WAIPA COUNTY AFFAIRS.

Waipa Post, Volume XXIV, Issue 1396, 24 May 1923, Page 8

WAIPA COUNTY AFFAIRS.

GENERAL BUSINESS. The statutory annual meeting of the Waipa County Council was held at Ohanpo on Wednesday, when there were present; Crs D. S. Reid (Tuhikaramea), C. M. Alexander (Kakepuku), S. C. Macky •and W. McCarthy (Mangapikoi. W. McGee (Orakau). G. Speake (Kaipaki). ,J. S. Fisher (Pukekura). A. Livingstone (Newcastle). H. A. Reilly (Hamilton), Peacocke (Rukuhia). and A. J. Storey (Rangiaohia). Cr Crawford was granted leave of absence. The chairman referred to the great 'damage done to the Raglan-Hamilton Roa.i by the cartage of coal from the Whatawhata mine. A committee should be authorised to conclude arrangements with the coal interests for some form of royalty or compensation for the damage lo the roads. Other local bodies were affected, and some amicable arrangement should be come to. Cr Livingstone agreed, and contended thai all such moneys should be expended specifically on repairing the damage. He suggested that the chairman, himself, and the engineer be the committee. Cr McCarthy seconded. -Carried. It was also decided to write to the Campbell Coal Company seeking particulars as to the amount of coal carted over the road since the beginning of the year. The chairman referred to the Hamilton swamp road as a veritable nightmate at the present time ro ratepayers who were compelled to traverse it. He had been striving to have repairs effected for months, but without success. Now the highway was almost impassable. The engineer said he could not get bine metal, but thought lie could get Tirohia metal or Otorohanga gravel practically at once. He would use every endeavour to have the work done quickly. Cr Reid said his riding ratepayers had been very patient, but there was a limit to that. Cr Livingstone commented that th'is road was not the only one requiring prompt attention. He had some in his riding. The chairman said the metal on some of the old roads had been worn through, especially on the swampy portions. Cr Macky said in Mangapiko riding there was a patch of very bad road. He referred to the road between Paterangi and Pirongia. That should be attended to at once. ; Cr Livingstone said the very wet wea'her of late had been the chief cause of the trouble, .adding, "After all, the sun is better, than all the engineers!" Cr Fisher said that at last meeting the Council had decided not to proceed at, present with the scarifying of a length of road near the Crow's Nes:. between Leamington and Maungatautari, but since then the ratepayers there had practically demanded that the work should be done at once —they would take the risk of failure. Cr Livingstone said that might be all very well, but he was strongly opposed to any scarifying of soft roads heint done in the winter.

'The engineer said if a mild winter occurred the job would be successful, but if the weather continued wet the money would be wasted. The matter was left in the hands of the riding member and the engineer. Or McGee asked what was the position and condition of the Owairaka Road. He had had representations in favour of having improvements effected

The engineer said that really about five miles of that road needed improving, but if portions only were dealt with as .soon as possible relief would he afforded. It was arranged thajt the rkling member and the engineer should inspect the road, and endeavour to have repairs effected.