NORTH OTAGO.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20906, 21 December 1929, Page 20

NORTH OTAGO.

ACTIVITIES OF

(Fbok Oub Special

SANDSTONE CREEK '‘CROSSING,

Arising out of the visit of inspection last month by county councillors of the' crossing at MulvenaV (Sandstone Creek) Cr -T. MTnnes at the council meeting yesterday moved that a bridge be erected at the crossing, adding that it was a waste of money as other places also needed facilities.—Cr Ross asked if Cr MTnnes way doing it against the wishes of the ratepayers. Cr MTnnes said if the bos culvert were removed the bridge could be deferred till next April.—ln reply to Cr Smith, the chairman stated that the councillors present at the inspection promised to erect a bridge. If they w'ere going to do so, it should be gone on with. —Mr MTnnes asked what was to prevent taking out the box culvert and leaving the crossing in its original state.—Cr Meek stated that the culvert did not cause flooding of the land, but they agreed that a bridge would be of advantage to motorists in flood time. If the course were cleared through the railway property flood waters would get away, and, he said, it was the railway property which dammed back the wdter. —Cr Ross took exception to Cr MTnnes’s proviso to his motion that it would be a ivaste of money. No councillor had a right to move a motion, adding that it ivas a waste of money. He agreed with Cr Meek that the trouble was between the road and the railway. Several councillors said they considered the bridge necessary, and Cr Rodman asked Cr MTnnes to withdraw his remarks about it being a waste o£ money. Cr MTnnes complied and it was decided to 'build the bridge and remove the culvert in the meantime.

WAITAKI COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the Waitaki County Council was held yesterday, there being present Mr W. Gardiner (chairmahT, Crs T, A. Munro, .T, M. Smith, R. B. Meek, A. M’lnnes, J. D. Rutherford, D. Clark, J. D. Ross, and J. Rodman.

The Main Highways Board forwarded £320 18s 8d in respect to work done on the Knrow-Pukeuri Junction highway, £l2O 14s lOd, Waiareka-Ngapara highway; and £1036 18s 3d, ChristchurchDmredin highway. Treasury notes for 5« goldfields revenue, and £4O 7s Od small grazing run " fourths ” were rece’ved. . Messrs Scott Bros, applied for permission to screen a picture programme on Christmas night. The opinion was expressed that there were plenty of other nights in the year for pictures, and the application was declined. Messrs E. Symon, South Oamaru, and W, Falloon, Weston, were granted permission to install septic tanks, subject to the approval of the health inspector. It was reported that the hoarding at

THE DISTRICT.

COBBISFOMDUT.)

the Waitaki bridge objected to at the last meeting was to be moved 15 feet to one side.

The engineer was granted permission to attend the annual conference of engineers at Dunedin on February 18. Mr E. K. Gallagher applied for exemption trom licensing motor lorries used for cartmg gravel.—The application was declined.

It was decided to co-operate with the hlorth Otago Farmers’ Union in enteric 1151 ®? the British farmers on tour, and .hrs Meek and Clark were appointed to the Joint Committee. The .Post and Telegraph Department wrote in reference to the proposed telePhone hues to Messrs Newlands and itucldenklau s residences, and asked for suggestions as to the new site for new pole position necessitated by removal of e S ra ph pole at Duntroon.—lt was deV 0 £ eo lnc to contribute towards « re i£ oval * the question of site to be left to the department. t A ~t ter. wa » received from Mr F. n£nf b ? * ,n «r eff : rencc t 0 the appointtnent of traffic inspectors, that if the ffisnept 6 c ?, rab i ned , to appoint a full-time £ for b ? a £ d Ivould subsidise wages a cir°r,J a 0 r Wn Plam V n e Board forwarded which w I concerning regional planning, nlnch was received in the meantime. inJHo^ Ct 'n n ° f the con >mittee'in purchasin S dog collars was approved. ...„?. era , Bbo , r .t discussion concerning needs and Californian thistle on the the 11 T*' 119I 19 matter was referred to tne members of ridings for attention. It was stated that the amount of Californian thistle and weeds on the roads showed A°t doiD S'nway wUh the Noxious

