PATANGATA COUNTY

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXIX, Issue 89, 10 April 1934, Page 5

PATANGATA COUNTY

Council's Monthly Meeting HELD THIS MORNING. GENERAL MATTERS DISCUSSED. The monthly meeting of the Patangata County Council was held this morning Cr. C. Pattison (chairman), presiding over the following members: —Crs. R. H. White, A. W. S. Longley, C. R. Edgecombe, E. T. Wilder, A. McCaffin, E. C. Nation, W. T. Kittow, H. Parsons and J. D. Ormond (junr.) . The clerk (Mr J. W. Elliott) and the engineer (Mr J. C. McLauchlan) were in attendance. River Obstructions. Cr. Kittow reported that> with the engineer he had inspected the Waipukurau River, and agreed with.-the Waipawa River Board that something should be done to remove obstructions, in order to prevent the river overflowing into the Waipawa river, and safeguard the neighbouring country. He did not think it would be a big job. It was left to Crs. Kitow and White to go into the matter with the River Board. Heavy Traffic Fees. Advice was received that all the local authorities in the No. 5 Heavy Traffic District had agreed to the disposal of license fees for the year ended March 31, 1933, in accordance with the arrangement previously communicated. The Napier Borough Council, however, considered that there should be some review of the basis of allocation of the fees for the’ 1933-34 year. •

“So we’re not out of the soup yet,’’ remarked Or. White, referring to the latter clause. . The letter was received. Harbour Board Loan Poll. “At an early date the'Napier Harbour Board is taking a poll of ratepayers in regard to improving harbour facilities at the port of Napier, and in view of the importance of this question to the people of Hawke's Bay I am taking the opportunity of inviting delegations of local body representatives and ratepayers to make tours of inspection of the harbour works so that they may see for themselves the existing conditions and have explained the plans which have been submitted by the board’s advisors for future development,” wrote Mr T. M. Geddes, chairman of the board, inviting the council and any ratepayers it might ask to attend to make a tour of inspection at a convenient date. The chairman said that Mr Jull had suggested that the three county councils (Waipukurau, Waipawa and Patangata) should pay a visit of inspection together.

Cr. White said he thought the suggestion a very good one, and it was decided to ascertain what size party could be handled so that ratepayers who wished to attend could be invited to do so. On the receipt of further advice by telephone later, it was decided to try to arrange a suitable date for the three county councils to pay a visit, a separate day to be arranged for the ratepayers, if desired. State Advances Liability. The Waitomo County Council wrote asking whether the council would be prepared to assist if a case were undertaken to test the liability of the State Advances Department for the payment of rates as mortgagee of freehold lands. It was decided to reply that, although the council was sympathetic, it was not prepared to contribute toward the cost of a test case, as it considered the chance of the case succeeding was too slender. It was in favour, however, of legislation being introduced to make the department definitely liable. Earthquake Damage. “Government is considering the question of finance by way of loans on easy terms to repair earthquake damage in necessitous cases,” said a telegram received from the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister of Finance. “For the purpose of preliminary consideration please furnish within seven days an estimate of the amount required in your district for this purpose, so that ways and means may be investigated.” • A subsequent letter stated that those residents who were in a position to repair the damage themselves,

or who could obtain finance for the purpose, would be expected to do so. The engineer stated that as the damage at Porangahau was comparatively small per house, being practically confined to chimneys, he did not think it likely that any ratepayers would require loans. Or, .White said that the move had no doubt arisen from the needs of Pahiatua, and he did not think there would be much chance of getting a loan for a small job such as repairs to a chimney. The letter was received. New Traffic Bridge. Referring in his report to the new Waipukurau traffic bridge, the engineer said: “The driving of a series of test piles, six in number, was completed last month, the indications being rather similar throughout, the pile driven between the first test piles going to a depth of 20 feet or sft. below the original test piles. It has now been decided to drive 25ft. piles for the first five piers (across the river) and 16ft. piles for the balance provided conditions remain as shown by the tests. The contractors are now driving the piles in pier B, and no further delays are expected.

In reply to the chairman, the engineer said that the new arrangements for the piles and the driving of test piles would probably increase the total cost of the bridge about £5OO. The chairman remarked that it was the Public Works Department’s “funeral,” as the department had been responsible for the driving of the original test piles, and had refused to take extra tests, in spite of the advice of the council’s engineer.