RATES AND ROADS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 163, 13 July 1933, Page 10

RATES AND ROADS

PATEA COUNTY COUNCIL BUSINESS OF THE MONTH. Rates for the present year were struck at the monthly meeting of the Batea County Council, those present being Crs. W. G. Belton (chairman), W. H. Watkins, C. E. Johnston, W. Back, J. Peat, J. Lupton, R. G. Scown, R. J. Watt, and D. Hurley, junr. Riding rates were struck as follow: —Waverlcy, 5-8 d in the £; Moumahaki, id in the £; Kapara, lid in the £; ana Otoia, id in the £. These rates are the same as last year except for the Moumahaki which had thus been raised *d in the £ on last year’s rate. Metal Carting Contract. W. A. Hurley applied for a continua tion of his contract for metal carting at the same rate now operating. Mr. Belton spoke of the service being very satisfactory. The engineer spoke of the contractsigned for the year, with an increase of 3d a mile lor the first ten mueb, but recently he had dropped id a mile, and still later another drop of Id so that the 3d first contracted had been reduced to l|d. Oil and tyre prices had fluctuated a good deal, and oil a . urcscnt was cheaper than for a long time, while benzine was at bcdrocK prices. After discussion, it appeared only tair to call for tenders, so that outside contractors could compete for the job, although the council were fully satisfied with present contractor. Mr. C. E. Johnston moved that ten Gers be called to be dealt with at next council meeting, and seconded by Ur. Scown, was carried. A motion by Mi D. Hurley, junr., that Mr. W. A. Hurley’s contract be extended for a further period lapsed for want of a seconder. Tenders for the contract arc to be called for a period of two years. Crown Land Rates. The chairman, on speaking to a letter from the Waiioa Harbour Board as to payment of rates on Crown lease lands, said that the local bodies were in a particularly difficult position, and it was a hard proposition. The coun cil decided to support the Wairoa Board’s suggestion that a strong pro test be made about this exemption from rates of Crown leases. The next letter dealt with by the meeting was on a similar ease to those meant by the resolution, and the coun cil found it necessary to obtain pay ments from a ratepayer who had been on the property for live years without payment, while other local bodies under which he was rated were able to collect special loan rates. Cr. Peat was elected to meet the mortgagors and come to an agreement with them, with power to act, and to state that the council were not piepared tu sit down under the leasseo’s refusal to pay rates. Renewal of lease of the Manawapau reserve for a term of live years, with rent paid in advance, ai\d with a restriction that gorse be grubbed and hedge by the bridge clipped back, was made with fc>. A. Denby. Renewal of slaughter house licenses was granted to Hcginbotham Bros. (Waverlcy, and S. C. Barclay (Manu tahi). Annual holiday was granted to the foreman, A. J. Leigh, on full pay. J. Porter applied for a royalty on metal, but the engineer pointed out chat it was really a matter between him and the carter, W. A. Hurley. The clerk (Mr. W. F. Shcikl) was granted permission to attend the county clerks’ conference on July at Wellington. The matter of the slipperincss ol bitumened roads on hills during the past month or so was discussed, it DC'ing stated that several accidents had occurred duo to tho extra slipperincss of the bitumen. 'l’he prevention ol tills was left for the engineer to attend Mr. N. Barraclougli's request f<H some metalling on bpence Road to his place was acceded to, provided that he paid £2O tuwarus the work on tho eight ami a-halt chains. With the building of a new dairy factory at. Hurley \ Hie. vr. Hurley said i hat some 50 yards of metal would be required to put on the road to keep it in good repair for the milk waggons. Tiie’matter was left in the hands of Cr. Hurley and the engineer to attend •o, with power to act. renders for the erection of a stone . ulveit over the Wairoa Stream on the Waverlcy' Behch Highway were dealt' with, that of J. Moye, of Wanganui, being accepted. Seven tendcis wer*' received, ranging from £9O odd t n nearly £llO. Kakaramca Waterhole. Decision to straighten and widen th>‘ main road at the Knkaramea waterhole at a previous meeting of the council, was further discussed, and the en gineer placed his plans for the work before the council. He suggested that, the soil from one corner of an estate. jutting on the present line of road, should be purchased, and used to til up the dip and thus enable a straigh* metal road Io be laid down later on when suitable. It. was finally decided that Crs. Scown, Watt, Back and Hur ley with the engineer be a committee with power to act on the matter. .