LAKE COUNTY COUNCIL

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 4717, 15 November 1945, Page 3

LAKE COUNTY COUNCIL

The monthly meeting of the Lake County Council was held on Thursday, November S. Present: Mr D. H. Cockburn (chairman), Crs. L. Leo, D. C. Aubrey, W. McLean, Jas. Reid A. E. Butson and T.’E. Bryant, R, Semple, Minister of Works, wrote stating that reports on various works brought before him in Wellington had come to hand and ho advised as follows: Mt. Alfred road at Gleuorchy (Glcnorchy-Routcburn), The estimated cost of formation and gravelling is £750 and a subsidy of £SOO on a £2 for £1 basis would be available to the council. Cattle Flat-Mt.Aspiring road —a subsidy of £225 on a£3 for £1 basis is offered. School bus road at Garston—a subsidy of £287 on a £2 for £1 basis for gravelling on this road is approved. Application in respect to a bridge on the school bus route, Garston, Von road improvements and Jack Hall creek bridge are not regarded as of the same urgency as the works enumerated. They w-ould receive consideration when next year’s estimates are being prepared.—Received and noted.

Tho Public Works Department advised that the plans of tho Spotts creek bridge, Cardrona, to incorporate a width of 12 feet between weolguards is almost completed. An item of £IOOO (on account) appears on this year’s highway estimates for the erection of this bridge.—Received. The Department of Lands and Survey advised re unclaimed sections at Wanaka. It was stated that no Crown sections are being made available in Wanaka until the building position improves and returns to a normal state. Therefore It is unlikely that certain unclaimed sections would become available to the public even though they be acquired by the Crown. —Received. • Otago Regional Planning Council. The Otago Regional Planning Council advised that tho conference of Otago Local Bodies and other interested organisations which was convened by tho Mayor of Dunedin in February last endorsed the formation of a Regional Planning Council and it was decided to sub-divide tho Otaj«wrcgion and proceed with the settflßip of sub-Regional commlttics. I* hoped the council would bo represented at a meeting of a sub-centre for Central Otago to be held at Alexandra on

I November 17. > The chairman stated that he and Cr. ■ Lee attended the meeting of the coun- ! cil in Dunedin on the 25th October. J The ’opted rules were explained to j and briefly discussed by a large mootj mg of members representing the local bodies of the province. He said it is the intention of the Executive to invite the formation of a sub-executive to cover the northern portion with headquarters probably at Alexandra. The portion of Lake County coming within the Otago Regional area will be included in this proposal, and it is suggested that a representatvo bo delegated to attend such inaugural meeting. The Central Executive, under ' fire able charmanship of Mr Myers, appeared to be working assiduoushand on effective lines in the interests of sound planning within the province. Cr. Aubrey was appointed to attend the inaugural meeting at Alexandra. The Southland Regional PlanningCouncil advised that the time had come for setting up of competent technical committees to advise the council and it executive upon many important problems affecting the advancement and welfare of Southland. The co-operation of all constituent local bodies etc. was invited in the selection of the best exports available. —Received. The Transport Department, Wellington, wrote re the issue of drivers’ licenses to returned servicemen. Certain suggestions were made for the guidance of local bodies.—The suggestions were approved. Centenary of Otago, The secretary of the Otago Centennial Association asked that the respective bodies in Otago meet and discuss proposals for a suitable memorial and whether it be a local or general one. The chairman reported that ho represented the Lake County Council at a general meeting of Otago local body representatives in connection with the arrangements for the centenary of Otago. Differences of opinion were expressed as to the desirability for establishing memorials in local centres as against the idea of having one provincial memorial in Dunedin city. Though not committing the council nor the district in any way he voiced the opinion that he thought it probable that the concensus of feeling in the district would favour contributing towards some worth-while effort in the provincial city of Dunedin. It was decided that delegates should return and place the matter Before their respective bodies and thus get the real feeling of the areas they represent and return at some future date to determine the general policy to be followed. He therefore proposed inviting representatives of the boroughs of Queenstown and Arrowtown to meet the council and discuss the subject. The Upper Wakatipu Progressive League wrote drawing attention to the dangerous encroachment of the Bucklerburn creek to the county road and the water front and to request the assistance of the council to alter the present course of the creek. The council was also asked to widen the road from the hotel corner to wharf. Cr Bryant supported the requests. It was resolved that the member for the riding and engineer inspect and report on matters referred to. Gerald H. -Hamilton, Hollyford, Te Anau, wrote asking if the county clerk could furnish any information regarding (he history of the Jamestown settlement, the Big Bay mining community or the various settlers in the Hollyford Valley.—Referred to Historical Committee. Kate Scott, Rees Valley, Glenorchy, asked that some work be done up the Rees road from where it leaves the main road to Arthurs creek. The county Inspector was asked to inspect the road and w-riter would show him "hat is necessary to bo done.—lnspector to make a report to next meeting. S. D. Macphorson, Wanaka station, wrote stating that he was anxious to carry out a programmes of re-fencing in section 18, block 111, Lower Wanaka Survey District and would be pleased to have an indication of the council’s wishes in the matter of a road entrance to the property of Mr W. A. Studholme, section 10. The writer also drew attention to three trees growing on the Wanaka-Glondhu road —a blue gum and two pines. The gum tree might be left but the pines should be removed in order to protect some fine lime trees forming part of the avenue.—The Engineer was asked to collaborate with the member for the riding re roadlino. It was agreed to allow the pine trees to be removed to the satisfaction of the engineer. The Health Inspector’s report was adopted. Engineer’s Report. The County Engineer’s report covering work carried out during the past month was adopted. In his proposed programme of work it was recommended that grading etc. be done in Greenstone riding wherever possible. It is proposed to use the dozer in conjunction with the elevator for gravelling from river beaches. Authority is requested to hire one truck and driver for one- or two weeks’ work. It was proposed to take advantage of the opportunity, wdiile the plant is at the Head of Lake, to strengthen the Earaslaw burn bridge and to shorten by 19 span and repair the-Rees river bridge.

