COUNTY COUNCILS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18331, 13 February 1920, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCILS.

WAIWERA. The monthly meeting of the Waiwera County Counoil was hold at the chambers, Little River, when there were present:— Councillors J. C. C. G'ebbie (chairman), 3. Chapman, W. F. Parkinson, J. F. Buchanan,' J. 0. Coop and G. Barclay. An apology for absence was received from Councillor Feather. The chairman reported, in reference to the special meeting called to fix tho half-holiday in the district, that only himself and Mr Parkinson attended, and the shopkeepers wished to have Thursday. They had fixed upon Thursday, and their action was approved. The .chairman reported that tho engineer, Mr Inder, had called applications for two surfacemen and had received one application. It was decided to accept the application. It was reported that the chairman and Mr Inder had visited the Public Works Department Mr Inder, the county engineer, reported that ho had got tracings of the Puaha and Ohuti Valley bridges from the Department, but tho Department did no* have the plans .for the Motukarara bridge. Ho had arranged with Mr Simpson, of the Department, to go over tho bridges and the Kinloch roads. It was new to him that the Department should prepare the plans. The council had been notified that the money on the Estimates for the Kinlock and Morico Settlement I roads was available, but not for the throe , bridges. He would suggest that the council make application to the Minister for the ! money for the bridges. The Motukarara 1 bridge was on a main road and was very I urgently required. Mr Coop pointed out that the Springs j ' County had to approve of the Motukarara j bridge, as that county had to pay half cost. Councillor Barclay moved that the Springs County be written to asking their co-opera-tion in pushing on the building of this bridge, as it was an urgent work. The motion was seconded by Councillor Parkinson and carried. The chairman reported that he and Mr Inder had visited the North Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board's institutions on Thursday last. Councillor Chapman moved that the engineer take the necessary steps to have the Kinloch and Church bridges erected. This was seconded by Councillor Buchanan and

carried; It was decided to call for tenders for 300 yards of metal for the Morice Settlement roads, for which the Government had authorised a £1 for £1 grant of £75. The chairman reported that the council, had not been able to wait as a deputation on" the Prime Minister regarding tho Kinloch roads, as -the member for the district, Sir R. Heaton Rhodes, was unable to arrange the deputation. The engineer reported as follows: "Tho cocksfoot harvest has taken most of the men from road work, and very little has been done, except by IH. Nibblett, who was employed twenty-live days on boundary roads, and G'. Brady, who worked twelve days. Arrangements have been made to go over some of the Kinloch Settlement roads with Mr Simpson and mark off-work for wnich £760 of Government money is available on a £1 for £1 basis. It will be advisable for the council to select from the schedule of works estimated to cost £4OO which portions are to be undertaken first. I have made tracings of plans in the Public Works OHice of Puaha and Ohuti bridges, but these are only locality plans and sections, and the actual bridge plans have yet to be made. These bridge sites will be visited with Mr Simpson, as in the meantime I do not know the results of his former inspection. In reply to an advertisement for workmen, only one application was received, from F. White, who is open for engagement. J. Brady re-" ported patching with rubble on Kaituna Road, and repairing a culvert. Several bridges and culverts badly needed repair. We have no three-inch decking. Some shingling

' has been done on the main road, and it has been graded from the rabbit gate to Price's j Valley. H. Nibblett reported working , twenty-five days during the month on the ! boundary roads between the county and j the Akaroa and Wainui Road Boards." ! The financial statement showed:—Debit i balance at bank on January 12, £2409 4s lid; receipts—Rates £296 7s 7d, rents £8 Is 6d, Wright's purchase £6O, sundries £l3 10s 2d, exchanges Is 8d; debit balance £2041 7s 4d; accounts presented for payment, £342 6s 3d; leaving a debit of £2383 12s 7d. Ik was decided that Messrs Feather and Chapman, the engineer, Mr Inder, and the Public Works Engineer go over the Kinloch ' : roads on Wednesday. Tho Public Works Department wrote stating that tho expenditure of £750 on the Kinloch roads would be authorised as soon! as plans and specifications wero. submitted. It was decided' that the Government grant of £750 be expended on Reynolds Road this year, <■ ■ -. ' Mr D. Blyth wrote agreeing, to the. deviation at Kaituna to the Christchurch-Akaroa Summit Road, and slating that the public were at present using his and Mr Parkinson's private roads and were a source of annoyance. It was left to Mr Parkinson and the engineer to have plans of the deviation and bridge prepared. Tho Post-and Telegraph Department wrote j asking the council to' remove overhanging j

