WAIMATE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18555, 30 April 1930, Page 11

WAIMATE.

HOUSEHOLDERS’ MEETING. At the annual meeting of household - err,, Mr W. F. George presided over a fair attendance. The annual report of the outgoing committee stated that the financial jear commenced with a credit balance of £8 6s lid, and closed with a credit of £54 Is lOd. Half of the credit balance was money that was available for subsidy, and it was proposed to spend I nis, with the subsidy, on an additional area of asphalt in front of the school. The desirability of re-modelling the school buildings was brought under the notice of the Education Board, and the Board's architect visited the school. As a result, the Board had advised that the work was on the urgent list for this year. This work should considerably improve the lighting and general utility of the building. The annual concert in December was a distinct success, and the Committee expressed appreciation to the general public for support, and to the staff and children for the considerable help which they gave. The annual excursion at Timaru in February was well patronised by the public. During the year electric light was installed for the purpose of being used by the headmaster (Mr McKeown), on a balopticon, which was proving a most useful adjunct in teaching the children. The Committee was indebted to Mr McKeown for the use of his instruments. The Committee had kept before them the objective of the general improvement of the grounds and buildings as far as funds will allow. During the year two members. Messrs R. B. Hurst and D. Buckingham, left the district, leaving the Committee with a personnel of only seven members. The school continued to maintain a high standard of efficiency, the good work of the staff being worthy of the highest piaise. Special praise was due to the dental nurse for the satisfactory manner in which her duties had been carried out. The attention of householders was directed to the attendance at the school during the present term. Should decreased attendance continue, it would lead to the loss of a teacher.

The report and balance sheet were adopted. The following were elected to the Committee:—Mrs A. G. Pitts, Messrs H Joliffe, W. Anderson, W. F. George, L. R. Templeton, W. Hettrick, D. Newall, J. Page, and H. Allington. Votes of thanks were passed to the staff, to the Ministers’ Association for teaching at the school, and to the retiring Committeemen. A meeting of the new Committee was subsequently held, Mr W. F. George being appointed chairman. The headmaster (Mr B. A. McKeown), tendered his resignation, conditional on the confirmation of his appointment as headmaster of the WoolSvOn School. Mr McKeown commented upon the happy relations which had existed between the Committee, the staff, the pupils, and himself during his term of office, and expressed the sincerest regret at the severance of his association with all concerned. The chairman said the news of the headmaster’s resignation had come as a shock. They all regretted that Mr McKeown was leaving, but all would join in congratulating him on his appointment. “AN IMPERTINENT LETTER.”

At yesterday’s meeting of the Waimate Council, a letter was read from the engineer-secretary of the South Canterbury Electric Power Board, as follows:—“If the resisting moment of poles at Dempsey’s Corner is reduced, due to grading and the transmission line is damaged thereby, your Council will be held responsible, and also for accidents caused by poles being left in obstructive positions.” The chairman said he thought the letter was a most impertinent one to be sent from one local body to another. The Power Board might think they were on the box seat, but the speaker said he very much resented the tone of the letter. A letter dealing with the matter was j read from the County solicitors, Hamilton and Fitch, in which it was stated that the responsibility for the shifting of transmission poles had. up to now, never been definitely settled. The usual procedure was that the Power Board and the local authority concerned divided the cost. i-The chairman stated that the chairman of the South Canterbury Power Board evidently did not feel disposed to view the matter in that light. The Council were never consulted as to where poles should be placed, and many of them were placed in the most awkward and inconvenient positions possible, yet when they were found to be in the way the Power Board refused to do anything in the matter. Councillor Lindsay said that it seemed that the Power Board was armed with strong mandatory powers. If he (the speaker ( had his way he would like to have at least six poles in the Studholme district, which were a constant source of danger to traffic, removed. Councillor Rattray said he did not think the Council should take the matter of the poles at Dempsey’s Corner lying down. Councillor Hayes asked if the Highways Board had been consulted in the matter. It was finally agreed that the chairman, Councillor Linasay and the engineer interview the Power Board officially, and go into the whole question of the removal of poles. RUGBY. Players to represent Old Boys against Marist on Thursday will be chosen ircm the following:—Backs: Hodges, .Smith, Moffat, Milson, Walker, Carleton, Wyndham; forwards —Koppert, Wesley, Jones, Beck, Boyd (2), Grylls (2), Cadwallader, Anderson, Stirling. Players for Southern v. Huiumai on Saturday, are:—Forwards Webster, I VVraight, Bickson, Craig, Parr, Willetts, ; M. Ross, Smith; backs —McNiel, Samv.ays, J. McNiel, Deadv, Proctor, Stew- ! art and Jiles. Emergencies—J. Wall, i Coomes. i COUNTY COUNCIL. : A meeting of the Waimate County i Council was held yesterday morning. Present—Mr J. Bitchener, M.P. (chairman;, Councillors A. S. Elworthy, H. M. Whatman, R. Sinclair, W. Chamberlain, W. Lindsay, N. A. Rattray, A. N. Hayes and Dr P. R. Woodhouse. Chairman’s Statement. Mr Bitchener said that quite a number of matters had received attention since last meeting. The calling of tenders for petrol, etc., had been held over owing to the holidays, but would be attended to during the coming month. In company with the engineer he had attended a meeting of the District Highways Council. No mention of the appointment of a traffic inspector was made at the meeting, but the matter of secondary highways had

