PENINSULA COUNCIL

Evening Star, Issue 21717, 11 May 1934, Page 6

PENINSULA COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING The monthly meeting of the Peninsula County Council was held at Portobello yesterday and was attended by Crs Macandrew (chairman), Cross, Stewart, Irvine, Edmonds, Nyhon, Hellyer, Brunton, and Robertson. By direction of the Minister of Internal Affairs the treasurer of the Golden Chance Art Union forwarded n. cheque for £l2, as part of the profits of the art union, the money to be applied to relief of distress at Portobello. Mr A. G. Neill wrote drawing attention to the state of the road leading to what is known as Allan’s Beach from the inlet side of Dickson’s Hill. Tins road for a distance of two miles was heavily potholed, and owing to its narrowness was fast becoming a source of danger to users. The matter was left to the engineer to attend to. Mr A. L. Macdonald (Waverley) advised that he was transferring his garage from its former position in SJiandon road to the section behind his house and asked the council to put in order that portion of Abbotsford road from the junction of Shandon road to where the entrance to his garage would be.— It was decided that the road be inspected. The Peninsula Motor Service Ltd., replying to the council’s request for a contribution in connection with the widening of the road at Harrington Point, stated that it was called upon to pay a large sum every year by way of heavy traffic license fees and did not feel called upon to pay any further amount in respect to reading on the Peninsula. Other bodies such as tae Dunedin City Corporation and the Otago Motor Club had benefited cry considerably by the additional facilities provided for private motor cars, and the company was of the opinion that before it was called on these bodies should be asked to contribute. Received. Five ratepayers of Higbcliff wrote drawing attention to the state of the road from Sirs Lookhead’s gate to Highcliff School and asking that it should be put in order.—lt was decided that the matter should receive attention. Mrs M. Oliver wrote stating that she had written two or three times asking that the road to her place should be put into repair. She added that if no satisfactory arrangement were made by the end o t the month legal proceedings would be taken.—After some discussion it was decided to inform the writer that the council disclaimed any liability for the old road, but was prepared to meet her in connection with the crossing giving access from the highway, subject to the consent of the Hfeliways Board. Miss G. E. Foster wrote asking that the entrance to her house at the corner of Dickson and Macandrew streets, Wharfdale, should be put into satisfactory condition.—The request was referred to the engineer. A petition was received from eighteen ratepayers asking the council to lengthen the two culverts on tho road from Portobello to Hooper’s Inlet where the road reached the inlet. One culvert required about 6ft and the other 9ft This work would make the corners safe for traffic and reduce the number of cars, including the Peninsula freight wagon, that fell into the ditches.—Referred to the member for the riding and engineer. Mr John Dick (WicklilFe Bay) drew attention to the state of the road lead-

in gto his property. This was, he said, the worst piece of road in the whole county, and he asked that it should be given a coat of metal before the winter set in.—The engineer reported that the road was receiving attention. A grant of £3 3s was made to the St. John Ambulance Association. “AN ACT OF VANDALISM.” Recent newspaper correspondence protesting against the destruction of a totara tree at the council’s reserve at Smith’s Bay was read by the chairman. The discussion arose from a letter by S. N. Muir (Broad Bay), who wrote drawing attention to what he described as 'an act of vandalism,” involving the loss of an ornament to the locality. “ The native bush here is one of the assets of the place,” he added, “ and it is a shame that it should bo destroyed. 1 trust your council will take some prompt action in the matter and so prevent any further damage to the bush.” The County Clerk reported that he bad advised the writer of the letter that the tree was removed with the permission of the council, and subsequently two other letters were received frofu the same writer asking if the tree had been cut clown on the recommendation of any councillor; by whom it had been cut down; whether anything was paid for it; and at what meeting of the council permission to cut the tree was given. The Chairman read the newspaper correspondence on the subject, and commented: “These letters came pretty quickly one after another.” After a brief discussion Cr Nyhon said that he thought it was a waste of time to bother any more about it. “ Anyway,” he added, “ the tree was half-rotten and was growing on a slope where it was gradually sinking. There was only a little tuft on top of it.” It was decided to acknowledge receipt of the letters and to advise the writer that the tree was felled with the council’s permission. “ I think we might intimate that the council is quite sensible of the need for preserving beauty spots,” the Chairman added, “ and that this tree did not comply with the council’s idea of beauty.” The chairman’s suggestion was approved