COUNTY COUNCIL.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20906, 13 July 1933, Page 15

COUNTY COUNCIL.

WAIMAIRI. The Waimairi County Council met last evening. Present: Crs. J. Liggins • chairman), C. E. Cross, W. J. Walter, F. S. Scott, C. W. Moore, W. G. Chapman, G. Gardner, T. O. Newnham, W. Price, and W. P. Spencer. Cr. Chapman asked why the Hospital Board levy for the year had been increased, when in other counties in North Canterbury a much reduced levy had been made. Cr. Spencer said it must be on account ol reduced valuations. The county clerk (Mr G. S. Cowper) explained that the levy was made on the previous year's valuations. The county would receive the benefit of the new valuations when the next levy was made. Cr. Newnham asked that £ls be provided for fencing the Middleton pit in preparation for tree-planting. Cr. Chapman objected to the expenditure unless it was provided for in the estimates. . Cr. Walter said that if they could not keep within the estimates, they were not fit for their jobs. A commission would investigate all county affairs shortly, and haphazard methods would not be tolerated. The chairman assured the council that there would be sufficient in Jiand to carry out this small job, and it was agreed to put the work in hand. It was decided to hold some function on Arbor Day. The arrangements were left to the tree-planting committee. A letter was received from the City Council, giving the estimated costs of a new bridge over the Avon at Dallington, and alterations to the present bridge. The estimate for a new bridge in concrete, 66 feet wide, was £13,000; 42 feet wide, £9000; widening the present bridge 134 feet, £I2OO. The council's share of putting a foot bridge alongside would be £2O. Cr. Liggins said the bridge was a danger. It was so narrow that when a car was on the bi'idge there was hardly room for a pedestrian to pass. The footbridge would enable the bridge to remain in use for several years. Cr. Walter suggested that £6OO be put on the estimates to provide a new bridge. This brought opposition from several councillors. Cr. Liggins asked that the council should make an inspection of the bridge. It was decided to agree to the erection of the footbridge in the meantime. The medical officer of Health (Dr. T. Fletcher Telford) wrote complaining of the condition of a ditch on the Main P£orth road, opposite and a few yards south of Brown's store. The school medical officer had reported that there was an offensive smell from this ditch. Cr. W. Price said the trouble was caused through lack of fall. It was decided to clean the drain and to consider the piping of it next year. Crs. Liggins and Scott were appointed to attend a conference convened by the City Council to consider better access to the sea. The Drainage Board wrote agreeing to a conference in regard to the rates on the Northcote properties. Cr. Chapman reported that he had attended as the council's representative at the Conciliation Council in the drivers' dispute. Cr. Chapman was appointed to watch the interests of the council in future negotiations. Cr. Moore asked if there was any prospect of assistance in the way of reduced charges for cui-rent being given to users of electric stoves. The chairman said that the position had been considered recently, and concessions had been made amounting to £I4OO. There was no possibility of any further reduction at present. The following notice of motion, for consideration at next meeting, was handed in by Cr. Gardner:—"That this council petition Parliament to have the practice discontinued of the Lands Departmtnt in deducting 5 per cent, of subdivision areas more than four acres in extent, such practice never having been authorised by Parliament in the first place: all city, town, and borough subdivisions to be excepted."