Cr Rodman, on behalf of the Standing Committee reported that they looked on the request for landing grounds by the Otago Aero Club as a national matter. iv^ y '^ ere Wl -, ln ? *° co-operate with the borough couuoil. but thought the Government should foot the bill, and the clerk was-instructed to reply to the club accordingly. The committee also recommended that they approach Mr Sidov, Minister of Justice, through Hr Macpherson, MP., asking him to visit Oamaruj in connection with the request for a section behind the courthouse, in order to comply with the wishes of the Plunket Society. The recommendation was adopted. Cr Rodman reported .that they had conferred with the representatives of the Hampden Borough Council, and the council wrote offering to contribute £l5O towards the cost or tar sealing London and Liverpool streets, to be spread over a period of five years. _ Cr Rodman stated that the county council’s contribution was £126, and the terms were approved. He also reported that when certain information was forthcoming from the superintendent of the National Provident Fund, ■the question of adopting the superannuation scheme would again be dealt with. It was decided to close the county offices from December 24 to January 8. The clerk was instructed to demand the immediate removal of wire stays on the road to a large sign recently erected at Kartigi between the road and the sea. Accounts amounting to £2898 2s 9d were passed for payment.

Two tenders were received for 1500 yards of gravel for the main highway at Hampden—E. K. Gallagher £331 sa, J. M'Cone £356 ss, and on the recommendation of the engineer that of J. M'Cone was accepted. The acceptance of W. H. Harbour’s tender of £92 10s for renovations at the doctor’s residence at Duntroou was confirmed.

ENGINEER’S REPORT.

The engineer’s report was as follows: Moeraki Riding.—l regret exceedingly having to record the death of another of the county’s old and valued surfacemen in Mr Alexander Prain, of Hampden, who passed away last week. Mr Prain has been 26 years in the county’s employ, and was an old and highly respected resident of Hampden. The work of widening the Hampden-Hillgrove is completed, and tenders have been called for a light sprinkling of gravel to bring the surface up to the standard required for sealing. Cr Ross and I interviewed the Mayor of Hampden with regard to the portion of the main highway through the borough, and I think an agreement suitable to both parties will be arrived at. A bad corner op the Kaka Hill is being straightened, and the spoil used to widen the road and bank up the approaches to the Kaka bridge, which will make it much safer. VI ith regard to the Railways Department’s complaint of, trees obscuring the Jiff® a t Mrs Cleghorn’s property, Mrs Cleghorn has made the necessary clearance.

Otepopo Riding.—The contractor has completed the gravelling of Bowally Creek and Lawrence’s roads. Some maintenance gravel was also put on the Waia-nakarua-All Day Bay road. Maintenance gravel is being put on the Maheno-Kuri-heka road.

Incholme Riding.—-The contractor is making fair progress with the formation and metalling of the Dasher road, Kakanuui Riding.—The contractor for putting Ngapara gravel on the Kakanui Beach road has made a start, some difficulty having been experienced in getting the necessary trucks. The road has been widened and generally improved with the grader.

Papakaio Riding.—The work of putting the segond sealing coat on the North road opposite Redcastle is now in progress. As is usual in such cases, the weather broke just as the work was commenced, and it ha s been impossible to get in a full day. However, if the weather holds at all, I hope to get it completed before the holidays. The contractor for metalling the mam highway at Pukeuri is making good progress, but the traffic is so intense that it is impossible to get the metal to set. No amount of rolling will compete with tho fast motor traffic, ~ Riding.—The contractor for the _ Elderslie No. 2 bridge across the Waiareka has completed the work and made a very good job. The approaches have still to be built. I have had a j roat^ , drag made shod with grader blades, which I hope will cope with the corrugations on the roads. Awamoko Riding.—The surfacemen have been engaged in ordinary surfacing during the month, and the grader has been over various roads. The repairs to the cottage at Bortou’s are proceeding at a very slow and unsatisfactory rate. Otekaike Riding.—-The contractor for alterations to the doctor’s residence has made a start after some delay, and the work should be finished . shortly. The bridge over Corrigal's Creek, on the Duntroon Domain road was completed by our own men, and is a substantial structure. The cost was £75. The approaches are being done by the settlers, and I have no doubt are_ completed before this, Ahuriri Riding.—A considerable amount of gravelling has been done on the KurowOmarama. highway. Over £I9OO has been spent on this road in the last five months, which fs considerably more than the amount on the highways estimates for the year, f understand tho contractor has made a start with the gravelling of Lindis Pass road I have not seen the Ahuriri deviation which is being done by the unemployed under the supervision of the Highways Board, but I understand that good progress is being made.—The report w.ik adopted.

