COUNTY COUNCILS.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17707, 8 March 1923, Page 3

COUNTY COUNCILS.

EYRE. The monthly meeting o£ the Eyre County Council was held on Monday, and attended by Crs. F. G. Horrell (chairman), Downs, Chapman, Evana, and Baynon. Loave ol absence was granted to Cr. F. Pearce. Messrs Harper, , Pasco© and Buchanan wrote advising the Council to take action against certain ratepayers who had neglected to clear gorse froni tho ioad3 after receiving legal notice to do so, rather than to clear the gorse and collect the cost from the ratepayers in question. It was decided to make a donation of £25 'to the Sir Arthur Pearson Memorial Fund for tho Blind, as efforts to raiso funds among the residents in the county had not boen very successful. The Public Works Electrical Department ! wrote that the head office had reported adversely against the idea of charging 2s for iron points only, and stated that after June 30th all iron points would have to be charged at 4s per month. The clerk reported that out of a tally of €0 consumers who used the general point for ironing only, he felt convinced that at least 40 would , cut off the point sooner than pay 4s a month for ironing only. A long discussion showed that the Council were much opposea to asking their consumers to pay this amount, and it was decided to write the Department strongly urging tho unfairness in making this increase in tho rate to persons whom the Department had been most eager in the past to get connected up at the cheap rate, and who had only done so. because promised the lower rate. Tho Waimakariri Harbour Board wrote stating that to date- their expenses had amounted to £731 18s lOd, and asking the Council to forward their quota of £76 la 2d. which was based on the capital values of the county. Strong opposition was shown to the idea of paying this amount, but finally it was decided to write to the Harbour Board that the Council would pay their share if tho other counties did so. Permission was given to the owners of Evans's mill at Wetherall to install an electric hoisting plant, and connect the same to the county system. The clerk reported that all overdue rates in- the years 1920-21 and 1921-2 had now been paid except in the case of one vacant section near Kaiapoi, the owner of which could not be found; that rates ouu'tstandin» in the present year amounted to only £96 18s 6d. The clerk was instructed to notify all these ratepayers that payment must be made before' March 31st. The clerk reported that the credit at the bank amounted to £IBSO, and as the paysheet this month would only withdraw some of this total, thero would be a auostantial credit a,t the end of the year, sucn as would make councillors feel assured they ran no risk of having to personally pay off an overdraft. It was decided to make the fee tor dog registration 2s 6d for sheep and cattle dogs, and 5s for sporting and fancy dogs, 'ine clerk was instructed to appoint suitable men as collectors in each Biding. The artesian well in the Council reserve near the Methodist parsonage at Ohoka having ceased to flow, since the earthquake on Christmas Day, the engineer was instructed to get the same put right if possible. It was decided to serve notices to several residents about clearing gorse on their frontages, and to inform other ratepayers that failure to act upon the Council's notice to clean drains would cause proceedings to be taken to compel them to do so. li, having been found difficult in the past to arrange for accommodation in outlying' districts when road metalling was in hand, it was decided to have a. portable whare 4ii" application by the ranger for increased pav was not granted, but his term was renewed for a further three months. The engineer reported that at a tally of traffic taken at White's bridge during the last week in February, it was found thai from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. a total of 1438 motoroars 153 motor lorries, 280 gigs, 132 drays and'waggons, 459 motor-cycles, and 328 bicycles had passed. These figures were very similar, to those taken during the week in January, and it was found that as regards oars cycles, and bicycles the week-end traffic amounted to practically half the week's A special ojder was made limiting the speed of motors to 18 miles an hour through the township and along the length olf road from Wilson's siding to Kaiapoi. This to be confirmed tt a subsequent meeting ana to come into force on May Ist. Various offers-were received from persons desirous of leasing 700 acres of Reserve at Eyreton, but as none of these came up to the upset price "decided upon by tie Council when tenders were weviously called, none

could be accepted. It was decided to call for fresh tenders in two blocks of 100 acres and 600 acres each. MOUNT HERBERT. The monthly meeting of tho Mt. Herbert County Council was held on Monday last in the Counoil Chambers, Purau. Presenters. A. E. Williams (chairman), J. A. Gellely, W. H. Firmston, H. Jackson, J. "\V. Guy, and Reg. Gebbie. An apology was received from Cr. K. A. Anderson on account of illness. The chairman moved that a voto, of condolence be forwarded to the widow and members of tho family of the late Mr William Anderson, Charteris Bay, also to Mr and Mrs L. M. Wilson, late of Port Levy, in their bereavement. The motion was carried in silence, members standing. The clerk presented the county electoral roll, ap, amended, which was accepted and signed. The clerk was reappointed returning officer. ' , _ A letter was received from Mr John iU. Fleming, the county's representative on the Banks Peninsula Power Board, stating that he wished to be relieved from the duties of the Board, as his change of residence ma'de it very inconvenient for him to attend the meetings. The clerk was instructed to writ© to Mr Fleming thanking him for his past valuable services, and to assure hiro that his work was much appreciated by tho Council and ratepayers generally. The Council resolved to nominate Mr AE. Williams at the forthcoming election. Mr W. J. Firmston resigned his position as road foreman for the Teddington section. Mr P. Brady was appointed road loreman for Port Levy section. - The Council resolved to call public tenders for 1000 yards of metal for Governors Bav and Teddington, 150 for Chartork Bay. and 300 yards for Port Levy. The financial statement Bhowed & debit balance at bank amounting to £so* 5a 4d. Bates received since last meeting amounted to £971 3s *d, and rates outstanding totalled £403 18s 9d. The cleric was instructed to accept no rates without the 10 per. cent, penalty added.