MACKENZIE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18637, 5 August 1930, Page 3

MACKENZIE COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Mackenzie County Council was held yesterday. Present—Messrs C. J. Talbot (chairman), W. Scott, W. T. Smith, H. H. Fisher, Geo. Murray, T. J. Seay, A. F. Campbell, and F. J. Carter. Chairman’s Statement. The chairman said that the weather so far had been good, in contradistinction to last year, when floods and snow had been experienced. So far the roads and bridges were in good i order, and the Council’s staff had ; been engaged principally on maintenance work. He referred to the impending Railway Commission in regard to the curtailment of branch lines, stating that he had interviewed the District Traffic Manager, who had been most non-committal. He understood from the railway authorities that in the meantime the Fair lie service would not be curtailed. It might be advisable to be represented at the meeting in Christchurch to discuss the railway question. Finance. The chairman of the Finance Committee (Mr Campbell) stated that the balance at the bank was £BB-/17/5. That day’s paysheet amounted to £2054/14/7, principal in which were— South Canterbury Hospital Board £659/7/2 and wages £738. Receipts for the month totalled £277/18/4. ; The report was adopted. Waimate Criticism. I The chairman said that the Council had been criticised by the Waimate Borough Council recently for riot replying to Waimate’s letter requesting support to their proposal to have the South Canterbury Power Board’s accounts investigated by an inde- | pendent accountant. | “When our letter went down to Waimate in connection with their ! support to the heavy traffic proposal,” ' said Mr Talbot, “Mr Dash said that Mackenzie had not supported Waimate in their request, nor had they the decency to answer Waimate’s letter.” Mr Talbot said that Mr Jeune had dictated a letter in reply, but owing to a mistake this had been addressed to the Waimate County Council, “It is not the Mackenzie County’s policy to be discourteous to any local body or any person.” He was sure the Council regretted the position, and would inform Waimate of the mistake. Fences Desired. Messrs J. W. Annett and D. C. Kidd waited on the Council in support of a petition signed by twenty ratepayers and users of the road for stock droving, asking the Council to consider the re-erection of the fences removed from the roadside between Burke’s Pass and Kimbell; also to erect a secure fence on the side of the road through the rock cutting at Horseshoe Bend between the road and the river, from the Opihi bridge to Mr Greened. Messrs Murray and Seay were appointed to meet a committee of sheepmen to discuss he situation of the fences. Stray Dogs. Mr Smith said that property-holders on whose land the Council camps were sometimes situated, had complained of stray dogs being taken on the properties. He had heard of one case where a man had kept a dog tied up all day, but liberated it at night. It was agreed to advise the staff of the complaints. Railway Commission. The South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce wrote in reference to the Railway Commission appointed to inquire into branch lines, stating that they would be pleased to place the facilities of the Chamber at the disposal of the Council if they desired to give evidence on the matter. Apparently there was no suggestion of closing or restricting the service on the two South Canterbury branch lines, but the Chamber would like to have an expression of opinion as to whether or not any action was deemed necessary. Mr Smith stated that if any cuts were deemed necessary on the Fairlie line it should be confined to the passenger service. The school children could be conveyed by ’bus. The chairman was appointed to confer with the Chamber. Dangerous Road. A complaint was received from Mr C. W. Isitt regarding the alleged dangerous state of Gorge Road, Cattle Valley. The writer was of opinion that the road should be fenced, and so greatly minimise the risk to vehicular traffic. The chairman said that to fence the road would mean considerable expense. They might be able to fence a portion of it. Mr Carter said he could not see any great benefit in fencing the stretch. Danger notices might serve a useful purpose. Mr Campbell said that his attention had been drawn to the road, and it might be advisable for the engineer to report on the advisability of fencing. This course was agreed to. It was decided also to improve difficult corners on the road. Engineer’s Report. A detailed report on the work carried out in the four ridings during the month was submitted by the engineer (Mr D. Jeune). A total of 1500 cubic yards of metal had been . passed through the crusher, and cart- | ed on to the roads or placed in dumps. 1 A thorough inspection of county bridges was being carried out, and a report would be submitted at a later date. Some of these bridges were in I a very bad state. Increased duty had J been placed on oils and petrol, and a j quantity of the former had been I placed on order before the increase had taken place. Any increase in the latter would be subject to the usual rebate. A contract for the clearing of gorse, etc., on the Allandale plantation, had been let to J. Neylon for £35. Two contracts for cutting firewood had been let and completed. 90 cords being cut at 8/- per cord. Tenders for White’s bridge had been considered as follows:—Carlton Bros. £2lB, Hamlyn Bros. £225, F. W. Demus £244, and Shillito Bros. £287. The tender of Carlton Bros, had been accepted. The fencing contract at Cave had been completed. General. Mr Scott drew attention to the necessity for a small footbridge over a stream coming from Strathconan Park on the Cemetery Road. It was agreed to have this erected. The attention of the engineer was drawn by Mr Scott to the overgrown state of a section of the footpath on the Main Road in the Fairlie riding. Messrs L. Lyford and W. G. Elliott wrote asking that a culvert be placed on the Main Road beyond Pukaki.— Engineer to inspect. Mr Murray pointed out the necessity for running boards on light bridges in the Tekapo riding, and it was agreed to have these laid down. | Mr Fisher drew attention to the

water channels on the Warratah Road, which he said were most unsatisfactory in heavy rain.—Referred to engineer. Mr Smith pointed out that there were three open wells on the county’s Warratah plantation, one of which he believed was sixty feet deep. They were dangerous and should be filled in.—Agreed to.