MATAMATA COUNTY.

Waikato Times, Volume 103, Issue 17326, 11 February 1928, Page 8

MATAMATA COUNTY.

MEETING OF COUNCIL. ROUTINE BUSINESS. The usual meeting was held at Tirau on Friday, Mr J. W. Anderson presided, and there were also present: —Messrs P. Dee, W. li. Allen, 5. 11. Judd, J. Bruce, H. Roltett, E. J. Darby and G. F. S. Rarton (County clerk). Mr M. E. Fitzgerald (County engineer) was also in attendance. Leave of absene was granted to Messrs K. S. Cox and W. S. Wilson. The chairman, No. 2 District Highways Council, writing re agreement with the County to pay the rates to the Highways Council from lands adjoining the Mamaku section of Hamil-ton-Rotorua highway, asked whether the Council is in a position to make a further contribution. It was also requested that information be forwarded as to what rates had been been levied, the period covered by the rate demands, and the amounts due in respect to each holding, also whether all the rates in which the Highways’ Council is interested have been paid up.

The clerk had replied that the outstanding rates up to March 31, 1927, had been collected. The amount was £47 5s 6d. The rates for the current year amount to £7O 16s 3d, not yet collected.

The reply also stated that it was unfortunate that the board cannot see its way to adopt the Council’s suggestion and accept a fixed annual contribution towards this maintenane, as the course suggested would save a lot of unnecessary correspondene. It is done in the case of the Kaimai Road, and it is difflult to imagine why the Mamaku Road cannot be dealt with in the same manner.

It was decided that the amount collected be forwarded.

Messrs Lewis and Dallimore notified that the proclamation legalising the taking of land for the Kaiapiro Gorge deviation road and closing the old road had been Gazetted. The closed roads comprised 5 acres 2 roods 36.4 perches, which is to go to Richard Ireland in exhange, and 7 acres representing the unformed road which leads down to the Waikato River, and is to be vested in the Crown as owner of the rifle range reserve. —Received.

Destruction of Bridge. Mr J. E. Makgill, representing the settlers In the Oriepunga part of Maungatautari, drew attention to the fact that the diversion of the Waikato River had destroyed the crossing over the Waili stream, which had been made by the settlers interested as a means of getting to Arapuni, Putatara, Te Awamutu, etc. A new road had been proposed, and the settlers requested that the Council take the matter up and endeavour to get the Public Works Department to give at least as efficient an oullct as that which has been taken in the course of their works. The'old road was in the Matamata County, but the new crossing and part of the new road is in the Waipa County. The engineer explained the position regarding the different routes. The Public Works Department themselves mado use of the settlers’ bridge, and would have had to erect one had there beep none there. Cr. Judd stated that a new bridge would cost £750, and a side cutting would have to be provided

A lengthy discussion followed. anJ it was agreed that the Public Works Department be approached with a view of granting relief to the settlers.

At the last meeting of the Council a number of questions were submitted by the Farmers’ Union regarding the control of main roads. Some of the questions were considered rather vague, and further information was asked for.

In his reply the secretary replied that in regard to classification of'Counties and road boards, the third question amounts to an enquiry as to whether the present Counties are of a suitable size in view of modern developments. The question of one direct audit appears to be justified by replies received. At present there are as many as three audits of the same accounts. Regarding standards of roading, metalling, bridging, the question seems quite clear. Is the Council satisfied with the present standards on these items?

The clerk was instructed to reply that the opinion of the Council was that the Counties in this locality were about the right size, though in some of the southern portions County areas may be on the small side. Also the Council was of the opinion that road boards should be abolished. Regarding audits, the Council knows of only one audit. On the question of standardisation of road and bridge work, the Council is satisfied with the present Public Works Department standards.

General.

An appeal was received from the Mayor of Wellington, requesting, the council to give publicity to the effort being made to raise funds for the benefit of the relatives of the aviators Captain Hood and Lieut. Moncrieff. —Councillors considered that it was of little use to issue subscription lists on Cr. Judd’s motion, it was agreed to donate £lO to the fund on behalf of the ratepayers. A petition forwarded by Mr A. H. Dukeson, dealing with the back Lichfield road, was left to the clerk and engineer to reply to. Mr H. E. Salter, Waharoa, was granted permission to erect a benzine pump opposite his premises. A letter from Mr F. Rose, Tirau, complained of the dust nuisance in the Tirau shops, which had been accentuated by the large number of sheep driven througli and grazed on local roads. Mr Rose asked if an alternative stock route could not be provided.—The clerk was instructed to reply that Mr Rose had the council's sympathy in the matter, which was due largely to the exceptionally dry weather. Unfortunately there was no alternative route, and the council had no power to prevent sheep grazing on the roads under proper control. The county traffic inspector, in his report, referred to the high speed of some of the heavy motor vehicles on the county roads, and requested that he be supplied with a stop-watch.— Councillors generally deplored the damage done to roads by high speeds, and it was considered that it was time a county speed limit was imposed. It was stated that in all probability, the new regulations, fixing the maximum speed throughout the Dominion at 35 miles per hour, would be gazetted shortly, so action was deferred in the meantime.

Gr. Darby drexv attention to the danger to traffic on the hill at Arapuni, between the low level bridge and the dam. The speaker pointed out that the road was very narrow, with a drop of over 100 feet. This road had not been intended for heavy trafflo. He

moved that it be a recommendation to the P.W.D. to complete the approaches to the carriage-way over the dam, and to enable the traffic to avoid the hill. —Agreed to. A deputation consisting of Messrs Fitness, Moore, Clement and Murray (Te Papa settlement) was introduced by Cr .Dee. The deputation requested that the road to their properties be sanded before next winter.—The engineer read the terms of a previous agreement regarding the work, under which the settlers themselves would assist, and a satisfactory arrangement was entered into, details being left to Cr. Dee and the engineer. On the recommendation of the works committee tenders were accepted as follows:—Contract 106, J. Ross, 5s per yard; 109, J. kinnear, 2s 5d per yard; 110, J. W. Ross, 5s 6d per yard; 111, Kinnear, 3s lid per yard.