GO SLOW!

Thames Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 18577, 12 August 1932, Page 3

GO SLOW!

THE HIGHWAYS SUBSIDY. Plains Council's Decision. ATTENTION TO ROADS. RELIEF LABOUR REFUSED. The Hauraki Plains County Council met yesterday. Present: Mr W. Madgwick (chairman) and Ore A. S. Fisher, J. A. Reid, W. McDuff, J. McClune, W. E. Hale, J. Motion, J. F. Mayn, the Clerk (Mr E. A. Mahoney) and the Engineer (Mr F. Basham). Highways Subsidy. The clerk reported that in view of the advice given to the chairman and himself by Mr Dyson during a recent visit to Auckland, that the amount of the highways subsidy for the current year \vas doubtful and the Council would be wise to go slow with expendihvre until 1 the amount was definitely voted, the engineer had been instructed to suspend delivery of all metal supplies on main highways. The chairman said that the Council would have to go slow as all highway allocations had been rigorously cut down.. There was no. desperate hurry to spend much more on highways as the roads were in good order. Any Councillor noticing deterioration should report it to the engineer. Or Motion said the Pipiroa Road from Waitakaruru to the Ngatea corner wanted a lot of metal.

The engineer said patches of it were very bad and required attention 1 . He thought that two scow loads of metal were necessary.

The chairman said it was desirable to make up the over expenditure on the tar-sealing and if they spent a lot of money in Pipiroa Riding they were sailing close to the wind. Possibly they could spare two scow loads to do the worst places. The clerk said that Mr Dyson had clearly indicated that any over-ex-penditure would not carry any subsidy either this year or any other year. It was decided to allow two scow loads of metal for Pipiroa Road. Claim For Accident. Counsel for Constable Lockie forwarded a statement of claim against the Council for £127/7/9 for an accident to his car when crossing the Piako River on the Pipiroa Ferry. The claim would be heard at the S.M. Court, Thames, on August 23. Water Supply. Mr E. F. Adams wrote in connection with the proposed water supply for the east side of the County, that be /was closely investigating each source of supply and would 'report at a later date. - Kemick's Road. The Unemployment Board wrote in regard to the proposed formation of a road from Turua to connect with the Kopuarahi - Kerepeehi Road, that it appeared to be a subdivisional road. The formation would require the use to a very largo degree of ploughs and graders and would not be suitable for the employment of relief labour. The cost would be approximately £9OOO and only £750 would represent work suitable for the absorption of unemployed, and then only if fencing were included. The Board could not accede to the Council's request. De-rating Farm Lands. The Waipa County Council invited two delegates to attend a conference in Hamilton on August 23 to discuss the de-rating of rural lands and the substitution of somo other means of raising revenue for the construction and maintenace of

roads. The chairman and Cr Reid were authorised to attend. Use Of Subsidy. The Council's request to the Minister of Lands for permission to utilise £2233/7/9, being the balance of a Government subsidy granted in connection with the West Water Supply installation, to meet the cost of extending the system to the Miranda Drainage Area was being considered and a decision woukl bo given at an early date. The clerk explained that had tho money been loan money there would have been no difficulty. He had heard nothing' of the matter since. Land For Selection. The Chief Drainage Engineer wrote stating that sections 38, 40 and 42, Block IV., Piako S.D., at Waitakaruru would 'shortly bo placed before the Land Board to consider opening for selection on permanent tenure. Fire Districts. The Department of Lands and Survey drew the Council's attention to the special provisions of tho Lands Laws Amendment Act for the constituting, of Fire Districts in peat lands. The suggested boundaries of the Council's district extended from the Thames Borough endowment, Te Aroha, to close to Waitakaruru and over the Piako River. The area was approved. Ro|ad Maintenance. The'engineer 'reported that a close watch was being kept on the- reeent'y sealed portions of the Po-keno-Waihi-Highway between NgaLea and the Puke Bridge, and doubtful places attended to. The bitu-

Xetherton Higlnyay had also been repaired where necessary, A bridge on the Ohinewai Road collapsed under traffic and a bad accident was narrowly averted. Repairs costing between £2O and £25 were effected. The macadam portion of the Orchard East Road had been scarified, graded and rolled, and given a light coating of chips. The road should shortly be in good order for sealing. The portion of the Miranda Road that was metalled last year is not standing up to traffic as well as might be expected, and is taking a 'ot of metal to repair same. To the end of last month 975 yards of metal have been put on 'road, ami al least a further 500 will be required. /•