MURCHISON NEWS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 28 February 1939, Page 9

MURCHISON NEWS

COUNTY COUNCIL MONTHLY MEETING HELD RIDING ACCOUNTS ABOLISHED Councillor J. Downie presided at the monthly meeting of the Murchison County Council, others present being Councillors J. Rait, E. M. Brown, F. H. ■ Newman and J. T. Baigent. An apology for absence, on account of illness, was received from Councillor T. O. Morel. The chairman reported the death of Mr A. R. McNee, who had been a resident of Murchison for a great number , of years, and the Council passed a motion of sympathy with the relatives. Reports from the County Engineer, the Assistant Overseeer, and the County , Clerk were received. Arising out of the County Engineer’s . report, it was decided that the Engineer prepare estimates for several , bridges on the highway, for the next ’ year’s estimates. The following accounts as certified were passed for payment: General Account, £1326 18s 7d; Hydro Account, | £ll2 Is lid; Diesel Account, £3 6s 6d I ABOLISHING RIDING ACCOUNTS On the motion of Councillors Rait i and Newman it was resolved that in . pursuance of the public notice the ; Murchison County Council hereby . resolves that {he resolution passed at ; a special meeting of the Council held , on the 19th day of February, 1939, be, and is hereby confirmed, and such a resolution is to take effect as a special order: “That Section 121 and 131, of the Counties Act, 1920, shall not apply to - this Council.” CORRESPONDENCE ! The Department of Internal Affairs J advised that the following had been appointed the District Committee under ' the Physical Welfare and Recreation r Act: Messrs John Downie (chairman), E. M. Brown, J. Rait, J. S. McLauchlan, > H. Rodgers, J. H. McAuliffe (secretary), ; and Miss M.C. White. * The Minister of Internal Affairs for- - warded a copy of the provisional scheme to serve as a guide to local i authorities in preparation for a scheme 1 for action in case of emergency such . as earthquakes, etc. j It was resolved that the Minister be . advised that the scheme seems to cover all points. The Main Highways Board advised that the Maruia Road from Sullivan’s Bridge to the Junction of the Murch-lson-Reefton main highway at the ; other side of the Maruia Saddle had [ been declared a main highway, and j after reconstruction will be handed over to the Council for administration and control. The Public Works Department wrote ’ stating that a grant of £225, £3 for £1 ’ had been approved for the Nuggetty 1 Road. * The Department also approved of the acceptance of Robinson and Sons tender of £75 for the access to Irvines. ’ The Transport Department asked the * Council if it had any comments on the 1 placing of restrictions on the use of ■ motor cycles. 1 It was resolved that the Depart- , ment be advised that there are very ; few motor cycles in the district. ) The Department of Labour forward- | ed a claim on behalf of the men on No. ; 13 Scheme for £l3l 7s 7d, made up for . camping allowance at 2s 6d per day under the award. [ The County Clerk reported that the ; action had been taken. ? The Supervising Officer, Maggie , Creek, acknowledged the Council’s . letter regarding taking off the Council’s t No. 13 Scheme for Poreka Track. ; It was resolved on the motion of Councillors Baigent and Newman that Mr Shirley be invited to attend the next | meeting of the Council to clear up any ’ matters in connection with the work at Poreka Track. The Nelson Hospital Board advised J that the Hospital Board had approved 5 the appointment of Dr Dickel as Medi--1 cal Officer for the district. J The Nelson Employers’ Association } forwarded a copy of the Nelson Local Body Officers Award. On the motion of Councillors Rait ■ and Brown it was decided that the 1 County Office be open for public business during the following hours: Mon- - day to Friday: 9 a.m. to 12, and 1 p.m. t to 4.30 p.m. The Bank of New Zealand advised f that the overdraft limit had been ini’ creased to £SOOO. s The Murchison Returned Soldiers’ s Association asked the Council to call s a meeting of the public with the object of forming a branch of the New Zeas land Defence League. 0 It was decided that the matter be _ left in the hands of the chairman and t the County Clerk to make ail necessary arrangements. f A petition from representatives of

the Howard Valley in connection with the bridging of the ford at Maud Creek at McCuskers, was received. It was decided that a copy of the petition be forwarded to the Minister of Mines, asking if his Department could do something in the matter, as the bridge would be a great advantage to the mining community of the Howard. A petition from residents of the West Bank Road asked for the road to be graded. It was decided that the matter refered to the County Engineer for his attention. The Roto-iti Domain Board asked for 4-12in pipes for a culvert at the corner j of Lake and Hill streets. It was resolved that the Engineer j supply Bft of 12in pipes. The Murchison Rifle Club applied: for the remission of rates on the Rifle Range property under Section 75 of the Rating Act. It was resolved that the rates for the year 1938-39 be remitted. Mr A. Borcovsky wrote in reference to the replacement of Wheelers Bridge. It was decided that the matter be left in the hands of the Chairman and the Engineer with power to erect a bridge or put in a cattle track. Mr E. C. Morbeck made a complaint about the condition of Cave Road. It was resolved that Mr Morbeck be advised that the work will be carried out on Cave Road when money and men are available. Messrs J. P. Robinson and Sons asked the Council to take advantage of the Government grant for Nuggety Road before the 31st March so that a further grant could be applied for next year. This matter was referred to the Engineer. Mr R. Thurlow asked the Council to reconsider the matter of the road into his property. It was resolved that the Council adhere to the previous decision that if Mr Thurlow meets £3O of the Council’s proportion of the cost of the road the work will be gone on with. TENDERS II was resolved that Robinson and Sons’ tender for access to Sewell Owen River Road be accepted subject to the

! approval of the Public Works Depart - : ment. It was resolved that Robinson and i Sons’ Tender for access to R. Win, ■ Longford to Raits’ Road be accepted ; subject to the approval of the P.W.D., ! and that they increase their subsidy. GENERAL BUSINESS t Councillor Baigent enquired as to , what arrangements had been made to keep the ford at New Creek open for traffic. , The chairman reported that he had conferred with representatives of the . farmers and the miners at the Howard, j and the arrangements were that each | party were to meet their proportion of . ‘ the cost of clearing the ford. Councillor Rait asked what was the 1 1 Council’s position regarding filling in ,' any depressions on the side of the \ roads. It was pointed out the Council made , a road way and if owners of adjoining property wanted entrance way, or de- , pressions filled in it was their privilege to do so. [ The Chairman asked that a telephone j be installed at the Engineer’s residence. \ It was resolved that an additional telephone be approved of. 1 DOG REGISTRATION ; It was resolved that legal action be 1 taken against all persons having un- * registered dogs after the 10th March. and that after that date all dogs found 5 on County roads or streets be destroy- J 5 ed. f STAFF HOUSES t On the motion of Councillors Brown j and Rait it was resolved that the plans ! . and specifications submitted for the County Clerk’s residence be approved. 1 It was proposed by Councillor Brown j and seconded by Councillor Newman that an additional house be erected ) j for the County Engineer under the t same conditions as approved for the . j County Clerk.