COUNTY OF EGMONT

Taranaki Daily News, 10 April 1935, Page 12

COUNTY OF EGMONT

REPORT ON FLOOD LOSS PUBLIC WORKS MINISTER’S VISIT. IMPROVEMENT IN THE FINANCES. The engineer, Mr. J. G. Mclvor, reported on flood damage to the Egmont County Council yesterday. In the south riding, he said, an extensive wash-out of Wiremu Road occurred during the flood of March 25, the Waiaua River breaking its banks about five chains above the bridge. An effort was being made to straighten the river before repairing the wash-out. The Mangahume River also caused further trouble and appeared likely to break through behind the bridge. A cut was made to straighten the river and a boulder wall built to protect the filling. Stone pitching to protect the road filling at a branch of the Waiaua was washed out and required urgent renewal. In the north riding further flood damage was caused on Okahu and Upper Parihaka Roads. A 12-inch culvert near Tumahu was replaced with 18-inch pipes, the road repaired and logs cleared from the temporary bridge On Okahu Road. The Waitotara bridge on Parihaka Road was cleared of logs and Several chains of road remetalled. The east abutment of the Okahu bridge was practically destroyed and the bridge was being dismantled.

Metalling of Wiremu Road was proceeding arid formation work had been recommenced on Arawhata and Kaweora Roads.

The Public Works Department advised that £1095 19s 4d had been paid as main highways subsidy for the Punehu bridge reconstruction and that £1376 5s 3d had been paid in respect of other main highways subsidies.

The Unemployment Board advised that Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Monday and Anzac Day would be regarded as holidays for all relief workers except those under schemes 4a, 4b, 4d and gold prospectors. The board also advised that any scheme 5 worker due for engagement on days when weather conditions precluded the performance of work might be booked and paid as though he had worked for each half day he had commenced or reported for work, provided the half-day had been formally declared “wet" by the official in charge of the work. The lost time need not be made up.

The board further stated that the practice of working ahead a reserve of time was absolutely opposed to the policy of the board and was expressly prohibited.

SODIUM CHLORATE SUBSIDY. The Department of Agriculture advised that the Government had decided to renew for a further period to February 29, 1936, the subsidy of Id a pound on sodium chlorate contingent on prices charged not exceeding £39 13s 4d a ton for any quantity sold in the original containers, provided that the price might be varied with the Minister’s approval for any sales broken from the original containers.

In response to the Prime Minister’s request it was decided to declare May 6 a paid holiday in connection with the King’s jubilee. Mr. C. A. Wilkinson, M.P., advised that he was in sympathy with the council’s views in regard to a national air service, and explained that he was not made aware of the deputation which waited on the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates. He said he would do what he could to see that Taranaki was properly served by the new air service. The chairman’s action in appointing the New Plymouth Borough Council's solicitor to act for the county was approved. Advice was received from Mr. Wilkinson that the Hon. J. Bitchener, Minister of Public Works, would visit the district on or about May 13 and suggested that the cotfncil meet him along Kiri Road and show him some of the flood damage near Wiremu Road, and thence come down Ihaia Road. This was agreed to by the council. An offer from Mr. J. Harte to lease the county paddock near Pungarehu was accepted. ' The 'ranger reported having seized 73 head of stock last month. To date 638 dogs had been registered. Authority was given to reseal the top part of Watino Road.

Mr. Cassie waited on the council asking for improvements to the upper end of Newall Road. The shingle was worn down and the condition of the road was deplorable, he said. It would. not see the loan out. The chairman promised that the council would make every endeavour to do something for the road. The council had struck a low rate and did not have much money for by-roads. Cr. Farquhar asked how often the back roads were inspected, and the engineer replied that he visited the back roads every few months, but* owing to the limited money available he devoted his attention to the lower parts that carried most of the traffic.

ANZAC DAY SERVICES. The Opunake Town Board invited councillors to attend an afternoon Anzac Day service at Opunake. Cr. Gibson extended a similar invitation to attend an Anzac service at Rahotu at the same time. Cr. Tosland expressed regret at the overlapping and said he wished the two districts to Work amicably, but Opunake felt it was entitled to an afternoon service. Cr. Collins was appointed to represent the council at the Opunake service.

The chairman’s honorarium was fixed as the same as last year's. It was decided to bring the heavy traffic by-laws into operation on May 1 over the same roads as last year. Referring to the criticism of the council in a letter to the Daily News, Cr. Willcox asked if the monthly statement of expenditure and receipts could be published. The chairman said this was available for publication and would show the position of the council at the end of the financial year. It was much better than he expected some time ago, when he was very doubtful if the rate would be sufficient, but the council had done its best and come Out oii the right side of the ledger. Before March 31 the council collected over £3OOO in rates, bringing the overdraft down to a little over £lOOO at that date. At one time the council could have a big overdraft at the end of the financial year and strike next year’s rates to cover it, but now it had to live within each year’s income. He hoped the council would not need a higher rate, but if it did find it necessary he would be one of the first to advocate it. Criticism was levelled at the manner of construction of several of the Public Works bridges on Wiremu Road, and it was decided to apply to the department for the reconstruction of the bridges and the strengthening of approaches. It was decided to apply for relief for flood, damage on the road. The chairman said he thought the damage was just as extensive in Egmont as in any other county. If councillors saw the Okahu bridge it would convey the position to them. The engineer said the Public Works Department had rejected his plans for the Ouri bridge and insisted on an

arched structure, which it was claimed would be erected for £4OO less. The statement of receipts and expenditure for the period March 13 to April 9 showed receipts amounting to £8983 10s 3d. This included £2960 of last year’s rates, £931 hospital rates, £414 special rates, £1736 subsidy on rates, £1376 main highways maintenance subsidy and £226 New Plymouth harbour rates. The overdraft at the beginning of the period was £8614 5s 3d and at present was reduced to £2571 2s 6d. The assets consisted of £2217 16s 3d general Tates 1934-35, arrears £3059 12s' 9d, £749 5s 5d hospital rates, £6OB 8s 7d arrears, £145 8s 3d sundry debtors, a total of £6780 Ils 3d. The liabilities were £2600 7s lid overdraft and outstanding cheques and £228 is id pay sheets and accounts, a total of £2828 9s. There were present Messrs. W. C. Green (chairman), T. Willcox, S. R. Farquhar, E. A. Coffins, G. Gibson, J. S. Tosland, A. J. Lilley, E. G. Holmes and J. Young.