MACKENZIE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 17869, 31 January 1928, Page 4

MACKENZIE COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly mooting of the Mackenzie County Council wub hold yesterday. Present —Mossre C. J. Talbot (chainnnn), F. H. Buckley, A. F. Campbell, T. It. Seay, J. Page, J. McOort, \V. T. Smith, PI. P. Manaton. CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT. The chairman said that as two months had elapsed since Inst meeting, a good amount of work had accumulated. lie asked members to bo as expeditious as possible, as he had to go to Geraldine for a mooting of the Highways Board. Referring to the visit- of these representatives to Fairlie that morning, ho said that moro data would have to be got) from county engineers, before the Highways Board meeting in Wellington. Mackenzie County compared very favourably with other counties in the matter of rates.

They had a meeting of the District Highways Council recently, Mr Page attending for the first time. Their requirements were decided upon, and had been submitted, to the Main High-

ways representatives that morning. The chairman made reference to comment that had been made on the failure of the fire engine to work at a recent fire. The engine had now been fixed, and every step had been taken to ensure its future efficiency. He had been unable to attend the Ashburton County jubilee celebrations, but had conveyed the Council’s best wishes. Mr Banks was again with them, after his trip to Sydney, and he hoped he had benefited therefrom. During his absence, Miss Burt had attended to his duties, and they should congratulate her on the efficient manner in which this had been done. •

i In reply to a question, Mr Talbot said that the fire brigade was not under their jurisdiction. They paid a little subsidy, but had nothing to do with the funds. As ratepayers’ representatives, however, they tried to assist in keeping the brigade efficient. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The engineer (Mr R. L. Banks), re*ported in detail on work carried out in the county during ithe two months since last meeting. Matters in connection with different roads and bridges were discussed, and several improvements were suggested, the engineer being asked to report as to cost.

The engineer made reference to the practice of residents cutting off the water race supply to water their gardens. This was a. serious matter, and greatly affected the town water supply, and it would be dangerous if a fire broke out. They had deprecated the practice in past years, and had power to take proceedings if same was not stopped. Mrt McCort made reference to the remarks passed by Council members in regard to the efficiency of the Council’s executive. These were entirely wrong. In Mr Banks, they had a man at the top of his profession, and the office staff, he considered, would be hard to equal. He thought the members of the Council should appreciate the work done by these officers, and give credit for work well done. The Council’s foreman, had been “pulled to pieces.” Mr Campbell 'said that Mr McCort’s remarks were .probably based on his (Mr Campbell’s) previous statements. What he had spoken of was the prevalence of pot holes, and the fact that they were not being attended to. He then moved, as a notice of motion for next meeting, that a medium weight lorry be purchased for attending to these pot holes. With the petrol tax, people would look for better roads, and they must be supplied. Mr Buckley enquired if the foreman was a working foreman, or an official in the capacity of an overseer. Mr Page also thought he was entitled to his previous opinion. If the acknowledgments received of the foreman’s efficiency seemed to be general, he would have to fall into line. His personal opinion was that the foreman was not the right man for the position. He inquired the cost of cartage by the foreinan and his lorry. Was it an improvement on the previous method of cartage ? It seemed to him they could do with a lot less running about than was done by the foreman. If the gangs had to be under the supez--vision of the foi'eraan, then wei'e they efficient? He thought they should do away with the lori'y. He maintained that, from his personal observation, earned out over tt long time, the foreman was not suitable. ■ The engineer said that when the working foreman was put on, he was to do any work necessary. Supervision was necessary, and the foreman did a lot of work the Council knew nothing about. He thought a. lot of the foreman. He did not think the purchase of the lorry was not necessary. The County’s cost of administration compared very favourably with that of other counties. He took it that any l'effection on the foreman was a reflection on, him. He thought that if the Council wantod to make a new arrangement, they should get an assistant engineer' and a clerk. He was satisfied the foreman was doing good work. The chairman said that they should drop the matter', and get along more smoothly. (Hear, hear). In reply to Mr Page's personal observations, Mr Talbot said that lie, too, had made a personal observation, and had got a favourable impression. Referring to the cost of administration, the chairman said this was a low. amount. The road systems of .counties varied. He would be pleased if the matter was cleared u.p, and he thought that the foreman was a very conscientious worker. . , . . Mr McCort said that nobody could work strictly to schedule. As a practical man, the foi'eman, in his opinion, was suitable. This portion of the report was then adopted. , , , , Mr Campbell inquired why the planking at the Raincliffs bridge over the Opihi z'iver had not yet boon done. It had been decided to do this work a good time ago. The engineer said that consideration had been jgiven to the matter, and ib was thought that tho whole bridgo required attention, and tho work was held over. The report was then adopted m full. FINANCIAL STATEMENT.

