WAIMATE COUNTY COUNCIL

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19299, 28 September 1932, Page 4

WAIMATE COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Waimate County Council was held yesterday morning. Present —Mr J. Bitchener M. (chairman), Councillors A. S. El worthy, H. M. Whatman, H. B. S. Johnstone, J. J. Dickson,. W. Lindsay, N. A. Rattray, and A. N. Hayes. Motion of Condolence. The chairman referred to the death of Mr T. L. Hart, who had been chairman and councillor in past years. The late Mr Hart had done very fine work for the County, and particularly for the Waihao Riding, over a great number of years. His efforts during the period of the epidemic had earned lifelong gratitude. South Canterbury, and particularly Waimate County, had suffered a great loss in the passing of Mr Hart and he moved a motion of condolence with" his widow and family. The motion was carried in silence Chairman’s Statement. Mr Bitchener said that since last meeting the work of the County had been progressing well. He had taken the opportunity of inspecting the flood works on the Pareora. and had. found the work being excellently done and nearing completion. He thought that when the repairs were finished, the Council should make an inspection as a body, in order to gain an idea of the magnitude of the undertakings, and of the effective measures adopted. The bridge across the Waitaki above the Hydro Works, which was in course of construction on the occasion of their visit last month, had progressed to the stage of spanning the river. Two deputations were due to wait on the Council that day On drainage matters, and members would doubtless do their best to give assistance to the settlers concerned. Finance, Councillor Rattray reported as follows: —The debit balance at the Bank in September was Dr. £2569 2s 3d; (1931 Dr. £3063 I7s 8d); and the accounts presented that day were £3049 8s Bd. The receipts sinee last meeting amount to £598 10s 3d made up as follows: —General Rates, £7l 5s 4d; Hospital Rates, £3l 9s 9d; Harbour Rates, £5 9s; License Fees, £3B 17s 3d; Refund Relief Wages, £445 14s 9d; sundry, £5 14s 2d; total, £598 10s 3d.

Engineer’s Report. , The county engineer (Mr W. P. . Black), reported on the progress of the works in operation for September. In Upper Pareora Riding, an extra , 25 feet span had been added to Black- ( more’s Bridge, and the construction of . the supporting groynes and the filling of approaches Were now receiving attention. The protective works at Holme Station bridge were completed, and the willows planted there were growing particularly well. The ford had been put in order also. Slips on the Frenchman’s Gully Road had been removed and further work would be done to widen the road at the slip on Gordon’s Valley. The damaged groyne at the Swamp Creek Bridge would receive attention when more groyne netting is available. The erection of : the big stone groyne at Martin's. Crossing bridge was proceeding satisfactorily- The matter of the. utilisation of R.S.A. labour was being inquired into. In Lower Pareora Riding, Mr Kane s application for some work on a road behind St. Andrews had been inquired into; and. as the applicant is prepared to find the necessary teams, he recommended that the work be gone on with. The thanks of the Council were due to Mr H. Evans, who generously supplied the teams to complete the filling on May’s frontage protective groynes. The restoration of the small bridge on Lyall's frontage would be carried out at the first opportunity. The establishing of protective works at the Springbrook Sohool was proceeding satisfactorily. In Otaio Riding, the protective works to prevent the outflanking of Hamilton’s bridge were now practically completed. At the Hunter bridge and at Jackson’s bridge the channel of the stream was badly overgrown with gorse. The removal of this was essential and it was a satisfactory work for the utilisation of unemployed labour. In Makikihi Riding, matters contained in a letter of Mr N. Geaney have been investigated. The protective works suggested by the applicant were a private matter. A drain referred to was in fair order, and the trouble was caused by hedge cuttings. The protective works above the township were now completed. In Deep Creek Riding inspection of the overflow from the Waimate Creek, as affecting Mitchell’s Road, had been made by the Committee. In Waihao Riding, Mrs Bartlett applied for a small area of land, between the water race and the fence just east of the old hotel site. Provided a suitable fence was erected, he could not see any objection to the Council leasing this area .The drain complained of in a petition from Glenavy was really a defunct water race, and could be filled in by grading off the adjacent footpath at an estimated cost of £5. In Hakataramea Riding, tracings of a road proposed to be closed in the Hakataramea township had been obtained, and the position as affecting the Council could now be ascertained. The erection of the bridge over the Waitaki River was being pushed ahead by the Public Works Department. Discussing the report, Councillor Elworthy asked what was intended to be done in regard to restoring the three bridges wrecked by the flood, on the Back Line-Road at Pareora. The chairman said that he understood that only about £SO worth of extra material would be required to restore these bridges, and he was in favour of the staff going on with this work as soon as Blackmore’s bridge I was completed. He would, however, like a ruling from the Council on the matter. Councillor Whatman asked what extra money would be involved in addition to the £SO for material. They were quite sympathetic, but wanted a little more d’ata to go on. Councillor Johnstone asked if it would be possible to obtain an estimate of the total cost of the work right away. The engineer replied that he could place the figures before the Council that day. Councillor Rattray inquired how long going on with this work would delay the re-opening of the Council quarry, as the Main North Road was urgently in need of metal. Councillor Lindsay stated that it was very doubtful if they had the money to proceed with the job. Practically all the County roads were getting into a state of disrepair, and they were going on spending money as if there were no slump, but they must realise that there was a tremendous lot of work to be done with a very small amount of money available.' This was the state of affairs in Deep Creek Riding at any rate. The discussion was held over pending the compilation of the estimate by the engineer. At a later stage, Mr Black produced the figures to show the total estimated cost to the County to be £290.

