WAIREWA COUNTY COUNCIL

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21938, 12 November 1936, Page 10

WAIREWA COUNTY COUNCIL

— —♦ The monthly meeting of the Wairewa County Council was held at Little River, when there were present: Mr F. Coop (chairman), Crs. W. H. Montgomery, E. J. Keenan, T. Feather, J. V. Chapman, W. F. Parkinson. and N.« Wright. A motion of sympathy with the relatives of Mr E. A. Radford, of Motukarara. was carried. Mr P. R. Climie waited on the council about doing local work by the unemployment labour, and it had been suggested the stream through Little River might be cleared of willows. This work might be generously aided by the Government at the present time. Other districts had men clearing streams under this scheme. The Labour Department would pay £2 ss, and the council £1 15s. The council would have to find the tools and insure the men, and the council might find it an attractive proposal. The chairman said the council might not be doing the work themselves. Mr Climie said the Native Lands Department could be approached. The Hon. R. Semple could be seen about it-

The chairman thanked Mr Climie for attending the meeting. The chairman said after the last meeting he had waited on the Minister for Public Works about the permanent drainage of Lakes Forsyth and ' Ellesmere. Mr Semple said it was expected that the council should contribute toward permanent drainage. Advice was received that in the Washing-up Bill provision had been made for the raising by special loan of £2207 3s 9d, and a further £2OOO, and it was suggested that the council should retain one of the reserves, the revenue of which had been used for letting out the lake from time to time. Cr. Montgomery pointed out that nothing whatever had been said about the adjoining landowners contributing towards the scheme. The land to be reclaimed would have to be considered. The Government might not vest this land in the council. The Minister for Public Works wrote noting that his proposals were not acceptable to the council. He considered the reserves should be vested in the Crown, and, furthermore, that the council should find £SOOO towards the permanent drainage scheme. The chairman said the Minister would be in Canterbury next week, and a decision would have to be made. The following resolution was car-

ried: “That the Wairewa County Council, after consideration of the Minister’s letter, suggests that in addition to their former proposals, they are willing that all (and reclaimed should be vested in the Crown. They wish to point out that the contributions of the council v ould amount to a sura exceeding £7000.” Cr. Montgomery drew the council’s attention to the overdraft, which stood at £4763. The overdraft had not been fixed for the nresent year. Mr Renner said claims to the Main Highways Board amounted to approximately £ 800. Cr. Montgomery read the tag from the Auditor-General in reference to the overdraft exceeding the limit presented by the Finance Act on their balance for the year ended March 31, 1936... He considered the council should comply with the law, and state higher rates. The chairman said the council had reduced the overdraft by £7OO or £BOO. and this year would still further reduce it. He considered the council should write to the AuditorGeneral pointing out the council’s improved position, and that the present year they would still further improve their finances. He moved that the Auditor-General be written to this effect, seconded by Cr. Parkinson, and carried.

The finance report was adopted, and the pay sheet, amounting to £1319, was passed for payment. The Main Highways Board notified that members of the board would visit the council on November 21. It was decided the sealing of the main highway and the financing of it be brought before the board. The Department of Agriculture notified that parasites for white butterflies could be supplied in December.