MATAMATA COUNTY.

Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18229, 17 January 1931, Page 7

MATAMATA COUNTY.

MEETING OF COUNCIL. HIGHWAY BOARD’S VISIT. IMPORTANT MATTERS DISCUSSED. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Matamata Council was held at Tirau on Friday. Present: Crs. Anderson (chairman), Allen, Bruce, Cox, Dee, Moir, Morris, Nickle and Wilson, Fitzgerald, engineer and Beck, clerk. The consent to the raising of the Waitete Road Loan, of £SOO, by Order-in-Council, was received and aresolution was carried to raise the loan. ! The Commissioner of Transport thought the council’s interpretation of the Motor Vehicles Regulations in relation to the Motor Vehicles Act is incorrect. It would 'be advisable, to await the revised set of regulations before taking further action. It is anticipated these will be circulated in draft form early in the New Year. The Highways Board representative advised that members of the board would be in Hamilton on Wednesday, February 4, and would be pleased to meet members of the council. The chairman and engineer were deputed to attend- i

In regard to the unemployed subsidy the Public Works district engineer acknowledged receipt of the council’s letter that it would not take up any work on terms of conditions quoted. It was decided to join up with the Town Planning Institute. On behalf of the Putaruru Town Board, Mr A. 11. Dukeson, wrote asking that the council make the recent grant of £5 to the cemetery funds an annual one. Received. Bowler’s Road. Mr W. A. J. Wright, drew attention to the state of Bowler’s Road and requested that the ruts be filled up. Left to the engineer with power to act. Mr G. E. Snisted asked for permission to erect a gate on the southern boundary of his section at Whitehall for twelve months. Permission granted. It was decided to bring under the notice of the Counties’ Association the duty charged on cost of repairs of: machinery sent to Australia. - Neglect of By-roads. The secretary, Tokoroa Progress League wrote on behalf of I,lie league protesting against the.neglect of byroads in the Tokoroa district. lie drew attention lo the bad state of the Taupo Totora Timber Company’s crossing on Campbell Road. He instanced the case of three miles of , metalling being done 'through the! forestry area by the Public Works Department, from which no rates are i cniieclaii- mhe league st-U> protested

against the load limits on Tokoroa roads and considered the speed limit should be cut down instead. A reply is to be sent that ance on byroads is chiefly controlled by the amount of riding funds. Metalling done by the relief gangs on the highways mentioned was not subsidised by the council. - Counsel for 11. B. Rislnvorth wrote that their client would not accept the offer of 10s a tree without prejudice for those damaged by Are and for forwarded a claim for £6O damages and the intention to take action. It was decided to defend the case. Free Ambulance. Mr F. H. Hobs, Wellington, forwarded a scheme for free ambulance for- the Waikato. Members believed it was a matter for the Hospital Board and not for the County Council, and the letter was received. A resolution was carried that the Stock Department be asked to take immediate steps to check the spread ■ of ragwort. j It was decided that the statutory l half holiday for the county be Wednesday. Wairere Bridge Renewal. The Piako County Engineer wrote that proposals for this bridge liavo been endorsed but held by the department indefinitely in obeyanec as the consolidated fund is somewhat short. JHo proposed putting in a temporary i structure at an estimated cost of £7O, Mataniata County to bear half the cost and this was agreed to. I Recommendations of the Finanoe

and Works Committee were adopted. Buckland Road Loam A deputation or Buckland Road settlers attended to place,, their views in connection with the loan proposed for Buckland Road. Mr S. J. Robinson felt that he was not in a position to pay for the road under present conditions. They had struggled through with a poor road and could still continue to do so in these hard times. His rates had increased', considerably during the last 12 years and it would be saddling his farm with another mortgage. Another objection was the inequitable treatment he was receiving in the matter of rating. * Mr 11. Barnes would like to see the question shelved for twelve months. He also referred to the economic position.. Protests were being made all over the country to get rates reduced and this was a case of increase. The chairman pointed out that the council could do nothing it if was carried by vote and a proper objection must be lodged. Mr M. Scott said he was paying a big account to the first loan raised on 'the road and lie felt that those settlers similarly situated should get some relief. His son and himself did not want to block the loan but it meant £4O on 4DO acres and some of his neighbours had a much less valuation. Cr. Moir explained the position and made a suggestion as to how much each settler should pay, but the chairman pointed out that this was not feasible without alteration of the whole schedule as to rates and bound- , aries- ‘

The deputation was advised that in* dividual objectors must put in thei< own objections. Cr. Bruce, speaking as the repre-i sentative of the settlers on the far end of the road, said that they had been willing to assist in the loan if the whole road was metalled, but if some smaller sclfeme was introduced the whole thing would collapse. The dog tax was fixed the same as last year—2s 6d for sheep and cattla dogs and 10s for othex’s. Superannuation for Staff. The chairman, speaking on the proposed superannuation scheme, stated that in his opinion it was a good idea ■but from what he could gather the present was an inopportune time to introduce it. Members expressed their approval of the establishment of some scheme of superannuation. It was decided to apply to the National Provident Fund for admission to its scheme. Cr. Wilson was appointed to represent the council on the newly formed Unemployment Committee in mata.