CLUTHA COUNTY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25101, 17 December 1942, Page 7

CLUTHA COUNTY

MEETING OF COUNCIL The monthly meeting of the Ciutha County Council was attended by Crs A. V. King (chairman), Thomas Maginness, W. S. Thomson, A. T, Harris, James Cumming, J. W. Dunn, Robert Brown, C. F. Shaw, and J. K. Ross, The treasurer reported that the receipts since last meeting totalled £IOO2 12s 2d, and the expenditure amounted to £2237 9s 4d. The report was adopted and accounts amounting to £2150 10s 9d were passed for payment. Cr M. J. McKenzie wrote resigning his seat as member for Glenkenich Riding owing to ill-health. For 20 years he had represented the riding, and he would like to convey his thanks to members and staff for many kindnesses during that period. He recommended Mr Ben Chittock, of Glenkenich. as his successor, subject to the council’s approval.—The resignation was accepted with regret, and Mr Chittock was elected to fill the vacancy. General Business The ranger reported having found the following stock wandering on county roads during the month: 18 catMe. one bull, and two horses. The tender of the Disabled Soldiers’ Products, Dunedin, for the supply of 2200 dog collars at £B6 was accepted, subject to delivery before March 31. It was agreed to fix the dog tax at 2s 6d the same as last year. Mr C. F. Hasler wrote applying for a permit to erect a crib at Kaka Point.— Granted.

Mr C. G. Weir’s application for a permit for the erection of a three-roomed house at Kaka Point (held over at last meeting) was granted, the building to be under the supervision of the building inspector. Miss P. M. Brady, Tawanui, wrote regarding the bad state of the Cooper's Creek road. —Received. One tender was received for gravelling on Captains Bridge road (two contracts), but the cost per yard was considered too high.—Fresh tenders to be called, to be opened by the engineer and Cr Gumming. Mr A. L. Cameron, honorary secretary of the South Otago Patriotic Committee, enclosed statement showing the total donations to the All Purposes Appeal collected and credited to the Otago Provincial Patriotic Committee by the South Otago Patriotic Zone for the period October 1, 1941, to November 30, 1942. The following were the amounts actually raised, the quota being given in parenthesesßalclutha Borough, raised £2408 18s 9d (£2407), Clutha County £4303 2s 2d (£7858), Bruce County £1785 6s lOd (£5262), Milton Borough £1303 18s lid (£1812), Kaltangata Borough £1560 6s 8d (£1582), Clinton Town District £289 Is 8d (£424). Spread of Gorse and Broom Cr A. T. Harris said the spread of gorse and broom within the county was appalling, and he did not know what was going to happen if the war continued. Noxious weeds could be seen In the countryside all the way from Bluff to Dunedin. Cr Maglnness said that on the main highway at Chaslands recently two cars met and could not pass owing to the broom on the road. The chairman: We have not got the labour to clear the roads. Cr Gumming and Cr Brown said the Railways Department was doing nothing to keep gorse and broom under control on its lands. Cr Ross moved that steps be taken to have the broom on the main highway at Chaslands cut, and this was agreed to. Cr Shaw said this was a subject that came up often, but nothing resulted. The time would come when the council itself would have to undertake the work, and he sugggested that the council should see that the roads were cleaned and then take them over from the Highways Board. So far they had only been “ beating the air.” Now they would have to clear the worst places and come to some arrangement with the owners. Cr Harris said the wealthy farmers In the county were the greater offenders. He thought the best thing would be to bring the matter under the notice of the Government, and he moved in that direcCr Gumming seconded the motion, which was carried. Seasonal Greetings

The chairman entertained members, the staff, and the press at afternoon tea. He extended best wishes for the festive season, and expressed the hope that all would see a happy and prosperous New Year.