Authority had beer. received to carry this work out. It was proposed to grade the roads in the Queenstown and Arrow ridings and the roads at Kingston. No. 7 and 8 main highways at Wanaka will also require grading. The proposed programme was adopted.

A report on an inspection of Kingston riding by the engineer and Cr. Butson embodying requests for gravel on the road and for more culverts. Requests were also made to have five lords on the road loop either piped of bridged. The report was'rccoived and not action taken meantime. C.r. Butson hoped something would soon bo done for he had many complaints from ratepayers. It was resolved that the big horse grader be hired out, but it must bo operated by an employee of the council. Ihc engineer was empowered to purchase £75 worth of tramway rails for bridge work. The replacing of a bridge at Halfway Bay was authorised. Details to be left in the hands of the chairman with power to act. Flood Damage. Op the 23rd October an inspection was made by Mr A. Pryor, P.W.D. engineer, and the county engineer of flood damage on the following county roads: Chard's road.—A slip occurred on the 11th October completely blocking this road at a very narrow place. The estimated cost to clear the slip was £65. The expenditure to date on this work is approximately £B7. Since the original slip further rain brought down more spoil than was originally loosened. Tobin’s track road.—A section of some eight chains of Tobin’s track moved bodily down the hillside, and was accompanied by a slip in the middle of this subsidence. The stimatod cost to open the road through the slip and subsidence is £175. At the last council meeting the engineer was instructed to cut a pack track across the slip (cost approximately £7) but if the road is to bo left as a pack track considerably more work is required, and the total cost will be in the vicinity of £SO. It is recommended than an application be lodged for a Government grant for flood damage to Tobin’s track to be accompanied by a statement that the council considers it cannot afford more than, say, £SO to open this road, and should sufficient subsidy not be forthcoming it will be * necessary to close the road.

Branches road, Upper Shotover,—During the winter numerous slips occurred on this road, the majority being beyond Peats camp. The estimated cost to open the Branches road from the main highway to the Branches Flat is £360. The road has been opened as far as Pets camp (cost approximately £l2) and there are reasonable prospects of keeping this section- open without excessive expenditure. The council’s policy with regard to the road beyond Peats camp is requested This road is used very little and is extremely costly to maintain, but without maintenance the large sums previously spent on formation will very soon be lost. It was resolved to apply for assistance. Council’s Difficulties. The chairman complimented the county clerk and county engineer on the compilation of a special report to the Minister of Public Works Setting out the activities and difficulties of the council. He stated that the subcommittee had persued the report prior to its submission to the Minister. Councillors endorsed the chairman’s remarks, commenting on the immense amount of work entailed. S.I. Local Bodies’ Conference. Cr. Lee reported that a very successful conference of local bodies was held in Dunedin last month. The Association had now got on a firm footing and he thought it would prove well worth while. Ho was pleased to say there was an absence of parochialism. The South Island, he added, will benefit greatly by the operation of the association. The chairman endorsed the remarks of Cr. Lee.

The council agreed to the services of the engineer being available to the Vincent County Council in the preparation of plans.

The engineer stated, in reply to Cr. Aubrey, the plans for the bridge over Sargood’s race were under way. The engineer was asked to investigate the position of culverts at Cardrona nursery deviation. He was also empowered to renew' the pipe crossing near to Mr R. MeDongall’s at Cardrona and to take the necessary steps to remove wild growth near small bridge at Arthurs Foist, 1 request by Cr. Reid to carry out some repairs on the Matukituki-Glon-dhu track w r as referred to the engineer for his attention.

Cr. Bryant again enquired if the council intended to buy small birds’ oggs.—The council deferred action. The clerk -was asked to make representations to the Federated Farmers’ Union,

The Finance Committee’s report showing accounts duo amounting to £586/13/11 was adopted. The council deferred notion till next meeting in connection with the Wamika extra-urban scheme.