PERSONAL. Queen’s Hotel: Hr T. Dawson fAdelaide!. Mr R. Adams (Melbourne). Mr F. W. M’lntosh (Wellington), Mr R. Carrick (Christchurch), Mr and Mrs H. K. Burrell (Cashmere Hills). Mr and Mrs H. Croft (Rangiora), Mrs R. G. Crabb (Waitakij. Messrs S. G. Sutton, T. Thomson (Dunedin), Mr and Mrs T. Cameron and son (Benavon). Mr Le Cowie (Winton). Mr and Mrs Strang and family. Miami Mrs D. 0. Strang (Invercargill). Mr A. G. M'Cutchcon. of the Waiareka railway station staff, has been transferred to Hornby, and bis plain lias been tillerl bv Mr D. Hillinr, of Hornbv.

. At the Waitaki County Council meeting yesterday a motion of sympathy was passed with the relatives in the death o! the lata Mr Prain, Mr J. M. Smith, of Kakanui, who was so severely injured while jumping a horse over a wire fence in October last, has made steady progress, and has now recovered sufficiently to enable him to leave his bed in a few days. Mr W. Gardiner (chairman of the Waitaki County Council) extended heartiest greetings to the councillors, press representatives, and the staff for a ruerry Christmas and a happy New Year He said he was sorry to say that they did not appear to be in for a prosperous year. The Government was spending too much money which could bo - saved.—Cr Smith: “ Hear! Hear! ” —ln reciprocaling, Cr Rodman expressed the councillors' pleasure that Mr Gardiner had been able to attend the council meetings.—Later, at dinner at the Queen's Hotel, Cr T. A, Munro, on behalf of the councillors, pro* sented Miss Boyle with a token of appreciation of the attention they had received during the year. At the annual prise-giving of the Totara School, Carrington, pupil teacher, who is leaving the school, was presented with a shaving outfit by Jack Couper, on behalf of the school children.

At a meeting of the North Otago Piugby Union, a motion of condolence was passed with J, Crowley in the death of his father.

APPOINTMENT OF RANGERS.

During a discussion on the appointment of rangers at the Waitaki Coupty Council meeting yesterday, reference was made to the numerous complaints received about straying stock in all parts of the county, and it was decided that rangers be instructed to_ prosecute after a second offence. Arising out of the impounding of a contractor’s horses, reference was also made to the meanness of certain farmers in withholding grazing from county contra dors. A case was quoted of a wealthy farmer charging a contractor tor water, and it was said that contractors were charged for paddocks with little or no feed m them. The other side of the K , was Presented by the clerk, who reported receiving accounts from farmers ri-ii cba A *°’ d contractors, with very little chance of their ever being paid. Messrs Orr, Flett, Fisher, and Adams wore reappointed rangers.

