WAIKATO COUNTY.

Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18350, 9 June 1931, Page 7

WAIKATO COUNTY.

LOWER RATES STRUCK. FOUR RIDINGS REDUCED. ESTIMATES FOR 1931-32. The Waikato County Council met to-day, the chairman, Mr T. Hinton, presiding. Also present were Crs. J A. Sampson, G. M. Watt, D. P. Laird, T. H. Henderson, G. Smith, G. H. Walter and Messrs. C. F. E. Barton (clerk) and A. A. Woodward (engineer) . General rates for 1931-32 were struck as follows, those for the previous year appearing in parentheses:Whangamarino, 1 3-8 d (lid); Hun tly, lid (lid); Taupiri, lid (1 3-8 d); Rototuna, lid (lid); -Ruakura, 1 i-Brt (1 l-8d) ; Tamahere, Id (lid); Cambridge, Id (Id). The rates have been reduced In four of the seven ridings. The clerk reported that the estimated net-expenditure among the ridings was £19,000. This was approximately £IOOO less than last year and equalled a rate of 7-8 d over the whole county. The hospital levy was set down at £SOOO, but it was not yet known what the actual amount would be. Last year the levy was £4868. The redflced rate collections last year had had an adverse effect on the riding balances and the state at the end of the year was mainly attributable to that cause. The amount of rates outstanding at March 31 last year was £12,906 and the bank overdraft was £4528. Maintenance Estimates. The following table shows the estimated maintenance of main highwavs in the Waikato County for the year 1931-32. Tne first column shows the total cost, the second indicates the Highways Board contribution and the third column shows the cost per mile. The county’s quota is half the Highways Board’s contribution in each case.

Construction Estimate#. The estimates for construction in the same period show the following amounts, the county contribution appearing in parentheses:—Hamilton Borough boundary to Millar’s Corner, £4OOO (£1000); Poplar Hill to Millar’s Corner, '£63o (£210) ; Hamilton —Paeroa, Clarkin’s deviation, £I2OO (£400) ; Ohinewai —Tahuna, bridge at Te Hoc. £9OO (£300). The total amount for construction is estimated at £6730, of which the Highways Board quota is £4820 and the county 'quota £l9lO. The total sum required for the maintenance of main county roads is estimated at £3OOO.

Valuabto Assets In Roads. “In framing the estimates for the amount required to maintain the main highways, main roads and 'bridges during the current year due regard has been paid to the present economic conditions and the difficulty experienced in collecting rates at the present time, but it is difficult to know where to cut down expenditure," stated the engineer. ■ “The council have a valuable asset In their roads, and it is not good business to allow this asset to depreciate. The roads have taken a good deal 'of money to build them up to their present standard and If allowed to go back will require heavy expenditure In the future to bring them back to this standard. As far as I can see the traffic on our roads Is very little less than It lias been in the past and the same amount of money will be required to maintain them as at present.” The Waipa County Council advised that It was prepared to pay 10 per cent, of one-third of the cost of maintenance of the redecked railway brldgi at Ngaruawahla which it is proposed to open to vehicular traffic. The Raglan County Council wrote accepting the terms of the Highways Board regarding its share of maintenance. The letters were received. The Huntly Borough Council requested that the stormwater from the county portion of Kimihia Road be diverted at the top of the hill at the boundary.—The engineer and riding member were appointed to confer with the borough officers on the matter. Engineer’s Report. The engineer, in his monthly report, mentioned that the reconstruction and sealing work on the Great South Road between Taupiri and Ngaruawahla had been continued and the contractors had made considerable progress. About 1J miles had been surfaced of the total length. A large amount of metal was required for the Hamilton —Paeroa main highway as soon as it was available from Tauwhare. The road had been well maintained, hut it was difficult to keep it in order as the amount of traffic was much too heavy for the class of road carrying it. Repairs had been done to the CambridgeMorrinsville highway between Tauwhare and the junction with the Harn-lllon-Paeroa road. This portion was very weak and would require a fair amount of metal to pul it in order. The work of Improving and gravelling the road from Eureka store to McHardy's Bridge and through Friedlander’s Road lo the main highway In the Ruakura Riding had been completed. Owing 'to this route being shorter than the main highway a considerable amount of through traffic used the route. II would be advisable if conditions warranted it to close tho road during winter to prevent damage being done to Hie new fillings on Fricdlander’s Road. The remainder of the report dealt with detailed maintenance work in the various ridings over the past month.

Cost per Tl. cost. H.B. mile. Highway Great South Hoad £ 1 ,200 £ 800 £ 128 Ilamllton-Rotorua . 1,800 1,200 106 Ilanillton-Pacroa . 2,400 1,600 206 Cain. - Morrlnsvillo 1,80-0 1,200 107 Ohlnewal - Tahuna 2,100 1,400 140 Te KauwhataWaltakaruru ... 2,100 1,500 1,400 125 Paeroa-I’okeno ... 1,000 167 £12,000 £8,000