LAKE COUNTY COUNCIL

Southland Times, Issue 24161, 25 June 1940, Page 9

LAKE COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING DISSATISFACTION ALLEGED IN WANAKA RIDING The monthly meeting of the Lake County Council was held in the Council Chambers, Mr D. H. Cockburn presiding over Crs Reid, Knowles, Aubrey, Lewis and Lee. The Wallace County Council forwarded a copy of the foliowink resolution:—“That because of world conditions this council asks for a reinstatement of the 48-hour week without any increase in the existing weekly wage and also 50 per cent, reduction in holidays and overtime at the ordinary rates of pay.” Mr Burns, clerk of the Wallace County Council, said that he had been directed to submit a copy of the resolution to the Lake County Council soliciting its support with a view to unanimity in the demands for a war effort which was vital to their existence. The Lake County supported the resolution and passed a motion emphasizing the futility and absurdity of permitting any consideration being given to increasing remunerations of any description while the community and nation was faced with a crisis as at present, and strongly urged the necessity for relaxation of hampering conditions in any award or agreement that might be detrimental to New Zealand’s war effort. The Main Highways Board advised that in future no expenditure on work that was undertaken without the board’s previous approval *would be subsidized from the Main Highways fund. The board stated that the first essential was to see that the maintenance of assets created received proper attention and that, as far as possible, a normal programme of bridging renewals be undertaken and all works be brought up to a stage where they would be left. No new works were to be begun without specific instructions from the board. Details of all such works in hand* were required to be forwarded to the board, together with the estimated cost of closing them down. Where contracts had been let the amount for which the board was committed should be shown. The instructions forwarded did not mean that a lot of existing work was to be stopped immediately and that men were to be dismissed. In any case where it appeared that such _ action might be necessary the council was asked to make special representation, when definite instructions would be issued. The Lake County Council approved of the order in which the bridges had been placed on the Highways estimates, these bridges being Long Gully (renewal), Scott’s, Branch, Precipice Creek, Cadrona river and Deep Creek. « The district engineer of the Public Works Department, Dunedin, advised that the amended proposals for work on Ardmore street, Pembroke, estimated to cost £4249/4/2, were formally approved. He added that the chairman of the Main Highways Board advised that it was regretted that approval to proceed with the work could not be granted under the existing circumstances and the matter would require to be considered further when the estimates were under consideration. The letter was received.

BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION The resident engineer, Alexandra, advised that it was uncertain as yet whether funds would be available this year for the construction on the Kowhai, Scott’s and Precipice Creek bridges. Should funds be available, however, appropriate action would be taken. The letter was received. The Public Works Department at Dunedin asked that application for grants for roads and so on be forwarded. The council decided to apply for the revoting of the Von and Mount Aspiring road grants and also to endeavour to have a part of the bridge programme continued. Tire Inspector of Mines, Dunedin, asked that, as it would be necessary to

obtain a maximum amount of scheelite during the coming year, the council see that the tracks to the mines were kept in good order. The county inspector was instructed to take out estimates for the necessary work in the scheelite area and submit them to the Inspector of Mines. The chief surveyor of the Lands and Survey Department at Dunedin forwarded tracings of certain streets in Frankton Township which are proposed to be - closed and asked if the council had any objections. The council had no objections. TRAFFIC CONTROL The Commissioner of Transport, Wellington, wrote referring to the agreement recently concluded between the New Zealand Counties’ Association and the Transport Department and said he had arranged for the chief traffic in-

spector to interview the council at the earliest possible date to discuss traffic control in the county. The chairman of the County Council and the county clerk are to confer with the officer when he visits the district. The Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. E. Parry) asked if the council would inform him to what extent it had proceeded with the preparations for an emergency precautions scheme for the district. The clerk was instructed to approach the organization in the Wanaka area about the matter. The secretary of the Local Government Loans Board advised that in investigating the Glendhu Domain Board’s camping ground loan of £6OO the question arose that because of the present unsettled conditions the revenue received from campers might be insufficient to meet the annual charges on the proposed loan and the maintenance of the camp. In the event of these

circumstances arising it was desired to know whether the council intended to finance any such deficiency, or alternatively what other method was proposed to meet any such shortage. The council decided to give the necessary assurance that it would attend to any such happening. The organizer of the Joint Council of the Red Cross Appeal asked the council to show its practical sympathy by a donation to the fund. The matter was held over pending a canvass of the county. Messrs Galvin and Torrie, Cardrona, asked that a road be made to their properties. The inspector was asked to report on the matter. Councillor Cockburn gave notice of motion to rescind the resolution by the council not to spend any moneys on the Moke Creek track. The rate of Ifd in the £ for the year was adopted. Councillor Aubrey stated that there was some dissatisfaction in the Wanaka riding. He expressed the view that the riding had been neglected to some extent, and stated that some of the settlers had considered associating with the Vincent County. In the discussion which followed several councillors stated that they considered Wanaka had received more than its share of available funds. The unsatisfactory working conditions would be greatly removed by the inspector’s proposals to station a grader and lorry in the riding for immediate’ future needs.

Mr D. H, Cockbum was appointed chairman of the Glendhu Domain Board.