KUROW SETTLEMENT,

Arising out of a complaint from Mr Rattray, Kurow, in reference to the floodmg of a ditch on his property, it was reported at the Waitaki County Council meeting yesterday that they were awaitl!Jß information whether particulars i ' : “ 0 ditch were shown on the registered plan.—Cr Munro reported that it had been agreed to write, through Messrs xiitchener and Macpherson, requesting the Minister of Public Works and the Minister of Lands to visit the Kurow settlement to review the whole position regarding tas flooding of the country.—Crs M Inncs and Meek favoured awaiting the result of their inquiries, but Cr Ross dieagreed, and said if the work was worth doing, then it should be gone on with. It was a -matter of importance, as the people concerned had suffered for some considerable time. Cr M Imres stated that Mr M*Leod had locality and his advice was that the settlers should form themselves into a. water board, but the settlers themselves were against one another and only one or two turned up to the meeting calfed by the council, Cr Robb stated tha« it had been pointed out by Cr Munro that the railway bridges were not fiurncient to let flood water away. The chairman and Cr Rodman agreed that they Should do all they could to obtain relief for the settlers, and they thought the Government should help. The clerk was instructed to write accordingly to the members of Parliament on behalf of the settlers. \

A BAD EXAMPLE,

The Waltaki County Council has been advised by Mr F. Langhein that the chairman of the Main Highways Board would be at Oamaru on January 21 to meet representatives of the council. At yesterday a meeting of the council the chairman (Mr W. Gardiner) stated on VjfV v ! s ?*' the board travelled from the Waitaki bridge at 50 or 60 miles an hour, and they could not possibly P”P erl y travelling at that speedy Another letter was received from the Commissioner of Transport inviting suggestions in connection with the various Acts under his control. The subject opened up a discussion on speeding and the upkeep of roads. Mr Gardine? said an the regulations made did not prevent furious driving. A motor cyclist r?«rt PaE -T ed h,s . P lace regularly travelled at eo miles an hour, and he would surely someone. The police, he thought, should be asked to take notice of this speeding Cr Rodman said he thought it time the speed limit was enforced, not only for private cars, but also for some passenger buses. It Vas ridiculous the speed two of these passenger buses travelled at through the townships. They put up notices about schools, but the drivers took no notice of them. Until something was done the lives of people and motorists who did not travel fast, were not safe. Cr Ross endorsed Cr Rodmans remarks. If the companies were allowed to get away with the speed limit they would put on more buses to compete with the expresses. He thought they should nip the matter in the bud.—Cr Rodman stated it was simply impossible to keep up the mam highways a s the high speed at which the cars travelled cut up the roads. It was aJso reported that ton and ton and iratin l or 7 eß , ?’® re overloading and travelled at a high speed. It was also questioned whether the petrol tanks were contributing their quota, and it was considered that the whole matter should be Spei £ inK of the visit of the rr a * n Highways Board, the chairman said that they would stay half an 'hour at Oamaru, and he thought the whole thing was a farce. They could not possibly sen things properly travelling at 50 to CO miles an hour.—Cr Smith; They are a bad example.—lt was agreed to meet the board on January 21 and to respectfully suggest that the time **-■ ve . r / sh ° rt ;., What is the use of going through like an aeroplane?” commented Cr Rodman.

CRICKET,

ni r u e i fo L lo " ,,l^' v ’ I! the Union Uub to-day:—Seniors to play Waihemo seniors at Palmerston:—Blair, Tonkin, Spear Meikle, Robbie, Budd. Gregory Maddigan. ,Meikl e : Oais ivill leave Dalgety's corner at 12 30 p.m. sharp. Juniors v. Albion, at King George s Park:—Blair Ku% Steele, Kolter, Aitcheson, Lambie, Budd. Hed~cs Dawson. Fawcett Ros= " ’

CALEDONIAN SPORTS

v n* c ';e\T t indication that the -North Otago Caledonian Society’s snorts on New Years Day are going to draw a \ery largo attendance. With the New Aoaiaiid Cycling. and also the 100 Yards iNew /ealand Championshipg to bo coml°r: the ciuahty of the competitors will be tar ahead of anything yet experienced. Ift addition, Opperman. the creat Australian cyclist, will be matched against A C. Ritchie, the present New Zealand chanson, over a distance of three miles. Entries for running, cycling and dancing close on December 27. *

BOWLING

The following will represent the Awamoa Club in its match with Pukeuri at Pukeuri to-day;—Russell, Vernor, Rusbatch, Walton; Kennedy, Woodward, Tisdall. Buist; Stichman, Thompson, Robertson, Hodge.

THE WEATHER.

