WAIKATO COUNTY.

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 17836, 8 October 1929, Page 8

WAIKATO COUNTY.

THE MONTHLY MEETING

ANOTHER DRAINAGE PROBLEM. EUREKA SETTLERS’ DEPUTATION. The Waikato County Council met in Hamilton to-day, the chairman, Mr T. Hinton, presiding. Also present were: Crs. J. A. Sampson, G. M. Watt, D. P. Laird, T. Procter. G. Smith, and T. H. Henderson, and Messrs T. B. Insoll (clerk; and A. A. Woodward (engineer). A deputation headed by Mr T. Thompson, chairman of the Eureka Drainage Board, waited on the council urging the removal of silt from Coleman's Creek.

Mr Thompson said many ratepayers were interested in Coleman's Creek in the Matangi-Eureka district, which now affected the outfall for the Eureka district. A tremendous amount of sand and gravel was being carried down the creek to the lower reaches and causing trouble. The creek was silting up at a very fast rate and would hinder the drainage of the whole area if it were not dealt with scon. The Eureka Board was not in a position to undertake relief work and wished the council to take over 1 the creek. The water from the Fencourt area was really causing the damage. Mr ,T. Ranstead said the area was an old gully, and the farms on Lie edge were not affected. It was the people at the lower end of the stream who were suffering. The only outlet to his farm was now blocked, and the position was growing worse. Mr Thompson said a year ago representations were made for a commission to consider the matter when the Fencourt Board refused assistance, hut the Eureka Board had been unable to finance a commission, which was stated by the Government to cost £SO. Ratepayers not in the Eureka area were chiefly affected.

Commission Advocated. Mr F. A. Swarbrick said under the Land Drainage Act the control and management of the watercourse was under the Waikato County. Some time ago the cost of works was divided between the Hautapu, Fencourt and Eureka Boards, but since then the Hautapu and Fencourt Boards had increased their works to the detriment of those lower down the stream. The solution of the problem would be foi one of the local authorities to ask the Government to appoint a commission to apportion the cost of the work at the lower end of the creek below the bridge. Apparently the upper part «'t tli e creek was satisfactory. Naturally Fencourt and Hautapu were not concerned and did not wish lo bear any expense, lie believed the cost of a commission, mentioned at £3O, was exaggerated. Usually* a magistrate could settle the question and assessors were not necessary. If something were not done to clear the creek soon the bridge would he endangered. It was not fair that the Eureka Board or the Waikato County should each bear the whole cost. There should be a commission and the cost divided between the four local bodies. Mr Hinton considered it was not fair if the county’s share of the cost came from the general fund. Mr N. G. Cribble said the matter was very complicated. The drainage of Tauwhare and Waitakaruru were involved in the same schemes. The Government had pointed out that two commissions vvere necessary, and there would have to be three comnnssioners oil each. It was agreed to dcfor the matter until a commission sat when it would deal with the whole matter. He considered the willows were primarily responsible for the blockage. The county had neglected to clear the willows. Cr. Procter said the whole council should visit the area and make recommendations. , Asked what the cost of remedying the position would he, Mr Grihble haul coo would have met it some time ago. Another £4O wisely expended would do a great deal there, wiiile £IOO would place the stream in a position lo maintain it for all time. (Jr. Henderson moved that a deputation of the council visit the district to meet the settlers with the object of finding out the works necessary. The deputation expressed its satisfaction at this proposal. The motion was carried, the inspection to take place at 10 a.m. next Friday. Te Kauwhata Town Area.

The agreement with the To Kauwhata Town Board providing for the county control of the main highway and the board’s control of the hall and for various other matters of administration in the district was formally approved and the necessary resolution carried. Request for Re-Classification.

Messrs Strang and Taylor, writing on behalf of clients, asked for a reclassification of the Tu KauwhataWaerenga Hoad to allow a motor lorry weighing over four tons to traverse the road. The case for the applicants was advanced by Mr D Arcy Smith, who waited on the council on behalf of Messrs Strang and Taylor. Mr Smith said a large amount of goods was carried to many settlers on this road, and the council had to study the requirements of its ratepayers. The engineer said lorry drivers had ruined the road of late years by carrying excessive weights. He advocated the replacement of heavy lorries with light ones. It was decided not to accede to the request.

Sinking Funds on Short Loans. The AVaitemata County Council forwarded a petition sent to the Minister of Finance protesting against the heavy sinking funds required for short period loans. It was hard to obtain the approval of ratepayers to a loan when extra rating was neccssry through a heaw sinking fund, and it was thought posterity should pay a little more than allowed by the board. Regarding many of the by-roads which are not subject to heavy trailic it was considered that the full term of 30* years should be allowed, as there are many roads in the country to-day which are by-roads metalled 30 years ago and which- are still in a good state of preservation. It was resolved to support the protest and opinions voiced.

Dangerous Bridge. The Mangatangi Ratepayers’ Association wrote drawing attention to the Canoe Creek bridge, and asking the council to approach the Franklin County Council to have the bridge rebuilt. It is now highly dangerous to trathe ai.d is crossed daily by heavy cream lorries. It was decided to refer the letter to the Franklin County Council, tContinued in next column.)

Other Matters. The Health Department forwarded instructions for minimising the mosquito menace. —The communication was received. A donation of £2 2s was made to the Workers’ Educational Association. A motion of sympathy was pass-id with the relatives of the late Mr G. Donaldson t foreman of the Whangjmarino Riding of the county.