increased wages and salaries of the staff. There were no new buildings planned for the present term out of levies. Motor Taxation: The clerk, Matamata County Council, forwarded a copy of *a remit forwarded to the New Zealand Counties’ conference to be held in August and suggested that as the matter is of great importance to all county councils unanimous support should be given to it. The re mit read as “That this Council is of the opinion that the time is cverdue for the more equitable distribution of motor taxation, and as a means of enabling county council-, to efficiently maintain roads other than main highways, we suggest a £ for £ subsidy on all rates for reading purposes.”—lt was unanimously decided to approve the remit. Fairfield Bridge Contract: The clerk, Waikato County Council, forwarded a copy of the letter received from the solicitors acting flor the Roose Shipping Co. Ltd., requesting a compassionate allowance from the local authorities and the Government in respect of the huge loss made by the company in the construction of the Fairfield bridge. The County clerk stated that his Council was in favour of an additional payment to the contractors not exceeding £l5OO, provided the Public Works Department will contribute half of This sum and that the local authorities will contribute the balance in the same proportions as provided in the Warrant authorising the construction of the bridge. A schedule giving particulars of the loss made by the contractors was before the Council. Councillors agreed that the finished work was “a very fine job” and that they had experienced exceptionally bad weather throughout the term of i he bridge building. The clerk said on the basis suggested, Waipa’s contribution would be £067. The contractors had accepted the contract at a price wed below the engineer’s estimate. The, point was raised that maybe legislation would be necessary to enable payment to be made. It was decided to agree to the contribution on the basis mentioned. Local Government (Amalgamation Schemes) Bill.—The Minister of Internal Affairs advised that he will be visiting the Waikato district during the present month and will then be pleased to accept the invitation of the Council to discuss the Local Goa'ernment reform proposal, which he has in hand. For this purpose he desired to meet representatives of the Raglan, Waikato, and Waipa County Councils at Hamilton on Wednesday afternoon, 21st instant. Cr. Onion asked about representatives of local bodies within the counties? The chairman said the Minister would only be dealing with the reform proposals. The Hon. W. Lee Martin was the man chiefly concerned with Tuatuamcana drainage matters. Cr. Graham said Tuatuamoana ratepayers were very much alarmed at

the trend of events. They thought they would be saddled too heavily with rates that were due by defaulters.

It was agreed that every councillor who could attend should do so, tc obtain fuller information.

Regret was expressed that representatives of all the smaller local bodies within the Jounty, such as rabbit and drainage boards, had not been invited to meet the Minister. N.Z. Counties’ Association.—The secretary. New Zealand Counties’ Association advised that the next meeting of the Executive will be held on Tuesday, 24th August, and requested that all remits for consideration at this meeting be fowarded so as to reach him not later than Thursday, 19th proximo. It was decided to forward a remit in favour of the Government again providing for the 125 per cent, rebate on rates paid. Water Pipe Line.—Mr C. H. Harris desired to have the town water supply laid on to his section in Blackburn Street, Frankton Junction, and requested permission of the Council to dig a drain and have the water pipes laid along the roadside. Referred to engineer. ’ Bobby Calf Trade.—The president of the Te Awamutu branch, New Zealand Farmers’ Union, requested the Council to send two delegates to a meeting at 7.30 p.m. on the 19th instant, for the purpose of considering a proposal for the rationalisation of the bobby-calf trade.—The chairman and clerk were appointed to attend. New Award.—The Auckland Provincial Employers’ Association secre tary forwarded details of the proposed agreement, before the Arbitration Court, fcr an award for local body employees. Negotiations were being continued. —Received, and th? chairman was thanked for his participation in the conference of local bodies at Auckland a fortnight ago.