COUNTY COUNCIL

Kaikoura Star, Volume LVI, Issue 96, 7 December 1936, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTIILY MEETING The monthly meeting of the Kaikoura County Council took place on Friday afternoon. Present: Councillors F. .T. Monk (Chairman), T. R. Alexander, L. P. Blunt, E. H. Eccles, P. S. Humm, E. C. Latter, and G. D. Smith. Apologies were received for the absence of Crs. A. Howard and B. J. Mackie. CORRESPONDENCE— The Combined Schools’ Sports Association applied for and was granted permission to use Takahanga Domain on Saturday next for its sports ingF. N. Boyce was granted a lease of a section at Aniseed at £2 per annum, as a site for a general store. The Acting-Commissioner of Transport, Wellington, wrote ex']>ressing thanks to local authorities for their co-operation in respect to speed limits under by-laws. —It was decided to limit the speed through West End to 15 miles an hour, and to have same embodied in the by-laws. Mr F. Mogridge, Secretary of the Marlborough Progress League, advised that the Department of Industries would proceed with the lilm of Marlborough during the summer months, and asked for suggestions as to any particular places required to be covered, and the most suitable time for the cameraman to visit the district. —The matter was left to the Engineer to make suitable arrangements. 'l’he Kaikoura Cricket Club was granted permission to use Takahanga Domain for matches to be played on December 28 and 29 and January 7 and 2. The N.Z. Counties’ Association forwarded a solicitor’s opinion regarding by-laws prohibiting hawkers, as asked for by the Council, setting out that the Council has jiower to make the bylaws fixing a reasonable licensing fee and controlling hawkers; that a by-law should be equal in its operation and should not discriminate as between different localities.—Cr. Alexander asked if a by-law could be introduced prohibiting hawkers taking up a stand in the business centre. The Engineer said the Council had the power to deal with this question, and it was decided to take steps in this direction. Exception was also taken to hawkers trading at the camps on Sundays. A lengthy circular was received from the Department of Internal Affairs in reference to the local government amalgamation scheme. MARBLE BAR— Mr J. W. Anderson, solicitor, wrote as follows: “Messrs E. Firkin and Bel ry and Allen have instructed me to write you regarding E. Firkin’s billiards room license. Messrs Berry and Allen intend opening up a marble bar, billiard-room, etc., in the premises lately occupied by Mr J. Carter, and Mi Firkin is sub-leasing his billiardsroom to them. Mr Firkin asks for the Council’s consent to his transferring the license to Berry and Allen, who wish to apply for a license to run a billiards-room of throe tables in the shop recently occupied by Mr .1. CarThe request was acceded to. STATE The District Engineer ,(Mr F. Langboin) forwarded a circular advising that under section 4 of the Main Highways Amendment Act, 1936, the Pic-ton-Christchurch highway (220 miles) had been classified as a State highway as from November 1. HIGHWAYS SUBSIDIES— Mr F. Langbein, Highways Board representative on the Highways Council, advised that detailed highways estimates for the year 1936-37 have been tentatively approved by the Main Highways Boards, and copies of items relating to highways under the Council’s control wore forwarded as follows: (Christchurch-Blenheim: < ’larence Bridge-South Bay—£3 for £l. £1593 (maintenance); Kaikoura. township, sealing, £3 for £l. £705 (improvement

and construction). Waipapa-Kaikoura, via Culverden — £3 for £l, £1463 (maintenance); Kaikoura township, sealing. £3 for £l. £11$) (improvement and construction); Conway River Bridge (free) £4OOO (improvement and construction); Conway River Bridge approaches (free-, £2600 (improvement and construction;. Waiau Highway—£3 for £l. £96 (maintenance).

Kaikoura Beach Highway—£3 for £l, £3:5 (maintenance*); Kaikoura township, sealing, £3 for £l, £175 (improvement and construction). Puhi Puhi Highwa-v—£.“> for £l. £127 (maintenance). Further details in regard to State highways arc being forwarded. RABBIT PEST— The. Department (>f Labour forwarded a lengthy circular regarding conditions in respect to granting of assistance for combating the rabbit pest. As from November 16„ 1936, subsidy at the rate of 15/- and 30/- per week (i.e. 9/- ami 6/- per day) for registered and eligible unemployed, married and single men respectively, will bo made available from the Unemployment Promotion Fund in respect of men employed on the work of rabbit destruction by local bodies, County Councils, rabbit committees, rabbit boards ,and Government depart-

