WAIMEA COUNTY COUNCIL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 11 June 1926, Page 7

WAIMEA COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING Eollovving additional business was transacted at the monthly meeting of the Wuimca County Council yesterday: TKNUBftS Two lenders. were received for carting. metal, and that of Haggit and Kenning was accepted tinder curtain conditions. NOTICE OE MOTION Or. Berryman moved according to notice:—"That the Council respectfully petition the Governor-General, through tiio Right, Hon. the Minister of Public Works, to declare all roads through road districts, in the Waimea County to be "District Roads," by Order-in-Coun-cil, under the Public Works Act, 1903, Section 103 (3)." In moving his motion Cr Berryman said it was to bring tho necessary adjustment of the policy of the Council in 'harmony with the County Act, 1920, and the functions of tho Road Boards into lino with the road boards in other counties where all roads through road districts were district roads kept up by road board rates. He went on to say that tho rates in the county (outside the read boards) were more than 100 per cent higher than the average county rates of the South Island, owing largely to the fact that tho roads which had to carry all tho heavy traffic through the six road distiicts bad been a charge upon the, whole county, and that the tangle in road boards bad caused a loss to ratepayers of about £BOOO in Government subsidy and extra cost of administration in the last five years. If the resolution was carried it could be taken for granted that the Road Boards would merge in the, county voluntarily forthwith. The ratepayers were clamouring for this reform all'over the county; the Council bad the sympathy of the Government in the movement, and be hoped Councillors sense of justice and responsibility would be expressed liy carrying the resolution.

In answer to the chairman Cr Berryman said that the letter he had received from the Minister was to the effect that the question should be held over until the merging of road districts had been definitely determined. Seconded by Cr. Jones who said it seemed evident that, the Road Boards were not inclined to merge. He was quite in agreement with Cr. Berryman'a statements.

Cr. Wilkinson said he was absolutely in favour of the motion if it could be worked. It bad been put through tho press, and stated from the platform that tiie Council was responsible for the road boards not coming in. He took strong exception to these statements. The Council must work within the four corners of the Act and could not help itself. The motion had been held over from the last meeting pending what Riwaka was going to do; but the petition was not being gone on with. If the resolution was carried the Council' would not, get any further. He thought Cr. Berryman should go back to his riding and tell the people some'thing more about it. He must know that the Council must work within the four corners of the Act. Tho clerk read the Act which showed that the Governor-General in-Council could declare roads through road districts "district" roads.

Cr. Wilkinson said the matter could only be sent forward as a recommendation. The manner in which the matter had been brought forward bad ruined their chances of getting it through in Riwaka.

Cr. Kenvon opposed the motion. Road boards if'they liked could leave their roads alone for a year or two and then ask to merge in the County. Cr Hewetson also opposed. The motion on being put was lost, only tiie mover and seconder supporting.

CORRESPONDENCE Among the correspondence dealt with was tiie following: — From the clerk, Richmond Borough Council, regretting the insertion in the press report of the Council, of a complaint as to the time taken by the Council's employees in doing certain for the borough. From Hamilton Borough Council re construction and maintenance of roads. —Endorsed. From Nelson Automobile Association,

asking the Council to make certain improvements in the Wangamoa Hill road ; and also making suggestions as to framing by-laws. —Resolved to make application' to Main Highways Board for a straight out grant of £IOOO for improving the road; and otfier matter deferred. From Tahuna Sands Association, asking for the appointment of a representative.—Resolved to appoint Cr. Berryman.

From E. Hooper and Sons and other storekeepers in the County, asking for exemption from Hie hawkers' license.— In reply to a question the clerk said the 'fees totalled about £Bo.—Cr. Hagen said he was pledged to the ratepayers to endeavour to get exemption of the fees. It was an unjust charge on legitimate ratepayers.—Cr. Macmahon said the Act was at fault. He agreed with Cr. Hagen.—Cr. Wilkinson moved that all ratepayers in the County and Motueka Borough who have been deemed to be hawkers bo exempt from the license. — Seconded by Cr. Hagen.—The clerk said the legal opinion obtained when the bylaw was made was that no distinction could be made between ratepayers and others. The chairman said as the bylaw stood the Council could do nothing. —After some further discussion it was decided to hold the matter over until the special meeting, certain informaiton bo be obtained meanwhile.

From the Matariki branch of the Farmers' Union (Tadmor) asking for grant for destruction of small birds.—Deferred to special meeting. From H. G. Berryman, re furniture. for the new Council Chamber. —Certain articles to be purchased. From L. A. Higgins, Belgcove, asking for petition to be returned. —To be informed that the petition is required for office record. Cr. Berryman moved an j amendment that the request be granted.

From C. Turner and Son, Wangamoa, asking permission to cart three loads of electric light, poles over the Wangamoa Hill in fine weather.—Granted.

From C. M. Hoiit, applying for exemption of sec. 57, blk. VII, Waimea S.D., from P.W. Act.—Refused, as it is portion of main highway. From Brightwater School Committee, re bad state of footpath near school.— Already in hand.

From J. H. Mead, Hiwipango, re bad state of road.—Engineer to report as to cost. From IT. Kirkman re bad slate of river crossing at Cordon School. From Faulkner Bros., re bridge over Wangapeka.—Deferred. From H. Hill, asking permission to remove a shop.—Granted on usual conditions. From ,1. W. Christian and others re bridge over Cat Creek.—Left to Engineer and member for riding to report. From T. Jaques and G. Sims re Lamb Yallov-Gle'ihope bridge—Vote to

be applied for. From Farmers' Union re iadmorBaton bridge.—Provision ,bein ! g made in estimates. From VVangapeka and Motupiko ratepayers Association re various matters.— Dealt Willi in various ways. From Hodge Bros., Pokororo, r» pparce Valley road beyond, Shape's bridge.-iMc-mri. ' I From K; S. Ilodges, Pokororo, apply ing for permission to erect gate.—Council lias no jurisdiction. From W. 11. McOavestoa, Motueka, re obtaining gravel from pit near E. Haycock's.—Granted. From C. Corn© Johnston, Pokororo, applying for permission to shift boundary fence.—Left to member for riding for report. From A. Inwood, Motueka, re Rocky River road.—Application to be made for grant. , From Riwaka Farmers Union _re several matters.—Dealt with in various ways. _, , . From J. H. Addison, Tasman, asking for permission to dig ditch.—Agreed to. From V. 11. Ban-, re road through his property at Tasman.—Referred to Engineer for report. GENERAL On the, motion of Or. He.wetson it was resolved to apply for a Government grant of £3OO £ for £ for widening the main road in Lower Mouterc. On the motion of Or Wilkinson, it was resolved that a survey be made ot Riwaka Cemetery road with a view to widening same. ' , In answer to Cr. Jones the Engineer said the Cat Creek bridge would bo gone on with as soon as the plans were approved. Several other matters were dealt witn before the Council rose at 4.35 p.m.