PENINSULA COUNTY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21975, 9 June 1933, Page 6

PENINSULA COUNTY

MONTHLY COUNCIL MEETING The monthly meeting of the Peninsula County Council was held at Portobello yesterday. There were present: Crs Macandrew (chairman), Cross, Stewart, Irvine, Edmonds, Nyhon, Hellyer, Brunton. CORRESPONDENCE. The Bay of Islands County Council wrote asking for support for a resolution passed by that council urging that county councils throughout the Dominion should approach their respective members of Parliament with the request that, irrespective of party politics, they would give a guarantee to press for the complete derating of farm lands for road purposes—Cr Nyhon said the time had come when it was obvious that it was impossible to maintain the roads by means of revenue derived from rates on farm lands. —The chairman said he did not know how it was proposed to maintain the roads if the farm lands of the Dominion were derated, as suggested.—lt was decided to support the proposal. A letter was received from the town clerk, Dunedin, with reference to the stock rbute from the Otago Peninsula to Burnside. It was stated that the General Committee of the City Council viewed with some misgiving the Peninsula Council’s proposal respecting the driving of stock from the harbour side of the Peninsula area, involving as it did the passage of cattle along Silverton street, Anderson’s Bay, and through Marne and Somerville streets. In view of the statement made by the Peninsula Council that the low road route would cater for very little stock traffic and that such traffic would be limited to a few quiet dairy cattle, the committee was prepared to give the proposal a trial for a period of six months from June I.—A further letter was received from the town clerk on the same subject, stating that it had further been decided that the existing route for the drivifig of- cattle from the lower Peninsula area should be retained for the time being on the understanding that the route was used as little as possible and that in any case the stock driven along it should comprise what might be termed tame dairy cattle. —It was decided, after some discussion, to accept the terms imposed by the City Council. The Manawatu County Council wrote requesting support for an endeavour which was being made by that council to bring about a reduction in the scale of charges made by the Audit Department.—lt was decided to support the Manawatu Council in the matter.

A committee consisting of Crs Cross and Brunton was appointed to go into J;he terms of a letter received from the Matamata County Council regarding the control of ragwort and report to the next meeting of the council. A letter was received from the Local Government Loans Board pointing out that it was desirable that all local body securities bearing a high rate of interest should be taken off the market. —The clerk reported that the county had two loans which were affected by the proposals contained in the circular, the amounts being £6OO and £7OO respectively.—The matter was left to the chairman and the clerk to go into and report to the. council. S. M. Muir (Broad Bay) wrote complaining about the nuisance caused bj cars being left on the road in front of his residence. —Left to the engineer to attend to. A letter was received from the PeninMotor Service, Ltd., drawing, attention to the number of cyclists riding along the low road at night without having their machines properly lighted. —The letter also stated that the poplar trees offered by the company last year were now ready. They were approximately six feet high and would form an avenue of 100 trees on each side of the road.—The opinion was expressed by councillors that the menace caused by such cyclists would have to be dealt with.—The engineer reported that, along with the local constable, he had already made one attempt to catch offenders, and a further attempt would he made shortly.—The chairman exuressed the hope that greater success would attend the next effort. —It was decided to leave the matter 6f planting the trees to the engineer. A letter was received from the Otago Hospital jßoard advising that, subject to the approval of the board’s estimates, the levy for the current year would be £960 17s 4d.—-The clerk reported that tliis represented a slight increase over last year’s levy.—Received. W. Wilman wrote stating that the Camp road required attention.—Left to the engineer and Cr Nyhon to attend to. RATES. C Nyhon said he thought the time had come when the farming community should obtain some consideration in the direction of a reduction in county rates. There was no doubt that the rates formed a very heavy burden on some farmers, and the position was such that the roads must receive less attention of those who used them must pay for their maintenance. Cr Cross said some of the ridings would be in a debit to start with this year. Cr Irvine said the Government would have to assist the farmer in some way, either by de-rating the land or by giving a subsidy. Cr Hellyer said it was only a question of time till the de-rating of land was introduced.

The opinion was expressed by several councillors that the council could not reduce its rates and maintain the present staff. The clerk said about £SOO was outstanding in rates this time last year. At present approximately £llOO was outstanding. The chairman commented that there was no question but that some people who could atTord to pay their rates were not doing so. Ho gave notice that at the next meeting he would move that the rates should be struck at the same amount as last year, and that a penalty of 10 per cent, should be placed on all rates unpaid by March 20, 1934, and a rebate of 5 per cent, given on the general rates paid before September 30. FINANCE. Accounts amounting to £BBS 9s Id were passed for payment. RANGER’S REPORT. The county ranger reported having found seven head of cattle and one horse wandering upon the county roads. The report was adopted, ENGINEER’S REPORT. Tho county engineer submitted the following report upon the state of works in tho county during tho past month:— Otago Heads Riding.—Work has been recommenced on the Pipiknriti road, further repairs to the formation being in hand.

Saiulyniount Riding.—The work of repairing a section of Riddells to Hooper’s Inlet road has been continued. The patching the pot holes on Bridge road is in hand. A small quantity of metal has been spread on the SoalPoint road to overcome the slipperincss due to frost.

Portobcllo Riding.—Repairs to the sea wall on the Main road at Lower Portobcllo are in hand. Water tabic cleaning has been attended to on the highway. The cleaning of tho water tables on the back roads of the riding lias been commenced.

Tomahawk Riding.—Work has been done on the opening of the outlet of Smaill’s ' Creek. Lupins have been cut back and the water tables cleaned on Glen street and Smaill’s road.

North-East Harbour Riding.—Water tables have been cleaned in several streets in Macandrew Bay, and on tho Beach road. A start has been made with the cleaning up of & corner on Marion street.

Broad Bay Biding.—Cleaning up of streets in Broad Bay has been continued. Water tables have been cleaned on the Beach road. A stretch of James street lias been coated with waste metal from the Main road. The report was adopted.