COUNTY COUNCILS

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20470, 13 February 1932, Page 21

COUNTY COUNCILS

heathcote. The Heathcote County Council mot last evening. Those present were Cis. J. L. Danks (chairman), W. W. Scarff, J. 11. Moore, W. Kerr, A. G. Williams, J. 11.I 1 . Scott, C. Flavell, and Mr J. H. McAuliffe (clerk). Expenditure on Highways. A letter was received from the Main Highways Board asking the Council to enforce the closest control over all expenditure on main highways, and that no heavy commitments in the nature oi. contracts be let, involving the Board in expenditure after March 31st next. It was also asked that all work prior to March 31st already sanctioned should be attended to immediately, and that all claims should be. made before March 7th. Reservoir at Huntsbury. The Christchurcli City Engineer advised that the Council was prepared to sell half an acre of land at Ifuntßbury for a water reservoir for the sum of £.250, subject to the following conditions : (a) That the Heathcote County Council withdraws its opposition to the City Council's getting an casement over Keserve 4133 to lay a pipe line from the xuture reservoir across the road to Hills road. (b) That the Heathcote Council gives the City Council an easement over the half-acre to lay a pipe line. It was impossible to fix the definito position of this easement at present, but it could be so situated as not to interfere with any buildings that may be installed. The matter was left to Cr. Scott to confer with the City Council representative. New Brighton Bridge. The New Brighton Borough Council forwarded a copy of tho minutes of: the conference held in connexion with the Christchurcli Tramway Board's claim of £.141 4s 2d, the cost of raising the tramway tracks on the approaches to tlie new bridge. The conference had agreed, "according to the minutes," *' l<3 contractor should bear fcol 4s 2d of the cost, and that the balance of £llO should be allocated between the Christchurch City Council, the Heathcote County Council, and the New Brighton Borough Council, in accordance with tho percentages as set out in tho warrant apportioning the cost of the bridge. Tlie above amounts were to be subject to reduction pro rata in tho event of the Main Highways Board deciding to contribute towards the above amount. The Christchurcli City Council representatives had challenged the above minute; they had contended that if the Highways Board failed to contribute the £23 promised by the Board's representative, it should bo borne by the New Brighton Borough Council." The clerk reported that he had conferred with Crs. Scarff and Kerr. They had both expressed the opinion that the minute, as submitted by the New Brighton Borough Council, was correct. It was decided to support their opinion. Removal of Poles. Tho Matamata County Council wrote with regard to tho liability of County Councils in the cost of the removal of electric poles in road construction. Tho letter read as follows:—"In tho Supreme Court, Auckland, a decision was given in favour of Power Boards for the cost of removing poles, and the County Council is considering the question of appealing to the Appeal Court for a further decision. As it considers matter is of vital importance to~dll County Councils, it asks for a donation towards the cost of the action." The clork's memorandum stated that this decision would not affect the Heathcote Council, as the Tramway Board and the Municipal Electrical Department would not come under tho regulations, which were applicable only to Power Boards. The chairman said that the matter did not actually affect the Council but that it was of vital importance to County Councils throughout the Dominion. If the action became law the Councils would know exactly how they stood. Tho Council fully recognised the public-spiritedness of the Matamata Council, and should be willing to assist them financially. It -was decided to make a contribution of £2 2s towards tho cost of the action. Mount Pleasant Jetty. A letter was received from Mr B Iviley drawing the Council's attention to the condition of the jetty at Mt. Pleasant. The end nearest the channel was very shaky, and one of the piles was missing. The life belt, given by the Lyttelton Harbour Board, had been gone for months. It was 'asked that some attention should be given to the wharf as early as possible or otherwise the end would bo washed away. The matter was left to Cr. Williams to investigate. The inspector's report was received as follows: Avon—Burwood and Bower bridges have been painted. Burwood bridge deck has been coated with tarred metal cud screenings. A number of willows and stumps have been pulled out from the stream and banks of tho river at Wainoni and Eiver roads, and others will be taken out when the engine is available. Channels have been chipped and cleaned. Bromley—Levelling of Ruru road has been continued to Dyers road, ana a start has been made to cut through and regrade two hills on Dyers road. Patching has been done on Bromley, Maces and Bridge roads. With Cr. Moore, an inspection was made of Canal Reserve. The road is in very fair order, and it is suggested that the small depressions and worn wheel tracks be made up, and sprayed, and that the whole road be afterwards tar sealed. Mt. Pleasant —The formation of a track from Sumner road up the hilt at Maffey's is being carried on. A concrete culvert is being constructed across Sumner road, near Mr Cropp's gateway, to replace a double pipe culvert which ig being taken out. Tar macadam is being mixed and got ready for maintenance of Sumner road highway. The formation of Hornibrook's road, from the school to near Mr Claydon's, is being done. W. Eade reports that a good water supply is available at the new reservoir. An indicator or tell-tale is required; otherwise the reservoir is now satisfactory. Valley—ln this riding the men have been employed cleaning drains, trim-' ming the sides of roads, and respreading shingle. On part of the Hills road highway, where the road is high above the water table, it is intended to erect a concrete kerbing. Hillsborough—Chipping and cleaning up has been done on Grange street, Station road, and Aynsley terrace. The top-dressiug with tar and screenings of Huntsbury footpath is about half done, and the remaining portion will he done next week. The cleaning of drains will be continued while the weather is favourable for that work. Cashmere—The cutting down of tree=; at Haekthorne road and Cashmere road junction is about half done.' New cap rails have been nut on Barrington street bridge HaoUthorne and Dvcrs Pass roads, between tho tram tcrminu and Westenra terrace, have liccn coated with metal, penetrated, and sealed. Malcolm avenue has been treated in the same way.