CHEVIOT COUNTY COUNCIL

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21940, 14 November 1936, Page 4

CHEVIOT COUNTY COUNCIL

The November meeting of the Cheviot County Council was attended by Mr J. Paton (chairman), Crs. F. C. de Lambert, W. L. Foster, D. McLaren, N. R. Wilkinson, and J. D. E. Winskill, an apology lor absence being received from Cr. G. L. Rutherford. The Minister for Public Works (the Hon. R. Semple) advised that he had examined the report submitted to the council about its proposals to construct bridges and culverts at all open ford stream crossings in the county. He understood that the council desired to know what subsidy would be available from the Public Works Fund toward the cost of the works outlined and he advised that, provided application were made in each financial year, he would be prepared to authorise a £1 for £1 subsidy ior the council's programme of bridge construction. It was decided to thank the Minister for his undertaking, but at the same time, it was considered that, as the council's proposals would assist the Government's policy of improving backblocks access and would also serve large areas of Crown land, an endeavour should be made to induce ! the Minister to grant a higher subsidy. It was therefore decided to ask him to receive. a deputation on the matter when he was in the district. The Engineer-in-Chief of the Public Works Department, Wellington, advised that because of the situation of Cheviot, and that Cheviot did not lie directly on the recognised air route to Chrischurch, it would appear that an aerodrome at Cheviot would not be of any great value in the main transport tem. Any value it may have would be directly serving Cheviot and district alone. While his department was sympathetic in the matter, the provision of aerodrome facilities at Cheviot did not appear to be an urgent matter. The department also required that an aerodrome to provide reasonable facilities for Cheviot should be of Class C standard. Should the provision of an aerodrome be undertaken, local interests would be expected to provide the necessary land. Control of the aerodrome should preferably be in the hands of a local body and the cost of construction of the actual flying field would be subsidised £1 for £1 by the Government. The Medical Officer of Health advised that consideration had been given to the council's contribution toward the salary of the Health Inspector. It had been decided to .assess the council's contribution at 6d a head of population as from April 1, 1937. On this basis the council would have to find £35 a year, compared with their present quota of £26 15s a year. It was decided to agree to the arrangement. Accounts amounting to £763 8s were passed for payment. Mr H. E. Waters's application for renewal of a billiard-room license in respect of his premises in Cheviot was approved. It was resolved that tenders be called for the supply of 400 dog collars for 1937, and that the ranger be authorised to finish the 1933 registration before the end of the current year.

Advice was received that the Main Highways Board would visit Cheviot county on December 2 in an inspection of highways in the northern part of the South Island. The board would be pleased to meet councillors on that occasion and discuss with them matters about the construction and maintenance of main highways.