Lake County Council.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 4484, 10 September 1940, Page 4

Lake County Council.

An ordinary meeting of the Council was held ou Thursday, sth Septem--1 Present: Or. J> .H. C'oekburn p. j. H Lewi?', AV. S'. Reid, L. Lee, D. C. Aubrey a.ncl W. Gordon. Leave of absence was grouted to Cr. 1). Knowles. CORRESPONDENCE

The Public Works Department forwarded copy of proclamation closing portions- of road in blocks 6-9, Town of Franktoi, Lake County. The Readout Engineer P.W.D. Alexandra, asked the council to give particulars under several heads with any j.roro alw that may be submitted regarding road works, it was pointed out that the financial position at present is such that all Govern me it expenditure on, work which has no national value must be stopped and all other expenditure reduced to minimum.—The council went into ■committee and considerable discussion e isued as to a restricted program of works' in contemplation, but finally was deferred. The Resident Engineer,. P.W.D. Alexandra. advised that no provision has been made on the current year’si main highway estimates for the- Precipice Creek bridge, nor Kowha.i and Scott’s Creek bridges. It was considered that the last-named bridges were not of sufficient national importance to justify the expenditure of Govt, funds at the present time. The same department advised that additional authority for £SO 13s 4d (02 for £1) had been issued for Allan Creek bridge—This letter was considered in conjunction with the previous correspondence and a similar action taken. 0. Koch. Gleno-rch.v. wrote asking if it was- not possible to pay for birds-’ eggs, The farmers could nob be expected to keep up production, especially in regard to grain crons-. jf something is not done, He suggested the council pay 3d per doz,— ij-d to the gatherers- and ltd to the Red CrostC —To inform writer that the council cannot see its way to accede to the request, Applications for building permits at Pembroke evoked considerable discussion as the result of a statement that contractors 1 were not fulfilling the building by-laws. The Inspector stated that in one case a block of eight cribs or flats were being put up without adequate dividing walls'. These should lie of brick or concrete. Tli© flats wore not of sufficient dimensions and there was only one convenience. The Inspector notified the builder that the by-laws must he adhered to and he asked the Council to stand by him. Or Lee said the interested parties spoke to him complaining of the harshness of the by-laws. He, however. told them he thought they ware reasonable and they could not expect the Inspector to set them aside. If the Council allowed builders to have their own way. the result would be a lot of jerry-built shacks. The Inspector told the council that

he had given notice to Mr Bowden to dismantle a house ho was erecting as the joists were 3x2 and 2x2

instead of 4x2. The dwelling, too, was not the regulation distance from the boundary fence of another property. Councillors were generally of opinion that the bylaws, were not unreasonable.

It was reso’ved to notify contrao tors that the regulations must be ad hered to.

Correspondence was read in connex-

ion with a loan for rural housing and the Finance committee was. empowered to do it with applications l for loans.

Cr. Reid to’d the council that G. Jones' the con ity mechanic, was prepared to plant, trees at Whitechapel Flat. He re ommended that the scheme should be tried out and the council agreed.

Norman Stmtherai, Roxburgh. wrote asking if lie might have the right to put a pipeline from his sections to the spring an the roadside above the bowling green at PembrokeGranted at pleasure of council. L. It. Morris, Mt. Barker, asked for permission to bring a race across Ballantynesi roadline to be lifted from the Cardnona river.—Granted at pleasure of council. ,

DR. H. Bryant, Kinloch, .asked for permission to erect a swing gate across the road about 10 chains away from the Kinloch wharf.—Writer to be advised to take the prooer steps. The Southland Fighter Plane committee Invercargill, wrote enlisting the practical support of the council to buy two or more lighter aeroplanes. It was hoped to raise £25,000 by direct contribution. —Deceived and clerk to state that it was not the policy of council to give to these subscriptions.

The secretary, Wan aka Amateur Swimming Club asked for permission to carry water in galvanised iron piping under the roadway from sections 5 and 6. 32 land 33. block 9 to block 5 Pembroke for the purpose of water supply to swimming baths. The club asked if it might shift the shed on

the wharf to the bathing site. —Permission to pipe water under roadway granted and to shift shed at pleasure of counci'. The Chief Traffic Inspector No. -1 Transport District furnished a report for month ended 31st July. Twelve verbal warnings had been issued. 7 breaches of traffic legislation reported to Head Office and one heavy motor vehicle weighed. The wandering stock nuisance was very satisfactory. —Deceived.

The Mines Department Wellington advised that the sum of £350 had been authorised for keeping roads andj tracks to the scheelite mines in order to assist scheelite production. The council was asked to arrange for plans and specifications for the various roads and tracks.—Left in the handsi of Inspector. The Department of Lands and Survey wrote asking to be advised if the council has any objection to the lakeside reserve from the north-west-ern corner of section 4 to the northeastern corner of section 9 block 19, Lower AVanaka, being added to the AVanaka Island Domain. —No objection offered.

