WAIMATE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18201, 27 February 1929, Page 11

WAIMATE.

COUNTY COUNCIL. A meeting of the Waimate Oounty Council was held yesterday. Present 1 — Mr J. Bitchener M.P. (chairman), and Councillors A. Garland, W. Lindsay, H. Max Whatman, A. S. 11l worthy, S. J. Bailey, P. It. Woodhouse, J. W. Chamberlain, A. N. Hayes. The chairman extended a welcome home to Councillor Elworthy on his return from a trip to England. Mr El worthy replied and stated that he had met Mr H. B. Johnston in England who had wished to be remembered to them all. The chairman said that since last meeting the engineer had visited Wellington to confer with the Main Highways Board, which body had sanctioned the acceptance of a tender for the County’s 14 miles contract on the main road to Timaru. The Board had also gone into the question of straightening the dangerous part of the road at the Horseshoe Bend, and had expressed appreciation of the County taking the initiative in having the danger removed. Correspondence was received from Mr A. W. Barnett, secretary of the Lower Waihao Water Race Committee, stating that difficulty had been experienced in supplying all ratepayers with v a ter, and reporting several water races to be in a bad state. It was hoped to secure convictions against persons interfering with the junctions of water races. It was resolved to enforce the ten per cent penalty on all rates unpaid after March 1.

The County Ranger reported tl at impoundings for the month totalled 21 head of stock. A letter was received from the Town Clerk asking what steps were to be taken in regard to top-dressing on Parsonage Road.—lt was decided to reply stating that the matter would be considered when the estimates were being made for the ensuing year. A letter was received from the Borough Council, acknowledging courtesy extended to the Mayor during the recent visit of the Minister of Public Works.

j The Waimate Automobile Association wrote thanking the Council for work j done in minimising the danger of accidents at bad corners, and drawing attention to three other corners where im- ! provement was necessary.—lt was 1 decided that the engineer should look into the matter and also to serve ■ notices on property owners where visibility is obscured. ! Councillor Lindsay moved that all accidents occurring within its boundaries be reported to the Council. It was resolved that the matter be borne in mind at the next meeting of the Counties’ Conference.

Application for permission to erect a private telephone line to connect with the main line at Wright’s Crossing was received from Messrs J. K. McKenzie and Wm; Fraser.—Granted, subject to j the approval of the engineer. The Levels County Council wrote askling that a conference be arranged to • deal with the question of converging ' traffic.—lt was decided to appoint a | small committee to meet the Levels reI presentatives on a date to be arranged. \ The Ashburton County Council wrote stating that a conference of South Island county representatives would be held at Ashburton on Thursday. March | 14, at 10.45 a.m. to discuss the matter of (1) hospital levies; (2) main highi.wavs funds and subsidies; (3) a South Island Counties’ Association and aking that Waimate be represented. It was pointed out that it had been already decided to send a representative, and the chairman was appointed the Council’s delegate.

The Receiver of Lands Revenue, Christchurch, advised that £37 4s 3d | had been lodged with the Bank of New j Zealand for transmission to the credit of the Council’s account, being the proceeds of an accumulation of “thirds.’

Received with thanks. No. 15 District Highways Council wrote stating that the road front Waihao Downs to Wright’s bridge, via Hakataramea, had been gazetted a secondary highway. The Inspector of Health reported twelve cases of scarlet fever, one of tuberculosis and two of pneumonia far the month of January. Mr G. Brittenden wrote asking that the corner of Champion’s Road and the main Timaru road bo improved.—• Engineer to report. It was resolved to thank the owner of Station Peaks property for the offer of any land required to make the road boundary of his property safer for traffic. . .

[ The engineer was instructed to' inspect and report on the matter of wafer supply being not available to Mr j McHenry, Hakataramea, owing to I recent, road formation, i Mr F. Mowat, Cave, wrote asking for I permission to construct an open water trace over the road leading to his property or alternately to bo provided for culvert material for same. —Engineer and Councillor Elworthy to inspect and report. Mr R. Rickman wrote asking feu* improved across to lus property at \\ aiwork in hand if possible, while the teams were in the locality. The Canterbury College Board of Governors wrote in reference to stops to lie taken in straicchtemne the road at Horse Shoe Bend. -Unsolved that the peoeesarv steps he token. Accounts • for the County, £2413 18s lod. and Lower Wa.ihno water rare accounts, £76 14s 4d. were passed for parmenr and the Council went into committee to discuss a eomprenensive main highways funding scheme.