been discussed. The County had been unsuccessful in their applications for secondary highways -last year, but had again applied to have two short lengths of road so declared, namely, about 5 miles of the Hakataramea Valley Road and a short length on the Bluecliffs Road. He had hoped to be able to give an idea of the financial position of the County, but owing to changes in office staff the matter would be held over till the annual meeting next month. The accounts had been audited, and the speaker was pleased to state that the financial position was distinctly good. Mr Bitchener said he had gone into the matter of the subsidy for McCuUock’s Bridge. The matter had gone past the Departmental stage, but the difficulty had been surmounted by the granting of a subsidy from the Consolidation Fund. The Minister of Public Works had been approached in reference to the widening of the road at the Stone Wall at Hakataramea, but nothing had been arranged. However, probably something definite would be done. Mr Bitchener said he would like some arrangement made for Councillors to make a tour of inspection of the roads of the County. Deputation. Four ratepayers waited on the Council in reference to putting a road through what is known as the Makikihi Swamp. Mr Bitchener introduced "the deputation, and said that some years ago the Government had placed on the estimates a sum of £l5O to put the road through. Last year the amount had been reduced to £IOO, and this amount seemed insufficient to do the job. Mr Maddren explained that the road ran parallel with the main road, and great difficulty was experienced 'by lessees of property in getting flax to the railway. The road was in a better state 20 years ago, and a short while ago it was absolutely impassable. The settlers had removed a few niggerheads on their own account, and had been told by the Council that they had no right to interfere with the road surface. There was a large amount of flax to be taken over the road, and unless something in the nature of formation was done it would be impossible to get it out. All they were asking for was a light traffic road, and if a drain were run alongside the road it would take very little keeping in order and would fill requirements in the meantime. Mr Fox said that it had been said that a road could not be formed on a past foundation, but he named three roads in the County which had been so built and were now equal to any in the district. Mr Fox said seeing that Mr Bitchener had said that they were the first deputation which he had introduced from his riding, the Council would understand they had been foolish in putting up with the existing conditions so long. On the motion of Mr Bitchener, it was decided that the engineer be asked to go into the matter of how the Government grant of £IOO from the Council, could be best expended on the road. Finance. The chairman of the Finance Committee reported that the credit balance at the bank in April 1930 was £1867/9/7, on fixed deposit £10,000; total £11.867/9/7. The balance in | April 1929, was £13,411/10/11. The accounts presented totalled £15,413 ! 17s 8d Receipts since last meeting amounted to £69/10/6. Reports. The Lower Waihao Water Race Committee reported that there had been a fair supply of water in all the races during the month, with the exception of two at Glenavy, which were the subject of a complaint. The report was adopted, and accounts amounting to £26/1/3 were passed for payment. The ranger’s report showed that one horse and 33 head of cattle had been released from the pound during the month. Correspondence. The secretary of the South Canterbury Hospital Board forwarded a statement showing the allocation of the levy, with debit note for the first instalment of the County’s levy which falls due on May 1. Mr John Bruce w*rote complaining of the water races running through his property at Morven, and asking that they be given attention. Councillor Sinclair said that the Water Race Committee were going to inspect the locality and see what was best to be done. —Received. The Timaru Borough Council wrote forwarding cheque for the Council’s portion of the heavy traffic fees in District No. 17, and enclosing schedule of allocations. The chairman said that this was one of the most amazing documents he had ever seen. .The returns were made on a mileage basis up to the 31st May, ; and how it was possible to make allocations ahead on a question of mileages he could not imagine. Councillor Hayes said that in' his opinion Waimate County was not getting a fair deal. Waitaki was receiving an allocation of over £IOOO, and Waimate, which probably had more heavy traffic lorries, was only allocated about £6OO. The County Clerk said that past computations of mileages were correct. Councillor Elworthy said that the Council should ask for an explanation of how the mileages were arrived at ahead. Councillor Rattray and the chairman supported the suggestion, and it was decided to forward a letter of inquiry in the matter. Mr J. R. Cleave. Hakataramea, wrote agreeing to alterations to Messrs Walker and Fraser’s roadlines, provided road facilities to his property for sheep and grain carting were granted.—lt was decided to hold the matter over pending further particulars from the ratepayers concerned. The Town Clerk, Waimate, wrote drawing attention to the danger to children owing to the bad state of the planks across the footbridge at the entrance to Knottingly Park.—Left to the engineer to attend to. The Inspector of Health reported having investigated three cases of scarlet fever, one of tuberculosis, and one of undulant fever. Seventeen sanitary inspections were made during the month.

