MATAMATA COUNTY.

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 15185, 10 March 1923, Page 8

MATAMATA COUNTY.

— MEETING OF COUNCIL. The Malamata County Council met veslmlav. There were present the 'chairman (Mr J. W. Anderson), and firs. 11. HnllclL, R. A. Bent, S- H. -fudd, .). p. Kecley, C. A. Rlopford, W. HalI on, R. C. Ranks, .1. R. West, 11. Row is (clerk), and F. Shannon (engineer). Thames Harbour Improvement. The clerk reported tliai the meeting of delegates of the various bodies opposed to the above poll, convened for the purpose of arranging the host manner in which to combat same, was held at Morrinsville. Messrs J. Price (Matamala Town Board), R. Coulter (Te Aroha Borough). McMillan (Turua Town Board), Bell and Glynn (Piako County Council), Silcoclc (Paeroa), himself (Malamata County Council), and others were present. All the local bodies present, with the exception of Morrinsville (converted), voiced their opposition to the inclusion of their respective districts in the proposed rating area. Opinion was divided re the advisability of sending out circulars. A delegation consisting of Messrs Coulter, Price, McMillan, Silcock and McGregor was formed for the purpose of addressing meetings in various parts of the province. In conclusion, he said that 75 per cent, of the ratepayers on the Hauraki Plains were opposed to the scheme, and the oppositionists were looking to the Malamata County to pull it through by a bulk vote. The chairman was deputed to attend the meetings as arranged, and if unable to do so to appoint a delegate to act in his stead.

Complaint re Rabbit Board. Mr A, Vineert, Lichfield, wrote re the newly-formed rabbit board. He said that he. likewise others, opposed the board some two years ago, and he understood that the matter had been dropped for all lime. It seems, he said, that someone has gone lo work behind our backs and got ahead of us. He explained that the board, having rating powers up lo Is per acre, would mean to him £BS per annum. He did 'not believe there were 85 rabbits on his place. (Laughter.) He asked the Council for advice re the best means to take to oppose the formation in order to get out of their “ruinous clutches,” or else, he said, ‘Hhese Development Board cranks at Pularuru will have all the land produces taken for rates.” (Laughter.) The clerk replied that his Council was unable lo assist in the matter. The power lo obtain such board can only be obtained, however, by the consent of the majority of the ratepayers concerned. The rating power is then obtained by petition of one-tenth of them petitioning that a rate per acre be levied. Motor Registration. .The officer in charge Department of Overseas Trade asked for the number of motor-cars, motor-cycles and motor vehicles registered in the district during the year ended December 31, 1922. The clerk advised that 33 motors, 7 motor-cycles, and 3 motor-lorries had been registered. Heavy Traffic Licensing. In reply lo the clerk's enquiry whether the Cambridge Borough Council has any knowledge regarding the furthering of the proposal “that the Cambridge Borough Council shall control the issuing of licenses in respect of heavy traffic radiating from the Cambridge Borough,” the clerk (Cambridge Board) stated that objections were raised by the Leamington Town District Board and the Waipa County Council to the control by his Council and that the matter has Jn consequence not been proceeded with. Cr. Judd considered the matter should be proceeded 'with. —On the motion of the chairman the clerk was instructed to communicate with the Waipa County Council asking if that Council was favourable and, if not, the reasons for their opposition. Karapiro Bridge.

The town clerk, Cambridge Borough Council (directed by bis council), expressed their appreciation of the excellent way in which the repairs to Karapiro bridge have been carried out. Their satisfaction, he concluded, is enhanced by the extremely moderate cost of the work. —Received. Tokoroa War Memorial. The clerk, writing to the AuditorGeneral, stated that various grants during 1920 were voted by his Council to proposed memorials in different ridings. In respect to one riding the I vote has been partly paid in instalments and application is now made for final payment. He enquired if the payment was still valid. In reply the Auditor-General stated that if the war memorial in question lias been duly authorised in accordance with law, the audit office is of opinion the Council can validly pay a promised contribution thereto, at any time. —Received. A Tokoroa Request. In reply to the request of Mr W. A. E. Leonard that the Council open up the 'Paraonui road, Tokoroa, the clerk informed the writer that, in view of the shortage of funds of the riding concerned, the present requirements of the locality do not warrant the great expenditure that would be entailed in opening tiie road referred to. In reply to the above Mr Leonard wrote: “What is required urgently by the settlers is a road over which stock can be driven. You will be able to form your own opinion as to the ‘great expenditure’ that would be entailed in opening the road, in the writer’s opinion the only expenditure which the Council need incur is that of arranging with the owners of the adjoining land to fence the road after the route has been surveyed by the Council’s engineer. “I shall be glad,” he concluded, “to hear if this difficulty can be overcome or whether the Council have determined to abandon the road altogether.”—The clerk to advise Ihc writer that the Council cannot force, and to explain that the first move should be made by the owners of the properties concerned. Putaruru-Tokoroa Loan. The clerk announced the result of the Pularuru district road-metalling poll for £IO,OOO, as under: —Putaruru, for Gl, against 23, informal 2; PukeLurua, for 21, against nil, informal 1; Lichfield, for 7, against 17; Waotu, for 1, against 9. Total, for 90, against 49, informal 3. He reported that Ihc number of votes was seven in excess of Ihc threeJifihs required. The poll was therefore declared carried. Roads Through Waotu South. The chief surveyor, Department Lands and Survey, advised ■ that a movement is afoot to have Ihc above roads proclaimed under the Native hand Amendment Act, and asked (a) if the Council consider Hi road necessary fur Ihc selliemenl of the district, (h) if i| is in use, and ■■'<;) if any public, money has been spenl on any part of ihc roads. — The engineer and hr. I Belli were deputed In inspect, the route i and report a! next meeting. Conforonco re Taxi Licenses. ! The clerk was instructed to advise the Matarnata Town Hoard that the I conference regarding laxi licenses will be held at Matarnata on the 10th Inst.

Thanks. Mr W. 11. Walker ihanked the Couni**| for ilicir consideration in meo.ling 5D per -30111■ o!' llic medical expenses incurred through liis son meeting will! an accident caused through his horse shying at one of the Council's locomolives. —Received. t Penalty on Rates. It was resolved to enforce Die 10 per cent, penalty on all outstanding rates, same to take effect as from 21th March next. I Finance. Accounts amounting lo £BB.I os lid were passed for paymenl. Ranger’s Report. The ranger, Mr M. W. .lordan, reported that visits had been made during the monlh to the following places: The Peria, Waolu road, Ilinuera (2), Putaruru (3), Ovcrdale, To Pol (2), llorahora, Mal.amala (2),.Taihoa road, Waioma, and Tepapa. In respect to the mill at Ilinuera, the ranger reported that he had advised the owners re royalty, and they desired to know whether limber sold to settlers and carted by them is free from royalty or otherwise. In conclusion lie advised that he had stopped Patterson’s tractor. —The clerk to advise the ranger that timber sold to and carted by settlers is exempt and that carted by contractors is subject to royalty. General. The Public Works Department advised having remitted £132 in respect to work done under the following grants: Matarnata-Tauranga i.Matamala end) £232, and Kaimai £2OO. — ReceivedIt was resolved to continue to exempt the Salvation Army property from payment of rates provided work equivalent in value was effected to the road bounding their property.