OTOROHANGA NEWS

Waipa Post, Volume 50, Issue 3621, 23 May 1935, Page 8

OTOROHANGA NEWS

ITEMS OF INTEREST. ANNUAL MEETING OF COUNCIL. (Our Resident Representative). The annual meeting 01 the Otorohanga County Council was held on Wednesday. Present, Crs W. Bluck (chairman), \V. G. Kay, W. Thomson, F. Potts, V. W. Simms, F. Crowley and H. C. Grierson, with Messrs G. Jackson (county engineer) and S. J. Fortescuo (county clerk). The recently elected representative for Hinikiwi riding, Mr H. Grierson was welcomed to tlie Council table by the chairman. An application from the Waipa County Council for the removal of -100 cubic yards of river shingle from the Otorohanga County's pit, in the Te Rau-a-Moa riding, was the subject of some considerable consideration. It was considered the five per cent offered by Waipa County was not sufficient for the winter repairs that might be necessary through the transport operations. The engineer stated that the 400 yards were already dredged from the river, in addition to other reserve metal stacked in the locality, by the Waipa County workmen. —It was resolved to allow the 100 yards to be removed provided that the Waipa County place 40 yards of same on the road used, before they commence carting operations, the time of carting the shingle, and control of tiie operations, to be approved by the Otorohanga county engineer. It was decided that the Council retain all their available shingle for the future, and no more would be available from this source for Waipa County. The chairman's report was adopted. FINANCIAL STATExMENT. Since April Ist the rates have come in approximately the same as last year, in the same period. Con-" sequently there is very little change in the riding balances. An unusual circumstance it: the fact that, to date, less than 40 drivers' licenses have been issued. During last year over 830 were issued. All the ridings are in credit, the amounts being as follows: Honikiwi £327 10s Id, Mangaorongo £625 7s lid, Te Rau-a-Moa £249 2s ,10d, Waipa £IOB 5a Gd, Wharepapa £409 13s Bd. The expenditure out of the riding account, with, the amount of the limits in parentheses, is as follows. Honikiwi £7l 15s 4d (£300), Mangaorongo £BB 4s 8d (£600), Te Rau-a-Moa £4O 17s 7d (£450), Waipa £67 2s 4d (£450), Wharepapa £69 13s 8d (£800). The bank credit balance stands at £2253, just under £IOOO more than on the same date of last year. The Waikato Hospital Board advis-

ed that Mr F. Potts had been re-elect-ed a member of the Board. CREAM LORRIES AND PASSENGERS. A request from a cream carrying contractor for permission to take passengers on his lorry was fully gone into, and the applicant is to be requested to furnish further details, especially as to whether he would be competing' on the run witli licensed passenger vehicles. The application of a settler in the Paewhenua district to close a blind road, in order to prevent pig hunters from leaving his gates open and thus causing stock losses, was considered, and it was decided to leave the matter to Cr Crowley and the engineer to deal with. The above concluded the business of the old Council. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN. On the motion of Cr Simms, seconded by Cr Potts (former chairman for several terms) the retiring chairman, Mr W. Bluck, was unanimously elected chairman. The chairman's honorarium was fixed at £75 per annum, together with the usual expenses. It was decided to support the request of the settlers on the Turitea Road, in the Honikiwi riding, in their endeavour to improve their means of road with the metalled highway, through the offices of the Public Works Department, and with the assistance of relief (road) workers. It was decided that Cr F. Potts will continue to represent the Council on the No. 6 group of the Main Highways Board. It was decided to communicate with the engineer to the Main Highways Board, asking when the definite new route deviation —from the main highway between the northern border of the King Country and Hangatiki, will be gazetted. It was felt that interested settlers should be advised as soon as possible. The chairman gave notice of motion that the salaries of the inside staff will be reviewed at the next meeting of the Council. The county solicitor, Mr P. o. R. Phillips, waited on the Council to explain various matters regarding rating in the various ridings, and special rating areas. Cr Thomson moved that the rates (except the Mangaorongo riding) be tiie same as last year.—Carried.