KAIKOURA COUNTY COUNCIL

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23351, 10 June 1941, Page 5

KAIKOURA COUNTY COUNCIL

— UPKEEP OF BLUFF ACCESS TRACK The first meeting of the newly-elected Kaikoura County Council was held on Friday, night. > The former chairman, Mr F. J. Monk, was re-elected county chairman. The Medical Officer of Health reported that the sample of water taken from the Kaikoura emergency supply was considered by the analyst to be of satisfactory quality. Mr E. P. Meachen, member for the district,, forwarded a copy of a letter from the Minister for Public Works relating to the Bluff access track, which stated that the Minister had noted that the council was unable to give an undertaking adequately to maintain the track after the expenditure of £7OO on reconstruction. “My offer to provide £SOO of the £7OO was made in the anticipation that when the track had been reconstructed it would be within the means of the council and the settlers to keep the access in reasonably good order without further capital expenditure. I am not in a position to assist in maintaining the access, this being the nqrmal function of the local authority, Inor is it possible for me to favourably consider the suggestion that an annual sum be committed in respect of a Government contribution during the next five years. Unless the council is able to give the required understanding regarding maintenance, I regret that my offer of £SOO for reconstruction work, involving a contribution of £2OO from the counpil also, cannot remain open.” The chairman said the council was unable to accept responsibility of the upkeep of an unformed track, hence the proposal had been turned down. However, he believed the matter would be settled satisfactorily. The District Highways Council intimated that £IOOO bad been approved by Cabinet to assist in repairing recent flood damage in the district. It was resolved to support the Lake County Council resolution to urge the Government to Remove the restriction of the 40-hour' week to enable the country to make better efforts towards winning the war, by giving unlimited backing to the fighting forces. The chairman (Mr Monk) was reelected representative to the Highways Council.