FINANCE STATEMENT. The receipts since the previous meeting amounted to £8876 8s 7d, made up as follows :—General rates, £4439 3s 2d; hospital rates, £1765 3s 3d; harbour rates, £599 17b 6d; exchange, £2 8s 2d; ten per cent penalty, £8 7s Id; dog registration, £37 12s 6d; contract deposits, £lO Os 6d; traction engine licenses, £1; general, £2OIO 14s sd; drivers’ licenses, £2 2s. LOWER WAIHAO WATER, RACE ACCOUNT. The accounts presented amounted to £76 14s 4d. The receipts since the previous meeting totalled £221 3s lid. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The engineer’s report detailed the work done throughout the country during the past month, and gave particulars of work requiring to be done. MAGISTRATE’S COURT. At the Magistrate’s Court before Messrs G. Dasn and P. Grant J.P.’s Denis Joseph O’Rourke, was fined 10s ior drunkenness, 4Us tor resisting a constable, and 40s for making us© of obscene language.

DEPUTATION. A deputation, from the Mackenzie Oounty Council, consisting of Messrs C. J. Talbot (chairman), \V. T. Smith, Jas. Me Oort and R. L. Banks (Oounty engineer), waited on the Waimate County Council in reference to a bridge at Upper Pare-ora Bush Road. Mr Bitchener welcomed the deputation, and said the two Councils, Mackehzie and Waimate, had always worked amicably together. He understood the Government had made a new road which would doubtless prove an acquisition to that part of the district. Councillors might think that a lot of money had been spent in- the Upper Pareora, but the members of the deputation would possibly be more conversant with the locality than they. Mr O. J. Talbot, as "leader of the deputation, first of all returned thanks for the hospitality extended to the deputation. A long time had elapsed since the members of the two Councils had met officially, but conferences often resulted in measures being enacted for mutual benefit. Before stating th« wishes of the deputation he would like to state the pleasure he felt at travelling over the very excellent roads within the Waimate County. All the roads traversed by his party that day, which came under the jurisdiction of the Waimate County Council, were right up to main highway standard, and a credit alike to the Council ana its engineer. The subject matter of the visit was the Upper Pareora Bush Road. The Public Works Department had made a very fine road 22ft wide, well graded, and in every way a splendid thoroughfare, and a bridge was necessary in the Upper Pareora, where the scenic beauties would in future be sure to attract many visitors, and in time become a popular picnio resort, and perhaps a scciuc reserve. Some years ago the two- Councils had an agreement in regard to bridge maintenance in the locality, and it was not now intended to erect an expensive structure. A light traffic bridge would meet present requirements, and settlers in the vicinity would derive considerable benefit from it in the shape ol improved mail, store and creamery services. Botli Mr Black and Mr Banks the county engineers had seen the site of the- proposed bridge, and it was proposed to apply for a Government grant on a 2 to 1 basis, the actual cost of the bridge to be about £6OO. He would ask .Waimate to assist by falling in with the proposal by sanctioning their share of the .cost. In the meantime a ford was necessary at the spot and Mackenzie had completed their side of the river, and a few pounds expendi- | ture would finish the job. Mr W. T. Smith said that Mr Talbot had covered the ground well, except to state that most of the ratepavers’ property affected was in Waimate County. ' The erection of the bridge would bring those settlers five or six miles nearer the railway and save double wear and tear on Waimate roads by enabling traffic to continue on a circular route instead of having to double back when each half of the journey was completed. Mr MoCort said fhat conditions had changed considerably since the two counties had come to an agreement re the upkeep of bridges. The matter had now assumed national importance, and public road transit had to be considered as well as mail routes, store . cartage and cream lorry facilities. Mr Bitchener said that a point which struck him was in regard to the allocation of maintenance of the pledge. In the. event of a bridge being built where did Mackenzie stand? Would its liability then cease? . Mr Talbot said the point had not been considered. Speaking without the authority of his council lie thought they would'favourably consider the question of contributing to maintenance of both Cannington and the new bridge. ~ Mr Black said that the question ol agreement between the two council! did not apply to maintenance, but u the reconsruction of them after i

flood. , ~ Mr Bitchener said that the matted of a ford at least should receive immediate attention. Sneaking personally, he thought the matter was one for favourable consideration. The deputation then withdrew. Mr Hayes said lie was one of the furthest awnv members, but thought i would bo advisable to fall in with the deputation’s proposal. , On the motion of Councillor Whatman, it was decided to vote £IOO towards the cost of the erection of the bridge, on condition flint Macßenzi© takes the responsibility for erection and maintenance.