Lake County Council.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 4553, 19 February 1942, Page 3

Lake County Council.

MONTHLY MEETING. A meeting of the Lake County Council was held on Thursday, 12th February. Present; The chairman (Cr. D. H. Cockburn), Crs. L. Lee, W. S. Reid, D. Aubrey,. H. J. H. Lewis, W. Gordon and D. Knowles. CORRESPONDENCE The (Southland Education Board advised that the Education Department is prepared to approve of the old school site at Millers Flat being made available to the council as a gravel reserve provided the council meets all costs of transfer.—Accepted. The council authorised the purchasing of 1000 dog collars. The council received a copy of a letter addressed to the District Engineer P.W.D., Dunedin, forwarding plans and schedule for approval for Spotts Creek bridge. E. Fletcher Roberts, civil engineer, advised the council of proposals sent forward embodying final plans for Ballantynes crossing, Phcebe’s Creek, Spotts Creek, Branch creek, Lonk Gully and Halls creek. The engineer also forwarded copy of letter sent to the District Engineer rc proposals for renewal of Long Gully bridge.—Received and noted. The council was advised by the Survey Department that Butement street at Glenorchy was not shown as a public street. —It was resolved to declare the street closed.

The Transport Department advised the council rc its appeal against the impressment of its motor vehicles for the army. Owners of impressed vehicles were urged to make every effort to secure alternative means of transport such as an old truck, a tractor and trailer, or a horse and cart. —After some discussion regarding valuation of the lorries, it was decided to await further instructions rc transfer of lorries to military authorities.

E. H.. Baird, Mt. Soho. Arrowtown, wrote asking what the council intended to do in the matter or re-erecting a sheep bridge at the 8-mile, Macetown road. —The inspector and riding member to confer with Mr Baird and report result to next meeting. Win. Aitken, Christchurch, wrote offering the sum of £SO towards the cost of constructing a bridge over the Matatapu in replacement of one destroyed by flood damage. —The inspector was instructed to prepare plans and cost for a 4 foot suspension bridge. J. R. Scurr, Cardrona, wrote asking if the council could continue the work being done by the bulldozer at Cardrona.—The council approved of Cr Reid’s action in the matter.

Key Bros., Mt. Creighton, wrote asking for repairs to be made to wharf as it was not safe for use. The main track from McCormick’s to Glenorchy also Avas overgroAvn with fern etc. and could do with clearing.—lt was decided to ask the P.W.D. to arrange for the Railway Department, to undertake the w T ork of constructing certain AAdiarves on the lakeside. Attention was to be given to track. The Department of Internal Affairs ad\ T ised that owing to the shortage of buckles and dees it had been decided to extend the registration for dogs for a period of two month. —Received. . The National Service Department advised the council re reduced lighting under the Emergency Precautions Scheme. The council Avas asked to set up a special committee under the chairmanship of Mr A. E, Ellis, Otago Central Powder Board, to consider the matter.—lt Avas resolved that groups of ratepayers form themselves into committees Avherever is was considered desirable in the interests of the safety of property and to apply to the Lake County Council for permission to do so. Distribution of posters Avas left in hands of clerk.

R. N. Grant, Frankton, secretary of Frankton Cemetery Trustees, advised that Mr J. Bagrie had been nominated to fill the vacancy on the Trust by the removal of Mr J. E. O’Connell from the district.—Appointment approved. The Otago and Southland Automobile Associations adAdsed that they w r ere each prepared to meet one-third of cost of telephone facilities on Kingston road.—Letters received.

Max Winders, Wanaka, wrote asking the position in connection with the shed at Wanaka wharf. He had recently been asked by Wylie Bros, to move his oil fuel out of the shed. It was very necessary that it should bo available to launch owners,—Enquiries to be made re ownership and consideration deferred till next meeting.

The Institute for the Blind asked for a donation to its funds.—Received.

Wilson Wallace, Frankton, wrote asking that he be permitted to occupy his residence site at Frankton wharf. -—Agreed to at the pleasure of the council at 2/G per year. Between 50 and CO ratepayers in Wanaka township petitioned the council asking it to convene a public meet-

ing rc a discussion on the town-plan-ning scheme. —It was decided to hold a meeting on Friday night, 27th February and to transact County business on Saturday.

INSPECTOR’S REPORT The Inspector presented a summary of his report which was discussed in detail. The following are the essential points on work undertaken or in process:—

Greenstone riding The KinloshGrecustone track repairs had been completed and the Routcburn road spillway now finalised; repair work had been undertaken on Glenorchy scheclite tracks and the mines motor road had been extended another mile; another inspection had been made of the wharves on the lakeside and it was hoped to carry out construction in the near future; the Rees river was cutting into the road where the river had been groyned and further protection work would have to be carried out; the Rees river bridge was in very bad order and extensive repairs would have to be carried out to enable a reasonable load to go over it. Queenstown riding—An arrangement with the Queenstown Borough Council was necessary in connection with the One-mile creek channel; the Moke road flood repairs had been almost completed and the road to the lake was in reasonable repair; general grading and repairs had been carried out on the (Shippers road and the surface was now in good order; grading had been carried out right through to the Brandies; a survey and general inspection had been made of the Long Gully bridge and proposals were made for a new bridge of girder type with wooden decking. Arrow riding—The most urgent portion of the gravelling work on Crown Terrace will be carried out providing county vehicles are available before impressment; a new bridge has beer, put over Hayes creek at Hunters; Tobin’s track has been repaired; repairs to Macetown road and an inspection and report on bridge crossings in the Arrow river will be made shortly; Chards and Wardells roads have recently been graded and are in good order; Shotovcr river erosion at Lower yhotover school will be investigated and reported on at next meeting. Wanaka riding—Preparations were in train for a commencement on the Carmel creek and Halls creek bridges on the Matatapu; the recreation room in the Glendhu Domain building was completed and other improvements would be out of hand shortly. General —Twenty replies were received in response to applications for caravans for use of workmen on the roads but they ere all too light for couutwy use. A heavy type of vehicle was required; there were at present ten permanent men and two casuals on the staff; delivery of lorries under Government impressment scheme would not be effected until the military authorities sent for same; heavy rain in January caused damage in Wanaka, Skippers and Glenorchy districts; it is recommended that a light temporary bridge be placed' over Branch creek in Cardrona; the material left over from the construction of Glendhu Domain building may now bo sold by auction; work on the Mt. Aspiring road will be started early in March.

Cr. Gordon said he noticed that every riding but his OAvn had been mentioned in the Inspector’s report. He Avouid like to see more work done and earlier in the year than usual. It Avas twn and a half months since the inspector Avas in the riding. He realised that the inspector had a good deal to do.

The inspector admitted that he had not been in the riding recently as he had been fully occupied elsewhere. The cost of cleaning out the creeks in the riding Avouid be very heavy. Cr. Gordon asked for some gravelling and maintenance to be done.

It Avas decided to send the light gracr to Garston and the inspector to look into other requirements and report to next meeting.

The finance statement showed the debit balance at last meeting w r as £4582/3/9, less lodgments, £185.2/3/2, leaA'ing £2730/0/7. The total accounts amounted to £2834/10/7 of which £2052/10/5 had been paid, leaving £862/15/5. The revenue statement showed that the total amount outstanding was £BIO4/0/6. The two main items Avere: refunds due £3Bl/0/6, outstanding rates £3937/5/3. The report Avas adopted.