COUNTY COUNCILS

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18457, 11 August 1925, Page 16

COUNTY COUNCILS

ETBE. The last meeting of the Eyre County Council wag attended by Crs H. E. Evans (in tne chair), R. G. Wolff, C. E. Baynon, Jas. Wright, John Covens, and It. O. Dixon. It was agreed to accept Mr Wright's offer to plough two miles of Boyd's road near the Waimakariri, and to provide grass seed if the settlers there would work up the ground. The offer of Mr J. J. V'atncn to purchase the old col:!•>?>>_ on _th3 reserve at Clarkvi.le. wa? acccp'o.", ar.-I ?Jr E. Giles's was accepted.

Mr Gullett -was s;v-..-.;' 1 permission to lay a 2in pipe across tnc Oi;v;i-Oxford rsa-d. Owing to the ex':-?--. lv- ;»■.-.-■ di r.?_ of h'-s leased reserve the v. ; ir.;.-".• b'id??, i-'.v O'Brlfn was gra::*cd .-. :r;s.:e cf iS'J on his ne.Tt half-year's r/.r. 1 . Mr McMuiisn wss £TR,: ! o:l nr\ srii.itnr.nu of his lease til! June 3rd ':• . r. ■.. '.v.-i t;-s

reserve would he offered z'. .-••' .'.-!.:•■. A letter being receive! i:<-;-. ii.r i- : . Suf-M abcut the xis'r. of fino'iing ■;:.- i'"--' 1 :' s bridge Wis frpct-d en 80y..', ;.-.r:l ;; y/.-.s decided to inform iii»a t':."t r.;iv bridge built there would be accoi.-.!.:.;: ;•> co-di'iicns laid t'.cv.-n by tho V."-jiin:ii--:-!-ii-; J';iv-r 7-.ru?-. A grant of iIQ i:::J.c. ;..' ■.:..■ :'".'-.;:.\v-j-i TecliiiiiVi!. ru-iu-i:.:.

'!';■(•:■-.vhiiirMsn Kiv'.-.r: rjpor'.-■!■;.■ ■- ■■■ • ••■•?.- {frcw.-i: held --;.: rd::- ;.n Kir.--':: •:'■.-> •■-.">-.• sl'jiifi f.-vr Xort'n Cnnierli'iry. it v.-.'- 'l--'Med to Rpprove the ide». vrov'dvi \'\-.~ '■: •vu not c-cim|iii!sory to relit-ulste all yi-t. :s o: the counties under th<? Hoard's con-.-o!. A grant of ±'lo wis m?.de towards the entertainment of tho onicers and men of the American Fleet.

T..c clerk was instructed to send aoplication forms for heavy traflio licenses .to all owners of one-ton trucks in the county, and to notify to the Chrisichurch City Council all owners who had not returned the applica-ri.-.n forms fiiled in and accompanied with the ii.'cnso fee within the next few weeks. " it v.-as decided to support the Counties Association in thoir endeavour to get the raibsH ou road metal reduced to the lowest pc-viihle. charge. . ■.-..■•.. Tho 3'ruce County Council's" wish' for a South Island Main Highways-Board met with full approval from the Council. It was decided to inform the Trades Hall Unemployment Committee that the Council were- already employing from ten to twelve extra men on road repairs, and that if additional men from Christchurch Mere taken on some oi these would have to go off. Instructions were given to the clerk to take out summonses against the few remaining defaulters with rates.

The Council's approval was given to the plan prepared for the deviation from the Middle Island road to the Girder bridge. The chairman having reported on the meeting with members of the Waimakariri-Ashley Water Supply Board, it was resolved to urge the Board to carry out the improvements discussed, and to offer to provide all pip'ejs under the road and refund the cost of labour if the Board would undertake the work. The clerk was instructed to order a supplv of shingle and bridge planks. " Instructions were given to serve final legal notices on persons who had not cleaned drains as previously orderod, so that - the Council would be in a position to prosecute. It was decided to inspect the alleged blocking of a watercourse near the OxfordOhoka road before specifications were called for the re-forming and metalling of the length near tho main water-race crossing It was decided to pipe and fill iu the main depression where Edmond's road joins the Tram rnad.

