COUNTY COUNCILS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20104, 6 December 1930, Page 9

COUNTY COUNCILS.

KAIKOURA. The monthly meeting of tho Kaikoura County Council \vas held on Friday, December sth. Present were Crs. James Boyd (chairman), S. C. Heald, G. E. Parsons, G. DSmith, E. H. Eccles, P. Curran, R. L. Withers, and Y. Robinson. An apology was received for the absence of Cr. D. Boyd. The Public Works Department advised taat £56 r J 7s 4d had been placed to tho credit of the Council in respect to Main Highways Board subsidy. Mr F. Langbein, District Highways Council representative, advised that the Hurunui river bridge had been constructed, and the cost apportioned as follows: —Cheviot county 50 per cent., Waipara county 40 per cent., Kaikoura county 10 per cent. Unfortunately the warrant issued did not provide for maintenance of the structure and the approaches, and this matter had been placed before the Main Highways Board, which had suggested the same basis of contribution towards the cost of maintenance as that of construction of the bridge. It was agreed to accept the Board's recommendation. The Oxford County Council forwarded the following resolution passed at its last meeting;—" That in view of the serious financial difficulties under which tho local bodies and the farming community are at present labouring, the Hospital Board be asked, when considering its estimates for the coming year, to keep them down to the lowest possible figure.—The chairman explained that the Board was doing all possible, and it was agreed to support tho resolution. Mr F. Langbein wrote advising that the Main Highways Board subsidy for road sealing operations was £2 for ill, tho work being considered as maintenance. Thero is no definite rule as to what highways are approved for purposes of sealing, each case being considered on its merits, but the width, generally speaking, was 20 feet. As the estimates had been completed for the year the matter would have to remain in abeyance until next year.—Tt was decided to make application at the proper time. T. Reardon, one of the trustees of tho Native Cemetery, Takahanga Domain,. wrote asking that steps be taken to prevent stock straying on tho burial ground. Last year Mr D. Boyd had fenced the cemetery, but the wires had been interfered with to allow stock to enter. —The chairman said tho Council would attend to the matter. Mr F. H. Flower advised that three cygnets had made their appearance on LyelJ creek, and that he would give them attention and food.—A vote of thanks was accorded Mr Flower and the public is to be notified that | the swans and must not be molested. The chairman moved, in accordance with notice of motion: "That annual expenditure in connexion with the electric light department be limited to the annual revenue for the corresponding year." Speaking to his notice of motion the chairman said it was his duty to put the position before the Council, and there his duty ended. Town rates amounted to £589, of which £3OO was spent on electric light. The electric light account was behind over £2OOO. and the county had to carry the burden. Some resi* dents paid electric light rates and did not re-' coive service. The town was not paying anything towards the road rates under the circumstances. T i each riding paid its own rates the town would be in a bad way. The county had to take OTer the £2OOO debit. Cr. Curran asked how long the debit had 1 taken to build up.—The chairman replied j that it was ten years. 1 Cr. Eccles moved that tho chairman and two town Councillors and the engineer prepare a report on the matter to be submitted to T7f»xt meeting. Seconded by Cr. Smith. The chairman's motion was added to, by the words "from the end of the present financial year," and both motions were carried.