trees at the railway crossing, Little River. The matter was left in the hands of the en- j ginoer. j Mr D. Borwick wrote stating that his rood , required crowning up from top to bottom. ! It was decided that (he engineer should arrange to have the road repaired, and that he and Councillor Buchanan should inspect the road. Mr M'Lean wrote in vsference to property j •t Birdling's Flat station, that he was will- : ing to meet the council on the ground. | Councillor Parkinson said ho had seen Mr Birdling, and he was willing to meet the ■ council on the ground and discuss the mat- J tor. He moved that the council members and Messrs Birdling and M'Lean meet en ' the following Tuesday. The motion was seconded by the chairman and carried. It was decided that the council procure a new plan of the county. Messrs Harper, Pascoe and Buchanan wrote regarding the motor speed limit cases, and it was decided to leave the matter in the hands of the solicitors. The council's solicitors wrote stating that they had made application for a loan of £SOOO for a doctor's residence and workers' dwellings to. the Government Advances Department. Dr Chesson wrote stating that he had resigned his position as Canterbury Health Officer. Messrs Harper, Fascoe and Buchanan wrote stating that the election of the Peninsula Power Board would be proceeded with,.... and the G'overnor-in-Council had agreed to the district and representation of the constituent districts. s The Canterbury Progress League wrote asking for tho council's annual contribution. Sir R. H. Rhodes wrote thanking the council for congratulations on the honour recently conferred upon him by the King. The New Zealand Counties' Association wrote regarding a scheme for accident insurance and superannuation. Mr L. Scott, of Puoha, wrote asking that his name be token off the rate roll and that the name of his successor, Mr Pearson, be put on the roll. The solicitors wrote stating that the council had no powor to contribute to war memorials. Mr Coop reported that he had waited on the solicitors regarding the doctor's residence and the land purchased for workers' dwellings. Thojfthad arranged for the £SOOO loan for the doctor's residence. About sis acres would go with tho dootor's residence, and tho balance of the land would be divided for workers' dwellings. It was decided to have the land surveyed, and that the special committee—Messrs Coop, Buchanan and Chapman—arrange the matter. The special committee's action "in aranging for the lean was approved. Dr Tsdd wrote resigning his position as medical officer, as he had bought a practice at Lunisden. The chairman said he regretted very much ' that Dr Todd had had such a short stay. Councillor Chapman said a ratepayer had put in a crossing of oil-drums, _ and he thought, as he could got drain pipes from the council at cost price, he should be made to put these in. He also noticed that in several places ratepayers drove stock across the water channels and filled them in. It was resolved that in future noticO be given that no crossings could be put in except when notification was.first given to the council,' and that crossings must be put in to the satisfaction of the engineer. It was resolved that Messrs Booth and Macdonald bo asked to pay for the crusher they purchased at £2OO. It was decided to advertise that ten per cent would be added to all overdue rates. The council resolved that the Little River Road staff be reduced from nine men to Sins. after cocksfooting.

KOWAI. The Kow'ai County Council met on Saturday, when there wore present—Councillors W. H. Hale (chairman), G. A. M'Lean, J. ]). Wyllie, T Retallick and \V. Henderson. The finance report showed receipts since last meeting £2440 7s 'lod, bank credit balance £2491 17s 7a. 'X'no raonto's accounts, amounting to £376 43, were passed for pay-" niont. The chairman reported as to the results of the meeting of interested local bodies held recently, and convened by tho Kowai County Council at Rangiora, with th« objoot of forming, an electrio power board. He also reported as to the decisions which had been arrived at at the hearing of the driv-

ere' and local bodies' dispute before *Swr <Sb*t; eiliation Council in Ghristdmrch. In regard to the recent visit of .oontribttV ing local bodies to tho Hospital and bifcsr * institutions, the council decided thank the Hospital Board for-th«;,:«m«rfl«r'.: in which it received the visitors; to compliment it on the efficient way it managed 1 the institutions under its control.;, and>tt the':: same time to respectfully suggest the dividr*; ing of similar future gatherings into sec-j tions, each under tfJtbe guidance of', a board | member. .- ...'--■, Tho surveyor reported'on the work don«r during the month; his intention of shingling Parnham's and other >. Soften roads with steam haulage, the crushing apparatus being placed in the Ashley; the ■ urgency of re-"•■ pairs in the North Riding; and tflie early; erection, of a bridge at Tobin's Ford; With reference to a maternity ♦'hoiae at Amberley, the council heartily sympathised with the object, but withheld its promise of support until further information was available. - ■ It was decided to invite tenders for tho supply of fifty tons of oatsheaf chaff, in one or more lots, delivery as required. The erection of new council chamber* Tas under consideration, tho lowest tender being £2400. It was resolved to inform tho architect that if this amount could be reduced j by £4OO tho council would be prepared to r proceed with the work. \Q-*, The clerk reported that, as he wished noW* to take his annual holidays, he had arranged for the management of 'the council's business during his absence. The council approved of his action. , ' •."".-• It was resolved that the dog fees be 2s*6d each for sheep and cattle dogs and 10s for all others. » ... ■ The council decided to request Mir J. Peach to remove overhanging willows ojj Peter's Road, and Messrs A. Vallanoe and Rowe Bros, to clear the gorse on their frontages. ' It was -resolved that a penalty of 10 pel cent be added to all county rates unpaid oa and after the 17th inst.

