THAMES COUNTY.

Thames Star, Volume LVII, Issue 14727, 4 August 1921, Page 4

THAMES COUNTY.

MEETING OF COUNCIL. The monthly meeting of the Thames County Council was held yesterday, there being present Crs. H. Lowe (Chairman), J. MeCormick, A. Alley, W. Brunton, G. R. Blackett, E. J. Niccol, P. Faithful, and R. Cox.

Prior to the commencement of the business""the chairman formally welcomed Cr. Blackett to the council. BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION. ,

The Under-Secretary of the Mines Department intimated that £9O 3/4 was authorised to be expended on the construction of two culverts at Comers Bridge and Kopata Bridge. The letter was received.

Cr. MeCormick stated that a tfew loads of metal were, required at 'the Kopata approach otherwise an accident might result.

The clerk was instructed to have the matter attended to. KAUAERANGA BRIDGES.

The question of the repairs to tie Kauaeranga bridge was brought up for discussion by the receipt of a letter from the Town Clerk of the Thames Borough Council, who intimated that the Borough Council had agreed to the Thames County Council undertaking the work, the Borough Council to pay half cost. In a recent letter to the council, the Town Clerk stated that the comu-i! recognised that repairs should be immediately affected to the bridge. Before commencing the work the council requested a detailed statement -f the precise work to be undertake! and the estimated cost of same.

The foreman of works reported haying interviewed Mr. E. F. Adams regarding the state of the Kauar-ran-ga Bridge, and gave his approval of the repairs proposed, which with the addition of a new abutment and wings at the Eastern approach, would last for years. In his schedule of works proposed and .cost, the foreman's estimate was £568 3/8.

The District Engineer of the Public Works Department requested the council's assurance that the necessary steps are being undertaken, to arrange for the survey and legislation of the rcrad deviation for. .the new bridge.

The chairman stated that the work was to be undertaken immediately. The communications were received / WATIT. RACE.

The questior J granting an application of a ' Mier race, at the Apula ratream wat, discussed.

Cr. MeCormick said he was opposed to granting the application r-s the volume of; water, in the stream

was insufficient to supply all the needs, and' some of the residents might find themselves cut off. Cr. Niccol thought it would be

good suggestion if the, cost was as

certained. The chairman moved that the matter should be left over to ascei*tain the cost and this was carried. WHANGAMATA SURVEY.-

The Commissioner of Crown Lands (Mr. H. M. Skeet), in a letter to the council, stated that a surveyor had been instructed to carry out the required survey for the Whangamata-

Parakiwi and Avould be l'eady to undertake the work early in the spring.

The letter was received. SUBSIDIES CANCELLED

The Under-Secretary of the Mines Department stated that as no work had been done on jJceount ; of the £l3O subsidy to the Waitangi Consolidated Gold Mining Company,, the subsidy had been cancelled. He intimated also that the subsidy had been cancelled to Messrs. J. MeClear and mate on account of prospecting operations having been suspended.

The letters were received, TIMBER HALVES.

The question of the council taking up the matter of "timber halves" was discussed by a letter from the Whangarei County Council, who state! that they would be pleased to join hands in an endeavour to have the Act altered. The letter was received. EXPENDITURE OF GRANTS.

The Minister for Public Works intimated that the council's application for authority to expend the amount of £l5O out of the grant of £250 for for the Wharepoa Road, would be given the Minister of Public Works' early consideration. The letter was received.

The council's request to the Minister of Public Works for authority to expend £3OO on account of a grant of £6OO for the Whangs mata to Hikitaia track will be given the' Minister's early consideration. The Under-Secretary of the Public Works Department stated that the matter of the road in the Waikoropupu Block was receiving : attention. The letter was received.

It was decided to forward a letter of thanks to Mr. T. Rhodes, M.P., for his efforts on behalf of the county-

HIKUTAIA BRIDGE,

A request for the council's views of the proposed Hikutaia-Nethprton Bridge was asked in a letter from the clerk of the Hauraki Plains County Council. Cr. McCormick thought they

should meet the council regarding ths

Hikutaia Bridge. •< •<' -.. Cr. Brunton said a bridge at Hikutaia was necessary. It would open up all the county on tlie Other side. It was not a big proposition, and he would like the council to suppo'.-t it. The chairman: You are the people who have to pay for it. Cr. Faithful: They haven't a hope in the world:

Cr. Alley thought they should meet the Plains County. Cr. Blackett: I take it my little riding would have to pay? A member: Oh, no. Cr. Blackett: They should then, attend to the present bridges. After discussion, the chairman anci the members of the riding were appointed to meet the Hauraki Plains with. reference to the matter.