WAIPA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Waipa Post, Volume VIII, Issue 364, 6 November 1914, Page 2

WAIPA COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the above council was held at Ohaupo on Tuesday. The chairman, Cr. Allen, presided, and there were also present: Crs. Ryburn, Teasdale, Alexander, Povnter, Bryant, Mackay and McGhie. BAD ROAD. Mr Geo. Way, of Tamahere, wrote drawing the council's attention to the state of the road from the Narrows Bridge to the top of the hill near Luxton's. —Engineer to attend to the work. DELAY IN ACQUIRING LAND.

Mr W. Fenton, of Pirongia, writing on behalf of the rest of his family, complained about the delay in the purchase of land by the council.—Mr A.Swarbrick, the council's solicitor, wrote in reference to the matter, explaining that the delay was caused through the Fentons' failing to produce the title.—The clerk was instructed to reply in terms of Mr Swarbrick's letter. BOROUGH OF TE AWAMUTU.

The Department of Internal Affairs wrote stating that the commission appointed to inquire into the matter of the proposed borough of Te Awamutu had reported favourably; and a poll on the proposal will shortly betaken within the area recommended by the commission.

Cr Teasdale said that so far as it went this was very satisfactory, but they had no idea of the boundaries. STEAM ROLLER., Cr Teasdale considered it was time the council had a road roller. He was quite satisfied that it was impossible to make good roads without one, and they could hire it out at a profit to other local bodies. He moved that the new council should seriously consider the question, and the resolution was carried. COUNTY BOUNDARY.

Mr J. A. Young, M.P., replying to a letter from the council stating that the Government was unsympathetic to the inclusion of parts of West Taupo and Waitomo counties, said he was not surprised' at the Government's attitude, as it had a petition from a large number of settlers in the districts objecting to inclusion. The writer also forwarded a letter from the Wharepuhanga Settlers' Association objecting to the proposal. Cr Teasdale considered that the settlers were acting very selfishly. West Taupo was a large block of country, and was practically being spoon-fed by the Government. They paid no rates, and he thought it was high time they had some local body in control. The smaller settlers desired inclusion, but the larger settlers were blocking the movement. On the motion of Cr Ryburn a resolution was passed that, in the opinion of the council, the time was passed when any part of the country should remain outside the duties and obligations of local government, and that if necessary a commission should be set up to consider the question. SUPERVISOR'S REPORT. The supervisor reported that all the contracts let at last meeting were in hand; an agreement had been signed with Mr C. Roose jun. for the delivery of 4000 yards of gravel; No. I grader was working between Hamilton and Ngaruawahia, from there it would go to the Hamilton-Tuhi-karamea Road. After finishing the work on the Innesfallen—Te Rore road, the No. 2 grader would proceed to the work near McNaul's. The proposed deviation of the Innesfallen road had been surveyed ; the foundations being soft, the bridge would be a more expensive item than at first thought. Nothing had appeared on the Public Works Estimates on account of the Mangapiko loan ; the £SOO for Tuhikaramea was not on account; and no further grant was made on behalf of Walker's Gully. Mr Young was endeavouring to get these matters rectified. If £IOOO was, as stated by the Minister of Finance, the limit of loan money to be granted to local bodies, it would be necessary for the Council to considerably curtail its works.