COUNTY OF OTOROHANGA.

Waipa Post, Volume XXIV, Issue 1396, 24 May 1923, Page 5

COUNTY OF OTOROHANGA.

ORDINARY MONTHLY MEETING. MANGAORONGO ROADING. A meeting of the Otorohanga County Council was held yesterday. Present: Crs Lurman. P. Potts, R. Hill, W. Irvine, J. B. Teasdale junr., ,I< T. Young, and S. J. Sanson. Mr J. O'Brien, of Mangarorongo, wrote enclosing a cojpys of a letter he had written to the Minister of Public Works which read as follows: There are several settlers affected, who have asked me to bring under your notice the matter of a portion of the road from Mangaorongo to Nsahape, about 1?; miles, that is not formed: also a bridge that is wanted across the Mangaorongo and the Mangaorongo-Te Kawa roads. The settlers are chiefly dairy men and at times during the year the stream is flooded for several weeks at a time, and we are unable to get to and from with a vehicle. This is a great hardship as we often have to wait for manures and machinery for farm use. etc. This is one of the oldest surveyed roads in the district, and tin's portion has been absolutely neglected. Only at times have we access to metalled roads, lor which we are paying rates. A petition hugely signed by the settlers of tin's and surrounding district to have a bridge creeled was sent to you about IS months ago through the late Mangaorongo Road Board, but nothing was { done in the matter. There are about j 2000 acres here that have access only along an old Maori track which can only be used in line weather, as in limes of Hoods ii is blocked by the I stream at one end and a swamp at i the other. All this hind is taken up except a small portion still owned by ] the natives. More settlers are wailing for access before they ran occupy | their lands. ' !

It was unanimously decided to support Hie letter and to write the Minister asking him to give Ihe mallei his sympathetic attention. WlmthvluiUlioc Rridgc. Under date of May Isth (he Public Works Department wrote in reply to Hie Council's letter of December Bth, stating that (he Whatiwhatihoe bridge is in Otorohanga County, the Waipa I County just touching the eastern end. in regard to the (•(intention that the bridge should be pul in proper order before being handed over, it is pointed out that for years past the Government has maintained this bridge without expense to either of the adjoining counties. The responsibility tor the maintenance of all roads, bridges, culverts, etc.. other than those specially declared to be Government road:: rests with the local body whether or not they have been formally handed over by declaration in the N.Z. Gazette. It is considered, therefore, that in offering to contribute on a £ for £ basis towards the cost of the necessary repairs to this bridge Ihe Government is dealing liberally in the matter and I regret that 1 can see no reason to increase the Government contribution. The Minister trusted that Hie Coun- j cil would recognise its responsibility and, as previously stated, monetary '■ authority in the sum of £125 (£ for ?.) will issue to your Council on re- '

ceipt of satisfactory proposals duly approved by the district engineer. The letter was referred to the county solicitor for his opinion as to the situation. Wailomn Accounts. The solicitor reported thai the dale fixed for the sitting of the Waitomo County Accounts Commission was oth June at Te Ku'iti. It was resolved that (.'v Lurman and Cr Potts attend the sitting of the Commission in conjunction with the solicitor, Taihara. A petition signed by 15 sei tiers of Taihaia was read asking for a bridge over the Mangawhero opposite Watakua's house. The engineer said he thought a bridge could be erected for £250. A special loan was suggested, and the matter was placed in Cr Irvine's hands to enquire into. County Offices." It was decided to refer the matter of new County offices to the Works Committee with a view to arranging for a special loan.. Genera i. The engineer's report for the month was read and adopted. The engineer stated, in reply to a question, that all metalling was practically stopped for the winter. '