LAKE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Volume 4185, Issue 4185, 20 November 1934, Page 5

LAKE COUNTY COUNCIL.

(Continued from page 3.) AN OLD LANDAIARK. An -old landmark in the shape pf a willow tree pf considerable dimensions which grows in the street near Burrow’s garage and confectionery shop, Pembroke, was the subject of a further deputation. A request to. have the tree removed for various reasons was sitout)ly 'opppsed by several prominent AV'anaka residents for (sentimental reasons. Aleseoisi J. Paulks and Willis .Sioaife said the matter was of considerable public interest and the general fee-ling was that the tree should apt be removed. Air C. Ewing claimed that the tree was planted by his father in the year 1878. According tp the story given by Mr Ewing, hisi father, who was presumably mustering the country befpre habitation commenced, placed a willow staff in a flax bush in the exact poisitipn in which the present willow stands and from this it grew into its present dimensions. 1 Air Burrows, garage proprietor, also waited on the Council and represented that his interests were seriously affected by the presence of the tree. The tree stood in the way of his bowsers, obstructed the view of the confectionery shop conducted by his wife, caused congestion at rush times and the roots- were damaging

the building auid drainage pipes. Mr Burrow® added that the tree avas affected with a blight and was therefore unhealthy. He was prepared to place the 3 bowsers in lino with the front of the building and put in a kerb if the Council sanctioned the removal of the tree. t

Mr J. M. Mack ay. junior., endorsed the remarks of Mr burrows.

Kegarding the matter o.f removing the willow tree, the chairman assured the deputation concerned with this that the Council had no feeling oneway or the other. They would, however, decide what was to bo. done in the beat interests of those concerned. ■ i ' 1 1

The deputation then withdrew after thanking the Council. The Council then considered the requests of the settlers ojn Oal-tlc Flat, also those of Mr AspinaLl, and it was decided bo carry o(ut the following works: —Glcndhu bridge, £46; Twin Falls bridge, £3O; repairs -at Rustic Greek, and the; erection of a oh,air over the- west branch of upper Matukituki river to give -access to Mr Asp inall's property.

Regarding the removal o-f willow tree, Or Reid said the Council must give a good deal of thought to the sentimental side. The tree, however, appeared to be dying and if it was removed lie suggested that a suitable tree be planted in -the cornea- next to the hall in commemoration of the early settler who placed ■ the willo-w in its present position. He was of the opinion that commercial interests must -bo respected in the- leading town in Lake County territory. Cr. Reid suggested that a let ton- be written to the local Progress League on the lines indicated.

Or. Bovett said that though tlh-e tree was in a dying condition there were strong sentimental reasons for its retention.

Cr. Cockburn said ,ifc would be better to remove the tree if it was in an unhealthy state. The Chairman: Although- the sentimental aide is largely stressed, it must be remembered that commercial into.-asts and pro leidio.i against damage to property should receive consider a-tlo-n. As it appeared at present, the tree was no ornament in the town.

On testing the feeling of the meeting ing it was decided, by 4 votes to 2 to let the tree stand in the meantime.

Mrs Mary Allan, Pembroke, wrote stating -that she had asked Cr. Bovett to get men to cut the large branches of -a wil.’o w tree which hung inside her property. In- doing so three drain pipes- were broken, also the fenceand gate. The pipes were replaced but an account liar the gate for £1 11s 6d was enclosed.