The rural mail contractor having complained of the extra mileage he had to travel because of the Eyre ford being unfordahle it was decided to write to the Chief Postmaster urging that a concession be granted him.

The tender of Wood Bros, was accepted for shingling the Tram road. from Burgess's' ford to Jackson's road. It was decided to call for tenders for ihinghng some 50. chains of the main highway from Horrelville towards Bennetts, and to urge the contractor on the North road to employ additional drays so that work might be speeded up. >.o news of a grant towards the proposed West Eyreton bridge being receive! from £'*?**«£ C ° Unty 4 Cou s <i1 ' H »»■ decided w«u™ »& r/ r ?u " ec,ed an >"hiw in the. «L? 1J fiP° Unty /'' om *>«« ehmce of being asked by their ratepayers, .fbr a bridge between that point and Oxford, and that their br d^ y whi i rj 1 1 l dX^ BTe of thS bridge while the Eyre County had all the cost of future maintenance, Mr Hansen having waited on the Council regarding an extension of the electric lighting system along Jackson's road, the engineer was instructed to interview all inter-v-Hh th/m" deflnite arran ff en >e»tß

* KAIKOURA. At the monthly meeting of the Kaikoura County Council, there were present Ors James Boyd (cliairman), G. I). Smith, G. Laton, R. E. Workman, D. Boyd, C. Pannell, P. Curran, and G. E. T. Shand. An apology was received for the absence of Cr. P. ActonAdams. Mrs L. M, Wallace waited on the Council relative to the impassable state of the creek leading to her property across Lyell Creek. It was deoided to take steps to have a flood gate removed and to notify owners that thev must clear obstructions from the creek. '" The District Engineer advised that £155 15s lOd had been placed to the credit of the Council in respect of work done on the, Waipara-Kaikoura and Blenheim-Parnassus roads.

Seven ratepayers in the vicinity of Lake's Creek petitioned the Council, requesting that no groynes or obstructions be placed on the creek that -would have the effect of turning the water on to their properties. The chairman stated that it was only intended to put in a small protective wall on the eastern side of the creek. The Council had only to consider the quostion of protecting roads, and. could not .interfere .with, private property. The patir.ion was received. W. «T. Smith and O. Eaton applied for permission to put in drains on the roadside fronting their properties. The requests were granted, subject to the usual conditions. The_ secretary of the Kaikourn Fishermen's Association wrotev in respect to the condition of the new boat *lip. The engineer' said the matter was left to the wharfinger, who had arranged with the secretary of the Association to have the work completed. The Counties' Association advised, that a loan ' could not be raised from Stato Departments for making Eccles's road, but that money could be raised elsewhere. Cr. Workman said the Council should state definitely whether the road was to bo undertaken. It was decided to adhere to the previous resolution of the Council to expend £4OO, on condition that the owner of the land provided c similar amount.

The Cheviot County Council advised that it could not assist id maintaining the Claverley road. R. Hemingway wrote regarding the need for, re-erecting a bridge >on Mf. Fyffe : road. The engineer was requested- to -iave the bridge attended to.

W. J. Smith's tender, £54 Os 6d, was accepted for fencing at South Bay. The district engineer advised that a bridge consisting of six 25ft spans was proposed on the Charwell River, at an estimated cost of £ISOO. The Main Highways Board was willing to find this amount if the Council would make a contribution upon a £ for £. basis if tho cost of the bridge exceeds £ISOO. Cr. Panncll moved that the Board he informed that a grant had already been made towsrcls this work, the money having been paid into the public account. G. J. Pow drew attention to the state of th.J road near Fcrniehurst ■ gate and.to.the bad s:ate of the track .acrosß ;he river. It was agreed to make, arrangements, with Mr Pow regarding the wprk. " " G. It. Park drew attention to the state of the Greenbuvn road and .cutting to McGregor's. The chairman said the matter was receiving attention.

y. J. Mogridg", on behalf of Edward Brick, wrote . asking to be advised' upon what grounds his client's contract had been determined at Blue Duck road. The engineer stated that Mr Mogridge had been given access to documents bearing on the subject. No further action was taken. A. Turner' wrote .asking, that the road Reading to his property receive attention, it was decided to do minor repairs on the road.

