COUNTY BOUNDARIES.

Waipa Post, Volume VII, Issue 322, 12 June 1914, Page 4

COUNTY BOUNDARIES.

PROPOSAL BEFORE WAIPA COUNTY COUNCIL.

At the meeting of the Waipa County Council on Tuesday, Cr Alexander, in accordance with notice of motion previously given, moved that the necessary steps be taken to have included in the Waipa County a portion of the counties of Waitomo and West Taupo as petitioned for by the settlers of those districts. . In moving the motion he strongly supported the prayer of the petitioners whose interest was and always will be with Waipa.

Cr Teasdale seconded and said the land was as good as the average of Waikato. Cr McGhie supported the resolution, referring to the supply of metal.

Cr Ryburn opposed the motion. The matter, he said, was one for the ratepayers, and the final decision should be left to the new council. It was said that a new bridge over the Puniu was required. The problem of the county was now closer settlement, and although they had a comparatively small area they were within a few thousands of three millions valuation. He would not wonder to see Raglan cut in two. It was a good thing for Matamata to be cut off from Piako. By-and-by he indicated they could, by a judicious selection, secure a new county about the size of Waipa. Cr Bryant also thought it would be a mistake to increase the area. Before long the roads in the present nicely situated county wopld be as much as their officials could look after. Cr Macky thought the new piece of country would be a distinct asset. The present council knew the conditions as well as any prospective council could. The portion referred to would always use Waipa roads for its traffic, no matter in what county it was ultimately included. Cr Allen supported the motion.

The chairman said that at one time he thought their compact little county should not be extended, but the county was originally formed on military grounds; now with increased settlement he believed in taking in the portion referred to, and also a portion of Roto-o-rangi watershed and Monavale estates in West Taupo, which used their roads without paying anything for them. It might be advisable to get a solicitor’s opinion on the matter as to whether the ratepayers had to be consulted or not. He proposed, accordingly, that their solicitor be consulted.

Cr Alexander, replying to the discussion, said with regard to the prospective new bridge referred to, the settlers had to make their best way to the railway station, as the bridge had been shown to be out of the question. There was no need for a poll.

Cr Teasdale said it was ridiculous to wait fora new council. The motion was carried.