SOUTHLAND COUNTY

Southland Times, Issue 22038, 10 June 1933, Page 11

SOUTHLAND COUNTY

MONTHLY MEETING OF COUNCIL. DERATING OF LANDS. The monthly meeting of the Southland County Council was held yesterday. There were present: Messrs G. A. Wraytt (chairman), A. S. McNaught, J. McNeill, W. M. Norman, F. F. Trapski, T. Golden, L. A. Niederer, G. W. Whittingham and J. Dennis. The clerk of the Bay of Islands County Council wrote stating that his council had passed the following resolution: “That the council circularize all county councils throughout the Dominion, asking that they approach their respective members in Parliament with the request that, irrespective of party politics they will give a guarantee to press for the complete derating of farm lands for road purposes.” The clerk was instructed to reply that the Southland Council advocated a form of derating to the extent of 25 per cent on all rates collected and giving a rebate from the petrol tax. The secretary of the Invercargill Relief Workers’ Organization, Mr R. I. Henderson, wrote reminding the council of its promise to provide suitable shelters for relief workers under its jurisdiction. He stated the men were suffering from the want of suitable shelters at the present time and any action would be appreciated. It was decided to ask the Railway Department to supply the tarpaulins already ordered as soon as possible. Mr Henderson also wrote asking if the council would agree to collect relief workers’ subscriptions to the medical scheme. It was agreed to arrange for the collection of the subscriptions. A proposed modification of the laws under which cemeteries were administered were outlined in a letter from Dr T. R. Ritchie, of the Health Department, Dunedin. Dr Ritchie stated it was desirable in some cases that local residents should continue as trustees, but it was proposed that local authorities should take over the function of appointing or removing them. It was decided that the council would be prepared to appoint trustees to administer that class of cemetery. A number of carrying concerns forwarded a petition protesting against numerous motor cycle deliveries carrying on business as carriers without being called on to pay heavy traffic licenses. It was alleged that motor cycles were loaded beyond their legitimate carrying capacity and drove at a pace dangerous to other traffic and that they broke the regulations by carrying passengers. The petitioners stated that, in their opinion, it would be equitable if their total weight, including the vehicle, were limited to 5 cwt,

otherwise they should be charged heavy traffic license fees. It was decided to refer the report to the traffic inspector. Stating that Frank street and Upper Coutts Road, West Gore, were becoming more thickly populated each year and that an unlighted street represented a danger to motor traffic and pedestrians, a number of residents petitioned for street lights to be provided for that area. It was decided to ascertain the cost of installing the lights. Main Highways. The county engineer (Mr B. C. Basstian) reported that along with Councillor Norman, the county representative on the District Highways Council, he had recommended the following roads,' of a total mileage of 39J miles, to be declared main highways. Mokotua road, 24 miles Kennington —Waikawa Highway to Invercargill— Fortrose M.H., Woodlands South road, 34 miles, Woodlands—Morton Mains highway to Kennington—Waikawa M.H; Elies Road, 1 mile, Invercargill town boundary to Bainfield Road; Bainfied Road | mile, Invercargill—Riverton highway to Elies Road; Wallacetown— Branxholme Road, 2} miles, Invercar-gill-Riverton highway to Lome— Castlerock highway; West Plains Road 44 miles, Invercargill—Riverton highway to Taramoa Road (Including Oreti Bridge and approaches); Hokonui School Road, 5} miles, Winton—Gore highway to Taylor Gorge Road; McKenzie Road, 3’ f miles, Browns—Limehills highway to Hokonui School Road; Otama Road, 44 miles, Gore—Te Anau highway to Chatton—Pyramid highway; Waitane—Mataura Road, 44 miles, Winton—Gore highway to Invercargill —Dunedin highway; Waipounamu Bridge Road, 2] miles, Riversdale— Waikaia highway to Pyramid—Waiparu highway; Gore—Waikaka Road, 54 miles, Chatton township to Willowbank —Waikaka highway. Work of Bridge Gangs. The county inspector, Mr J. C. McLachlan, submitted the following repott on the work of the bridge gangs for the month of May:—No. 1 Gang were erecting a bridge over the Diston and Acton streams at Five Rivers. All the piles have been driven and capped and the stringers are now being placed in position. Good progress has been made considering the fact that the weather has been very broken. No. 2 Gang are a temporary gang and they have been employed in erecting a bridge over Duck Creek on Welch and Mitchel Road. This bridge has been completed. The gang are employed in protecting the river bank on the Oreti Bridge at Taramoa.