MATAMATA COUNTY.

Waikato Times, Volume 110, Issue 18408, 15 August 1931, Page 3

MATAMATA COUNTY.

THE MONTHLY MEETING. EFFECT OF RAIN ON ROADS. LIABILITY FOR POLE REMOVALS. The monthly meeting of the MataTnata County Council was held at Tlrau yesterday, the chairman, Mr J. W. Anderson, presiding. Also present were: Crs Bruce, W. S. Wilson, K. S. Cox, P. Dee, J. Moir, W. H. Allen, E. Nickle, A. T. Morriss and Messrs J. A. Beck (clerk) and M. E. Fitzgerald (engineer). “The frosts, which burst many of the road surfaces at the beginning of last month, were followed by several weeks of continuous rain during which It was almost impossible to effect repairs or even prevent conditions from growing rapidly worse,’’ stated the engineer In his report. “As soon as the weather Improved extra labour was employed and efforts are being made to restore the roads to normal. The main highway from Lichfield southwards presented the biggest problem and a large gang of men with trucks Is at work here restoring the rock surfaces. An important factor in our difficulties lies in the fact that maintenance expenditure was reduced last year and many of the roads are not in a condition to stand up to exceptional punishment. It was impossible to accede to all requests lor road attention without disregarding the councils financial po-.: Relief Works In County. Continuing, the engineer said relief works under the No. 5 Scheme did not show much variation. The widening of the road fillings across the swamps east of Waharoa was in hand. Local men were still at work at Te Poi. Other gangs were at work at Dukeson’s Road and Te Whetu. During the past fortnight a new gang had been put on by the Public Works’ Department near Slade's Gully, old Taupo Road, and about a dozen Matamata and Putaruru men were being given full time employment on this work. Criticisms of the Transport Bill now before Parliament, were prepared and forwarded to the secretary of the Counties’ Association. The report was adopted. Removal of Telegraph Poles. Regarding damage done to a telegraph pole, the Finance and Works Committee recommended that responsibility be accepted for damage done to one pole, but that liability for any other poles mentioned in the District Telegraph Engineer s letter be denied; and that the Main Highways Board be asked if the expense of removing poles on main highways will be subsidised by the board. The engineer remarked that for years the department had tried to get the counties to share fifty-fifty the cost of removing telegraph and power poles. The Thames Valley Power Board had taken up a firm stand in the matter. He believed the department was using the instance concerned as a lever for getting the council to sign the general agreement. Cr Allen expressed the opinion that county ratepayers should not have to meet these charges, which should come from the revenue of the P. and T. Department. The recommendation was adopted. Quart er-Acre Sections. Provisional rules were submitted for the erection of dwellings on less than a quarter-acre of land and with a 66ft frontage to a public road. Special circumstances were outlined in which more than one dwelling could be erected on a quarter-acre section. In future it will be incumbent on applicants to submit full particulars of buildings, ownership, means of refuse disposal, terms of tenancy, water supply and other sanitation. Riding Finances. The estimated Income, expenditure to date, and the balance available, in that order, of the various ridings, was supplied in the following statement: —Matamata, £llOO, £248, £852; Perla, £l4OO, £142, £1257; Tirau, £5OO, £6B; £431; Te Poi. £6OO, £64 £535; Okoroire, £6OO, £BB, £511; Putaruru, £7OO, £B7, £612; Tokoroa, £530, £156, £375; Karapiro. £650, £252, £497; Maungatautari, £6OO, £B9, £419. On the recommendation of the Finance and Works Committee it was decided to accept the tender of J. M. Spear for the supply of two motor trucks at a cost of £427 each, •übjeot to a credit of £6O for each of two British trucks to be traded In. Level Crossings. The General Manager of Railways wrote acknowledging receipt of the t Hindi's letter regarding the mainIcnince of level crossing.* on the private railway line between Putaruru and Lichfield. He stated i:i reply that the matter came under the jurisdiction of the Public Works Department, who would reply m due j course.—The correspondence was re | ceived. Highways Finance. Attention to the Prime Minht*?’? recently published statement on highways finance was drawn by the s • -•rotary of the North Island Motor Uni m in a circular letter. He said th? statement Inferred that the Government was considering further “raids on the Main Highways Board’s funds and that the moneys payable by the board to county councils and other roadlng authorities would be cut down and the moneys otherwise available for roadlng would be diverted to the Consolidated Fund. The Union warned the County Council to watch closely the present legislation before Parliament and take the matter up immediately with the local member. Cr Bruce said it was ridiculous that the county ratepayers should have to pay 50-50 for main highways. . Derating should at least apply to main highways. The engineer sal I there was no nee . to separate main highways. Motor , traffic was the principal traffic on al! i roads. Agreement was expressed with trie , Union’s sentiments and the letter was received. Cambridge Cemetery. The Cambridge Borough Council | wrote pointing out that use of the j Cambridge Cemetery w is bein«r made 1 by county rieldents and in mow of | this It asked for an annual contribution towards upkeep. The clerk said if a contribution , were made it would open the door to various other requests Fhe ceme tery was i the Waikato ( ’.minty >et this bodv had refused ! » offer i sum. It was decided to reply that Hip finances wou I not allow a evntnbu Lou.

Heavy Lorries on Roads. The New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company wrote acknowledging receipt of the council's letter regarding the use of certain roads by heavy lorries, the roads not having been constructed for heavy traffic. The company stated that the notice at three days did not give it time to make arrangements with, the council’s requirements. The clerk stated that permission had since been given for the running of lorries up to three tons for the cartage of cream and empty cans only. The clerk's action was confirmed and a permit was granted subject to certain conditions. Miscellaneous. The Prime Minister forwarded a circular letter to local bodies urging them to assist the Government’s unemployed relief activities during the remaining winter months.—The letter was received. Atlvice was received from the secretary of the Treasury that the rate of interest on local body loans was reduced by half per cent.—The communication was received. Letters were received from various Parliamentarians promising consideration of the council’s objections to certain features of the Transport Bill. Messrs Miller and Pacey, owners of property at Waharoa, wrote asking for improvements -to Scherers’ Road, suggesting that this class of work would be more permanent for the unemployed than removing grass from streets. The clerk read a reply that the conditions under which relief workers could be employed prohibited maintenance work being done. Some local bodies appeared to have been posit on, but that was no ■ is m why the Mat amata Council should do so.—The matter was referred to the riding member and engineer to reply suitably. The Auckland Automobile Association wrote offering a number of school signs providing the council would undertake to erect, them.—lt was resolved to accept the offer.