COUNTY COUNCILS.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17861, 6 September 1923, Page 6

COUNTY COUNCILS.

LEVELS.

A meeting 1 of the Levels County Council, held in Timaru yesterday morning, was attended by Crs. C. N. Orbell (chairman), C. E. Kerr, G. D. Selbie, T. W. Bro-snahan, T. B. Garrick and B. G. Cleland. The chairman stated that the debit balance at August Ist was £2oi2 Accounts passed totalled £l<iG6. Amounts drawn during tlie were £32,. unpresented chcque3 £54, making & total of R&7 ceipxs since last meeting were: £7610, unpresented cheques £ls, total £7B-5. A credit balance of £3460 was left. .»fter accounts were pas-ed tor payment there would be a credit balance of £IBBO. The finances were in a most sound position. The five per cent, discount had no doubt induced ratepayers to respond quickly in paying their rates. The Council's : clerk (Mr Whitehead) had attended the Counties' Conference and apparently the Highways Bill was the most important matter discussed;. The tyre tax, it w&3 evident, would not yield half the amount that had been expected. He was doubtful about the success of the scheme. The Waimate County Council wrote regarding the highway districts and the proposed grouping of counties. The Council had recently been advised by the Highway Bqarti that it was now proposed to add the Waitalu County to the ; original proposal. The matter had been, dealt with by tho Waimate Council, and it was decided to approve the proposed grouping with the exception of 'the Ashburton County, and that other local bodies interested • should be asked to support this suggestion. > The Waimate Council objected to the inclusion of the Ashburton County as there was no oommunity of interest' between the Ashburton district and South Canterbury . Mr F. T. Kolleston, M.P., wrpte -referring tp the Levels Council's enquiry.' regarding rates on soldiers', land.. He had ascertained that the Government had never paid thesa and were not paying them now. Many requests by local bodies for payment of such rates had been made, but he understood that they had been consistently refunded. A sum of £450 (on account) was on the estimates this year as a s=ub"idy for the Spur road through the Oakwood Settlement. The remaining £450 would be made available next year. The Council's attention was drawn to tho bad state of the Tengawai road. It was decided that the engineer should report on the matter at the next meeting. James Sutton, foreman, wrote protesting against the unfair eypressions. alleged to have been used, at the last meeting of tho Council, regarding the working of the employees. He had worked for the Council for over 16 years and had always tried to give an honest day's work. As the. Council considered that they were on tho "go-slow" policy, which, the letter stated, was quite uncalled • for, he would find employment elsewhere. . . The letter was received. A number of Pareora East residents wrote complaining about the condition of tho open drain on the north side the Piireora avenue. . It was decided to do the work reqmred. W. Schrader, secretary of the Timaru branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants of New Zealand, wrote to the Council a3 follows.—"I am requested by my branch to draw your attention, to the slanderous statements made by, one of your fellow councillors m reported on August 3rd last during., the discussion on the go-slow policy that railway surfacemen, are most expert of tho lot in putting in time, and to ask him to be man enough, to; substantiate. his statements. We also invite the said member to do a day's work on any length of road along with the surfacemen, which, perhaps, would do him the world of good." It was decided to receive the letter. A return was received showing the - effect of the apnlication of the system of cnl'Ji'Tes under <He" JHlvr ftal Bill, 1923. The' South Canterbury subsidy is now 19s 6d in the £. It was decided to grant £5 to.the Timaru Technical • School. ( ■ ' . Tho engineer (Mr Black) submitted a detailed report on the work carried out, during 'the month. Mr J. Clarice waited on the Council find exp'ained his ideais- as to .-how. the Council's ensrine and road-mf.king plant should be worked. . ■ \ - >