WAIMATE COUNTY COUNCIL

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19474, 26 April 1933, Page 13

WAIMATE COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING. A meeting of the Waimate County Council was held on Monday morning. Present—Hon. J. Bitchener. M.P. (chairman), and Councillors A. S. Elworthy. H. M. Whatman, R. Sinclair, J. H. Dickson, H. B. S. Johnstone, W. Lindsay, N. A. Rattray, and A. N. Hayes. Congratulations to Chairman. Councillor Johnstone said that he had been deputed to the very pleasant Job of extending on behalf of the Council very hearty congratulations to their chairman on his appointment as Minister of Public Works. “We of the Council,” continued Councillor Johnstone, “who have worked for so many years with the chairman, have always noticed the interest taken by him in public works, not only in the county but in all parts of the Dominion. We realise" ihs wide knowledge of public works and feel that the country as a whole will benefit by his appointment.” One need not enlarge upon the subject, but on behalf of the Council he wished to convey their best wishes for a long and honourable term of office. (Applause.) Councillor Whatman endorsed Councillor Johnstone’s remarks, and said that some of the honour conferred would be reflected on the county. Mr Bitchener, in reply, tendered sincerest thanks for the remarks expressed, and said that the knowledge he had obtained had been rendered available thrqjigh his association with so many fine and capable men with whom he had had the honour to act on local bodies. From their ideas he had gained much valuable knowledge of public works generally. He did not know of any serious difference during his career with any other member, and he publicly thanked them for the assistance they had given. He hoped to fill the position impartially and creditably. The greatest assistance he had received during his long service on public bodies had been from the deliberations of the Waimate County Council, and it was with deepest regret that he felt it incumbent on him to inform them that his resignation would most reluctantly be placed on the table at their next meeting. If in the future it were within his power he would be proud to help any work for the general benefit.

Chairman’s Statement. The chairman said that work had gone along steadily since last meeting, there being nothing to report. The receipts for the month probably constituted a new low record in the history of the Council, and this, strange to say, reflected the highest credit on their clerk, who had performed his duties with such exactitude that not a penny outside rates, was owing to the Council at the closing of accounts on March 31st.

Finance Chairman's Statement.

The chairman of the Finance Committee (Councillor N. A. Rattray) tabled the following statement: Credit balance at Bank April 1933, £4311 19s d (1932 was Cr. £5576 18s 9d). Accounts presented £3817 10s 6d. Receipts since last meeting amount to £llß 4s 6d, made up as follows: General rates £1 16s 7d; hospital rates £1 9s sd; harbour rates, 3s sd; license fees £6 17s 6d; refund stamp duty on interest £46 Os Id; relief wages £6l ss; sundry 12s 6d. In the Lower Waihao Water Race Account, the credit was £328 2s 5d (193- was cr. £194 5s sd). Accounts presented totalled £sl 6s 3d. Receipts since last meeting 2/3.

Engineer's Report. The county engineer (Mr W. P. Black) reported on the progress of works in operation throughout the county for April. The following were among the matters dealt with:— Upper Pareora Riding—The groyne supporting Rapsey’s crossing had received attention, and some small protection has been established on the back line ford where the creek was seriously threatening the road formation. Fencing at Maungati Bridge to facilitate the passage of stock would be gone on with at once. Makikihi Riding.—Repairs to the Hook Swamp Bridge would be carried out by the bridge staff at the first opportunity. A settler has asked that gates be erected on his property where the Council had obtained shingle. As this was a reasonable request, he recommended that the work be done. The lower end of the Hook Beach Road was badly flooded. Notices were sent to the parties responsible, but only one settler had given this drain necessary attention.

Deep Creek Riding.—Necessary structural work w'ould be gone on with at Poindestre’s Bridge as soon as the bridge staff had completed some other small works. The stop bank had been erected by settlers on the Waimate Creek above the slaughterhouse, and they asked the Council to continue this bank across the road line at this point. Flood waters could still escape at the crossing and flow down Mitchell’s Road.

