PENINSULA COUNTY

Evening Star, Issue 21433, 9 June 1933, Page 11

PENINSULA COUNTY

MONTHLY COUNCIL MEETING Present at tho monthly meeting of the Peninsula County Council yesterday were:—The chairman (Mr H. Macandrew), Crs J. Cross, W. D. Stewart, J. T. Irvine, T. S. Edmonds, J. J, Nyhon, J. Hellyer, and R. Brunton. UNLIGHTED CYCLE MENACE. Drawing the council’s attention to the number of cyclists riding along the low road at night without having their cycles properly lighted, the Peninsula Motor Service Ltd. claimed that the practice was increasing and some action should be taken to put a stop to it, otherwise an accident was almost ' certain to result. The drivers reported that undue strain was placed on them on account of having to keep a specially keen look-out for unlighted bicycles. This involved danger to passengers, as a swerve to avoid a cyclist might cause an accident to a bus. The Chairman said that there seemed to bo considerable laxity, even in tbe city, in enforcing tbe proper lighting of bicycles. Not only were they a menace to motorists, but also to pedestrians, as they moved along so silently. Cr Irvine agreed that action should be taken. It was a common practice for one cyclist to provide the light for two or three others riding with him. The menace was one of the biggest they had to contend with, said Cr Nyhon. The cyclists had no regard for other traffic. It was reported by the County Engineer that, in company with a police constable, he had attempted to make an example of some of the offenders on a recent night, but he had been unable to catch anyone. However, he was determined to put a stop to the menace, and would endeavour to prosecute the offenders. LOW ROAD STOCK ROUTE. Regarding the stock route between the Peninsula and Burnside, the Town Clerk, Dunedin, advised that, in view of the fact, that the low road route would cater ’for very little stock traffic and that such traffic would be limited to a few quiet dairy cattle, the General Committee' of City Council was prepared to give the proposal to drive stock from the harbour side of the Peninsula area a trial for a period of, say, six months from June 1. At the end of that period the matter would require reviewing by the City Council. Would the persons concerned be prepared to agree to the condition that only a small amount of stock of a tame nature be driven? Another letter from the town clerk stated that it had further been decided that the existing* stock route be retained for the time being on the understanding that such route was to bo used as little as possible, and that in any case the stock driven thereon would comprise what might be termed tame dairy cattle. The City Council’s offer was practically what they, had asked for, said the Chairman, who added that it was difficult to follow what the route would ‘be. Cr Hellyer said that the proposal was the best they could get, and the terms should be accepted. It was decided to agree to the City Council’s proposal. UPKEEP OF ROADS. Urging that county councils throughout the dominion should approach their respective members of Parliament requesting that, irrespective of party politics, they would guarantee to press for complete derating of farm lands for road purposes, a resolution from the Bay of Islands County Council was received with a view to obtaining the support of the council. It was not the duty of farmers to keep up the public roads, declared Cr Nyhon, who contended that the time had long passed for them to put their foot down firmly on the matter. “ Let the tyre and petrol taxation pay for the roads and the farmer will contribute his share the same as tho others,” said Cr Irvine. Unanimous support'of tho resolution was given. RATES DISCUSSED. When the matter of striking the rates for the year came before the meeting, Cr Nyhon expressed the opinion that it was time the farmers received a reduction in county rates. Without doubt tho rates were a heavy burden to some farmers. The road would have to be maintained by moneys provided by those who made use of them or receive less attention. . Some ridings would bo in debt at tho start of the new financial year, said Cr Cross. It was Cr Irvine’s opinion that the farmer was not receiving enough assistance from the Government, which should either de-rate the land entirely of provide a subsidy. The de-rating of land would be introduced in time, said Cr Hellyer. Other councillors believed that the present staff of the council could not be maintained if the rates were reduced, and the county clerk reported that about £SOO had been outstanding in rates this time last year, while the position at the present time was that approximately £l,lOO was outstanding. Some people who could afford to pay their rates were not doing so, commented the chairman, who gave notice that at the next meeting he would move that the rates should be struck at the same amount as last year, and that a penalty of 10 per cent, should be placed on all rates unpaid by March 20, 1934, and a rebate of 5 per cent, given on the general rates paid before September 30. GENERAL. Dealing with the provisions of tho recent legislation affecting local body finance, and expressing tho desirability of local bodies converting existing loans at a lower rate of interest, a circular memorandum was received from the Local Government Loans Board.—Cr Cross inquired if the matter affected the county, to which the county clerk replied that the matter should be carefully considered, as tho council had two loans—one for £6OO, obtained in 1923 for repairs to damage on the roads caused by the big flood, and another for £700,' procured to pay half the cost of tho Anderson’s Bay bridge.—The chairman and county clerk were appointed to consider the memorandum and submit a report to tho next meeting. Crs Cross and Brunton were appointed to fully investigate a proposal submitted by tbe Matamata County Council for the eradication of ragwort and report to tho next council meeting. .Subject to tho approval of the board’s estimates, the council’s levy to the Otago Hospital Board for tho current year would be £960 17s 4d, stated a i,,".... r rom the board’s secretary.—Received. ,ar trees offered to the council by the Peninsula Motor Service Ltd. to form an avenue on the main road at Otakou were stated to bo ready for planting. They were about 6ft high, and about 200 trees would be available. —lt was decided that the engineer obtain tbe trees at the first available opportunity. A resident of Camp road complained iof the state of the street, which, he

alleged, was almost impassable for motor traffic on account of pine needles and clay. The water tables also required cleaning.—Left in charge of the engineer and Cr Nyhon. It Avaa advised by the Otago Education Board that it had decided to name its subdivision at North-east Harbour •• Craigmore.” ENGINEER’S REPORT. Reporting on work done in the county during the past month, tho engineer stated that in the Otago Heads riding work had been recommenced on the dpikariti road, further repairs to the formation being in hand. I’lie work of repairing a section of the Riddell s to Hooper’s Inlet road in the Sandyiiiount Riding had been continued. Patching of potholos on Ridge road was in hand; A small quantity of metal had been spread on tho Seal Point coad to overcome the danger of skidding duo to frost. Repairs to tho sea wall on the main road at Lower Portobollo were in hand. Water table cleaning had been attended to on tho highway. Cleaning of the water tables on the back roads of the Portobollo Riding had been commenced. Work bad been done on tho opening of the outlet of Smaill s Creek at Tomahawk. Lupins had been cut back and water tables cleaned on Glen street and Smaill’s road. Water tables had been cleaned in several streets in Macandrew Bay and on tho Beach road. A start had been made with the cleaning up of a corner of Marion street. Cleaning up of streets in Broad Bay had been continued. Water tables had been cleaned on tho Bench road. A stretch of James street had been coaled with waste metal from the main road. The report was adopted. Tho county ranger’s report was adopted.

FINANCE. Accounts amounting to £BBS 9s Id were passed for payment.