PIAKO COUNTY.

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 17848, 22 October 1929, Page 11

PIAKO COUNTY.

MEETING OF COUNCIL. BURDEN ON RATEPAYERS. Cr. W. R. Lowry presided at the monthly meeting of the Piako County Council on Monday, Crs. \V. H. Emett, F. W. Walters, W. C. Kennedy, w. Stewart, W. F.'Stans, W. McLean and H Magill being present. The Waitemata County Council wrote asking the council to endorse a letter sent to the Minister of Finance and the Local Government Loans Board regarding the extra burden cast upon ratepayers by the imposition of a heavier rate, necessitated by a heavy sinking fund, in respect of short-period loans. The chairman said he considered the Waitemata County was quite within its rights to protest against' short-period loans, and other councillors coincided in this view.—The letter was received.

The special order in connection with McLaren’s road loan was confirmed. A letter was received from Mr G. A. Fromm, asking permission to erect a fence 3ft clear of the gum-trees along his boundary on Hutchinson’s road, Walton, to allow him to cope with blackberry and other noxious weeds.— Permission granted. It was resolved that a poll of ratepayers be taken on the loan proposal for Valley Road. Spread of Gorse. The Morrinsville Farmers’ Union drew attention to the rapid growth of gorse along the roads of the district where certain shingle has been dumped, and suggesting that steps be taken to clear any patches of this weed upon the roads. It was decided to instruct the foreman to grub out any gorse on the roadside.

Applications were received from A. W. Johnson and W. Howard, of Wai-to-a, for billiard-saloon licenses.—The clerk stated the council had no jurisdiction over billiard-saloon licenses, and the letter was ordered to be received.

Cr. Kennedy thought an indication should be given to the applicants as to whether the council had any objection to the erection of billiard-rooms, while Cr. Walters was of the opinion that when it became known that the council had no jurisdiction the settlers could take the matter up if they thought lit. Riding Balances. The following were noted as the riding balances at September 30:—Walton, cr, £677 :16s Id; Kiwitahi, cr, £lll7 4s 2d; Morrinsville, cr, £2027 10s; Waitoa, cr, £1389 18s Jod; Waihou, cr. £1442 15s id; Tc Aroha, cr, £584 12s iOd; Manawaru, cr, £521 14s 3d; Tahuna, dr, £725 2s 7d. Engineer’s Report. The engineer reported that maintenance as usual had been -carried on through the -month.' The dry weather had enabled grading to be done earlier than usual this spring, and a fair mileage of clay roads had consequently had attention.

BAILEY’S BRIDGE.

A SUCCESSFUL TEST. After the council meeting the councillors proceeded to witness a test of the stability of Bailey’s Bridge, which last month proved the subject of a deputation’s visit to the council. A lorry with a maximum weight, the vehicle included, of 13 tons was used for the purposes of the test. The give was seven-eighths of an inch, hut the proper position of the bridge was immediately resumed, while only a slight vibration was felt.

Satisfaction was expressed at the lest being successful, and on resuming- the council meeting later the chairman said it was a pity that ratepayers should come to the council to make complaints in regard to the stability of a structure without any evidence. The matter was one only of public suspicion. The bridge had been constructed on standard lines, and the council should have been able to inform the deputation that it was fully prepared to stand by the engineer. The matter of cost had been complained of by the deputation, but he could -say that the engineer's estimate had been £370, while on going into the various items it had been found that the cost was £3BO. At the last meeting £447 had been voted as the cost, but various items had been wrongly included. The bridge had been constructed much more cheaply than would otherwise have been the case through the engineer securing Arst-class timber at a second-class price. The main timber was from the old Te Aroha bridge, while the piles were of concrete. What was required was a bridge suitable for all local trafAc, and the structure certainly fulfilled this requirement. Cr. Kennedy resented the chairman’s opinion that a deputation should not come along to the council on such a subject unless it had evidence. They had just as much evidence as the chairman had, and were therefore perfectly justified in their action; £447 had been quoted as the cost of Hie bridge, which was now reduced to £3BO. If advantage had been taken of the Government subsidy a better bridge would have been erected. The steel in the piles had been charged up at £6 per ton, while the engineer had stated the actual cost, was £lB per ton. lie (the speaker) had had experience in bridge building for many years, and characterised the bridge as a flimsy one. lie was called to order by the chairman, who said that day’s test had amply proved its stability. Cr. Walters said the bridge was required to suit the requirements of the locality, and would do this. Cr. Kennedy still contended the structure was not a satisfactory one, and so long as he represented the ratepayers of Walhou he would state his opinions at all times, even if they were not in accord with the chairman, clerk, or engineer.