COUNTY COUNCIL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLII, Issue 9473, 4 March 1922, Page 3

COUNTY COUNCIL

monthly meeting. i The following additional business was transacted at the meeting of the Ashburton County Council yesterday: The Otago Hospital 'Board wrote asking the council’s assistance in protesting against increased fees charged for audit.—The protest was supported. The clerk of the Mt. Hutt Road Board wrote stating that the matter of the cost of the sanitary equipment had been discussed by the board and that it had been decided that, the council having delayed payment so long it should pay the current rate of interest on the amount, and that the board would accept the amount offered by the council, £llO, plus interest from June, 1921. Information regarding the deviation of the main auxiliary water race, Methven, was requested. Mr Gallagher moved that the account be paid. Mr Maginness moved an amendment that the interest be paid also. Mr Goodwin seconded the motion. The chairman said he hoped the council would be unanimous in giving the interest. A liberal depreciation had been allowed in this matter.. Mr Bill suggested six months’ interest. The chairman: “In the end we will not lose a penny-piece.” Payment of interest should be made. The amendment was carried. In reference to the suggested change of control of the Methven Domain, the clerk of the Mt. Hutt Road Board explained that a public meeting had been called and it had been decided that the Domain should be controlled by a board independent of any local authority and consisting of the chairman of the Mt. Hutt Road Board (Mr J. Carr), the member for the Mt. Hutt Riding residing nearest Methven, and one person nominated by each of the seven sports’ clubs using the Domain. The approval of the council to the appointment of Mr H. Maginness to the new board was solicited.—lt was unanimoujvly decided that the suggested appointment of Mr Maginness be approved. Mr Maginness briefly thanked the council.

An account for fire prevention services for' £ls was received from the Borough Council. —It was decided that the matter be lef£ with the chairman in the meantime.

Messrs Lane and Neave, Christchurch, wrote on behalf of Messrs Blackley apd J. G. S. Holmes offering the council the 15 acres, being part of Lot 17 on the sale plan of Mount Harding, which lias been leased by the council for some years, at £26 per acre cash, all expenses, including survey, to be paid by the council.—The letter was received.

Mr Goodwin said the question was did the council want the land. Mr Reid: “ I don’t think we do.” The chairman said the 7\ acres was all the ranger required. It was decided that the council had sufficient land without accepting the offer.

A deputation consisting of Messrs 6. D. H. Hefford, F. Crum, and A. Pilbrow waited on the County Council on behalf of the Ashburton Acclimatisation Society. Mr Hefford spoke of the erosion .of the land at Hakatere caused by the action of the river. He suggested that a small committee chosen from the council and the society inspect the place and report to the council. Mr Pilbrow showed a photograph of Hakatere, giving clear indication as to how the land was wearing away. He spoke of the washing away of the roadway. Protective works had been put in a few years ago by the society, but the property was the council’s, and so the work should be left in its hands.

Mr Horsey asked if the society would assist the council. Mr Pilbrow said he could not answer for the society, but he had no doubt his society would be willing to do something to assist. Mr Lill said the river had changed its course at the point. Could not the river be diverted to the old course ?

Mr Crum said the job would probably not be very considerable, and the cost small.

The chairman informed the deputation that their request would be considered. The deputation thanked the council and withdrew.

Mr Lill suggested the Works Committee, members of the society, and the engineer should inspect the place.—This was decided on.

The Napier Borough Council wrote alleging that the banks in New Zealand were acting in accord in the direction of practically nullifying Section 45 of the Finance Act, and asked the County Council to approve its resolution that the Government introduce legislation providing for creditbalances of local authorities on loan accounts to be set off by the banks against debit balances on other’ accounts as regards payment of interest on the latter accounts. —The correspondence was received. It was decided that the council support the Napier Borough Council. Mr F. Ferriman wrote regarding charges to the Hampstead Sunday School for crossing the traffic bridge in wagons. Mr Bennison ’had conveyed the Sunday School children from Ashburton to Longbeach and back, there being four trips in all over the bridge. He was charged at the loaded rate on two trips, the sum asked being £3 10s. A remission of this charge was asked for. \ The chairman said if this were a Presbyterian or any other Sunday school no doubt members would be divided on the matter. (Laughter.) Mr Lill moved that the request could not be granted. It was decided that a rebate be given to the amount the council received.

Mr Gallagher referred again to the matter of traction engines crossing the bridge. He suggested owners should be asked to express their opinion on the matter.

The chairman said there were places where good crossings on the river could be provided.

Mr Lill spoke of a good crossing below the town where engines used to cross years ago.

Mr Brown asked if the Mount

Somers crossing could not be made passable. The chairman stated this was a matter for the road board. Lane, Walker, Rudkin, Ltd., asked the council’s permission to divert water from the main stream in the river-bed into the drain which takes away the firm’s dye r house water. The engineer - stated that heretofore no such permit had been granted. He described the state of affairs. Mr Horsey said he would be against turning dye into the river. It was pointed out that this was going on at present. Mr Goodwin moved that the matter be left in the hands of the Works Committee- to report, and this was agreed to. The salary of the council’s junior clerk was increased to £BS. It was decided to secure a new typewriter to replace the one secured in July, 1898. Certain transfers were approved. Matters connected with the drainage of the council’s premises were discussed, and a suggested amalgamation with neighbouring properties approved. The lowest tender received totalled £154. It-was decided that the matter be left to the Works Committee. It was decided that the matter of visiting the reserves be held over to next meeting. The council went into committee concerning a letter from the chairman of the Electric Power Board returning Messrs Geo. Harptr, Pascoe, and Buchanan’s account, and stating the Power Board’s belief that the charge was a reasonable one 'in view of the work done by the firm. The account amounted to £34 10s 9d.