I KADXOURA. ' The monthly meeting of the KaikouraJ County Council was held'on Saturday; present—Councillors S. Andrew (chairman), A, Evans, G. D. Smith, T. Harle, James C Pannell, P. Curran and W. E. Workman.. Councillor A. Evans was welcomed to the/ council table by the chairman and Councillor The poundkeeper (Mr J. Newman) requested a. review of his position owing to* the increased cost of living, and an increase! of £1 per month was granted him. ' . Sir William Eraser wrote acknowledging! the council's resolution respecting his aer-' vices, and expressed pleasure at the senti-* ments contained in the letter. "\ 'J The Department of Internal Affairs gav« notioe of an alteration in the Native laws, the effect of which was that _Maofcss went now placed in the same position respecting! re'Hstration of dogs as were the Europeans. Mr A. F. Jones tendered his resignation,' j as surfaceman on the Kaikoura-Waiau Road, > and Mr J. J. Boyd was appointed to tibsl position. ■•' i .. , , ;., V f The Fishermen s Association asked the" council's co-operation in regard to keeping the South Road open for fish lorries (aadl i mails during alterations to the road; Messrs Dougall and TJpham, acting on be 4 ' ; half of Mr A. W. Wilson, claimed compenaa-4 tion for damage caused to Mr Wilson's pro* inerty through the removal of grave*. Th* council decided that, failing satisfactory *rt being made with Mr Wilson, th* property be taken over under the Pubhil Works Act. . ~-,. . .. . Mr G W. Forbes, M.P., wrote etsAmsT that he would use his efforts to have efSecHl riven to the council's resolution regarding * straight-out vote for Cribb Creek and oth«s The'Post and Telegraph Department notified that cables for the telephone iSerroceT would be laid in the streets, »ndthat ttw, < Department would restore the footpaths, Th« i council decided that the Department must place the cables oa the north-east side of th* Mr F. G. Stanbury again •wrote j non-delivery of good* at the wharf, and thei oouncil decided that they were not responJ sible for any arrangement entered into by Mr Stanburv and the late: wharfinger. . The question of the destruction of keaal was again brought up, and it was decided* to approach the Agricultural Department with a view to giving 6s per head for keasj Councillor Boyd reported on the tour ofl inspection of institutions under the control of the Canterbury Hospital end Charitablef Aid Board, .several members of the council! having made the trip. Councillor Boyd expressed hi* satisfaction at the careful (HUM ner in which, the institutions were i: con 4 i It wm resolved that broom be M««Munder the Noxious Weeds Act in the KfflH koura County. . . The engineer's Toport, covering work done} for the past month, was adopted. v Accounts aggregating *777 2s were passed* for payment.

ASHBUR.TON. The monthly meeting' of the Ashburtor* County Council was held on Friday. Councillor Reid moved that a conference) be called of local bodies to consider what action should be taken to secure better roads. It was stated that at the County Councils Conference, a Government and one other representative weire appointed to inquire into the best methods of roadmaking. The manner of roadmaking must be kept within reasonable expenditure. It' would be impossible to lay down macadamised roads throughout the district. The speaker favoured track roads, which would take, off the water well. If they could co-operate with the road boards and lay down a mile as an experiment; it might have valuable results. Councillor A. Drummond, who seconded the - motion, said he thought they would no« be much further forward after the conference. Councillor Gallagher said they would have to do something or they would have no roads at all. Most of the boards were no* strong enough to get .the plant necessary, to maintain their roads. Councillor Horsey suggested that adjoining bodies should join in experimenting; on a piece of road adjoining boundaries. Councillor Harrison spoke of the good results obtained from a piece of road put down with crushed shingle in the Rakaja district fifteen years ago,,which was still giving good results. .... , Councillor Lockhead said that several conferences had been held, but nothing had been done. He favoured three or four boards clubbing together and securing proper roadmaking plant. The chairman (Mr W. T. Lill) staked that the Longbeach district had imported a road grader, which had been used for two years, with good results. A piece of road whmh had been put down with screened • shingle had lasted well for twenty years. Shingle was plentiful in the county, but they musk , have a road roller. _ The motion was carried, and it was decid- | ed that the conference_.be held about the middle of April.

MALVERN. The monthly meeting of the Malvern - County Counoil was attended by Councillom Knight (chairman), Warren, M'Millan, Jndd and Reid. Correspondence was read from the West- ■ land District Citizens' Committee urging the advisability of me'mbers of the Parliamentary \ Party for Samoa visiting Westland to in- ■-* quire into the shortage of coal. The South Malvern School Committee wrote with reference to absentee-owned sections at Whitecliffs. Owing to so many of those sections being covered a,nd broom, it was decided to consult the county solici- t tor, and to clear ;up the position both with regard to rates and the clearance {noxious weeds. Tho Department of Internal- Affaire wrote with reference to the registration of Maori dogs. ' '■''.* A communication was' received from the Hospital Board, giving notice of infectious diseases, which, fortunately, were few ia number. , . : " ' The caretakers reported a satisfactory supply of water for the past month, only a few occupiers having failed to clear thai* races. As failure to clean causes hardship to other "users of water on the same race, it was decided to take action at the next -1 sit+ing of the Magistrates Court. A Instructions were given to stop all road m works until after the harvest, except where it is deemed absolutely necessary.: • j At the conclusion of the council meeting, the annual meeting of the Domain Board was held, when the report and balance-sheet for the year ended December SI,, 1919, was read and apprcved, subject to audit. ■