WAIPA COUNTY COUNCIL

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 55, Issue 3941, 18 August 1937, Page 8

WAIPA COUNTY COUNCIL

AUGUST MEETING. GENERAL BUSINESS DEALT WITH. Or S. C. Macky presided at the usual monthly meeting of the Waipa County Council on Monday, and also present were Crs J. T. Johnson G. S. Clarke, G. S. Hall, J. W. Gan.md, R. J. Graham, N. Reid, F. L. Onion, D. B. Livingstone and T. Church. The clerk, Mr T. Grant, and engineer, Mr W. J. Civil, were in attendance. The clerk was instructed to make application to the Loans Board for authority to transfer some unused balances of reading grants for specified roads, the money to be used on improving the Kakepuku Mountain Road. The Local Government Loans Board inquired how much of the County’s reading loan it was proposed to raise this financial year. Referred to chairman and clerk to deal with while in Wellington next week. Or Clarke asked if anything had been done about A.A. (Auckland) providing and erecting warning no ■ tices for use on various roads in the County. The engineer said he was advised the notices were now ready and would be erected as early as possible. Proposed County Council’s Industrial Union of Employers.—The secretary, N.Z. Counties’ Association, advised that it is proposed at the forthcoming conference to proceed with the formation of a N.Z. County Councils’ Industrial Union of Employers, and each County Council is asked to authorise its delegate to:—(a) Support the formation of such a Union in accordance with a recommendation of the executive; (b) facilitate the formation of such a Union during conference; and (c) accept notice on behalf of the Council, of any meeting to be convened in connection with the registration of the Union. The clerk explained that many county councils are at present members of the Employers’ Association, and it was felt that it would be preferable to have a union of county councils alone, to deal with industrial disputes affecting only county councils.—Agreed to. Cartage Charges.—The provincial secretary, N.Z. Farmers’ Union, forwarded a report of the recent conference of those concerned with the bobby calf trade, and cartage charges for general goods, when rates were agreed "ion. The Council was asked to approve the basis of agreement. Cr Hall said he understood the local carriers and Farmers’ Union had reached agreement in the matter’ of local rates. He thought the agreement was to operate for one year. The chairman said he understood that was so. Perhans the schedule could be amended along lines suggested for the whole province at the end of the year. Local Government Employees’ Industrial Dispute. The secretary, Auckland Provincial Employers’ Association, advised that the Conciliation Council in the above-mentioned dispute, met on July 27th when a complete agreement that the recommendation, insofar as it relates to wages, should come into force on 2nd August, 1937, and, so far as all other conditions were concerned, should come into force on the day it is made into an award by the Court. Approved. Hamilton Technical College.—The secretary, Hamilton Technical College, requested the name and address of the Council’s representative on the Electing Committee which is eonsrituted for the purpose of electing r representative of local authorities en the Hamilton Technical School Board of Manager’s.—Mr N.' Reid was appointed to act during the absence abroad of Cr Peacocke, who has represented the Waipa County Council for several years. Health Officer’s Salary and Expanses.—The Medical Officer of Health advised that as from April Ist, 1932, the Council’s contribution towards the cost of the inspector was reduced by 10 per cent, owing to the reduction in costs by salary cuts, etc. As the cuts have now been restored in full, the writer suggests that the time is opportune for the restoration of the Council’s contribution to the 1932 level as from April Ist, 1937, after which date the quarterly debit notes will be prepared at the restored rate. —Agreed to. Balance Sheet, 1937.—The AuditGeneral forwarded a copy of the Council’s balance sheet for the year ended 31st March, 1937, duly certified and he asked that h e be furnished with a printed or mimeographed copy as soon as it is possible. Cr Johnson congratulated the treasurer and staff upon presenting the huge mass of figures in such approved form as to be certified by the AuditorGeneral as correct. The auditors had had to handle a very large number of accounts and items, as was shown by the fee of over £5O, and therefore it was evident the County clerical staff had done the work well. He extended his personal congratulations. On the chairman’s motion, a vote of appreciation was recorded. Fire Protection.—The resident inspector, United Insurance Co. Ltd., Hamilton, advised that his company holds a policy over Mr W. H. Haggard’s general store situated on the corner of Tuhikaramea and Whatawhata Roads just beyond the jurisdiction of the Hamilton Fire Board. This property owner is anxious to obtain the protection of the Hamilton Fire Brigritr. but it is understood this cannot be done unless application is made tc the Waipa County Council and a suitable contribution levied on those likely to benefit. The writer desired to know if this could be arranged.— Inouiry is to be made. Fairfield Bridge.—The clerk, Waikato County Council, stated that the sol'citors for the Roose Shipping Co. Ltd., have now been advised of the local bodies’ proposals regarding an additional payment of £lso'o to the company bv way of a compassionate allowance, and adding that it now remains for the company to secure the necessary legislative authority to enable the local authorities to make the extra pe-nelit. A statement of the ccs'- c.f the bridge, including the pronosed additional payment, was before the Council, whose share is £2499 14s lid. The clerk stated that the total loan was £2250, and on this year’s estimates the item for bridges is £470. If the builders are to be given a compassionate allowance there would be very little left for other bridges this year. The chairman said the Council at

last month’s meeting agreed to make a contribution, and ways and means of meeting the obligation could probably be found. Subdivision of Allotments near Hamilton. —Mr J. Oliphant, Te Awamutu, forwarded a plan of a subdivision of part Allotments 84 and 243, Parish of Pukete, for the approval of the Council, and requested the consent of the Council to such subdivision. —Agreed to. A Pirongia Section.—The County solicitors asked for completion of the lease of a County reserve at Pirong : a to Messrs Grace Bros. —Agreed to. A Blocked Drain.—Mr W. R. Roberts, of Te Raya, declined to contribute towards the cost of clearing a drain near his property. He contended that a property owner had neglected to keep his cows out of the drain, and keeping the gorse and other noxious weeds under control. The engineer contended that it would be necessary to deepen the drain 2ft to 3ft to give Roberts’ property benefit. It would be much more beneficial to Roberts’s land than to anv other property. No action was taken.