MURCHISON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Colonist, Volume LXI, Issue 151035, 29 July 1919, Page 7

MURCHISON COUNTY COUNCIL.

(From pur Own Correspondent.) A meeting of the County Council was held on July 26th, when all tue councillors were present, and Cr. iJrown occupied the chair. The chairman reported having gone to Wellington as one of the deputation arranged by the kelson Chamber ox Commerce, as that body considered it advisable to go now while the Estimates were being prepared. Another matter that weighed with him was that Jie was in Nelson, and thought he mignt as well go over. A srong deputation had gone, and, although they had not received any definite promise concerning the railway from Glenhope onward, Ministers had admitted that a progressive policy would have.'to' be adopted now that tne war was over. Correspondence was received from local 'bodies re the conference convened by the council, and it was resolved that the clerk make all arrangements in connection therewith. From Telegraph Department, asking for a name for an intermediate telephone office between Ariki and Paenga j also name of telephonist willing to act gratuitously. Cr. JVlonahan pointed out that two intermediate offices'were required, one to be over the Maruia river from the main line. From Post and Telegraph Department, returning bond re guarantee of eiefic:- ---~ ency oh working of Katanga telephone J line. The Public Works Department wrote re Newman's road, re proposed suspension bridge over Buller River, re GlenI hope-Murchison railway, and re Public Works Estimates for 1919-20. The Overseer's report was read and adopted. \ Mr J. R. Tomplin's report on proposed " nydro-electric power and lighting scheme ! was read, and was referred to the com- ' mittee appointed to deal with this move- , ment. . . D. Whitford wrote on behalf of the ' Owen Valley Settlers' Progress League, . asking the council to make a road fit I for cart traffic to 3. Thomas's and C. F. Geater's.—-Resolved, that the Overseer ■ make the best arrangements possible. ! The chairman moved, seconded by Cr. ' McCaa, that the wire rope at Newton Flat be sent to Mr Ronald Win to erect over the Buller. —Carried. Cr. Badcock asked that some work be done on the Matiri road while the men were in the locality.—To be done. Five Maruia settlers wrote asking the Council to secure a sufficient vote to complete the road from the Paenga- Post Office to Gibson's. —It was resolved to endorse the letter and send it on to the Public Works Department. Cr. McCaa asked that a man bo put on the Mangles Valley road, to lull m ; holes. —Overseer to attend to the matter. The chairman moved that a footpath be constructed from McNee's corner to Newman's stables, the deep holes to be filled in and a gravel path made, as soon as labour is available; also that repairs be effected to Matakitaki road from Hotham street to C. Downie, sen.'s, as.soon as the Overseer can procure teams. — Carried. The chairman moved that a remit be, sent to the Counties' Conferenece as follows :—That the system of election of members of Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards be altered to provide that local contributing bodies should appoint their local representative from amongst the members of such local foody.—Seconded by Cr. Badcock, and carried. It was also resolved to forward the following remit: —That the present system of enabling persons to vote on miners' rights at county elections be soj amended" that only bona fide miners be! allowed to vote. I Cr. Thomson moved that the Post and Telegraph Department be asked when work on the Warwick Junction to Maruia Plains telephone extension may be , started. —Carried. | The chairman suggested that as soon ' as all the local soldiers had returned a , really good reception should be given P them, worthy of what they had done for : their country. j During the discussion which,ensued, councillors were unanimous in the view ' T that something should be done, and j that it should be a big day of sports, , etc., with a dinner and ball in the even- . ing- ) The chairman moved, seconded by Cr. | Thomspn, chat the committee be granted the use of the Council Chambers on Thursday, the 31st inst., to welcome I home some local men. j Accounts as read were passed for pay- ' ment. ' Resolved, that the nest meeting be j held on August 30th.