COUNTY COUNCIL

Kaikoura Star, Volume LVI, Issue 88, 9 November 1936, Page 3

COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING The monthly meeting of the Kaikoura County Council took place on Friday afternoon. Present: Councillors F. J. Monk (Chainnam. E. EL Eccles, A. Howard. P. S. Hunim, B. J. Mackie, and G. D. Smith Apologies were received for the absence of Crs. L. P. Blunt and E. C. Latter. A number of pupils from the Hapuku School, under Mr Hay (headmaster) attended the meeting to gain an insight into the transaction of local body procedure.

COBRE SPONDENCE— G. H. Workman applied for permission to erect a building at the rear of bis section on the Esplanade.—Referred to the Building Committee. An application from G. Hoadley was similarly treated. Mr F. Langbein. Highways Board representative, forwarded a circular dealing with public works and main highways, subsidies to local authorities, rates of wages, etc. Mr C. H. Clibbon (Publicity Campaign Committee) forwarded a copy of correspondence sent to the Railway Publicity Department, and a statement of receipts and expenditure.—The correspondence was laid on the table. Mr E. P. Meachen, M.P., in acknowledging receipt of the Council’s letter regarding felling of bush an Ferniehurst, stated that he had already made representations to the Minister that the bush should be acquired for scenicpurposes. In a letter from the Minister of Lands (the Hon. F. Langstone), the Minister stated that it is not proposed to undertake the purchase of large estates until such time as the Minister of Finance has completed with the Imperial authorities satisfactory arrangements for the disposal of the Do minion* s primary products. . . . He had therefore to postpone for the time being any action in the direction of acquiring the Ferniehurst Estate for closer settlement. In a further letter the Minister stated on the property there was about 40 acres of light bush interspersed with some 400 to 500 larger forest trees. The cutting had been confined to pinus insignus trees and the manager of the estate had indicated that there was no intention to mill the whole of the native bush, which is prized by the present owners, but as the homestead was destroyed by fire some months back, it is r reposed to cut some 25,000 feet from the native bush for homestead requirements. While the push area, no doubt, is worthy of preservation, this is not a case where the purchase of the land could be favourably considered. If the owners were agreeable the department would be pleased to 'consider having the area declared a private scenic reserve under the Scenery Preservation Amendment Act, 1933, and arrangements are being made for the Commissioner of Crown Lands to take up this matter with the land holders.—No action taken. J. McDonald (Grovetown) applied for permission to lease portion of the foreshore at Aniseed Creek, for the purpose of erecting a general store. — The Chairman said it was a question as to jurisdiction over the property. The application was granted. An application was received for a site for a slaughterhouse at Okarahai. —lt was decided to investigate the position and if the Council had the authority that a lease be arranged. Father F. J. Devlin applied for permission to connect the Convent School to the water supply at a flat rate of £3 10/- per annum. —The Council could not accede to the request. ENGINEER’S REPORT— The County Engineer, Mr P. Burgoyne, reported for the month of October, 1936, as follows: 1 ' MAIN HIGHWAYS Christchurch-Blenheim, via Parnassus— Clarence River to South Bay:—The banking of the sharp corner just north of the Blue Duck has been completed, and similar work on other corners is proceeding. Patch-metalling has been carried out between Mangamaunu and Ohau, 202 cubic yards being placed. The narrow section of the road at the top of Athelney Road has been widened out to a formation width of 24 feet. Maintenance grading has been carried out by the motor-grader on 14 days during the month and generally the road is in good order. Waipara-Kaikoura, via Culverden — Conway River to Kaikoura: —Watertables on the Charwell and Reserve Cuttings have been cleaned out. Repairs have been effected to the Kahautara and Sawyer Fords and poplars have been planted at the crate recently erected at the foot of the Kahautara Cutting. Maintenance grading has been carried out on 94 days during the month and generally the road is in satisfactory order. SECONDARY HIGHWAYS Waiau and Beach Roads:—The necessary grading has been done on these roads and thev are in good order. GENERAL Schoolhouse Road: —The metalling of the section of this road between Mt. lyffe Road and Beach Road has been completed during the month, a further 168 cubic yards being spread. Poole’s Road: —The section of this road, which was reformed some months ago, has now been given a liberal coating of metal, 210 cubic yards being placed. Mt. Fyffe Road:—The metalling ot the section of this road from Schoolhouse and Postman’s Road is now in progress. Puhi Puhi Road: The cleaning of water-tables and culverts on this road is still in progress, and two new 9-inch diameter pipe culverts have been installed between the Clinton and Turner’s Mistake. Torquay Street Kerbing:—The .kerbin g between Killarney Road and Yarmouth Street has been completed and the work of building up and forming the footpath is now in progress. A Walter’s Creek bridge and Bay Padlock Road culvert: —The plans for these two jobs are now complete and. as soon as the Public Works Department’s approval is obtained, tenders

