COUNTY COUNCILS.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17811, 10 July 1923, Page 4

COUNTY COUNCILS.

KAIKOURA. The monthly meeting of the KaUcoura Council was held on Friday. Present: Crs. James Boyd ichairman), D. Boyd, C. Panne!l, G. D. Smith, P. Curran, G. Eaton, P. Acton-Adams, and E. Workman. An apology was received for tho absence of Cr. C. Nilseti. A vote of sympathy vras passed to the relatives of the late Mr Patrick Hackle, in their recent bereavement. Mr C. Opie, of Inglewood, was appointed engineer to the Council. . It was agreed to erect a_ temporary approach at the Hapuku bridge. It was decided to call lor tenders for re- | pairing the napuku Factory road, also i Eccles road, at Conway. The district engineer advised that the De- • partment did not intend to lengthen the ! Hupuku bridge. ' Mr John E.der wrote complaining of the ' state of the Waipapa road. It was decided to notify him that the matter would receive attention. Mr G. "W. Forbes, M.P., notified that a petition had been lodged respecting the Greenhills paper roads. The matter was left to the county chairman to take what aciion he considered necessary. In response to a request from Mr H. A. Fairweather, it was decided to put a man on to effect urgent repairs to the road leadI ing to his property. _ ' l Mr C. 0. Palmar wrote respecting damage done at his property, and pointing out thi! necessity for protective work. It ,was decided to inspect the locality. In reply to the Council's application for Government grants, the Minister of Public Works wrote: —"The- proportionate amount of cash appropriated on lsst year's estimates for Itaikoura County was £5913. During the year authorisations have been restricted as far as possible to only the more important ! and urgent works, but, even so, the authorisations for works in Kailcouva County up to March 31st last actuary total £BC97. This county has therefore received considerably more than its appropriation. Until the 1923-24 estimates are prepared, it is not known what amount will be»avai'able for the present financial year, and aB authorities which are issued now become a charge on tho new vote, it is quite possible that more urgent works for which provision is desired 4 on the forthcoming estimates might be prejudiced by a too liiieral authorisation at the present time. If, however, the Council is of opinion that there are certain works which . on account of their urgency should be proceeded with immediately, I am prepared to consider further representations in regard to specific cases." The chairman said it was important that the flood damage should be restored as a matter of urgency Messrs J. Barratt, Crampton and Trolove, of Puhi Puhi, waited on the Council and detailed the steps taken to secure a new road to replace the ont washed away in the recent flood. The district engineer had reported that the work would require £3750, •and that the Minister had agreed to find two-thirds of this amount provided the settlers and the Council found the balance. The deputation asked that the Council subsidise the settlers £ for £. After discussion, it was agreed to grant a subsidy of os in the £. Messrs Fleming, Gibson, Flower, and Robinson- waited on the Council as a deputation for the golf club in reference to a lease of the South Bay reserve. The chairman advised the deputation to approach the racing clubs with a. view to coming to an amicable arrangement otherwise the Council would retain control of the reserve. Mr Shand waited on the Council and asked that a- track be made to Ilia property on.the Biue JL/uck road. Ihe road wits impassible. , The chairman said it was <a question for Mr Shand, as it was impossible to use I further county revenue on tue road. Cr. D. Boyd suggested that the Government should be approached regarding' the. I matter.' Cr. Smith moved to this effect. Cr. Curran seconded the motion, which was carried. ! Mr Shand eaid such action did not get over the difficulty, as it was impossible lor him to get a doctor in to attend urgent ' cases of sickness. He had put in 31 days in opening a track, and he considered it was the Council's duty to provide one. It had been impossible Sox him to get stock in or out, and it was a most serious matter to him. lie had been compelled to use the Puhi Puhi route owing to the impossibility of getting through on the.Blue .buck, route. ; Or. D. Boyd moved that men be put on to open up a track Mr Shand said he was prepared to find £ for £ provided the Council included previous work done by himself. .He suggested that councillors should inspect the road. Cr. Pannel suggested waiting until it was known what amount of flood damage grant, would be available. Cr. P. Acton-Adams moved that £ lor' £ be allowed up to £2OO to provide a track. Both motions were lost on the voices. Mr Shand then left the meeting, stating that there was sufficient antagonism displayed to compel him to get out of the district. His property would be put on the market immediately,, and he would get oiif of the district. , . j At a* later stage it was decided, to grant £?0 towards opening up a track, and when Mr Shand was informed of the'decision he stated that he came to the Council for justice and had not got it. Justice was a thing the Council did not understand. The Councillors had not seen the road, for four, years, and did not realise the position he was in. He did not think there was the least manhood left in the councillors, and | concluded "God help Kaikoura if the people had to depend on the present councillors."