The chairman said that he would again suggest that they should complete the work while the men were m the locality, as a number of unemployed workers had gained experience in bridge work, and to use this labour would be best from an economic point Johnstone said the matter depended on whether the allocation for the work was already provided ior.

The chairman gave an assurance that such provision was made. Councillors Rattray, Lindsay, and Whatman expressed doubt whether the work could be carried out without prejudicing the claims of other ridings, and Councillor Lindsay moved that consideration be deferred till next meeting. Councillor Rattray seconded the motion. Councillor Elworthy said they would, come to next meeting with no more' knowledge than they already possessed, and he moved that the work be proceeded with. Councillor Johnstone seconded the motion, which was carried by five votes to three. Councillors Lindsay, Rattray and Whatman voting against. The engineer’s report was adopted. Lower AVaihao Water Race. The Lower Waihao Water Race Committee reported that there had been a shortage of water for a short period during the month, during the cleaning and repairing of the main race, but a satisfactory supply was now available. The contractor was again using the new water-race plough with excellent results. —The report was adopted, and accounts amounting to £27 4s 6d were passed for payment.

Correspondence. Mr N. Bell, Southburn, wrote applying for £5 as compensation for land taken off his property at the corner of Brassell’s and Southburn Roads—lt was agreed to grant the amount. The Temuka Progress League wrote asking for the co-operation of the Council to bring about a reduction in telephone rentals and toll charges. Councillor Johnstone said that it apred that the people living in the country largely paid for those in the towns, which was shown in the charges made.

Councillor Lindsay said that by reducing charges from 2/6 to 1/6 for school concerts years ago, they found out that they made more money. The Department should reduce charges very considerably, or in the speaker’s district at least they would find that a let of subscribers would cut the ’phone off It appeared that there should be a great profit on the telephone, as £8 or £9 per year seemed a lot to pay when the construction expenses were confined practically to a few poles and a wire. Councillor Whatman supported this view, and said that the telephone was even now not nearly ,of such value outing, to subscribers dropping out... . It was unanimously agreed to support the. movement. . , ■ The Waimate Automobile Association wrote asking that the work of rounding' off the road at McNamara’s Corner be put in hand as soon as possible.—The engineer to report. The Kairunga County' Council, Palmerston North, forwarded .a circular inviting 'support for an amendment to the Dog Registration Act, to enable a maximum fee Of £2 for registration to be charged for dogs, the class liable to the maximum charge to be left to the discretion of the County Council. — Received.

The Public .Works. Department for- j warded a further amended list of. rates j of pay for labour to be subsidised by J the Main Highways Board. A petition signed by. six Studholme ratepayers was received, asking that | the matter of the flood waters at the ; corner of the Nukuroa-Studholme Road j be given attention.—Engineer to report. ' - The Transport Department, Wellington. forwarded a circular containing a draft of the proposed amendments to the Motor-Vehicles Regulations, and asking for suggestions to be submitted to a conference to be called to consider the regulations before they are finalised. —Received. Mr H. L. Gibson, District Traffic Manager, N.Z.R., wrote advising that (it was proposed to replace the heavy bus on the Waimate-Studholme run with a lighter • vehicle about October or November. The clerk said that £25 had been paid by the Department for permission to run the heavy bus. It was decided to defer consideration of the matter until the bus replacement is effected. • - The District Engineer New Zealand Railways, wrote requesting the Council to enter into a new lease of the St. Andrews pound site, at a rental of £1 per annum, to replace the lease at a peppercorn rental which had been in force since 1881. The chairman said that it had always been thought that the Council owned the land in question, and he could not understand how the land had become a railway reserve. There was no record of a lease m the office, and he suggested that the position be ascertained from the Survey Department. The suggestion was adopted. Official Reports. The Area Traffic Inspector (Mr W. R. Ashwell) forwarded a detailed report of prosecutions instituted and work done in his' official capacity during the month. The Inspector of Health (Mr J. Menzies) reported 4 cases of scarlet fever, one case of tuberculosis and having made 10 sanitary inspections in the County during the month. The County ranger (Mr A. A. McKenzie) reported having impounded 39 head of cattle, and released 2 horses and 38 head of cattle from the pound during the month.

General Business. Councillor Hayes reported that the railway goods sheds, yards, and loading banks had been removed from Hakataramea. There was a large amount of shingle at the loading bank, and he would like the Council to apply to the Railways Department for permission to use it on the ; roads. He would also like to have an application made for a vacant section in the locality to be vested in the Council, and to arrange between the Highways Board, the Waitaki County and the Waimate County to erect a fence to prevent stock from encroaching over to dangerous islands. He would also like to apoly to have the grader proceed to Smith’s Road at the top end of Hakataramea riding to carry out urgently necessary work.—All the applications were given endorsement. Councillor Hayes then said that he took pride in the fact that there was an amount of only 2/3 outstanding for rates in his riding, and he would suggest that they be written off as uncollectable. Mr Bitchener congratulated Councillor Hayes on the state of his riding rate sheet, but no action was taken to write the amount off.