After jin explanation of the circumstances by Or. Bovett and the Inspected’, it was decided tei pay the cost o}f gate. A. Perry and Co., Ltd., company on* g-anisens, Christchurch, wrote asking the Coiuncil i! it would do its 'utmost to. have, the road from Arrowtown to the. Premier mine, Mace town, put in a fair state of repair and also if the Council would construct a pack track from near the Sunrise track up to. the Ballarat claim. During the next two or three months a considerable amount of mining development will be. carried on at MacetOiwn by two companies and it was essential that reading facilities be available. The writer telegraphed that the companies were willing to pay a subsidy of £25 provided the work was commenced immediately. In a further letter it was stated that ‘‘The Mining ‘Research Cod’ and MacetO'Wii Developments Ltd,” the two companies referred to, had so far spent over £IOOO on plant and equipment, and well over £SOO in wages. The companies., it was stated, had contributed £250 towards putting the road in order. In reply to the Chairman the Inspector stated that the road was quite all right for traffic, bait the crossings were not fit for motor traffic until the river went down. He mentioned that Mr Ritchie was carting material to. Macetown regularly without having any trouble. The Inspector said he was not ■ aware that the companies had contributed £250 towards putting the road in order. This was evidently a mistake. He (the Inspector) further stated that it would cost at least £3OO to put the Load and crossings in proper older and the maintenance of same would run into £l5O a year.

After some discussion it was resolved to contribute toward!® the wod'k provided, the mining companies assisted to a similar extent. An application would also be made to the Mine® Department foil' £IOO. Referring to the blockage of the Mace town road during the heavy rains in the spring, the chairman remarked that more attention had been, given to restoring this' road than to any other part of Lake County. The amount of work the Inspector and hi® mem had done on the road was noteworthy. Speaking generally, it was remarkable that, with the exception of the. Maoetown road, no thoroughfare in Lake County was blocked for more than a day or so as a result of the abnormal conditions which prevailed over the last three months. A great deal of credit was due to. Inspector Powell for the manner in which he grappled with the repairs and the methods- he employed to keep the roads open. It spoke volume® for his skill and he hoped the ratepayers realised this fact.

The' letter of Mrs Anderson asking for an outlet from her property, “illverlea Farm,” to the town of Pembroke, which was held over from last meeting, was again read and, at the suggestion of the Inspector it was resolved to spe,nd up to £9 on necessary work. The secretary, Black Peak Scheelire Co*. (Glenorchy), wrote asking that something be done to the track from their power house tro. Black Peak.—Referred to Inspector and member for riding. Norman‘S. Blakely, G,anatom, wrote asking the Council to gravel the road running north east of Fanlight siding to> section occupied by E. F. Blakely, about I| miles from Fairlight—The matter was left in the hand© of the member for the riding.

F. Whelan, Deep Creek, wrote suggesting, on behalf of Iris Company, that another wire be put across the Shotoveir river alongside the. County wire and then' make; a suspension bridge of it. Writer would carry out the work. —Bo objection offered proviclied the Company keeps the chair in order.

J. McMullan, Arthurs Point, wrote dir a. wing attention to the fact that Mir At,ley had now fenced oil' the entrance to his stable, .sheds, etc., in contravention of an agreement made in 1915 which allowed the writer entrance to tho places named.—Left in hands of Inspector and member for riding. The reports of the county inspector, ranger, and traffic inspector were adopted. :

Gr. Cockbum said his attention had been drawn to the fact that pigs had been wandering on the Arthurs Point iaad near to Queenstown, thereby cauiSiing danger to horses and traffic.

It was decided to refer the matter to the ranger.

, General The Chairman reported that Messrs Mackenzie and Sons had expressed appreciation of the work done in connection with the bridges. on the Von river, They were now in tiptop order. He- said that the firm would like the Council to inspect the work. It was decided to go over the road on the morning prior to the January meeting of the Council Locking oi PetioL Drums'. —The clerk reported on the matter of locking the petiol drums, which was deferied from last meeting. He was not, however, able to obtain ail the information at date, and would report at a taler stage. The matter was left over till next meeting. Dog Collars. —The purchase of dog collars; was left in the handls of the Chairman, Gr. W. S. iteid and the clerk. Glenorchy "Wharf. —Cr. G. Bead reported on the bad state of the Glenorchy wharf. He was informed iby the Inspector that the Bailway Department intended to repair same immediately. Shielburn Bridge.—Or. W. S'. Bead

asked that a light frame be placed on the sides of the Shielburn bridge so as l to facilitate; the crossing of sheep.—Matter left in the hands of Cr. Beid and the Inspector. Nokomai-Black B, ridge road. —Cr. Go.rdon reported that he and the Inspector had looked into the matter of an alternative road between Xokomai and 1 the Black bridge in his riding. The present road was subject to flood waters which often scon,icd the gravel out. The suggested line, of road was on the other side of the railway and was immune from Hood damage. The present road would ®till be necessary to give access to the property of two or throe settlers.

