MANIOTOTO COUNTY COUNCIL

Otago Witness, Issue 3823, 21 June 1927, Page 30

MANIOTOTO COUNTY COUNCIL

SPECIAL MEETING. A special meeting of the Maniototo County Council was held on Wednesday last-at Naseby, Cr Bleach (chairman) prebiding over a full attendance. The business was the consideration of a special report by a committee relative to the purchase of plant, the erection of bridges, the removal of offices, and the question of whether a loan should bo raised to cover the CQst. The agenda paper also included consideration of a motion which was brought forward by Cr Scott, which was held over from the previous meeting. Cr Scott moved the following motion: —

“That, owing, to the advent of motor car and motor lorry means of transit, and the altered conditions of traffic affecting all roads, the time has arrived for the aboli- ♦ tion of the separate riding system of bookkeeping, and that a remit to that effect be forwarded to the next counties’ conference for its consideration.” He referred to the largely changed conditions of traffic. Counties now had to bear a large portion of outside traffic, and traffic also between the ridings themselves had largely increased. It was only reasonable, therefore, that the whole county should share in the maintenance generally than that some ridings should bear greaterburdens than others. Cr Nicolson seconded the motion, and urged that, whilst some ridings had all the advantages, others had the disadvantages and were, by their configuration, placed under heavy burdens which they dould not maintain. Creeks in hilly districts flooded and caused much damage ,whoh could not be avoided.

Cr Morgan said he had always maintained that the stronger ridings should assist the weaker, parts of the county.

Cr Hall opposecl tho motion, and said that in his riding they had maintained roads and built bridges out of the ordinary rate and still maintained a credit balance.

Ho argued that those ridings in debit should increase their rates to meet their obligation. Cr Aitken also spoke strongly against the motion, and said that it was those ridings which had incurred debit balances who favoured the motion and sought to get rid of their liabilities in this manner. Ho moved an amendment that, the following words bo added : “Provided that each riding in debit raises the amount of its pliability if riding accounts are abolished before such take effect.” Or Davis supported the amendment. Tho Chairman said that Mount Ida riding was the centre. It had three settlements towards which traffic converged from all parts of the county, and his riding had to bear the heaviest burden. He was, therefore, in favour of the motion if it was only a remit to the counties’ conference, and would no doubt bo fought out there.

On being put, the amendment was lost by three votes (Crs Aitken, Davis, and Hall) to six votes (Crs Scott, Nicolson, Lewis, Morgan, Ramsay, and the chairman). The motion was then carried, the voting being reversed. PLANT AND LOAN PROPOSALS. Tho Chairman stated that tho council had appointed a committee which last year brought down a report which was deferred. This report contained several recommendations which had not been considered by the council. Since then further information had been obtained and other suggestions offered. The committee, therefore, had briefly reconsidered its report and had sightly amended some of its recommendations. They were as follows: — 1. The purchase of a second power grader at an apt roximate cost of £560. 2. The purchase of a speed truck and tip, at approximate cost of £650. 3. That the proposed purchase of roller and scarifier be deleted. 4. That a loan of £3500 be raised for the following bridges, providing the Government subsidises it:—ldaburn Main Highway £350, Idaburn School £3OO, Capburn £3OO, Eweburn (Barney’s Lane) £2OO. Hall’s Crossing £5OO, Cogan’s £5OO, St. Bathans . Sludge Channel £5OO, four small bridges— St. Bathans-Bccks £5OO, Heaney’s Creek £2OO.

5. the council purchase the buildings and land offered by Mr A. Smith (the old mill), at Ranfurly at £265, payable in three months’ time out of revenue. 6. The removal of the council offices from Naseby to Ranfurly at an approximate cost of £1250. Tne committee suggested that the plant referred to in clauses 1 and 2 be purchased either by loan for a short-dated ->eriod, or through the Main Highways Board by instalments, and that a loan be raised for the building of bridges, anl office buildings for a term of 20 or 30 years, according to rate of interest. After the reading of the report, Cr Nicolson moved: “That the committee be

thanked for the report, but the present , time 's inopportune for this council to go in for any Joan.” Cr Nicolson urged that economy was being preached by the Government, and he considered difficult times were ahead. Otherbridges were built out of revenue and Government grants without loans, and these bridges could not all be built at once. He urged the council. to be cautious about increasing its liabilities. Cr Hall seconded -the motion, adding that it was not shown that by raising these loans he rates would be reduced. On the contrary, the council would be saddled with an increased rate for the loan. Cr Scott, also urged caution in view of present conditions. Cr Aitken strongly stressed the advantage of raising the. loans for bridges, and plant, etc., adding that the amount of work provided would afford considerable employment at a time when it was needed. Modern up-to-< ,*te plant, he urged, was a necessity, and would- not only accomplish more work, but on the engineer’s statement would enable th,*, council to dispense with half the surfacemen. Cr Hall doubted if they could dispense with smfacemen, and Cr Scott asked why the council should provide for unemployment n one hand and dismiss men on the >ther. . The matter was discussed at some ]_..gth >nd when finally put to the' meetino- the jsotion was declared lost by four votes— Jftrs Nicolson, Hall, Scott, and Lewis) — against five —(the chairman, Crs Davis, Morgan. Ramsay, and Aitken). The report was then taken by clauses and Biscusse.l. It was moved byCr Aitken, and seconded by Cr M'.igan, that clause 1, recommending tlie purchase of a second power grader

omitting the words “at an approximate cost of £560” bo adopted. The motion was carried. A motion was moved by the Chairman and seconded by Cr Aitken, that clause 2, recommending the purchase of a speed truck with tip, omitting the words at approximate cost of £650, be adopted. An amendment was moved by Cr Morgan and seconded by Cr Davis: “That the matter of cost be deferred until further information is obtained from other councils for next meeting.” This was carried. Cr Aitken moved, and the chairman seconded: “That the council purchase the buildings offered by Mr A. Smith with the section at the price of £265 payable in three months’ time, Mr Smith to have part use of the building for three months.” This was carried. Further consideration was adjourned until the next meeting of the council. The Chairman stated that the solicitors had reported on the by-laws and sent a revised copy. They asked for delegates to be appointed with full power to sign copies, at a meeting of delegates. On the motion of Crs Davis and Nicolson, Crs Aitken and Morgan were appointed delegates.