PIAKO COUNTY.

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 15999, 30 May 1924, Page 5

PIAKO COUNTY.

MEETING OF COUNCIL. At the Piako County Council annual meeting at Tc Aroha on Wednesday, Cr. W. F. Walters presiding, a report was made on a visit to Taranaki in the interest of tar-scaled roading schemes. Cr. Walters said that he had very carefully inspected the various samples of road-making. He was satisfied that tar-sealed roads are very satisfactory. In conversation with many representative farmers, although there is always a feeling of discontent where the payment of rates arc concerned, not one is inclined to revert to the old order of things. Mr Walters called on Crs Kennedy and Lowry, other members who visited Taranaki, to give their views.

Cr. Kennedy said he accepted only first-hand information regarding tarsealed road-making schemes. He ascertained that a 15ft road would cost £2500 per mile, and for the first two or three years a maintenance bill of £l5O per mile was required. He is now of opinion that the time has arrived when tar-sealed roads must be put down in the Piako County. They had heard of the obsolete system of road-making in vogue in our county, but he was satisfied that the Piako system was equal, if not better, than any he had inspected. The difference between Taranaki and Piako is that the former has been established for 60 years, and therefore there is a wellestablished foundation for fill roads; while on the other hand the roads in the Piako County are not much more than 10 years old. He ascertained that the cost in Taranaki for bitumen roads was from 5s to 10s per acre. Cr. Lowry said he had not only inspected roads in Taranaki, but in other parts of New Zealand. Tar-sealed roads in the Piako required a heavy foundation of metal, probably to the extent of 12 inches of metal, and the cost would probably exceed per mile, and then there is the upkeep on top. That is a most important point that must not be overlooked. Auckland people are putting down concrete from one end to the other. At first he was not inclined to advocate concrete, but he had now altered his mind. He urged in the direction of .in estimate being obtained of a 10ft concrete road between Te Aroha and Hamilton. He would hesitate before putting

down a tar-sealed road in this county. When you ta.x at 10s per acre farmers are unable to -pay it. The chairman said that although a farmer at Manaia is paying 10s per acre, the adjoining county, Eliham, an the same valuation, paid only 5s per acre. Eltham had been a far-seeing body and had gone in for consolidation of roads.

Proposed Council Chambers. Subject to notice of motion, Cr. Kennedy moved that the council take steps to purchase a section of land on which to erect a council chamber. He said he had inspected several sites which would be suitable. At present the council is paying £175 in rent, for which they are getting practically nothing. Te Aroha is the natural centre, for most of the biggest works arc in its vicinity. Then there is the

water carriage. It was estimated that a building would cost £2500. Cr. Lowry considered the proposition required very serious consideration. On Cr. Kennedy’s figures it would involve an annual expenditure of £313 per year, against the £173 at present paid lie admitted that the present. arangemcnt is of little benefit. Po far as water carriage is concerned, it only affects Waiorongomai, and that place would soon be a thing of the past, as it is already a “white plephant.” From a geographical poin! of view Waitoa is the natural coni re, and failing that. Morrinsviilc is the centre. He could have a chamber built there for £2OOO. He predicted another serious slump, and thereforj public bodies would be acting wisely in regard to their expenditure. If the council overlooked that point then he

would favour it being built at Morrinsville. Cr. Hughes seconded Cr. Kennedy’s proposal. Cr. Stark opposed the suggestion, and was sure the ratepayers would not favour it at the present time. Cr. McLean also contended that it would not be wise to go in for a loan at present. At the same time, he would say that Tc Aroha is right out of the county. Cr. Whitechurch did not favour placing a proposal to bororw money for a council chamber. He was sure it would be defeated. The chairman considered that re Aroha was the centre for a council chamber; but he did not feel inclined to support the proposal at the present time. The motion wvas put and lost, the voting being—For, Crs. Kennedy, Hughes, and Orr; against, the chairman and Crs. LowTy Stark, and McLean. Election of Chairman. Before vacating the chair, Cr. Walters gave a resume of the .vork of the council during the past year. Crs. Stark and Kennedy paid a com - pliment to Cr. Walters for his very capable occupancy of the chair. A vote of thanks to Cr. Walters was carried by acclamation. Mr Walters thanked his colleagues for their expression of appreciation of his efforts. It was encouraging to him to further extend his tnergy in the interests of the council.

The chair was occupied r>y Mr O. Gilchrist, acting-clerk. Cr. Dowry proposed that Cr. Walters be rc-eleted. In doing so, Cr. Lowry said that Mr Walters had carried out his duties in a most impartial and fair manner. His whole interest went in the direction of a fair deal to the ratepayers. Cr. Walters was very well qualified (0 occupy the chair. Cr. Orr seconded. The motion was carried by acclamation.

In , returning thanks, f’r Walters thanked the members for ’heir, decision. lie must say he felt like oceuthe chair for another year in order to straighten out one or two matters that required his attention, lie would give Hie ratepayers a fair deal —he had no time for anything e's '. tie would give the council even greater attention during the next twelve months. (Loud applause.) Engineer’s Report. -The engineer, Mr A. J. Gibbs, in his annual report comprehensively reviewed the works carried out in the various ridings of the county during the past, year. In connection with special works for the coming year Mr Gibbs furnished the following schedule : Tahuna Riding—Tahuna-Ohinewai road-forming and metalling, £5400; Mniungawhara Road, £1250; Maukoro deviation, £7500; Piako bridge approaches, £750; Tahuna-Palctongn Road, £2100; proposed bridge and approaches, £2600; total, £19,600. Morrinsville Riding—'Main road, £1200; Ruranui roads, £4000; proposed Ilangawera road metalling, £4000; total, £9200. Kjwitahi Riding—Roach’s road metalling, £2000; 'Starkey’s road metalling, £800; Kiwilahi roads. £13,150; Piako bridge, £400; total, £16,350. Walton Riding-r-Walton East,

£5000; Wairerc, £600; Walton Central £7300; Piakoiti Valley Road, £3000; Hutchinson's Road, £2000; total, £IB,BOOO. Manawaru Riding ilunahunga loan, £13,000 (Wardville road £2OOO, Alexander Road £4500, Waghorn’s Road £3OOO, Stanley Road £3500) ; total, £13,000. Waihou Riding—Elstow, £3550; Ngarua, £11,300; Mikkelscn’s Road, £1100; concrete road, £6000; total, £21,050. Waitoa Riding—No. 8 road, £700; No. 1 road, £12,200; Eastport road, £1700; Bailey’s road bridge, £500: total £15,100. Te Aroha Riding—Wairakau bridge, £600; Wairerc, £150; total £750. The estimated number of cubic yards of metal required for the year was given as follows:—Tahuna 2100, Morrinsville 12,000, Kiwitahi 15,000, Walton 16,500, Manawaru 18,000, Waihou 16,800, Waitoa S3O; total, 107,600 cubic yards.