will he invited for the work. Approach fences—Middle Creek bridge:—The posts for this work have been prepared and primed in the Council’s yards and will he. erected at an early date. The report was adopted. ELECTRICAL ENGINEER’S REPORT— The following report was submitted to the monthly meeting of the County Council by the Electrical Engineer, Mr T. O’Donnell:—

Units generated 4620, units sold 3125, hours run 364, fuel oil used 442 gallons, coal used (number of bags) 41. Expenditure: Standing charge £8 0/6, goods bought £2O 11/-, lubricating oil £7 4/-, Diesel fuel oil £lB 8/4, coal value £ll 10/-. Wages: Powerhouse £62 17/6. Total expenditure £l2B 11/4, total income £137 10/6. Credit balance £8 19/2. The report was adopted. GENERAL— Advice was received that the Highways Board would visit the district on December 2. Councillors decided to meet the members and bring up matters of interest to the district, members of each riding to bring forward the requirements of the riding. The Chairman moved that a letter of thanks be sent to Cr. Latter for seed for the Show Grounds and manure for the Garden of Memories. Cr. Eccles again raised the question of utilising the Clarence River as a source for generating electricity for light and power. He moved that a letter be sent to the Minister on the subject. Seconded by Cr Humm. The Chairman said the Government was considering the question of taking the whole electric power system over.—The motion carried unanimously. It was decided to allow £5 5/- for the services of the County Assessor at the Valuation Court. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT The County Chairman reported that he and the Engineer had visited Wellington and interviewed Ministers in connection with County matters. They had met with a cordial reception and very fair treatment. It had been _ agreed that a subsidy of £3 for £1 should be made on the Puhi Puhi Bridge in lieu of £2 for £l. Regarding the Post Office it had been decided definitely not to proceed with alteration to the present building and that a new post office would be erected at a later date.

So far as the Waipapa Road was concerned, the Minister recognised that little could be done in connection with the slip, but an endeavour would be made to come to Some amicable arrangement. It was considered that a suspension bridge across the Clarence would cost in the vicinity of £4OOO. Finance for housing was available at 3 per cent, and he was of the opinion that Kaikoura could .do with a few more houses. This was a matter the Council might go into.

Regarding the extension of lighting service on Beach Road, the deputation was advised that no difficulty would be experienced regarding the extension. The question of poles was discussed, it being shown that it was difficult to secure suitable timber and the freight was an expensive item. The department would not object to local poles being used. The Chairman moved a vote of appreciation to Mr E. P. Meachen, M.P., for his services to the deputation at Wellington.

ELECTRIC LIGHT EXTENSION— The estimated cost of extending the electric light along Beach Road was set down at £927 12/3. A loan would be required for this amount, following the consent of the Peninsula Riding ratepayers to the extension and a poll of ratepayers in the new area. AERODROME— It has been decided to make a survey of the Kowhai site, as being the more suitable. PAY-SHEET— Accounts amounting to £756 6/9 general account and £125 5/6 electric light account, were passed for payment. NEW BY-LAWS A set of by-laws was submitted to the meeting, dealing with parking of cars, buildings, standing orders, cattle trespass, traction engines and tractors, damage to bridges and roads, defining heavy traffic, licensing of public vehicles, prevention of fire and provision of fire escapes, driving of cattle over bridges, ■ hawkers and pedlars, licensing of halls, public billiards rooms and licensing fees, dangerous goods, sanitary observance, housing of animals, eating houses, contamination of food for public sale, premises for resale of milk, cattle sale yards, water service, and parking of motor vehicles in township at various localities, cattle in township and driving of same, speed of cars in West End and other areas, and parking of horses and horse-drawn vehicles in town.