COUNTY COUNCILS

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18310, 18 February 1925, Page 6

COUNTY COUNCILS

AKAROA.

Tie Akaroa County Conncil met at Dnvauchelle on Saturday. Present: Cts. E. Hay "(chairman), T. Stewart', J.' D. Bruce, and J. B. Thacker. Leave of absence was granted to Cr. "W. D. Macphail, -who is etill laid asido by sickness. The chairman, District Highways Conncil, wrote agreeing to Tray a road roller and a scarifier for the County Council provided the latter body would undertake to repay the Board within reasonable time and to pay interest on the purchase money. Alter a lengthy discussion, it was decided to write the Highways Board asking tor information as to cost and time of delivery if ordered, and suggesting five years as the period to cover repayment. Cr. Bruce undertook to ask Mr Tindall to inspect the County roads with a view of giving an expert opinion as to the advisability of going in for roller and scarifier, and generally of advising the County in the matter of purchase of road machinery.

A long report was received from the foreman detailing the loss of time occasioned by using horees and draya on road maintenance in such a hiliy district, and suggesting the purchase of a 3-ton "motor lorry. Considerable discussion took place on the question, but no action was taken. The Minister of Internal Affairs forwarded a copy of the Motor Regulations in connexion with the licensing of drivers. On the chairman's motion, the Council expressed the opinion that it wa« not right to regard drivers of motor-cycles as capable of driving car and rice versa, without putting them to a test. In reference to the driver who capsized his car on the road between Barry's Bay and the Hill Top, and blamed the c":ay roads and a ba-d corner for tip mishap, whereas in point of fact he was capsized on a level stretch, it was resolved, on the motion of Cr. Thacker, that the Council take 6teps to have the driver's license cancelled.

The Hospital Ai<i Board wrote detailing its proposal to borrow £70,000 for sundry specified works. The chairman was deputed to interview the Board in respect to its building programme and report to next meeting.

The Public Trustee wrote staling that when the Glynan Estate was sold on March 6th, the Council would then be able to deal directly with the purchaser of the block, in the sea corner of which stands the. Green Point monument, in case itwas still desirous of having jurisdiction over the site. The monument overlooks the harbour and marks the. place where in August, 18-10, the sovereignty of the South Island was proclaimed by Captain Stanley. The Public Works Department wrote in reference to heavy traffic under tho motorcar regulations. It was pointed out that tho amount of licenses could not be distributed until the end of the year, as the total mileage compiled from lorry-drivers' records would not be available till then. If the lorries registered in Christchurch, the County would, therefore, receive no benefit therefrom until' April Ist, 1926. In reference to the request of tho Pigeon Bay Road Board, the Council undertook to act as guarantor for the additional £SO required by the Poßt Office Department in respect to the Easter Bays mail service, on condition that the three Road Boards interested, Pigeon Bay, Okain's, and Le Bon's, would be responsible for the payment of the amount.

The finance report showed: —Receipts, £1263' 8s 9d; accounts for payment, £1092 lis Id: dr. balance, £3083 6s.

It was resolved to add 10 per cent, penalty on all rates outstanding after March 31st.

The clerk pointed out that the Council was exceeding its estimate of £IOOO for the yearly expenditure on the main" road from June 9th last. Over £102" had been expended thereon in the .first two quarters. Members agreed that there had been an unusual amount of metal crushed for. the main road, though Cr. Bruce considered the 'metal had been spread too thickly. Cr. Bruce tabled the returns showing that already 86,000 cars had been registered in the Dominion, whereas the estimate had "been 50,000.

On the motion of Cr. Thacker, it • was agreed to ask the Highways Board to (jft clare the Summit road a main road. It was now being used as a mail route and had considerable traffic on it.