ments, on a. full-time basis of 40 hours per week at a standard of 16/- per dav. MONEY FOR HOUSING— A circular was received setting out the Government’s scheme of advancing loan money to local bodies at 3 per cent, for the building of houses. C. W. Reeves wrote as follows: “tn the event, of lhe Council taking up the Government housing scheme, will the Council consider an application for a dwelling on Beach Road on his section ? ’ ’ Councillors agreed that the application was eligible. KAIKOURA POST OFFICE— Tin* Hon. F. Jones, PostmasterGeneral, advised that it had been decided not to carry out any extensive work at the existing Post Office until the department has had an opportunity of studying the possible development due to the proposed completion of the South Island main trunk. If it is found that, circumstances justify the immediate replacement of the existing Post Office, the work -will be put in hand with the least possible delay. WAIPAPA ROAD— The Hon. R. Semple, Minister for Public Works, advised that in accordance with the promise to assist in keeping a sledge track open, an authority of £4O free money has been issued to the Council for tin? Waipapa Road to

enable the Council to open a sledge track for the benefit of Messrs .1. Todhunter and .1. Chaffey. J. E. Todhunter wrote thanking the Council for the trouble it had gone to in reference to the road. The question was to be discussed with Messrs AT array and Chaffey, when the question of ar. Tb.s through “Woodbank” would lie in vestigj; led and definite suggestions put forward. The temporary track put in l y the Council was functioning well, and enabled the settlers to g«*t their wool out. It was decided to send a. letter of thanks to the Minister. REGATTA— The Secretary of the Miniature Rifle Club applied tor permission to use the wh.ai’f and shed for the purpose* of holding a regatta on Boxing Day (December 26), and expressed appreciation for the general treatment accorded the club by the Council in the past. The application was granted. DOMAIN CYCLE TRACK Dr. R. L. Withers and Mr L. Shannon waited on the Council as delegates from the Athletic and Cycling Club. Dr. Withers asked if the Council could see its way to tar-seal the cycling track on Takahanga Domain. The track served a useful purpose and had been kept in order in the past by voluntary efforts by members of the club. The track was now becoming unsafe. The tar-sealing would make the track more

effective and prove an immense attraction io cyclists and other using it. Tin* club did not ask for a ■donation to the club, but more in the interests of the community. The club guaranteed to raise £5O towards the wonk. The sporting amenities of the district would be enchanced and the work would be of a permanent nature. It was essential for the safety of those using the track that something should be done. Mr Shannon endorsed the statement of the previous speaker, but pointed out that the club had been put to a deal of heavy expenditure in connection with the track. Local cyclists, who had trained on the track, had been enabled to compete against the best of riders in outside competition and win honours. He thanked the Council for what had boon done for the club in the past. Cr, Humm said the request was quite reasonable and the Council would bo justified in assisting. Cyclists who had won honours further afield had proved a. great advertisement to the district. The track had been a source of anxiety in the past. The appearance of the domain would be much improved bv a tar-sealed track. The sports meetings were appreciated by the public. He favoured the Council going to its utmost limit. (’r. Alexander said one aspect that the speakers had missed was that the I track would provide a dry footing for those who attended football matches. Cr. Blunt said it would improve the appearance* of the Domain very much, and he felt it worth while to assist the Athletic and Cycling Club, The Chairman: You are quite* sure of the £5O? Air Shannon: Yes. That is definite. ’l’he Chairman said the cost of upkeep of the Domain would be lessened were the 'track tar-sealed, and he felt that the deputation could rest assure] that the Council would give some assistance. He considered the offer of the- club a very generous one. The deputation thanked the Council and then withdrew. The Council decided that the offer be accepted and that tin* work be proceeded with. EXTENSION OF HOURS OF ELEC TRIC LIGHT— Messis Badin Bros, wrote asking that the* electric lighting hours be in the interests of the travelling pub-

lic. The Chairman considered that it would be wise to extend the hours, and that the difficulty could be met hv nsmall engine* being installed. He believed that such a step would prove revenue producing. ’i’he Chairman moved that a small Diesel engine be procured with the view to extending the hours of service and that the matter be left to the Electrical Engineer and town councillors. —The motion was carried; ELECTRICAL ENGINEER’S REPORT— The Electrical Engineer, Mr T. O’Donnell, reported for the month of No\ ember, 1936. as follows: I'nits generated 4160, sold 3040, hours run 368, Diesel fuel oil 364 gallons. No. of bags of coal used 43. Expenditure*: Standing charge £8 0/6, goods bought £l.B 15/-, lubricating oil £7 5/-. Diesel fuel oil £l5 5/4, coal value £l2 2/-. Wages: Powerhouse £6l 13/-. Total expenditure £l2l 0/10. Income £133 2/8. Credit balance £9