Or. Shand moved, and it was carried, that the clerk prepare a report for submission tu.next meeting, detailing the overhead expenses of the Council.

1. il. Douglas-.Advised--on the state, of the road at Blue Duck. The culvert was in a bad state, and tho road had broken away and was dangerous. The Council decided to repair the road. ASHLEY. The Ashley County Council met at -Lobum Present—Crs. Miller (chairman), Barwell' Dawaon, Ensor, Fitzgibbon. O'Halloran and Philpott, The chairman said that he, with Crs Dawson and O'Halloran, and. with Col. Millton had inspected protective work at the- Garrv' and after examining -Use concrete - block work at Brown's Rock, had authorised a trial ol this method. His action was approved, and it was decided to see the work after tie meeting-. With regard)' to the highways conference called by the Progress League, the chairman said that an increase in the subsidy on maintenance had been recommended bv a prior conference called by the Chief "Engineer in Wellington. The proposal for 1 a South Island Board was turned down, and tho matter o: license fees for traction engine and plant-was being looked info. Mr Waller interviewed the Council in the matter of the repair of, a, .portion 0 f the Hayland-Whif* Kock road. Floods had mad* the road impassable through scour and he had no access to his term save by permission through .private . Grading, drain-clearing, and removal of swamp growth wis also "needed.- After disouasian. it was decided that the repair c«raj) «t the G*rry should next g*>-te- the roaS, and Cr Phirpott was asked to deal with the scour that-had! now become extensive. The Clerk reported that by an oversight the Council had not been represented at the

Power Board conference called by the Kowai County Council. The chairman said he thought that the county should not lose the opportunity to come under such a Board, even though actual reticulation could l not at once, be, carried out. Some years ago the clerk hpi, taken out , the distances tor a portion, of the Lobmn Riding,, and the cost of electrification was found to be prohibitive. On- discussion members approved of a further survey, of tho greater part of the county, and representation at next' conference.

With respect to the protective works of the Ashley bridge, correspondence from Messrs Johnston, Mills, and White, .and from Messrs Harper and "Co. advised that the Council should not do works away from'the site.,of those given in-, the- proclamation gazetted. The clerk was . instructed l to ascertain whether or not the small embankment towards Bell's road was so proclaimed If so, tenders -would be called for filling the break made again in it by floods, but otherwise it would remain open. In the main embankment a few weak places due lo the destruction of willows by fire would require attention. '

Messrs Luers and Margolish wrote stating that the chain road to their property at Lees Valley, was in part too. precipitous for sheep-driving, and they were prepared' to purchase an additional strip and. dedicate it as.a, road if the Council agreed. . Members recognised the need of a wider driveway tat were of opinion that, as the Lee* Valley roads are Government roads, the writers should app'ly to" the Commissioner of Gfown Lands to accept their proposal.

With regard to flood damage a t the Karetu, the chairman said that members had been unable to find a satisfactory means of repair, and had consulted Mr Langbein who,, with Mr Simpson, had recently " ' spected the position It was . recommended that the present site be abandoned anrl that a new bridge be built at a. suitable spot lo*er down the river. The tfXJn said that as time was pressing he had auth orised the clerk to-apply for a Government grant of £ for'£ for the bridge... Thecha" man'a action was approved, and the clerlwas. instructed to write to landowners for their . consent to take- the approach roada through their properties,, and for arra "„ ments with respect to exchange or sale TT present ford would be maintained - and ,S proved as soon as possible. '

The financial^ statement wag carefully con eidered with the view of «. reduction ■ rates without curtailing works required C D Dawson's notice of motion, to strike in pital rate of one farthing and a general rate of one farthing was brought up and agreed