The financial statement, as read by Mr Campbell, stated that the debit balance at the bank at date, including antecedent liability, was £1907 109 7d. That day’s pay shoot was a largo one, but with the exception of wages included two mouths’ account. Tho fund totalled £1768 15s lOd. Tho larger items in this total were, hospital levy for quarter £615, Cass river- £231. The electric light account amounted to £249 7s, including interest £227 10s, now paid to tho South Canterbury J’owei 4 Board. The cemetery account was £4 8s 2d. Receipts since last meeting were —Rates £1755 Is, routs £2B l&s, motor lorry liconsos £4O 89 lOd, opuha water charges £ll, Fairlie water charges £146 8s 4d, electric light £133 Cs 2d, auctioneers’- licenses £4O, sundry receipts £l3 13s, a total of £2174 ids Id. Th« report was adopted. CORRESPONDENCE. Correspondence was received as under: — , From the Public Works Department, approving of plans and specifications for the Ruinrliff Crock bridge, and forwarding authority to proceed with tho work. From tho C.F.C.A. and National Mortgage and Agency Co., Tima.ru, and G* £L ?J2£lyin j £ for yq-

newal of their auctioneers’ licenses:— Granted. From the Mayor .of Greymouth forwarding an invitation to attend the diamond jubilee celebrations of the Greymouth District, and asking that) West Coasters bo advised of the function.—Til© chairman said the Main Highways Board would be on the West Coast at the time of the celebrations, and ho would make an effort to attend. Any other members could attend if they so desired. Prom tl 10 Timaru Borough Council,

convening a conference of local bodies in South Canterbury to consider . title matter of heavy traffics license fees.; The conference to he hold in Timaru on 10th February.—The chairman was deputed to attend. From the South Canterbury Hospital Board forwarding a copy of the treasurer’s statements for the eight months ended 30th November, 1927. From the Commissioner of Crown Lands, stating that the matter of obtaining land for a camping site at Cave was receiving consideration. From! the Department of Internal Affairs, forwarding a copy of the Gazette regulations governing rates of travelling expenses for members of County Councils. From the secretary, Mackenzie A. and P. Society, agreeing to adopt the Council’s suggestion that prizes be offered at the next show for local bodies’ horses.

Prom the Public Works Department, asking the Council to pay, their contribution of £9OO towards the cost of the Cass River bridge, as the work Would, not be started until the money was

received. The chairman stated that the amount had been passed for payment that ..day. From the Mackenzie Plunketi Society asking that a suitable fence beii erected' round the Plunket and ladies’ rest rooms, Fairlie, so that the grounds may be improved.—lt was decided to construct the fence as asked for. From the Mount Cook Motor Company, thanking the Council for their efforts in obtaining Government assistance for the improvement of the Queenstown to Hermitage road. TVom the New Zealand of Civil Engineers, asking that facilities be afforded to the county engineer to attend the annual meeting of the society in Wellington on 21st February —The engineer was given leave of absence to attend. From the Commissioner of Crown Lands, advising that the Minister of Lands had approved generally of tlie Council’s proposals for planting further areas in the vicinity of Lakes Tekapo and Pukaki. j. • . The poundlieeper (Mr I. S. Rowan) reported that during the month 32 head of stock had been impounded, fees, sustenance and driving amounting to £1 10s.

TENDERS. Tenders for the construction of the Raincliff- Creek bridge were receixed as. under:— Hamlyn Bros., £425 Bs, Carlton Bros., £443, F. Trott £4OO. The latter tender was accepted. On the motion of Mr Campbell, it was decided that tender's be called tor next meeting for repairs to the Clayton and Meiklebourfie Roads.

GENERAL. On the motion of Mr Manaton, the ten per cent penalty was fixed on all rates unpaid on and after February 10. Mr Campbell moved, and Mr McCort seconded that in future, semi-heavy traffic bridges, up to 8 tons (including the one tendered for that day), be treated as county bridges, and be dealt ■with from county-ifunds. This was carried.