QUEENSTOWN

Southland Times, Issue 23931, 25 September 1939, Page 2

QUEENSTOWN

LAKE COUNTY COUNCIL In a letter read at the monthly meeting of the Lake County Council, the secretary of the Wanaka Islands Domain Board asked what the council intended to do about the board’s minute proposing the changing of the name of Pembroke to Wanaka as being a more fitting name for the town. The secretary also submitted for the council’s consideration the renaming of the present streets in Pembroke in order to express the riding’s deep appreciation of the valuable services given over half a century by a number of men. The council resolved to take the necessary steps for the renaming of Pembroke. The question of the renaming of the streets will be considered when the town planning scheme of Pembroke is nearing completion. Mr W. Gordon presided at the meeting and Councillors Lee, Cockburn, Lewis, Aubrey.. Knowles and Reid were also present. The following resolution was passed: “That in view of the state of war existing between this country and the Nazi Government in Germany, this council affirms its unswerving loyalty to his Majesty the King and assures his Majesty’s Government in New Zealand of its undivided support and co-opera-tion in prosecuting the war to a successful conclusion. This council is unanimous that until the tension and aggression which has dominated the world is suppressed, peace is impossible.”

The Public Works Department’s resident engineer at Alexandra, advised that the chairman of the Main Highways Board had advised him that the general policy of the board would be to allow £3 for £1 on roadway work and £1 for £1 on footpath work, particularly as kerbing and channelling was included in the latter work. He also informed the council that “£1448 "has been pencilled on the current year’s estimates and it was now in order to prepare detailed proposals. LUGGATE-PEMBROKE ROAD In answer to an inquiry, the engineer stated that the section of main highway from Luggate to Pembroke had not been classified under the Heavy Motor Vehicles Regulations 1932. The Main Highways Board stated that in view of the fact that this length of highway was under the control of the respective local bodies the question for the arranging of the classification of the road did not come within the province of the board. He therefore said that in the circumstances the council should request the local bodies concerned for the classification of the section of the highway and ask them to communicate with the Commissioner of Transport. The Commissioner advised that the Minister had approved of the classification of the two main highways in class three. The roads in question were Timaru-Queens-town via the Lindis Pass and Tekapo and Pembroke-Haast Pass (all that portion in the Lake County).

In reply to a telegram from the council asking for assistance to repair the damage caused by floods to the Glenorchy mining tracks, the Under-Secre-tary of Mines advised that a grant of £6O had been authorized for the purpose of repairing the tractor track from the end of the Glenorchy mines lorry road to the Bonnie Jean. The county inspector advised that a contract had been let to repair flood damage and his action was approved by the council. The Minister of Mines advised that a grant of £1 for £1 up to £25 has been approved to enable improvements to be carried out on the Nevis Road up the Garston side of the range to the summit. He also stated that inquiries had revealed that although the road was used considerably by mining interests, it was also used by tourists in the season and runholders. He therefore considered that the council should be prepared to bear part of the cost of the improvements. It was decided to thank the Minister for his assistance. SCHEME 13 WORKS The Department of Labour advised that because of the outbreak of hostilitis*. it had been decided that vacancies on scheme 13 works caused by men being called up for defence purposes could be filled by fit married men if they were available. In reply to the council’s inquiries about when the rail-car services would be inaugurated between Invercargill and Kingston, the General Manager of Railways stated that as soon as other very necessary services had been started consideration would be given to the request for the starting of the Kingston service.

Mr A. C. Paterson (Dunedin) inquired whether there was any regulation to prevent small baches or cribs being erected on certain sections in Pembroke. He is to be advised that the building by-laws are being strictly adhered to. The council decided that all building permits should come before the council except in cases where it was reasonable that a permit should not be withheld. Mrs K. Scott (Rees Valley Station) asked if the council could see its way to construct a bridge over McDougall’s Creek as it would be of great advantage when mustering sheep and taking them up and down the river. She promised assistance if it could be arranged. Mr E. L. Harris wrote on the same subject and also promised assistance. The council promised to build a bridge if the offer of assistance by Mrs Scott and Mr Harris was forthcoming. The audited balance-sheet was received from the Audit Department and was passed by the council. It was decided to send a circular letter to all ratepayers asking for their co-operation in dealing with culverts adjacent to their properties in flood time.