COUNTY COUNCILS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15901, 12 April 1912, Page 9

COUNTY COUNCILS.

ASHLEY. The first meeting of the newly-con-stituted Ashley County Council was hold at Loburn on Wednesday; pre-sent—-Messrs Croft, Ensor, Hiatt, Mackintosh, O’Halloran and Parish. Mr Mackintosh, who was elected ohairman, thanked tho members for the honour tlioy had conferred upon him. ; Mr J. It. Wilkinson was appointed clerk and Messrs J. F. Brady and J. ■ Hotchkin the Council’s permanent men. After arranging matters in connection with the office the subject of traction traffic was discussed. Tho Council, while willing to provide for this method of haulage, was of opinion that roads and bridges were suffering through the excessive speed maintained by drivers and through the ; engines keeping always to tho same track. The clerk was instructed to • forward to owners the opinion of tho 1 Council on the matter. The Council ■ decided to combat the nuisance of ■ straying stock and the clerk was instructed to summons persistent offendi ers. The offer of Mr John Mair to act, as ranger for the Lobum and - White Rock Riding was accepted. The chairman’s suggestion that the ranger should be permitted extra duties in the way of looking after drain pipes was approved. The Council decided to enforce the law compelling owners to clear their frontages of all growth obstructing traffic or drainage. The practico of blocking roadside ditches with gorse trimmings was condemned. The clerk was instructed to cet notico books printed, approved by the solicitor, and serve notices upon occupiers neglecting to clear their frontages. Tlie clerk brought before the Council certain works allowed by the Rood Board to stand over for the Council’s decision. The offer of Mr Stutheridge to break stones at Glentui for the Gorge Road at 3s 3d per yard was accepted. It was decided to clear the drain through the swamp east of Burnt Bridge and call for tenders at once for clearing about 25 chains. After a discussion regarding the proposed protective works at the Okuku it was decided not to accept any tender for the shortening of the bridge, but to carry out some necessary work above the bridge on the east side. Councillors agreed to inspect the spot. Tho clerk presented a list of works authorised by the Road Board but not vet finished, and these were ratified by tho Council. In response to a request from Mr Walter'Berry it was resolved to substitute pipes for an unworkable ford on the Bush Road. Tho clearing of water-tables on tile Gorge Road was authorised, and the grading of side material so soon as sufficient broken metal was ready. The question of shingling the main road was dis-. cussed, and on account of tho heavy traction traffic it was considered advisable to use crushed metal if tho cost were under half the cost of shingle. A test day’s work with the crusher was ordered to he made in tlie Makerikeri riverbed. Mr Ensor reported upon the main Mount Thomas Road, and some necessary work was authorised. The Council decided to hold its meetings on the first Thursday in each month. AMUR! A special meeting of the Amur! County Council was held on Saturday; present—Messrs D. D. Macfarlane (chairman). Atkinson, Crampton, Davison, A. Macfarlane, Xorthcote, D. Rutherford and W. T. Rutherford. A resolution was passed making a special order enabling tho Council to borrow tho sum of £SOO under the State Guaranteed Advances Act, 1909, for tho purpose of paying its contribution towards the erection of the Waipara traffio bridge. The ordinary meeting was then held. Mr L. Macfarlane. Kaiwara, was granted permission to place a box culvert in the water-race crossing tho St Leonards Road. The Cheviot County Council and Mr F. Davison again wrote regarding tho dual rating on the portion of tho Lowry Peaks property transferred from Amuri to Cheviot. Tho Council decided to do nothing in tho matter until the Cheviot County had taken proceedings against Messrs Davison Bros. Then, if tho Council wero successful, it would refund the amount to Messrs Davison Bros. The Awatero Road Board wrote agreeing to pay onefourth of tho cost of the sheep bridge over tho Acheron River. The clerk reported that Mr Rutherford was building the bridge. Mr G. Gould, the Hermitage, . asked the Council to assist him in getting a more direct, road to - his property. It was decided that as scon os those concerned had agreed as to the now lino of road, and it had been surveyed, the Council would entertain tho proposal, upon Ml- Gould undertaking to pay the cost of survey and of forming the deviation. Tho clerk was directed to obtain a fingerpost for the corner of the old and new Kaikoura . roads and one for the junction of tho Balmoral and Main Roads near tlie Hurnmii bridge. It was decided to procure notice hoards, to lie erected'at tho most dangerous places on the main roads, warning motorists to slow down. The General Manager of the New Zealand Railways wrote, asking what had been done at the Ferry-Han-mer Road, and when the work was likely to bo completed. The State Guaranteed Advances Department asked for further information as to the nature of tho work for which loans had been applied. It was-decided to furnish the information. The Resident Enginoer. Public Works returned plans and specifications of the Mason Gorgo re-instatement, and the Mason River Road deviation _ work duly approved. It was decided to invite applications for the position of surfaceman on • the Waiau-Comvay Rond and to 11 lengthen the fence at the north-east J end of the Mason bridge. Accounts ! amounting to £-145 5s 3d wore passed) 1 for payment. I