MATAMATA COUNTY

Waikato Independent, Volume XXX, Issue 2315, 25 March 1930, Page 6

MATAMATA COUNTY

-COUNCIL'S MONTHLY MEETING. MAMAKU ROAD CLASSIFICATION. The following additional business—excluded from Saturday's issue—was dealt with at the monthly meeting of the Matamata County Council on Friday last: — Traffic on Mamaku Road. The Minister of Transport, Hon. W. A. Vcitch, noted that the council did not agree that the high speeds of motor traffic on the Mamaku Bush road had •as detrimental an effect on the surfacing as the heavier traffic. The authority for the passing of the by-law was under Section 25 of the Motor Vehicles Act and Regulations 15 and 16 of the Motor Vehicle Regulations. The clerk said the .speed regulations would do little to preserve the roads. This aspect did not appear to be contemplated by the regulations. The chairman said the Minister seemed to be dodging the, question of whether the altered classification was in the best interests of all -concerned. It appeared that the Minister now realised he had blundered. The letter was received. , Mamaku Road Classification. In further reply .to the council regarding the raising of the classification of the Mamaku Bush road, the secretary A.A.A. said that-when the matter was placed before Mr M. H. Wynyard, of the Main Highways Board, ho said the understanding was that the higher classification was only to apply to the summer months. Before taking steps the A.A.A. w-'shed to be advised if the council was'awn ro <f I lie pe«Mi n. The clerk stated thrt he had replied that the Minis* :r had stated the p>a*si.fieation would be reviewed after Easter-, but the council did not understand that the higher classification is only to apply during the summer months. The main point, said the clerk, was that the Minister had ignored the authorities responsible for the control of the loud—the Main Highways Board and the County Council. The Tirau branch of the Farmers'Union endorsed the council's opinion on the matter of alteration of the classification from fifth to fourth class. The branch had forwarded a protest to the Minister. • The clerk's reply to the A.A.A. was approved. Heavy Traffic Pees. The town clerk, Hamilton Borough Council, asked if the .council was prepared to accept the Magistrate's order allocating heavy traffic license fees for the period March 31, 1929, to May 31, 1930. Counties retain 75 per cent of collections. The chairman said he did not think a, better arrangement could be made, and the allocation was accepted. / . Group Traffic Inspection. The clerk, Waikato County Council, forwarded circular anont proposals approved at a conference in connection with group traffic inspection. Matamata County's proportion of costs of salaries, etc., is 2 per cent. On the recommendation of the Works Committee it was resolved that the principle be agreed to, but the council is of. the opinion that the cost of the scheme has been underestimated —especially with regard to salaries, including car expenses for . inspectors—and that the executive should meet and put forward a more feasible scheme. General. The Matamata Chamber of Com-TiTi-ce wrote re a proposal to issue a t><" >klct setting forth the capabilities and possibilities of the Matamata distrct with special reference to closer s-ettlement. The cost of the booklet •would be about £4O and the council was asked to contribute, its share being about £6 10/-. Cr E. Nickle said he was opposed to the contribution as the booklet would fce of Tittle "benefit, if any, to the outlying d'istrics.

The council decided not to accede to the request, Cr Dee remarking that land agents would see to closer settlement if the land was for sale cheap enough. The council passed accounts totalling £15,097 1/S. The engineer was instructed to obtain prices for a new one-man grader. Ridings Statement. The treasurer's monthly ridings statement showed the position of the two ridings in the neighbourhood of Cambridge as follows: — Karapiro: Rates struek,£lß6l 16/4; current paid to date, £1370 3/9; outstanding, £491 12/7; outstanding April 1, 1.929, £412. 5/3; arrears paid to date, £279 11/3; outstanding, £132-14/-. Maungatautari: Rates struck, £1614 6/8; current rates paid to date, £1292 16/8; outstanding, £321 10/-; outstanding April 1, 1929, £3SB 18/2; arrears paid to date, £132 7/1; outstanding, £256 11/1.

The position' of the county as a whole is as. follows:—Total rates struck, £28,347 3/7; current rates paid to date, £20,970 0/2; outstanding, £7377 3/5; outstanding April 1, 1929, £5027 10/5; arrcai's paid to date, £2487 15/1; outstanding, £2539 15/4.