The Minister of Internal Affairs advised the council of the further measure of assistance which it is desired local .authorities should offer thd Government in connexion with . thc( scheme for bringing British children to .the Dominions for the duration of the war.—Two applications to take children were approved. Mr. 11. Semple. Minister of National Service, Wellington, circularised the council in reference to the formation of the “Emergency Reserve Corps” in an endeavour to utilise the man-power of .the Dominion so as to meet any emergency that may arise during the

war. Local were to be asked to work out details. The council was asked to arrange for its chairman, one councillor and the clerk to attend a meeting of provincial local bodies- in on 4th September to hear the Hon Semple explain proposals and functions of local bodies re Home Guard also rc-i clamation -of waste materials. —The chairman stated that he had_ intimated the council would associate itself with the scheme. His action was approved. The Transport Department wrote advising a revision of testing officers as two of -tliftse suggested were transport operators and ooukl not be accepted.—Or. Reid was asked to arrange a substitute for one officer. The clerk was authorised to take the necessary steps to borrow money for Rural Housing.

The secretary, Skippers Ltd., wrote disclaiming liability for damage to track in vicinity of claim.—Secretary to be interviewed when he visit® Queenstown. D. J. Gunn wrote asking if there is any money in hand to do track work ip the Martin’s Bay district, — The Inspector to attend. A. T. Burnett. Half Way Bay wrote asking if he could have the use of a. horse grader to improve the tracks on his run,—Application granted and Inspector to visit the locality as soon as possible. The Treasury Wellington, advised the council that the Glendhu Domain Board’s application for sanction to raise a loan of £6OO for the camping groundsi was sanctioned less £7O already spent on fencing—To advise the Treasury that provision is made for expenditure of whole loan. The State Forest Service. Invercargill. advised that arrangements will be made to carry out inspections for insect damage.— lnspector and Or. Reid to- accompany officer. The N.Z. County Council Industrial Union of Employers, advised that it was not practicable to re-instate the 48-hour week nor 50 per cent, reduction in holidays and overtime. The Minister of Labor could be urged to grant any application for working longer hours at ordinary rates of pay where necessary, —Received. The finance statement gave the debit balance at last meeting as £2464-17s. plus vouchers since paid, £587-11-6- making £3052-8-6, The receipts amounting to £1528-3-9 reduced the debit balance to £1524-4-9, Accounts before the meeting totalled £757-14-6, which would leave a debit balance of £2281-19-3. The outstanding revenue ou various heads was £2805-18-10.—The report was adopted.

Two tenders were received for painting the exterior of county offices a,nd the clerk was instructed to ‘accept the cheaper price, INSPECTOR’S REPORT

The County Inspector reported that the roads throughout the county were in good order; several portions were being patched owing to the thaw causing cutting up. Gravelling of some roads had been deferred until it is possible to grade and reform. Lorries: All. lorries have been kept going on necessary repairs. The following works had been attended to: Thompson's road at Falls Dam and Buchanan’s road had been gravelled; also Mill road. Arrowtown main highways 1 Arthurs l Point, Hunters road, Hamilton Hill main highways Slarg cod's Avenue and many side roads in and about AVanaka.

Grading units: The autopatrol has been grading sections of roads. It is now under overhaul as is also the Booth Macdonald grader in preparation for future work. The Wehr grader is working on roads in and around Wanaka.

Alining tracks: A grant has been issued by the Alines Department to cany out work on the seheelite tracks at Glenorchy and some of the work is in hand. Bridges.: Allan Creek bridge i:s now open to traffic and the creek diverted under the new bridge. A light traffic bridge is being constructed over the Candrona river at Robinson’s crossing and will give access to two settlers. The bridge is' designed to

carry three tdjns. Tlie stracture is being erected with the very generous assistance of Mr Robinson, his two sons a,nd one County employee. Material: A portion of suspension bridge material purchased by the County from the Sugarloaf Goldmining jCo. has been purchased by Mr A- Gordon. Two compressors and a welding plant are at present on offer to the council. Building: The council's attention is drawn to the position regarding applications for building permits, plans and specifications. Builders were not making themselves acquainted with the by-laws.

Water Supply: Mr Strathern has applied for permission to pipe water down Macdougal street from a spring to section 7. block 38.

Water race: Mr Morris of Alberttown. requests permission to extend his present race intake to a point half a mile up the river above Ballantyncs Crossing. The race would follow the river back through Ballautyno’s property, piped under the road about live chains from the river on the Mt. Barker side of the crossing. Proposed work: The following roods will be attended to when conditions are favorable: Butel’s road. Chard’s road. Kingston, Wanaka and Greenstone ridings- general grading, gravelling and culverts. The matter of purchase of a welding .plant and a compressor were referred to the Finance committee. The Inspector’s report was adopted. It was decided to plant some ornamental trees on the grounds in front of the County chambers. The Inspector was authorised to spend up fo £GO on roads in the vicinity of Mt. Alfred. It was decided to allow a discount on rates paid by 10th October.