COUNTY COUNCILS

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21989, 13 January 1937, Page 6

COUNTY COUNCILS

ELLESMERE DRAINAGE AT TAUMUTU The. members present at a monthly meeting of the Ellesmere County, Council, held at Leeston on Monday, were Crs. J. Heslop (chairman), A. Quigley, J. P. McEvedy, A. Anderson, D. Marshall, and R. T. McMillan. The sympathy of the council was extended to Mrs 1\ Rowell in the death of her husband, and appreciative references were made to Mr Rowell's work as representative of the county on the North Canterbury Hospital Board for many years. Mr J. Garland's application for the opening of a water-race through his property was granted. Cr. Heslop was nominated for appointment to the North Canterbury Hospital Bdlird, in place of Mr Rowell for the remainder of the term. A complaint was received from Mr A. E. Withell that work done by the council's employees in the Selwyii riverbed had assisted in bringing the stream on to his property, the Irwell riding members and the engineer were asked to confer with Mr Withell. It was decided to make application to the Highways Board this year for the sealing of the main highway from Ellesmere bridge to Doyleston, and from Leeston to Southbridge. Dop registration fees were fixed, Mr W. McVinnie was appointed collector, and the tender of F. B. Clausen for the supply of collars was accepted at 58s 4d a hundred. February 25 was fixed as the date for imposition of the 10 per cent, penalty on rates. Cr. McEvedy emphasised the need for better drainage at Taumutu. where a large area of land was flooded because of the blockage of creeks and outlets with shingle. On the same subject a letter was received from the Public Works Department asking the council to submit proposals and estimates of the cost of two culverts, in order that the provision of a grant might be considered by the Minister. The engineer was asked to submit plans and estimates at next meeting. ASHLEY MEASURES FOR ROAD SAFETY TO BE TAKEN The last monthly meeting of the Ashley County Council was" attend by Crs. T. Pulley ( chairman), H. T. Metherell, H. G. Philpott, G. Croft, E. Percy, J. D. McCracken, and J. W. Ensor. The Minister for Transport forwarded copies of the Traffic Regulations, 1936, and recommendations about road safety. The council discussed the erection of protective fences at places where it was considered that vehicles might leave the road, and decided to reconstruct the approach rails on the southern approach to the main Ashley traffic bridge, and to attend to visibility at intersections by removing obstructions. It was also decided to renew the caution signs near the South Loburn School. The fixing of the statutory half-holi-day for shops within the county was left to the Minister for Labour. . The council decided to confirm the new arrangements outlined by the medical officer of health for the contribution towards the inspector's services, the revised charge to be £2O a year, an increase of £2 18s. Suggested protective works on Inglis road will be held over until next spring. The clerk was directed to notify several frontage owners to tidy their roadside frontages, particularly those who had had them tilled with the gyrotiller. The council decided to continue with the construction of a timber bridge across the. upper Bullock creek, and with the reconstruction of King's bridge. It was decided to recommend that Rangiora and Christchurch show days be the two additional holidays in the year for employees. The supervisor reported that during the month the staff had been in camp on Dobsons road attending to road repairs, in Lees Valley, attending to the reconstruction of protective works at Gillesoie's bridge, and at the Garry shingling that section of the RangioraOxford highway*. The reconstruction of Hamilton's dip bridge had been completed and opened to traffic just before Christmas, the total cost being £390. The financial statement showed receipts since last meeting to be £445 4s 9d. The debit balance at the bank was £1220 5s sd. WAIREWA The Wairewa County Council decided at its last monthly meeting that the last day for th<> payment of rates should be February 15. At a special meeting of the council, Wednesday was fixed as the weekly half-holiday