LEVELS COUNTY COUNCIL.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 3 June 1926, Page 7

LEVELS COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Levels County Council was held yesterday. JL'rescnt.—.Messrs T. B. Garrick (chairman), C. E. Kerr, D. Grant, It. G. Cleland, T. W. Brosnahan, and G. D. fcelbie. The chairman stated that the debit balance last month amounted to £1375 11s 7d, while amounts drawn during the month brought tho total debit to £1402 12s -Id. Cash received during the month amounted to £232 17s 3d, and with debit balance at Bank of New Zealand £1139 15s Id, and accounts for payment £1197 10s sd, a debit balance of £2367 was presented. The chairman stated that tho position was a little better than it was during the same period last year. CORRESPONDENCE. The Public Works Department wrot< asking that applications for provision to bo made on the Public Workt Estimates be forwarded not later than June 15. 'The town clerk, Hamilton, wrote forwarding resolution passed regarding construction and maintenance of roads, that the Council viewed with tho greatest concern the increasing burden which was being placed upon its rate-pc-yers in respect to tho formation and maintenance of streets, and was unanimously of the opinion that such increased charges were duo solely to tho damage caused by motor trarlic. It was considered that it was totally inequitable to burden tho ratepayers .with the wholo of the charges, and that the Government be strongly urged to introduce tho necessary legislation during the coming season, and as a. matter of urgency, transfer an equitable proportion of that burden from t'he ratepayer to the users cf the roads and streets. . ■ ’ ■ The chairman said lie quite ' believed that tho Borough Councils had a good case. . 31r Kerr said ho thought the rcsoluiiop should be supported. The traffic was tearing up the county roads, and should contribute oven more than, was being done at present. Tho resolution, was received. The Minister of Public Works advised that a warrant under the Public 5\ oiks Amendment Act had been applied lor asking 'for alteration of control of Coonoor Street. —Received'. Tho County ranger reported that during the month 52 head of stack had been impounded.

ENGINEER’S REPORT. Tile County engineer, Mr T. Blrel;, reported that the Point gang had been ehiployed during the month on patching the Island road from Eraser’s Corner to the Raincliff bridge. Tbo tractor plant was engaged for 15 days grading thi- shingle and repairs on Seadown and Meadows Road, Main South Road, Main Otipua Road, Main Mackenzie Road, and Main North Road. A new bet of back wheels, to allow rubber tyres to be fitted without cleats, was urgently required for efficient working. The steam roller was employed tor Id days rolling and scarifying on Meadows Settlement Road, Main North Road, end Main Mackenzie Road. O. Eoley’s team, and men under the supervision of I). O’ Leary, were engaged for 11 days constructing groynes until stopped by heavy flood in river. It was unfortunate that work was stopped at the main groyne, pending consideration of Mr Ryan’s objection, as he was of opinion that most of the flood water would have turned and flowed nlong the northern bank, doing no great amount of damage along Mr Ryan’s frontage. The work had suffered very little damage- during the flood. The To Ngawai and Saleyarils bridges liad been repaired during the month. . The engineer also reported in detail upon contracts at present being earned out. The embankment at Burness bridge, Main South Road, was also reported on, the engineer stating that the bank could bo widened at a cost of £l5O. He was of the opinion that the expenditure of £SO on heavy wire netting would make the road safe. Reporting on the v two Is 5 alley Goad, ihe engineer stated that owing to trio distance which it was necessary co cart Milestone and slmiglc, ;fc was a difficult matter to maintain the suriaco in a satisfactorv condition. I . 1 °..‘ u could be put into good condition tor a number of years at a 1 ?{£t ot £720 per mile for metal, and £.3SO ioi gravel. As a result of inspection, , the Rnincliif bridge, Mr Black stated that the cost of fixing longitudinal .1 minors under each wheel would cost approximately £205 l6s Oil. Ino cos of the protection works Oiini.'n - ham’s bridge was estimated at £2\J IDs report was -adopted.

GENERAL. The chairman reported (hat coiismcrab!e inconvenience was being caused to residents using tbo road from Air J-Cart'-r’s property to Hazelhuni. quite a number of residents lately having been unable to cross the river He considered that it possible a road allould be farmed tnrough Mi lOackler’s property, which uould obviate most of the difficulty. the last big flood residents had bcc.i held up for four or five days. The engineer .stated tluiu it would still be necessary to erect two bridges. Tt was resolved that the engineer be instructed to supply an estimate fm forming tbo road and purchasing tlio nocessarv lamL . . , In regard to tbo placing of longitudinal planks on the Raincliff bridge* us reported by the engineer it was resolved that particulars of cost fm warded to the ALmkcnzie County Council. TENDERS. „ „ - ft was Tcsolvr.d '.-hat the fo.hiwuur t-iidois ba accepted ••-Contract Afhby, at £l4O or C10o; contract 95, gin, and Sliced, £3O. U hr* (‘l'f'inci*!' was ashed to ropoil on'the Stale of a water-men running through Airs Brosuulum s property i.t Avmvlieiina. . ~ Mr Bloomfield. Claron-nt ir-etlle. ment. wrote asknu: for a few loads of shingle for roadway. I was M snh< - fl that the request he complied i.ith.

!! .VITA. ft was rr solved ih''< a gcom-a! ra'o of one penny in the £ be loved over :• I ridings. That an interest rate of J-lOths

of a penny in tho £ bo levied in Otipna, Pleasant Point and Claremont i Klmgs to provide interest and .sinking fund on loan of £IO,OOO for road work, and that a maintenance vote of sixpence an acre be levied in the Scadown water supply district. ft was resolved that Messrs Cleland and Kerr be appointed to t3io l 1 ’.nance Committee. Accounts.amounting to £1197 Ids 5d were pmssed lor payment.