TE PAHU.

Waikato Times, Volume 96, Issue 15356, 3 October 1923, Page 6

TE PAHU.

Meeting of Ratepayers. A meeting of ratepayers of the Pirongia riding, convened by Mr H. Haddock, was held in the Te Pahu Hall on Saturday evening last. About 75 per cent of ratepayers were present and Mr I. Arthur was voted to the chair. Messrs Campbell Johnstone (chairman of the Raglan County Council), M. J. Corcoran (Pirongia riding) and K. M. Wright (engineer) were in attendance by invitation. The chairman said the object of the meeting was to enquire what was to be done concerning the main road to Whatawhata, it being in a bad state of repair. He requested Mr Johnstone to explain what was to be done in the matter of maintenance to the road.

Mr Johnstone said he would like to hear what the complaint was before addressing the gathering. The reason why more was not done to the road was simply N.S.F. If the ratepayers desired better roads then a higher rate would be necessary or a fresh loan applied for. Mr Haddock: We want to know why we are paying £SOO a year for an engineer who allows such dirty metal to be put on the road. It was two streaks of clay on each side of the road. Mr Marsh (the contractor) had told him the metal was no good. Mr Marsh: In conversation with Mr Haddock I said the quality of the metal could be better; but did not say it was no good. Mr Follett: Just as well get clay off the side of the road! Mr Haddock: It would be cheaper I Mr Wright (engineer) said the pit was not all that could be desired, but he differed from Mr Haddock that the metal was as inferior as mentioned. He had had all the big stones napped and the best had been done under the circumstances. Funds were the chief trouble.

Cr. Corcoran mentioned that his riding had an overdraft of £3OO, and metal, he understood, was unprocurable elsewhere. The pit was a difficult one to work, being very patchy, and he was sure the contractor had done his best. The road was worn right through to the clay in places, and something had to be done urgently. The metal, though not as good as it might be, was not as bad as it was-made out.

Mr Grey: If it is the main road to Hamilton that is under discussion, there is very little to complain about. They bad only to cross the Tc Rore bridge into Ihe Waipa County and then they would know what bad roads w’ere. If we have come heie to grumble about the main road, I am sorry I came and would sooner be in my bed.

Mr Haddock complained that the watertables had not been cleaned out, and said that the flood-water had scoured the metal off the road. More damage was done in this manner than by heavy motor traffic. Mr Johnstone: You have called this meeting because you think you have a .grievance and you growl, growl,

growll told you L.a.d. has been the cause of the trouble.

The engineer said he had put on two men with horses and plough to dean out the watertables.

Mr Budden: Would not the grader be better?

The engineer: No; by using the grader the spoil from the watertables would be deposited on the metal. Mr Haddock asked if the screenings, put on the Karamu Road could not be blinded with clay, as it cut the motor tyres.

The engineer said by blinding with clay the screenings would not set so well.

Mr Johnstone (to Mr Haddock): I would like to know what you want. Just now you complained of the metal in the Pirongia riding having too much clay in it, and now you want clay on to blind the screenings in the Karamu riding. Now tell us what you do want I Mr Haddock asked Mr Johnstone why he had not put a wing on the Kaniwhaniwha bridge as promised two years ago—it was dangerous.

Mr Johnstone said he authorised it to be done, but the previous engineer did not carry out the work.

The chairman asked Mr Johnstone how much he intended spending on the upkeep of the main road in the Karamu riding this season. Mr Johnstone: About £2OO. Mr Marx asked the engineer the probable cost of the upkeep of the roads.

The engineer: Roughly £7O per mile,

Mr Marsh said he considered 33 i-3 per cent rather a severe levy inflicted on the Pirongia riding for the use of the portion of the road in the Karamu riding.

M Haddock thought it would be better if the ridings were split up more evenly, as the Pirongia riding was too heavily taxed for the use of the Karamu Road.

Mr Johnstone: Oh. you want to get, into my fold, do you? Mr Haddock: No; not that I We are paying too much. Messrs Currie, Patterson, Fountaine, Clark and Grey requested that something be done to the by-roads leading to their property. Cr. Corcoran said he would have £SBO to expend this season, as against an overdraft last year, and all roads would receive attention. Several new' bridges had put his riding in arrears last season.

It was resolved, on the motion of Messrs Haddock and Budden: “That the Pirongia and Karamu ridings be merged into one riding and that Cr. Corcoran be requested to bring the matter up at the next meeting of the Council.” A vote of thanks to the visitors for their attendance and to the chairman terminated the meeting. School Committee Meeting.

The monthly meeting of the Kara-mu-Te Pahu School Committee was held last week. Present: Messrs T. A. Marsh (chairman), H. Haddock, C. Follett and R. Livingstone.

Before proceeding with the ordinary business, the chairman moved a vote of condolence to Mrs Strong and family in their recent bereavement. Mr I. Arthur was proposed a member of the committee vice Mr Strong (deceased). The new Te Pahu school was taken possession of after the holidays. The official opening has not yet taken place, but a request has been made to the Minister of Education for same. Application has been made to the Board of Education to ground cleaned up, as it is much overrun with gorse.