COUNTY COUNCILS

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21973, 23 December 1936, Page 6

COUNTY COUNCILS

Vv AIPARA

At the December meeting of the Waipara County Council there were present: Messrs W. K, McAlpine (Chairman), A. Cowic, J. Quigley, D. S. McKenzie, and J. G. Whyte. A financial statement tabled showed that receipts since the last meeting had amounted to £1367 2s lid. The bank overdraft stood at £3015 and would be increased to £4286 when accounts before members for payment totalling £1271 had been met. It was stated that this apparently large debit need cause no concern, as practically the whole of the current year’s rate levy remained to be collected, and provided expenditure remained within reasonable limits during the remaining three months of the financial year the position was sound. The county clerk reported that members of the Main Highways Board and staff had visited the county on December 3 and were entertained at luncheon. The board's chairman had pointed out, in discussing the council’s requests, that owing to heavy commitments it would be necessary for local bodies to contribute their share of major deviation costs. This decision might affect some of the proposals at present under consideration for improvements on highways within the county. It was reported that a start had been made with the erection of the Home Creek No. 4 bridge on the Glenmark Drive road, and that it was estimated that the work would be completed in about one month. The No. 1 bridge on the same road was reported to be very dangerous owing to its narrowness and the sharp curves approaching it, and it was decided to widen 'the structure to 10 feet. The Main Highways Board wrote stating that no new highways would be declared this year, but that applications for the next year would receive consideration. Permission was received from the Railway Department to shift a fence in the Weka Pass to facilitate the straightening of the road. The Department of Health wrote suggesting that the county’s contribution to the health inspector’s salary and expenses should be increased from £46 per annum to £BS. It was decided to confer with other counties in the area served before agreeing to the proposal.

MALVERN

At the last meeting of the Malvern County Council the Public Works Department advised that the plans and snecifications for the Wai-a-niwa-niwa river bridge had been approved, and the engineer was instructed to go into the matter of obtaining the material for its construction.

The chairman reported having attended a meeting of the District Highways Council, when it was explained that no new highways would be declared this year. The Upper Riccar-ton-Arthur’s Pass main highway was being taken over by the Highways Board as a State highway from November 1, 1936, and other highways also were being likewise treated, so that the additional expense placed on the board this year necessitated them calling a halt in the matter of new highways. The engineer reported that the scarifying of the Bealey road was continued up to the end of last week, and that owing to the bad state of the lower end of the Greendale-Norwood road it was considered advisable to crush some metal for repairs between Norwood and the two-chain road. The plant was accordingly moved and repairs to this section of road were being carried out. After the New Year he proposed to crush blue rock for repairs to the South Malvern Hills road and to do some scarifying on the West Coast road. The report continued that grading had been carried out on most of the main highways during the month and also on Ridgend road, Adams road, and the Darfield-Green-dale road, and that patching had been done on various roads where required. Owing to the wet weather there is no shortage of water in the races. Some stoopages have occurred by reason of debris from cleaning operations blocking the gauges.

CHEVIOT

The December meeting of the Cheviot County Council was attended by Crs. J. Paton (chairman). F. C. de Lambert, W. L. Foster. D, McLaren, N. R. Wilkinson, and J. D. E. Winskill. Advice was received from the Main Highways Board’s representative in Christchurch that as from November 1. the Christchurch-Blenheim highway through the Cheviot county would be regarded as a State highway, and all the expenditure incurred thereon would be met in full by the board. In the meantime control of work done on the State highway would remain in the hands of the council. Advice was received that the Huru-nui-Blythe road loan had been raised and the amount of the loan, £I4OO. was now available It was resolved to pay the amount into the public account as agreed with the Public Works Department. The engineer reported that necessary surveys were completed, and legislation was in hand. The council granted the sum of £1 Is each to the society for the Protection of Women and Children and the St. Saviour’s Orphanages.

The chairman reported on the recent visit of the Main Highways Board to Cheviot, and said that if application were made, the board would favourably consider tar-sealing those portions of State highways running through the various townships in the county. The board had also advised that it would assume control of the State highway not later than March 31. It was resolved to make application to the board for it to take over control of

the State highway soon, preferably in January; and also to ask that the State highway through Domett. Cheviot, and Parnassus townships be sealed. , It was resolved that employees bo granted holidays from December 24 to January 4.

Accounts amounting to £751 19s 5d were apnroved. The engineer, Mr A. R. Callender, mentioned in his report that further gravelling of the Christchurch-Blen-heim main highway was completed, 308 cubic yards of metal and binding having been spread on the Domett to Hurunui bridge section; and 498 cubic yards on the Parnassus to Hawkswood section. Regular patrol grading was continued throughout the month, 25 days’ grading being completed. Formation on the Mina-Gore Bay highway at the Domain reserve was widened, where the outside edge had fallen away into the sea. Plans for the proposed breastwork at Gore Bay are in course of preparation.