Springs County Council.

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume XXIII, Issue 3873, 2 June 1917, Page 3

Springs County Council.

MONTHLY MEETING.

The Springs County Council met at Springston on Thursday, when there were present: CouncillOTs M. F. Ryan (chairman), W. J. McMillan, H. Pannett, I. Andrew, Q. H. W. Stoddart and J.W.Kime. The Manukau County Council asked support for the following resolution: "That this council request the Government to amend Section 66 of tfce L|nd Drainage Act so as to either give county councils such powers as are invested in drainage boards, in counties where no drainage boards exist, or legislate so that county councils have power to compel owners to keep clear all creeks of willows or other big obstructions." . On the motion of Crs Andrew and Stoddart it was decided to support the resolution. The chairman was appointed delegate to a conference of the Canterbury branch lof" the N.Z. * Counties Association, to be held on the 20th inst. ' ! A letter was received from the president of the Plunket Society stating that an effort was about to be made to establish and endow in Christchurch a hospital for babies. The chairman was asked for his support in furthering the project. I The chairman and other members stated that they were heartily in sympathy with the pro-( posal. The chairman reported that after the recent mayoral election he had sent a message of congratulation to Mr Holland on his re-election to the office of chief magistrate of the city of Christchurch. Mr Holland had since acknowledged the message. ! The Canterbury Automobile Association drew attention to the bad state of the Burnham-Rol-leston. road. —The chairman said . that the council had decided two months ago to have repairs effected, but had been unable to do the work owing to the shortage of labour, s

Tfte matter of repairs to' the Greenpark-Motukarara,road was left in the hands of Crs Stoddart and McMillan and the surveyor. The chairman reported that Mr P. W.Quinn, the recently appointed teamster, had sent in his resignation in the early part of the month, four days after ceasing work. The chairman added that he had since appointed Mr P. Redmond to the position. The chairman's action was approved. Cr McMillan brought up the .. question of the control and upkeep of the Akaroa road. He Suggested that a deputation should be appointed to wait upon the Wairewa County Council with a request that it should take over control of that portion of *the "Akaroa-Christchurch road running adjacent to the Wairewa boundary. It would be a much easier and more satisfactory arrangement if the Wairewa Council would take in this road, for it ,was in a better position to carry out the maintenance work. The road was being used by the cars engaged in the motor service between Akaroa and* Christchurch. . He suggested that the canal would be a suitable boundary line. Cr McMillan moved a resolution in . accordance with his suggestion, and- said he thought the Wairewa Council would favourably consider the matter. *-\ Cr Stoddart seconded the resolution. The chairman said that the matter had been considered some years ago, but no finality had been reached. It was very desirable that the control of this road should be taken over by Wairewa. . It was agreed that the clerk should arrange a conference bstwecn the Springs and Wairewa Councils to be held in Cbristchurcb some market day. The officer io charge of the Valuation Department wrote stating that an officer had been instructed to value the fishing hut properties at the Selwyn mouth for rating purposes, in accordance with a request made by the council, A statement received from the North Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board showed that the levy against Sprirgs would be about £ 36 more than last year, Cr Andrew said that Hie number cf cases dealt with had increased greatly since he became a member of the board three yea«sago. The Chalmers Ward, samorium, hospital for infectious diseases, extension of sewage system all meant increased expenditure. The various insti* tut ions were being run as economic cally.as possible and the proposed expenditure was absolutely- necessary. The clerk and surveyor reported uron the work done during the month, and said that the roads bad improved since the rain. Patching work was being carried out in var* ions parts of the county. The new teamster had moved into the council's Ijouse at Sprbgston. The clerk reported having resumed wofk ) M^-jao May 21st after his holiday,, imfjPproved in health. Only a small "sum was now outstanding in rates, He asked instructions as to cleaning up the Lincoln streets and whether tbe council intended to distribute p?i oned grain this winter, h was decided to proc re supp iss

of poisoned grain and to have shingling and other matters in Lincoln attended to as soon as possible. It was also decided to purchase 20 tons of chaff for the council's teams. SPECIAL MEETING. j After the ordinary meeting a special meeting was held to receive and discuss the annual balance* sheet; and give notice of the striking of the general rate. | The chairman said that the coun* j «dl had every reason to congratulate; it,self on Us financial position, the Springston riding being in credit to the extent of 5s 3d and Greenpark £629 os Bd, at March 31st. It was probably the first time on r«* cord that Greenpark -had had such a large credit balance—there was usually a debit. Notice was given of intention to strike a rate of *d in the £ in Springston riding and f d in Greenpark riding for the current year. On the motion of the chairman, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the press representative, who, Cr Ryan said, went to a good deal of trouble to look after the council's interests and always gave full and impartial reports of the meetings,