The Town Clerk, Waimate, wrote stating that the General Committees of his Council had recommended the erection of a light in Francis Street. This being a boundary road, and consent to the erection of the light was asked for.—lt was decided that the request could not be entertained. Seven residents of the locality petitioned the Council for the erection of a light traffic bridge over the Matukaika River at Griffin’s Grossing.—Councillor Elworthy and the engineer were deputed to inspect the locality and report to next meeting. The County Clerk, Whakatane, wrote stating that at a conference of local authorities in No. 3 Main Highways District the following resolution was carried:—“That the Government be urged to increase the petrol tax to such figures which will enable it to completely finance all future maintainance and construction costs on all primary main highways in a permanent manner.” The letter asked that the Council co-operate by making representations to the local member of Parliament on the matter.—Received. Seven residents of Southburn forwarded a further petition asking for the erection of two n*ht traffic bridges

in their district.—Left to the engineer to inspect and report. Mr A. G. Lyall wrote drawing the Council’s- attention to the bad state of the drain adjoining his property on the Main South Road.—The engineer reported that the matter had already been attended to. The Hon. E. A. Ransome, Minister of Public Works, wrote stating that ir view of the special circumstance placed before him by Mr J. Bitchener M.P.. he would recommend that a £1 for £1 subsidy for re-decking McCullock’s Bridge be granted from the Consolidated Fund, Mr Naylor, hon. secretary of the South Canterbury branch of the British Empire Cancer Campaign Society wrote stating that at a meeting of hi Executive, it had toeen decided to ask all local bodies to assist in the collec - tion of funds. Any assistance that the Waimate branch required .would be readily available from his Executive.— It was decided to co-operate in the manner suggested. General. Councillor Woodhouse said he thought it would facilitate the work of the Council if four small maps which comprised the Waimate County were procured and laid on the table for the guidance of Councillors, who may not be quite conversant with any particular locality which came under discussion. It was decided to procure a set of maps as suggested. Oi) the motion of Councillor Lindsay, it was decided that the Councillors make a tour of inspection of the County, commencing at the northern end, on Tuesday, May 13, the route to be taken was left to the engineer to map out. Accounts amounting to £15,413/17/9 were passed for payment. WAIHAO DOWNS. Ways and means of raising funds for the Anglican Church at Waihao Downs were recently discussed, and it was decided to hold a gymkhana on Thursday next. A Committee, with Messrs A. V. Richards, E. B. Harrison, and E. C. d’Auvergne, at the head, arranged a programme for the function, which will take place at Mr Richards’s Park on Waihao Downs estate. A Downs Derby, for draught horses, was made open to lady and gentlemn riders. A committee of elderly bachelors was appointed to judge the baby show. We have a Client with £6OO cash who desires to purchase a Farm of about 175 Acres as a going concern Reply to FORBES WALLACE, Box 47, Waimate.