1/10. The report was adopted. ENGINEER’S REPORT— Air P. Burgoyne, County Engineer, reported as follows for the month of November, 1936: MAIN HIGHWAYS Christchurch-Blenheim, via Parnassus— Clarence River to South Bay: The widening and banking of the sharp bend on the Post Office Cutting is proceeding and the*, road for several chains above this bend is being re shaped. Repairs have been effected to a washout which occurred at Burland’s Bridge. All the water-tables between Black Miller and the Clarence have been cleaned out with the grader and all the fords have received attention. Afaintenance grading has been carried out on 16 days during the month and generally the road is in satisfactory on! er. Waipara-Kaikoura, via Culverden— Conway River to Kaikoura: All the water-tables and culverts on the Goat Hills section have been opened up and minor slips removed on the Charwell Cutting. A considerable quantity of material has been scooped out of the wafer-tables on the Conway Cutting and the culverts have been cleared. The heavy rain at the end of the month damaged all the fords and repairs to same are now being carried out. Main tenance grading has been carried out on eight days during the month and generally the road is in satisfactory order.

SECONDARY HIGHWAYS Beach, Waiau, and Puhi Puhi Roads: Each of these roads has received attention and they are all in good firder. ' GENERAL Metalling—Suburban Roads: During the month the following Suburban Roads have been metalled: Mt. Fyffe 248 yards. Postman’s 236 yards. Hawthorne 5.8 yards, and Rorrison’s 12 Blue Dmk Road: The clearing of the water-tables on this road is now in progress. Waipapa Road: During the month n sledge track has been constructed across the slips of the George Spur, and the water-tables and culverts have been opened up. Repairs have been carried out to the Waipapa, Puhi, and Limestone Fords. Puhi Puhi Road: The cleaning of water-tables and trimming of overhanging bush on this road has bee*n completed. Several old wooden culverts above the Jordan have been replaced with concrete pipes. Approach Fences—Afiddle Creek Bridge: The erection of the approach fences recently authorised have been completed during the month and at the same time frosh butts were installed

at some of the posts on the approach at Swan Crook Bridge. Torquay Street kerbing: The formation of the footpath recently kerbed has been completed and the path given a coating of fine gravel. The flank of lhe road has been filled in with limestone to the shoulder of the kerbing and then dressed with metal. On behalf of the office and outside staff I wish to take this opportunity of wishing each member of the Council the compliments of the season. The report was adopted. GENERAL— Hewitt and Ireland wore granted a slaughterhouse license on the usual conditions, for a site at Hundalee. Cr. Smith referred to the state of Postman’s Road near Mr Bradburn’s property.—The* Engineer said he would

look into the* matter. Advice was received that plans had been prepared for the Puhi Bridge, anel that tenders would be invited at an early date. L. Guthrie* was appointee! dog-tax collector for the County. It was decided that the* next meeting of the Council be* helel on January 22, and authority was given to the Engineer to pay out wages anel salaries at the usual time*. The* Chairman’s honorarium was fixeel at £75. Cr. Blunt asked that Goat Hills Creek culvert receive attention before the holidays, anel Cr. Smith that ’the grader be put on upper Reel Swamp Road. The* tenders for Walter’s Creek Bridge* and Bay Paddock Road culvert were considered too high and it was left to the Engineer to carry out the wonk.

It was decided to invite tenders for the lease of South Bay Domain, with an upset rental of £39 per annum for a term of seven years. RENOVATIONS TO COUNCIL OFFICE— The tender of H. C. Baines at £34 16/- for internal and £2O for external work, was accepted in connection with the renovations at the County office. PAY-SHEET— The pay-sheet —general account £991 6/9 ami electric light £133 10/4 —was passed for payment. 'SEASONAL GREETINGS— The Chairman extended greetings to councillors, staff, and the Press. The year had gone along quietly, said the Chairman, and it had been a pleasui*o to nil concerned. The year 1937 looked as if it would be the brightest for many years, and he trusted all would have a prosperous time. Crs. Humm and Eccles reciprocated the good wishes on behalf of the councillors.