PIAKO COUNTY.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 18024, 20 May 1930, Page 3

PIAKO COUNTY.

' rv MEETING OF COUNCIL. /Important matters discussed. Cr. W. R. Lowry presided at the 'monthly meeting of the Piako County Council at Te Aroha on Monday, Cra. W H Emett, F. W. Walters, W. o Kennedy, H. Magill, W. Stewart W. McLean and W. F. Stark, also being /present. i A letter was read from the Comimissioner of Transport advising that Mr G. L. Lawrenson, civil engineer to the Department would inspect the county roads prior to classification being approved. I The Postmaster, Hamilton, wrote /stating in regard to a petition :.rom I the Tahuna settlers asking for the ! establishment of a telephone exchange and permanent officer, that the Department is not prepared to grant improved ' facilities at present. Non-Sanction of Loan. In the matter of the proposed Wai-toa-Maukoro road loan, the Local Government Loans Board drew attention to Section 7 of the Act which provides that in the event of the Loans Board declining to sanction an application, no further application in respect f of the same proposals shall be made within a period of twelve months, unless there has been a material change in the circumstances. The Board regrets it cannot reconsider its decision, which was based on the well established principle that maintenance work \ should not be financed out of loan

money. “ The statements made in your letter" regarding the desire of your Council to more evenly distribute the ■burden for rating purposes in the whole district prompt me to suggest that it may be possible to achieve this desire without raising a loan as originally proposed. It is noted that the security rate in connection with the proposed loan, namedly 3d in the £,'would produce £77 14s Bd, equivalent to an average of Gd per acre in the special area. It is stated in the penultimate paragraph of your letter that the ratepayers in the special area are only paying from Is 2d to-2s per acre, so that the additional rating under the above proposal would amount to from Is 8d to 2s Gd per acre,' as against from 7s to 8s per acre payable by the ratepayers in the southern portion. To equalise the rating burden, a rate of 6s per acre could be imposed on the special area in connection with the above loan and if this amount were charged on the area for one year, the sum of approximately: £950 would be realised It is not suggested, however, that such a heavy rate would be equitable, but provision exists in the Counties Amendment Act, 19.2.9, for the levying of a ■special works rate and it is suggested that in-say, two or three years, sufficient could be'realised by way of a special- works rate over the special area to enable the improvement tc the road as now suggested, to be carried out. This would obviate the necessity of raising a loan for the purpose.”

Cr. Kennedy considered the Board had taken up the wrong-attitude.

Cr. Walters stated at least four of the ratepayers ■ would not be prepared to accept the suggestions made.

It was decided to refer the matter to those' interested. / The report of the engineer was adopted. ~ A letter was read from the Woodlands Swamp Amalgamation Committee stating that when the county decides to make the contribution asked for, it he paid to the Mangawara River Board, to be disbursed by that Board in accordance with the directions of this committee.

- Cr. Stark said the drainage works would confer a benefit on the district He proposed a contribution be made. Seconded by Cr. Kennedy and carried

The Petrol Tax.

The Whakatane ■ County* Council •wrote stating that at a conference of the local authorities-in the No. 3 Main Highways District held at Tauranga on 21st. ultimo the following resolutior was carried. “That the Government he urged to increase the petrol tax to such a figure which will enable it to completely finance all future maintenance and construction costs of all primary main highways in a permanent manner.” It desired the Council should co-operate in this matter by making representations to its member of Parliament along the lines indicated. The chairman said they would all agree that the petrol tax • should be increased' and. that the funds be in the hands of the Main Highways Board in which they had the utmost confidence. He thought a portion of the ■fund should be handed over to County Councils for expenditure on the back roads. Cr. Walters thought .the word “primary” could be deleted and thal the tax could be for “ all main highways.” It was decided to support an increase of petrol taxation if applied to all main highways. The Minister of Public Works notified, in regard to Jones and Jansen’s road, that he is unable to agree to. the provision of any Government funds for this road. If the interested settlers are prepared to find an amount of £3OO, the Government would toe justified in assisting to the extent of £l5O £1 for £2. : "W ./ • A copy of the letter had been forwarded to Mr J. P. Hansen, asking if he was prepared to find the necessary £3OO. Steele’s Road. 9 A letter was read from the Minister of Public Works in regard to Steele’s Road, stating the Council’s estimate of £517 to complete this road is a reasonable one. As the formation and metalling of the first mile w>as earned out wholly at the expense of the Council and the settlers the Government would toe justified in providing a £3 to £1 subsidy on the cost of the work now required. It was decided to further the matter on the lines indicated. Mr P. Brewin wrote complaining of the bad state of Hutchinson’s Road, Ifereone. As a ratepayer he requested -the Council’s early attention.—Left to the engineer. A Deputation. Messrs Jones and Jansen attended as a deputation in regard ’to their road. They stated that the settlers had already -contributed considerable amounts. Cr. Walters stated that representations should toe made to the effect that grants to Hauraki Plains roads had always been £1 for £l, and sometimes higher. In a general discussion it was stated that when the Hon. Mr Forbes w'as in the district he appeared to be favourable to the granting of the required amount, £3OO, taking into consideration CContinued in nexJ colnmnJ

the fact of the settlers having contributed large amounts for land and roading, but Mr F. Lye, M.P., had inadvertently asked for £l5O. It w : as decided that £3OO be applied for as the settlers w'ere willing to -find the balance, £l5O. Te Aroha Metal. The Mayor, Mr H. Coulter and Crs. Hedge and Smith attended the meeting to ask the consideration of the Council in the matter of using Te Aroha quarry metal, w'hich had proved so satisfactory for roading purposes. The chairman said this wmuld receive due consideration from the Council and engineer.