VINCENT COUNTY COUNCIL

Dunstan Times, Issue 3381, 4 July 1927, Page 5

VINCENT COUNTY COUNCIL

The ordinary monthly meeting of the above Council, held in the Council Chambers, Clyde on Thursday last was attended by Crs Jas Ritchie (chair) A. C. Secular, S. T. Spain, J. Kane, J. McKnight, W. D. Naylor, 0 Weaver and J E. Webb. <= The minutes of the annual and last ordinary meeting were read and confirmed. f Correspondence was read and dealt with as under —

Thos. Cherry, Clyde wrote asking permission to fence an abandoned road near Clyde bridge—Permission granted during pleasure of the Council

The Hcallh Dept wrote re a cemetery reserve at Maungawrra that was not required.—Resolved that this be vested in the Council as a gravel reserve-

The Tuapeka and Lake Counties wrote stating that they had declined the application of the Wanaka Motor Co to increase the rate of speed on the roads. The Wanaka Co wrote on the same subject asking that they be allowed to travel at 28 miles per hrThe chairman stated that., the clerk had replied stating that the Council had refused the application.

The Dept- of Lands and Survey wrote re reserve on section 23 Lower Hawea suggesting that this be aband oned The Inspector advised that it be retained. —Agreed toThe P.W.D. wrote forwarding authority for a grant of for the Grandview Creek.

With regard to the suggested improvement to the Queenstown - Hermitage road Mr J- R. Marks, engineer P.W.D. wrote asking the Vincent County Council to approach the Motor Club for a vote—The Chairman remarked that he understood that there was no chance of getting a vote from the Motor Club. Cr Scoular thought the Tourist Deptshould provide all the necessary money—The chairman agreed and he thought if they got what was likely a subsidy of £5 for £l, they would have £ 1,000 to improve their road from the county boundary down. The engineer was instructed to apply to the Motor Club and the Mt. Cook Co pointing out what the various counties were prepared to do, and asking for a vote. The Chairman was appointed the Council’s delegate to a Conference of the Counties interested to confirm uniform bye-laws*. The chairman pointed out that it was satisfactory to know that the whole of the province of Otago would have |uniform bye-laws The Farmers Union wrote urging that a cwmpulsory third party insurance risk be made on all motoriits, and also that the profits accruing therefrom be expended on the maintenance of roads—Cr Secular objected to the State administering the business —lt was resolved that the clerk write to Mr Horn M. P asking that he support a compulsory third party risk as suggested. The South Island Motor Assn, wrote asking the Councils support to their request that they be given another representative on the Highways Boards—A motion was carried oh the motion of Crs Secular and Webb that the Council did not agree to another representative of the Motor Assn on the Highways Board but favored the Assn having a representative on the Highways Council. The Sheepowners Employees Assn, wrote asking that a subsidy be granted for the destruction *of keas—lt was pointed out that keas were not. a menace in Vincent, and no action was taken.

Cr Secular brought up the matter of the Sludge Channel at Muddy Creek He was firmly of the opinion that the only solution was the cutting of the suggested Sludge Channel. Mr John Wilson, was present and be understood that the gentleman was prepared to assist in the work and to protect the Council against any claim from flood damage. Mr Wilson addressed the meeting and expressed his desire to assist the ( ouncil in getiing a good road- Mr Phillips the surveyor had assured him that a good fall could bo got without going into Mr Alexander’s property- The new plan went straight out to the river.— The chairman said that they had been promised a grant on the Estimates and hp thought the Council should go on with the work as soon as they got authority to spend the vole. IM knew that Mr Wilson was p;ci.arcc to assist and to indemnify the Council against damage from flood waters. — Cr McKnight pointed out that the work already done in building up the road would not be wasted. The chair man assured Mr W’ilson that the work would be undertaken as soon as possible, and Mr Wilson thanked the Council for its hearing Several petitioners asked the Council to repair Sloan’s Lane at Poolburn as they were greatly inconvenienced in consequence of its impassable state. — Cr McKnight supported the request and he again stressed the vital importance of something definite being done in the way of drainage in the district under discussion. He asked if something could not be done to make a temporary crossing near Sloans.—The Inspector to attend to this.

Cr Naylor moved that Mr Appleby be granted permission to erect a motor gate and swing gate at Dip Creek Lindis—Seconded by Cr Webb and carried With regard to the crossing at the railway at Galloway Cr Spain said the settlers were now of one opinion that the crossing should be made in the centre where the petitioners asked—at Kelman’s Lane —The Council agreed, the clerk to notify the settlers and the Railway Dept accordingly. Geo. Rivers, Little Valley, wrote asking that £l2 be voted to repair road from Grants to his property. Cr Spain supported the request, as he thought it a modest one. Cr Weaver suggested voting half the amount asked for; but it was decided to hold the matter over until next meeting in order to allow Cr Spain t<9 look into the matter. Cr McKnight took exception to ratepayers writing to the Council without consulting or communicating with the member for the riding. The chairman reported’on his visit to Wellington. He had interviewed the minister re the inequality of the hospital rating. At the present 60 per cent of the rates were being found by rural populations. For instance residents of Clyde were paying l'2s per head and those of boroughs like Alexandra were only paying 2s or fc 3s per head. To remedy this they had recommended the Minister, and had received a sympathet ic reply. The Minister of Public works had promised to give them a grant of £IOO for the Nevis Valley roads; and he was hopeful of getting a straight out vote for the Muddy Creek Sludge Channel. The Inspectors report was read and dealt with as under —

Gr Kane said that he and the Inspect or had arranged for some repairs to road at Makarora. Mr Gray had agreed to the deviation of the road at his property. Cr Webb asked if Smith’s crossing had been attended to, but the inspector replied that'it 'was impossible to do it at present. He asked that a screen at Lowburn be ear-marked Jor Locker Creek.

Cr bcoular asked that about 5 chains near the Lauder Railway Station be attended to while the gang was there.— Authority given to gravel this piece of road.

Cr Scoular also pointed out that the upper bridge at Matakanni could be dispensed with and a 15 inch pipe substituted. The bridge was in good order, and hs suggested that it might be shifted to Mr Read’s

The county ranger reported that the roads were free of stock.

The dog tax collector reported that to date he had registered 930 dogs, 703 at 2s6d, 124, at 5s and 23 at 10s. Cr Naylor asked that a corner of the road near the Lindis Crossing finger post be attended to—The Inspector to attend to this.

Cr Scoular also asked that some gravelling, already authorised be done in the township of Omakau. This was agreed to. Cr McKnight moved—That this Council recommend the Public Works Dept, that if any grant is being made to meet the unemployment difficulty such grant should be expended on the very necessary work of draining the Poolburn, vfiiich is a most urgent work especially as some system of drainage is absolutely essential. —Seconded by Cr Webb and carried. On Cr Weavers request a portion of road near Mr Taylor’s at Coaroys was authorised to be repaired. Accounts amounting to £l3Ol-12-10 were passed for payment. Tenders were accepted as under: Contract 78G, deviation Nevis Road John Ritchie ijllO.

Contract 788 Nevis road £SO, John Ritchie.