COUNTY AFFAIRS.

Wairarapa Age, 10 March 1934, Page 7

COUNTY AFFAIRS.

MEETING OF FEATHKKSTON •COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the Featherston. County Council-was held at Martinborough on Friday, there being present, Councillors Q. Donald (chairman), R. W. Matthews, J. Thompson, G. Gillies, J. C. Bidwill, D. Cameron, I. McLeod, B. Smith and .A. B. Martin. The treasurer reported the following receipts during the month:— Rates,. £7095 17s lOd; licences, £2O 15s lid; rents, £lO 16s 8d; unemployed, £lol9' Ils 3d; transfers, £658 13s sd; miseel-’ laneous, ,£l<M 15s; total,. £7995 Os: Id. Accounts to £3464 were passed. The Tauranga County Council wrote ashing for an expression of opinion on the proposal to grant •county ratepayers a rebate of 20 per cent on the 1933-34 rates.—The chairman supported the proposal, as the concession was on the lines of that given by the •Govemr.eni; two years .ago. In answer to Councillor Thompson as to where the money was to come from, the chairman said it should be made available from the Highways (Fund, into which the Go-, verament was dipping deeply.—lt was ; decided to support the -suggested concession. i Atteatioa was drawn, by Mr. Murdoch McLeod, of Hillside Road, Mar-1 tinfoorough, to the condition of the Palliser Bay Road near Te Kopi. He said? °I do not think this road is receiving the attention its importance ’deserves considering the rates now paid. However, should the road disappear a cry would arise, not only from ratepayers,, but from electors, condemning a gov-; ernment and local body that can spendl £2-0.000 without benefiting anyone. I do hope something will Ibe done so that; our hopes of a permanent Toadway may not be Wasted for ever.” The District Engineer wrote stating he had seen a Press report regarding the condition of the Palliser Bay Road, and faking if the council had any proposal in mind for the improvement of this thoroughfare.—The Engineer said he would like it publicly known that he was not responsible for the road going round the particular bluff.—Councillor Gillies said it was beyond ihe council to provide the money needed to keep the road in order.—lt was de- ! cided that the engineer and Public Works Department be asked to submit a report to the council.

The Commissioner of Transport wrote stating it had been ‘brought under his

notice that the council had no£ erected any classification of road signs on the roads classified within the county, and trusting that the council would proceed with the erection of these signs without further delay, as under the present conditions it was quite impossible to enforce the load limits allowable under the classification.—lt was resolved that the work be undertaken.

The Traffic Inspector reported on a motor lorry driver who had exceeded the speed limit under the classification and drawing attention to other offences.

—The Inspector was instructed to prosecute in three cases.

Messrs. F. Dennes and H. B. Bull, Greytown, wrote asking if there was any opportunity of tendering for county cartage, such as crusher metal

and material of any description.—After a general discussion it was resolved on the motion of Councillor Thompson, seconded by Councillor 'Gillies, that annual tenders be called for the county eartage.

Ranger Cameron reported having dealt with thirty-six head of stock during February and March, and Ranger Crawford with 51 head.

Councillor J. Thompson reported on the condition of Udy’s road. He did not think the council was justified in spending any money on the thoroughfare. The rates collected only amounted to 30s. They might possibly put on one or two unemployed to do temporary work. —It was decided to ascertain from Greytown if unemployed labour could be procured.

Following a report submitted by the engineer, it was decided to call tenders for the erection of a bridge at Tora, for which the Public Works Department had offered a subsidy of £1 for £l, provided Mr. Riddiford contributed £lOO.

The tender of N, J. Ramsdc wa<- accepted for metalling work i- _ ’’/» Greytown Riding. Four ter.<'?i>: were received.