VAITOTARA COUNTY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 270, 15 November 1932, Page 5

VAITOTARA COUNTY

MONTHLY MEETING HELD REPORT AND GENERAL BUSINESS The Waitotara County Council held its monthly .meeting yesterday, Or. W. Morrison presiding. There were also present Crs. A. R. Richardson, R. Laird, H. G. Birch, A. G. Goldsbury, J. Cameron, E. Parsons, R. Farley and L. T. Jones. Re-establishment of the Upokonga.ro Feiry was left in the hands of the Ferry Committee with power to act. Mr. Morrison thought that matters were shaping themselves for a settlement of the question with the Wanganui County. A letter from the Wanganui and District Development League asking that ferry fees for vehicular traffic be reduced was also referred to the Ferry Committee. A circular was read from the Canterbury Progress League with reference to the National Expenditure Commission’s recommendation that motor taxation be devoted to the Consolidated Fund and that, the separate Highways Revenue Fund be abolished. Mr. Morrison said that a deputation, representative of the

Farmers Union, Automobile Unions and Counties’ Association, had been assured by the Prime Minister that the separate Highways Fund would not be abolished.

Cr. Jones was of opinion that a proportion of the taxation from motor traffic should be definitely earmarked for side roads. His motion approving of the action of the Taranaki County, to the effect that not less than 12$ per cent, cf motor taxation be spent on roads other than highways, was carried. The Matamata County Council wrote

directing attention to tho increase in price of materials used in the destruction of rabbits and ragwort. It was held that the control of ragwort had got beyond the power of local authorities or of individual owners of properties and Matamata’s suggestion was that the Government should undertake the sale of sodium chlorate and stop exploitation. Although there was a difference of opinion as to the wisdom of this course the Waitotara County decided to generally approve of the Matamata County’s suggestions provided they weie forwarded through the Counties’ Association.

Correspondence was read from various counties that were written to in support of Cr. Cameron’s proposals to have the valuation of land reduced on an equitable and fair basis. These replies indicated that there was general support for a. change in the present method, but that local bodies were not sure as to what could be substituted. Cr. Cameron said that in many instances the counties written to had failed to grasp the principle. Some had looked at the matter entirely from a rate point of view—valuations coming down would mean rates going up. It was decided to hold the matter in abeyance until those circulated had had time to reply. Thanks from the Maxwell Women’s Institute was tendered to the County for co-operating in beautifying the reserve fund round the County war memorial.

Appreciation was expressed of the Institute’s letter and it was decided to place on record the council’s appreciation of the efforts of Cr. Cameron, the county engineer (Mr. T. Dix) and the lndie s of Maxwell towards a most deserving object. Engineer’s Report. The engineer (Mr. T. (Dix) reported as follows on the work done during October: — ‘ ‘ Auckland-Wellington Highway.— Maintenance work comprised metal patching, grading, renewal of the loose metal surface and clearing slips. Portions of the roadway between mile posts 10 and 11 were scarified, re-shaped, and metalled. .Surfacemen have widened the corners at the junction of the Ngarino and Bushy Park roads, with the object of giving better vision. “Waitotara Riding.—Slips were cleared, scrub cut and watertables received attention on tho RangitatauWatershed Highway; the lower end of th 0 highway was graded, and a start was made by surfacemen to widen points at Paparangi and Waitahinga. The Waitotara Valley highway was graded, several portions of the roadway were reshaped and metal patched and the metalling that was completed last, summer was again rolled. Handley 'Road was graded and Waitotara, Parekama and Junction Roads were cleaned. “Tokomaru Riding.—On the Ahu Ahu and Kauaparaoa roads, and Rangitatau watershed highway, slips were cleared and watertables cleaned. A survey of the Watershed and Taunoka roads was made with a view of inviting tenders for clearing slips un these roads.

“Mosston Riding.—The Sprinvale-, Francis and Heads-A’|>sston highways were graded and the road planer was put over them. Portions of Parsons Street and Fitzherbert Avenue were reshaped and metalled, Peakes and Fox roads were graded. “ Brunswick-Westmere Riding.— Seafield, Westmere Station, Cameron, Symes and Handley roads and Clarkson Avenue were graded. Drift sand on the River Bank Road opposite Kaiwhaiki i s causing trouble, watertables have constantly to be cleared of sand. On the Brunswick, Tokomaru East and West and Kowhatunui roads slips were cleared, watertables cleaned and scrub was cut. On the Tokomaru West Road, surfacemen have widened the road near Kai what u. “General.—The roads throughout the county arc in fair order, this being chiefly through the mildness of the past winter and spring. Flower bods have been made in the Monument Reserve at Maxwell; the commit tee of the Women’s Institute have expressed their willingness to keep the beds in order and to have them supplied with plants.”