WHANGAMOMONA COUNTY

Taranaki Daily News, 19 July 1933, Page 9

WHANGAMOMONA COUNTY

ROAD METALLING DISCUSSED. RATE DISCOUNT PLAN REJECTED. The Whangamomona County Council met yesterday, when there were present Crs. N. R. Cleland (chairman), J. D. Law, G. Gower, M. P. Ford, W. J. Rawlinson, E. B. Roberton and B. Mustrowski. The Public Works Department wrote that the Hon. J. Bitchener had given instructions that the matter of metalling Poarangi Road to give improved access to Mr. P. L. Coxhead and other settlers would receive special consideration when the department’s programme of road metalling relief works for next season was being arranged. The council decided to accord tire Whangamomona Progress League its hearty co-operation and assistance in urging the metalling of Moki Saddle and Tangarakau Gorge. Tire chairman remarked that it was difficult to understand the Government’s reluctance to put this necessary work in hand. The Maraekowhai Developing Company Ltd. asked the chairman to improve passage for stock in the vicinity of two bluffs on the company’s stock route to the Heao railway station. It was pointed out that the. land in question was within the council’s boundaries and the council was well aware that the company received no direct benefit from the rates collected over a number of years. The company was now running ewes on all that country, but the condition of the bluffs made mustering exceedingly difficult. Should the council not be able to see its way to effect an improvement to the route, the company suggested that the company’s rates be remitted for a term to be arranged, on the consideration that it did the work itself.

In dealing with this request all councillors agreed that the company was deserving of some consideration, but there seemed to be some'doubt as to whether the tracks in question had ever been dedicated. '•

It was agreed to communicate with the company seeking information as to the legal status of the tracks. If they are public roads, the council will go into the question of making the improvements requested. Five settlers on Mauku Road, Kohuratahi, petitioned the council with the object of having their road metalled over its full length under the Unemployment Board’s relief scheme. They agreed to find £5O but stipulated that this money was to be used solely to meet the cost of carting the metal. • The petition was sent forward with the, request that the work be included in the contemplated schedule of works being arranged by the Public Works Department. Mr. A. Meredith, Strathmore, wrote offering to hire the council’s tractor to remove a number of logs from a swamp at Huiakama. The work would not be heavy on the tractor as he would, use wire rope and blocks. . , The offer was declined as a principle of the council was affected. In accordance with notice Cr. Law moved that a discount of 5 per cent, be allowed on all rates for 1933-34 paid on or before March 31, 1934. Cr. Law said a discount such as he suggested would stimulate prompt payments and ensure that the fullest subsidy was forthcoming on the amount collected, but its greatest use would be the provision of an incentive to settlers to meet their demands promptly on time. Cr. Gower seconded the motion and said Cr. Law should be commended for bringing the matter forward. _ Cr. Neustrowski could see little relief to the average landholder in the motion. The hard-hit man, he said, would be unable to take advantage of the discount and the only person to benefit would be the man of substance who was in a position to pay in any case. Cr. Neustrowski believed the council should strain every effort in the direction of reducing its rates to the lowest possible level. All would then benefit. Cr. Neustrowski found support for his attitude from the chairman, who pointed out that the council did not operate on a bank overdraft and therefore was not in a position of some other local bodies who required the early payment of rates in order ,to reduce their interest charges. Cr. Cleland also believed the greatest good would be accomplished by reducing the rates in every possible manner. The Motion was lost. The amount of metal for maintenance on Brewer Road to be taken from a quarry at Makahu was increased from 50 yards to 100 yards. The matter of opening Tawhiwhi Road in view of the effects of the recent heavy rain was referred to Cr. Rawlinson. That Poarangi Road had suffered a certain amount of damage during the recent heavy rain was reported by Cr. Law and he was authorised to take steps to engage a man to remedy the trouble. Cr. Gower was authorised to engage a man for one day to repair water damage on Kohuratahi Road. Another road blocked temporarily by the rains was Whitianga Road. The riding roadman is to concentrate upon the removal of the slip.