At the suggestion of the chairman it was deckled to. instruct the Inspector to make a report to the next meeting of the Council and that an inspection, then be made by the members of the Council.

25-Mile (Lake Wakatipu) Bridges.— On the recommendiatiou of Or. Oockburn, the 1 Inspector was asked to have certain bridges replaced at the 24 and 25-mile and the track improved. Grading on Skippers Road. — It was decided to further employ the small power grader on the Skippers road; also to improve some of the other road® with the machine. Malaghans Flat Creek.—Cr. Cockburn drew the Council’s attention to the damage being done to a portion of his property facing the to ad through standing water. He asked that some outlet be provided to lot the water away.

It was resolved that the. Inspector interview Mr R. Hunter, the owner of the property on the other side of the road 1 , and point out the position, and afterwards' report to the chairman. The Water Tables.—At the request of Or. Cockbum it was decided to give more attention to The water tables ion the roads generally, particularly Skippers, when the principal repairs to the main roads were completed. Birds’ Eggs;—lt was decided to purchase birds’ eggs at 2d per doz. Lakeside Road, Pembroke—lt was decided at the request of Cr. Bovett to put unemployed labour on the lakeside read at Pembroke. Pound at Pembroke. —Or. Bovett suggested 1 the. placing of a public pound in Pembroke. This would assist in keeping a check on straying animals. —The Inspector and member for riding were, asked to report on the- matter at next meeting. Glen ore hy - Paradise Road—At the instance of Or. Reid it was agreed to place unemployed men on this road. The Chairman here reminded the Council that it was necessary to keep the gangs and machinery on the main highways as much, as possible in order that the Council could obtain its subsidy from the Main Highways Board. Consequently terae of the subsidiary roads were, not getting the necessary attention. However, they hoped to have all necessary repairs made shortly. Leave for Clerk.—The clerk was given ten days’ leave to attend a conference in Wellington at the end of the month.

Or. W. S-. Reid spoke in flavour of a holiday 'for their Inspector, and it was arranged that he be given leave at the end of the year, the clerk to carry on the duties as far as possible-.

Finance Committee’s Report. The bank statement showed the debit balance at the Bank of N.Z. as £2335 12® 7d. The Finance statement showed that after accounts amounting to £5Bl 17s were paid, the debit balance would be £3473 5s 6d. Last year the debit balance was- £1275 ids. The amount of rates outstanding was £4310 7is Bd, as against £3535 Last year. Government money duo (including Unemployment Board) amounted to £2425. The chairman remarked that the County was in a sound financial position, although heavy expenditure bad been incurred through flood damage in the spring. There were more arrears of rate® than this time last year. The report was adopted.

Babbit Board—The Chairman stated that he had been approached 1 By the local Stock Inspector in regard to the formation of a Babbit Board in the district embracing Queenstown, Arrow town, Gibbstou and Crown Terrace. He thought, however, that the matter should be referred to the Farmers’ Union for its consideration. It was resolved that the clerk write the Farmers’ Union at skiing- that body to take the matter up. Improvements to Crown -Terrace Pembroke road.—The Inspector reported that a grant of £l5O had been obtained from tire Public Works Department toward© improvements to this road. £SO would be spent on tire Zig-zag and the balance on. theio ul between Crown Terra - e and Pembroke. Boya-I Visit.—Tire chairman intimated that tire Comity was combining with the Queenstown Borough Oo'iin-

oil iu the welcome to the district in January of His Eoyal Highness, the Duke of Gloucester. He sluggeeted that the County migiht place its lorries at the disposal of country children who desired to come into Queenstowin.