WAITAKI COUNTY COUNCIL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25800, 22 March 1945, Page 8

WAITAKI COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING The monthly meeting of the Waitaki County Council was held yesterday morning. There were present Mr James Rodman (chairman), Crs J. S. Adams, S. M. Taylor, R. B. Meek, W. E. Aubrey, E. H. Aubrey, W. J. Gillies, D. Paton, and A H. McKinnon. The Hampden Borough Council advised that the payment of its share of the increased cost, estimated at £4l, for the Cemetery road bridge, had been authorised.—Received.

Mr John Skinner wrote requesting the council to assist him in reinstating a bridge leading to the homestead on nis property near Hampden.—Referred to the chairman and engineer to advise Mr Skinner on the matter, the bridge not being on a county road. . Messrs H. B. A. Clarkson and F. Searle, Waitaki South, wrote advising that the erosion by the Waitaki River had cut the water race serving their properties. Mr Searle said that he felt that in the circumstances his liability for water rates should cease. Mr Clarkson also drew attention to the condition of the Kaik road.-- ; The county foreman was authorised to repair the water race, and the engineer is to inspect the Kaik road. The Works Department wrote requesting the council to submit by March 26 applications for grants from the public works road vote for 1945-46, and pointing out that funds available were limited, and only cases where road construction would result in increased primary production, or cases of extreme hardship through inadequate access or lack of access, would be submitted to head office for consideration. —The chairman reported that the engineer was compiling a list of flood damage, with a view to obtaining Government assistance to restore the roads to pre-flood condition, but there was nothing they could cite as coming under the heading of grants.—This statement was agreed to by the council. As there had been no request for a change, advice was received from the Department of Labour notifying the continuance of Saturday as the statutory halfholiday. The Oamaru Peace Celebrations Committee wrote in reference to Ihe council’s participation in the peace procession. —The council agreed to co-operate with the committee. Accounts totalling £2409 7s 8d (County Fund £2358 5s 6d, Highways Advances Account £sl 2s 2d) were passed for paym|ix building permits, to the value of £6756, were issued. Engineer’s Report The engineer reported fully on the work carried out in clearing flood damage. He said that Gemmell’s bridge was found to have suffered little damage. Two spans were 18 inches out of alignment. Existing stringers were shifted into alignment and four additional stringers inserted, the bridge now being in good order. Ail fords had been repaired, and most of the damage made good. The Awahokomo road in the Ahuriri Riding had been torn right out, and he recommended that a new road be formed to replace the old one, which would mean a deviation on to higher country. The stream had scoured out a new channel, and it would be a very costly matter to direct it back to its old course, with no guarantee ol permanency. When the flood waters subsided sufficiently. reported Mr Reid, repairs were put in hand immediately, all available tip trucks being hired and repair work made first priority. The bulldozer had been invaluable. Mr Reid also reported fully on the main highways. The slip on the HillgroveMoeraki highway had moved again, and the road surface was very uneven. County bridges all appeared to be in fair order, but several would have to be replaced within the next few years. The intake of tiie water race required attention twice during last month. Each time the bulldozer had done good work, and soon cleared the blockage. No trouble was experienced with the Kurow water supply. The council agreed to ask the Kurow Racing Club and other residents interested to clear drains in the racecourse area to allow the free passage of water.