WINTON BOROUGH

Southland Times, Issue 25313, 17 June 1935, Page 12

WINTON BOROUGH

MEETING OF COUNCIL • CONDITION OF HIGHWAY (From Our Correspondent.) .. At the three-weekly meeting of. the Winton Borough Council on Friday evening, his Worship the Mayor, Mr Thomas Walker, presided over the following: Councillors A. Watson, R. C. Stenhouse, W. D. McArthur, F. Tilley, N. Metzger andd J. T. Butler. An application was received fromH. Mclntosh for a crossing to a new garage entrance at his residence in Clyde Street, and also gravel for approach to same. It was finally decided that the request be-granted subject to the usual conditions. Mr T. N. Mitchell, manager of the Winton •• branch of the Bank of Hew Zealand, wrote stating that he had on hand at the bank an enlarged framed photograph of those attending <he first annual meeting •of the Winton Early Settlers. It was decided to accept custody of the picture, and also forward a communication to Mr Mitch*. >11 -thanking him for his thoughtfulness in the matter.

Main Highway* The Public Works Department, Invercargill, wrote in regard to the Winton Main Highway, and stated that on receipt of a communication from the Council the condition of the road had been reported to the Main Highway Board’s engineer. The engineer had informed the writer that two similar cases* had come under his notice, but unfortunately no reasonable explanation could be found at present. A small section of the pavement would be cut out shortly and. the bitumen tested. In the meantime, it was recommended that the work. be kept patched'with emulsion, but it was also desired that this patching be kept down to a minimum, as it was thought that the sealing may recover after the next hot weather. It would be advantageous if some member of the Council’s Works Committee could see that the specification was strictly complied with. Councillor Butler stated that he had inspected the road with the engineers, and both had seemed amazed at what had happened. It was proposed to write the Main Highways engineer in Wellington. It was stated that other main highways at Riverton and Otautau-had been similarly affected. The only thing to do was to carry out the instructions that had been given. The speaker had suggested that the board undertake the whole cost, instead of the seventyfive per cent, arrangement as at present, but this was not agreed upon. Mr Walker: Our contractor is cleared up? Councillor McArthur: Yes. the Highways Board have passed the work. Councillor Metzger: It is a matter of getting the roads dry and then you may be able to do something. It was decided to carjy out the board’s instructions, under the supervision of the Works Committee. A petition was received from eight ratepayers, and farmers of the outer area of the borough, applying for a rebate of 121 per cent, on rates paid last year. ' It was decided to hold the matter over in the meantime. Fire Brigade. Matters in connection with the fire brigade were reported upon, and after some discussion Councillor McArthur asked if the brigade could submit » a balance-sheet, in order that the council could see where it stood. Councillor Stenhouse said that it was unnecessary to submit a balance-sheet as all the accounts of the brigade came before the council, which passed them for payment. The fire brigade was part and parcel of the council. Councillor McArthur stated that at different times there had been individuals going round asking for subscriptions for the fire brigade. The brigade had run entertainments for the purpose of raising funds, and the council as a new body, would like to know the actual position. Councillor Stenhouse replied that the brigade had conducted a social fund some time ago and of the amount raised portion had been expended on the conversion of the present pump, while a wireless had also been purchased, but all these items were entered as belonging to the council’s stock. If it was thought necessary a balancesheet could be drawn up and the actual position set out. v Further discussion followed, and Councillor McArthur stated that the explanation was quite satisfactory, but as the brigade was costing the council about £1 a week, it was advisable that it should know where it stood. The explanation would stop a great deal of street talk. The Works Committee submitted the following report: “It may be interesting to point out that the total distance of roads in the borough is six miles, 47 chains. The length of ■ the main highway is one mile and 45 chains, and with the exception' of 45 chains the whole road is sealed. Throughout the borough there are 10 chains of roadway formed but not gravelled, and 6 chains of roadway unformed. The amount expended on the main highway last year was £1075 of which the borough share was approximately £275. The amount spent on the back streets and drainage last year was £221. The amount spent so far this year has been £l5 8/4. Footpaths: It is proposed to tar seal Eglinton Street, from Park Street to Main North Road—fifteen chains in all, and costing approximately £45. The total distance of open drains in the borough is 199 g chains, comprised as follows: West River outfall 7J chains, Railway Ditch from Moore’s road, 33 chains, Grange street drAin 20 chains, McKenzie street drain 75 chains. The amount spent on drainage work last year was £6 18/4, while so far this year £25 10/1 has been expended. The estimate of upkeep of roads and footpaths for the coming year is £175, and the estimate to keep drains in good order for the coming year £50.” It was reported that " since the last meeting repairs to the band room had been carried out; the sale yards’ road had been gravelled; Eastlake’s road hacl been gravelled to the boundary and work had been carried out on the general upkeep of the roads. It was decided to grant £2 2/- to the Jubilee Cancer Fund. Four hunters from Hamilton took part recently in a successful pig hunt in the Rangitoto district, King Country. The party comprised Messrs J. Alker, H. Alker, F. Terry and O. Bogun, of Hamilton. They secured 37 pigs, a record for one day’s hunting. Some fine pigs were secured, one boar weighing approximately 4001 b and several good sets of tusks were taken from other boars. Several exciting incidents were experienced, especially when a pig came too close to camp and all the dogs broke away. Messrs H. Alger and Terry ventured out at night and secured a fine boar. This incident was not without its risks. Another exciting experience was that of Mr J. Alker, who, when returning to camp at dusk, disturbed a pig and hunted it into a clump of wine berry. When Mr pushed his way in to secure the pig he could not see it. He lit his cigarette lighter, and saw a boar a yard away facing him. His dogs were trustworthy and another pig was added to the bag.