The weather during the week has been very changeable, alternating from hot, sunny mornings to cold bleak showers. Rain fell on four days, and has been general throughout the district. The crops continue to do well, and stock generally is in excellent condition. A total of 49 points of rain was registered by Mr W. Forrester as follows:—December 15,- 20 points; 16th, 13 points; 18th, 13 points; 19th, 3 points; making a total of 108 points for the month.

OAMARU JOCKEY CLUB,

At a meeting of the Oamsru Jockey Club Committee yesterday it was decided uot to race on the January dates allotted —viz., January 17 and 18—but it was hoped to select more suitable dates later on.

BAND RECITAL,

The recital to have been given by the Oaraaru Municipal Baud last Sunday was postponed on account of the weather, and a Christmas programme will be given tomorrow afternoon in tho Oamaru Gardens, The numbers include the marches “ Through Bolt and Bars ” and “ Old Comrades ”; euphonium solo, “ The Broken Melody,” Bandsman T. Ovens; selection, “Reminiscences of Rossini”; Air Varie, “ Sandon comet solo, “ Click Clack,” Conductor H. Phcloung; and selected hymns and carols.

NORTH OTAGO FARMERS’ UNION.

The monthly meeting of the North Otago Farmers’ Union wa* held yesterday afternoon, Mr K. Dick presiding. The chairman reported attending the meeting of the employees in connection with the application for a new threshing mill award, and advised that the matter would go before the Arbitration Court. It was decided to hold a meeting of the special committee appointed to make arrangements for entertaining the British farmers.

Details of the exports and subsidy on pork were received from the Dominion secretary, but in view of the fact that so little pork was exported from the South Island, it was decided to take no action. The Stock Committee of the Waimate Farmers’ Union requested support for the request for the more speedy transport of stock to Addington, and it was resolved to support the request. A letter was received from Mr Q. P. Johnston in reference to the completion of the South Island Main Trunk railway. and suggesting that a remit be forwarded to the Dominion Executive that no further construction of railways be undertaken by the Government unless a commission is appointed to consider and report, such commission to consist of practical men. It was resolved to agree to the terms of the letter, but the executive considered it too late to take further action.

Mr W. R, Harris, Dominion organiser, reported securing 132 orders; 126 new members; £2O in cash; and addressed six meetings. In the Livingstone, Tokorahi, Ngapara, Enfield, and Five Forks districts a large majority of the farmers joined up. To further consolidate the position he intended 'holding a series of meetings on suitable dates du: Ing the first quarter of the new year. There is a general impression amongst farmers in the above-mentioned districts, that the prestige of the union would be considerably increased if more genera) meetings of members were held in the country districts. The meetings would provide an opportunity for members to keep in touch with the many activities of file union. He recommended that the executive set up a committee to arrange for the attendance of one or more ot the executive members or of the provincial secretary at the country meetings. Also that at least two meetings be held in each year at the country centres decided upon He was of the opinion that attention to a system of country meetings would materially assist in maintaining the interest and efficiency of the union in North Otago, An exchange of the season’s greetings and appreciation of the press for reportmg the meetings throughout the year concluded the meeting.

WINDSOR SCHOOL CONCERT,

There was a large gathering at the annual school concert held in the Windsor ilail, when the items were given by a party from Oamaru assisted by some Per /°r. merß - Mr J - Carrodue presided, and those contributing to the programme were Misses N. Hesketh and M««« n n nd T lrß J^ t . SoD and Allan, .**•,, Jl H, s ,ey , and J - M*Kay (songs); Messrs Hmkley, J. Miller, J Tonkm, and M'Kay, (quartet), and, Messrs Hmkley and Tonkin (duet). MW Hmkley played the accompaniments. Vl® c , v f^l n K presentations were S?® ¥ Mr t 0 Mr and Mrs f re s j]°F tly leaving the district, ot a pocket wallefc and a tray and silver ea service. Mr J. Carrodus spoke of render?/f Ser * V I ' CeS J^ r and Mrs Hale bad to district, and voiced the general regret felt at their departure.