COUNTY COUNCILS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17665, 18 December 1917, Page 3

COUNTY COUNCILS.

RANGIORA. The first meeting of the nowly elected Railgiora County Council vas hold on Friday; present—aiessrs i?‘. Horretl H. Garrett, W. idal'kor, A. M’lmosh, H. Tadott and J. Stewart. Mr Horrell was re-elected chairman, and on taking the chair thanked the members for their renewed confidence. A letter was read from tho Waimak&ririAsliloy Water Supply Board stating its intention to tako the water from Wilder’s creek for a number of landowners. The board also asked the council’s support in its ondcavour to secure a grant of £IOO which hud originally been voted to the board, but had been transferred by tho Government to the Oust, bridge construction account. It was decidod to accede to tho board’s request. The Ashley Domain Board wrote asking for a refund of £3 collected by tho council from George Murfitt as rent for waste lands in .he Ashley riverbed. Tho letter was held over for inquiry. On the motion of the chairman it was resolved that the best thanks of the council be conveyed to Mr L. W. Campion for his valuable services to the county whilst a member of the council. The chairman referred to the death of Mr R. 11. Wright, who lie stated had been a

valuable public servant, who had carried out good works in his district. A motion of sympathy with Mr Wright's relatives was carried by the members standing. It was resolved to invite applications for leasing Reserve 1380 in tho Ashley riverbed. In reply to a letter from tho Kaiapoi Borough Council drawing attention to thj unsatisfactory state of dio east end of the Beach Road it was decided to state that tho road would bo put in order as soon as possible, and that the council intends to gravel it after harvest. Tho Citizens' Association wrote asking the council to assist tho Salvation Army in its effort to xaiso £IO,OOO for war work. The letter was received.

The Eyre County Council wrote asking ii tho council would hand over the control of the boundary road at Springbank to tho Eyre Council. It was resolved to reply that the council would be glad to meet ft deputation from tho Eyre County on tho road in question and arrange eny work required ■ to bo done. The tenders of Messrs J. W. I. Doggctt and C. Morris for tho right of cutting cocksfoot grass on the roads in tho county were accepted. It was resolved to meet tho Kaiapoi Borough Council on December 23 at 8 p.m. to {pintly consider tho report from tha Government engmeer-in-chief for the Public Works Department on the Cam bridge. It was resolved to prosecute ownjers of unregist. ored dogs. Tho half-yearly balance-sheet wa3 adopted subject to audit. Tho general account showed a. debit balance of £145 18s fid. the Rangiora riding account a debit of £3SG 18s id, and the Cust riding account a debit of £9l 10s lOd. A deputation of Cust residents waited upon the council to ask that steps be taken to insure tho continuance of the lighting of tho main thoroughfare in tho township, the shortage of carbide making it difficult to keep tho present lamps fit use. Tho council decided to communicate with Mr Birks to ascertain whether thero was a, oossibility of obtaining a supply of electricity in tho near future and if the reply was in the negative, to obtain expert advice on a proposal to obtain current fro.a Mr Gardner's flour mills.

CHEVIOT. At a meeting" of tho Cheviot County Council Messrs T. G. Gee, J. S. Jackson, T. Stevenson, G. L. Rutherford, J. H. L. Hiatt and C Barnes were present. Mr Geo was elected chairman for the ensuing year. The chairman, on behalf of the council, extended a welcome to Councillor Hiatt, the newly elected member for the Huruuui Biding. Messrs Giles and M'Grath wrote asking that M'Grath's Road be put in order and shingled before harvest. It was decided to make a tour of inspection over all the county roads in January to ascertain the needs of | the district. A letter was received from Mr Donaldson, honorary organising secretary of the Salvation Army, regarding contributions I for the war work of the Army. The council considered the matter was not one it couldtake up, and that it should be left to individual cliort. It was decided that the usual Christmas holidays be given to employees. It was rosolved that a, man with two horsos arid a, dray be, put o:i for three months to do patching on tho roads. Mr Rutherford wa3 appointed on the Finance Committee. At a special meeting held later, a set of motor by-laws was adopted, «.nd Mr L. E. Langesen was appointed motor inspector. On tho motion of the chairman, seconded by Mr Stevenson, it was unanimously resolved to place on record the council's high appreciation of the valuable work done by Mr Meiklo during tho many years he has represented the Ilurunui Riding. Tho clerk was instructed to write and inform a ratepayer that Californian thistle is growing in the river bed in his property. Messrs. H. Wilkinson, J. Fleming and P. Hughes waited on the council to ask that the road leading to the new Huruuui bridge bo rc-graded and shingled boforo the winter sots in. Tho council informed the deputation that the road would bo visited next month, when a general inspection of tho roads would be made. Accounts for £279 7s were passed for payment.