Councillors Rattray and Johnstone drew pointed attention to the bad state of the main highway in the southern portion of the County. The engineer explained that they were rapidly reaching the stage previously expeprienced on the same highway further north, prior to the laying down of the bitumen paving. The present position was wholly due to not

having sufficient funds to adequately grade and metal the road, which vr—developing a high crown in consequence. The maintenance rate for the road was nearing the £l5O per mile stage, which was uneconomic. The real solution was to biiumenise the surface, but it was impossible to do this .in the present state of the Highways Board s finances. The chairman remarked that since last meeting they had had a visit from the members of the Railway Board. He did not think it necessary to call a special meeting of the Council, but individual members had met and discussed matters of mutual concern with the Railway authorities. Councillor Hayes said that he had been amongst a party which had met the visitors at the other end of the County, and he would ask the Council, in view of what the Board was doing, to assist as far as possible in putting business in the way of the railways. Councillor Lindsay said that he thought that the day of the railways was practically done, as they were too inconvenient. They spent a lot of money on their roads, and personally he did not see that there was much sense in closing their eyes to the fact that road transport was daily becoming more popular. As a producer, his opinion was that the motor was the best and most economical mode of transport. The discussion then lapsed. Accounts amounting to £3.049 8s B<| ! were passed for payment.

Deputations. iviessrs H. Ruddenklau. R. Frost, J. Foley, H. Frost, and T. Vincent waited >n the Council to ask that measures be taken to prevent a recurrence of the damage done by the overflowing of the Waimate Creek. Mr Ruddenklau said that the Creek had done an enormous amount of damage during the last flood. He had lost 14 acres of wheat which had been washed out to sea, and other members of the deputation had suflered similar losses. The Council was directly interested on account of the damage done to the roads. Mr Frost said that Councillors Lindsay and Rattray and the engineer had mei some of the settlers and were conversant with the position. It was thought that unemployed labour could be most profitably used in erecting protective works to prevent further damage in the vicinity of Mitchell’s Road corner. Mr Vincent also spoke giving details of the damage done by the creek nearer StudhOhne Junction.

After the members had answered several questions, the chairman asked if the setilers were prepared to pay the cost of supervision and transport in the event of unemployed labour being available to do the work. Mr Frost said that if the Council would give the services of the engineer to supply the levels and the layout of the work, he would be prepared to undertake the supervision himself, and ne ti.cught that there would be plenty of experienced ihen resident near the locality. “ : 'V The deputation then thanked the Council and withdrew. Discussing the matter further, Councillor Lindsay said that he could see no objection to furthering the requests of the deputation to have the Creek confined as far as possible to its own course. Councillor Hayes said that he was in favour of the engineer taking steps to protect the County roads, but he was against him going over the fence to take levels on private property. That matter appeared one for the owners concerned, and if they wanted any further facilities they should form some separate Board of their own. Councillor Rattray said that the matter 1 was a most difficult one. owing to the danger of throwing the water from one property on to another, After a further short discussion, on the motion of Councillor Hayes, it was decided that the engineer, with as many of the Councillors as possible, should inspect the locality in company i with the settlers later that day, and report to next meeting.

Dog Kennel Drain. Mr Bitcnener introduced Messrs A. Martin. P. J. Foley and J. Heath as a deputation from Morven. with a request in respect to widening and deepening -the Dog Kennel drain to cope with the overflow of a creek which was at present, he understood, causing considerable damage. The job was a fair sized one, embracing about eight miles of drain. Mr Martin said that the water which periodically overflowed had been a great source of annoyance to everybody for about thirty years. A meeting had recently been held at Morven when It was decided that the Council was the body most competent to Jdeal with the matter. A small committee had been formed by the meeting* tc work in conjunction with the Coiner If necessary, and to formulate a scheme to deal with the trouble. It was uijlerstood that unemployed labour cougi b< utilised for the work, Which, if carriec out, w'ould be of great benefit to a &rgi number of settlers. > Mr Foley endorsed the remarks of th< previous speaker. , Mr Heath said that a drain had beer cut about 20 years ago, but it (hac become silted up until it was unable t< cope with anything like the a mb', in. of water overflowing on to the M® or land. The flooding had been so . bat that recently after a rain therelwa only a Maori head here and there water. If the Council could assist 11 overcoming the difficulty it would cart the gratitude of the whole of thi ! Maori people. The deputation then withdrew. Councillor Whatman intimated tha the chairman and himself were yon versant with the position, and the, were prepared to call a special meetm of the ratepayers .interested to se what measures could be devisee Roughly his own estimate of the cos of what would require to be done wa about £I,OOO, But the scheme wouli have to be put through without cos to the County as a whole. It was decided that the engineer-pro vide an estimate of the cost, to be pre sented at a special meeting as suggeste by Councillor Whatman.