COUNTY COUNCILS

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21290, 9 October 1934, Page 19

COUNTY COUNCILS

♦ SELWYN The members present at the monthly meeting of the Selwyn County Council were Crs. W. Gilmour (chairman), F. J. Andrews, N. J. Brown, G. Hight, G. H. Grigg, T. D. Jarman, R. H. Johnston, T. E. Pearson, and W. Stone. The engineer reported that the contract for metalling Ardlin road with crushed metal had been completed during the month, a total of 1053 yards being crushed. During the last 12 months the crusher had metalled 20 miles of road and patched a much greater length. It was decided to install the crusher at Lawson's pit and commence metalling on the Dunsandel road. It was reported that there had been practically no unemployment scheme operating in the county all the winter, the council having been able to absorb most of the surplus labour on standard works. It might be necessary to start the scheme again shortly, however, unless other work were offering. ! ASHLEY The Ashle; County Council met at Loburn, when there were present Messrs H. T. Metherell (chairman), Ensor, Mackintosh, McCracken, Philpott, and Pulley. A vote of sympathy was passed with the relatives of the late Mrs Cassidy and of the late Mr W. A. Kelchor. It was reported to the council that a roadside frontage had been ploughed without a permit. The clerk was instructed to write drawing the offender's attention to this infringement of the act. It was resolved that when a notice to clear gorse was issued this would be deemed to be also a permit for ploughing, the usual conditions of levelling being obligatory. The chairman referred to the advisability of +ar-sealing the approaches of the traffic bridge, and a further extension of the work to the corner of the Ashley Junction highway. The local share of the latter would be a charge against the county and the former would be against the bridge account. Members were of the opinion that the present opportunity was very favourable as the Rangiora County Council would be tar-sealing their portion of Ashley street. The recommendation was adopted and the clerk instructed to bring the matter before the contributing bodies. Concerning the upper Ashley bridge, Lees Valley, the district engineer wrote stating that the Highways Board had accepted the council's proposal to make four equal annual payments, but the council would have to get authority from the Treasury in the form of an order-in-council, sanctioning the loan. The clerk was authorised to apply as required. The district engineer wrote stating that the replacing of two gates on the Lees Valley road in the council's area by cattle stops would cost £124, the council's share being £3l. On account of heavy financial calls for this road it was decided that the stops could not at present be erected. In reply to a letter from Mr A. S. Nicholls about damage by flood in the Okuku it was decided to do the necessary protective work as scon as the river was normal. The clerk was instructed .o arrange with the clerks of adjacent districts for a uniform price for small birds' • eggs r.nd heads.

.MACKENZIE \

The monthly meeting of the Mackenzie County Council was held at FairJio, Mr George Murray (chairman) presiding. The chairman presented the finance committee'^., report, which showed a debit balance of £163 7s 7d. Receipts for the month totalled £3159 9s sd. The day's pay sheet amounted to £1651 18s 2d. The engineer (Mr J. Jeune) reported that after long conference with the Minister for Public Works (the Hon. J. Bitchener), the under-secre-taries of lands, and the Commissioner of Unemployment a satisfactory arrangement had been made for continuing the Glen Lyon road. A substantial sum had been placed on the supplementary estimates for the erection of the Claycliffc bridge. Intimation had also been received that if plans for one of the Albury bridges were submitted to the department, funds would probably be made available for its erection. Mr Talbot moved that the bridges on the old road at Albury should be retained for stock bridges and that a block should be erected to prevent 'raffle crossing them. He included in the motion a suggestion that the council should make application to the Highways Board to have the deviation declared a main highway. The motion was carried. Mr Carter reported on a meeting of the District Highways group. He said he thought the council should have a waiting list of roads which it proposed for declaration as main highways. Mr Fisher recommended the council to support the Camp ValleyAlbury road, and in the meatime to leave the Clayton road. The suggestion was supported by Mr Parker and carried. The Fairlie Domain Board wrote stating that the board suggested the council should consider the advisability of allowing the athletic grounds to be used as a motor camp. It was agreed that the council should establish a motor camn at the grounds. Mr Fisher raised the question of providing stork routes, and he suggested that the council should inspect a pronosed rout" connecting Mackenzie with Opawa. It was decided 1o make an inspection at a date to be arranged.