SOUTHLAND COUNTY

Southland Times, Issue 22146, 14 October 1933, Page 9

SOUTHLAND COUNTY

MONTHLY MEETING OF COUNCIL GRAVELLING OF MARAMA AVENUE. The monthly meeting of the Southland County Council was held yesterday. There were present: Messrs G. A. Wraytt (chairman), J. Dennis, G. W. Whittingham, L. A. Niederer, T. Golden, F. F. Trapski, W. M. Norman, A. S. McNaught and J. McNeill. Advice that it was now proposed to hold the conference of South Island county councils at Christchurch on November 9 was received from the chairman of the Mackenzie County Council, Mr G. Murray. It was decided to support the proposal to hold a conference, but to consider it unwise to discuss any proposal that would raise-a North versus South controversy. It was also decided to appoint the chairman to represent the council. Eight ratepayers of the Wallacetown riding forwarded a petition praying for the gravelling of the north end of Marama Avenue from its junction with Dunn’s Road to Mcßain’s residence and for the cleaning of the ditches to keep the road dry. It was stated that at the present time the centre of the road was lower than the flanks and wheeled traffic was almost impossible in wet weather.

It was decided to give the matter consideration at the end of the present financial year. Regarding an application for the reinstatement of a grant for the Forest Hill crossing road, the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. J. Bitchener, wrote as follows: “It appears that the work contemplated is for the purpose of giving access to an area of bush which, although locally understood to be set aside as a reserve, is really part of a section of unoccupied Crown land. Local settlers, I understand, have been given permission to cut from this area any fencing timber etc. they require for their own use. No revenue is derived by the State for this privilege and there appears no sound reason for the general taxpayer to form a road for the purpose of benefiting the comparative few who enjoy the privilege. I regret, therefore, that I am unable to accede to your request for Government assistance.”

It was decided to agree to find £lOO on a subsidy of £ for £. Mr J. S. Dick, secretary of the Southland Motor Association, wrote enclosing the following extract of a letter from Mr T. Herron, of Otaraia: “I motored over part of the unmetalled portion of the Mataura-Clinton road and I consider it is now in splendid order for working on at the present time and I think there would be no harm done if your association drew the attention of the Southland County Council to it, as they could do as much now in one month when it is dry as they could in three if the weather was broken.” It was decided to commence work on the road as soon as possible. Tenders Accepted.

The following tenders were accepted:— Invercargill-Bluff Roads: Truck gravel maintenance —G. Eade, £9O 8/4. Wallacetown-Makarewa Roads: Maintenance —B. C. Peach, £146 11/8.