Waihao Riding.—No. 2 grader was in need of new tyres on its back wheels. The cost of a change over to pneumatics would be considered, against the fitting of new tyres. Attention would be given to the planking of the Elephant Hill Bridge. General.—Sim and Sheed were making steady progress with contract on the Picton-Bluff Highway. The North Bridge at the Waihao River was unsafe for traction engine traffic. The native timber used had proved unsatisfactory as decking on this structure. The preparation of the subgrade of the Timaru Road was completed in so far as the authority held from the Highways Board would allow. As this section should be in excellent order after the winter months, the Council should make the strongest recommendations to the Board to be allowed to seal this highway during the present year, otherwise a gTeat deal of the work will be without result. The maintenance of roads carrying fast motor traffic with the finer gravels now used for this traffic was uneconomic, and the principal contributing factor towards the rapid corrugation of gravel surfaces. The Horse Shoe Bend was being intensively maintained in anticipation of the seal coat. A granulator had been hired from the Public Works Department at Dunedin, and suitable chips would be granulated from the metal dump at Makikihi. Main Highways estimates for the current financial year had been forwarded to the Public Works Department. He had included the sealing of the Timaru Road and the erection of the concrete bridge at the Woolshed Gully as the principal constructive items. Holland’s Bridge on the Timaru Road had been widened to conform with the re-alignment of this section. The preparation of the county estimates will now be gone on with. A discussion arose regarding the question of continuing the bank in the Deep Creek riding erected by the settlers on the Waimate Creek above the slaughterhouse. 1 Councillor Lindsay said that the clearing of bush, tussock, etc., and the draining of the land higher u had resulted in a very much greater volume of water being diverted to the natural channel in the times of fresh or flood. It might be advisable to remove some of the fences in the locality to prevent the water banking up. The chairman said that a case which had come under his notice in the

North Island presented similar factors, but the settlers m the district concerned thought that the amoun overflow provided the determining point of the prospective damage in the time of flood. . „ After further discussion it was decided to refer the matter to the county solicitor before taking any further action. The engineer's report was adopted.

Correspondence.

The ranger (Mr A. A. McKenzie) reported having impounded five head .of cattle, and having released 39 cattle during the month. The District Highways Council for- j warded extracts from the Gazette declaring the road between Hakataramea and Kurow a main highway. The Waimate Branch of the Farmers’ Union, in reply to a letter, wrote stating that hemlock, blackberry and sweet briar, noxious weeds, were prevalent in the Waimate Gorge, and on the road from Anning’s Corner towards the valley. Councillor Lindsay said that the weeds were very easily destroyed with sodium chlorate, and the Council should take some action, as animals carried the seed in their feet. The question was the best time to take measures for destruction, which was probably just as the plants were coming into flower. Councillor Hayes said he thought the best time to take action was probably in April and May. Councillor Dickson said that the trouble was that the seed was distriuted with the shingle taken from riverbeds. Pareora riverbed was full of noxious weeds. On the motion of Councillors Johnstone and Lindsay, it was decided co serve notice cn adjoining land owners in regard to noxious weeds, and to request the co-operation of the Stock Department. The Waimate High School Board of Governors wrote asking for a contribution towards the running of the woolclassing classes. Councillor Whatman explained the difficulty of running the classes, and on the motion of Councillor Lindsay, a vote of £2 was passed. The Tauranga County Council wrote asking for endorsement of the following resolution: —“The Tauranga County Council, while being appreciative of the measures already taken to reduce interest and costs generally, urges the Government to institute an immediate exhaustive and open inquiry into the matter of monetary reform, as a means to assist in improving the economic condition of the country.”—The letter was received. The following telegram was read from the Minister of Employment:—“Until further definite detailed arrangements can be made, I should be grateful if you would co-operate with other local bodies in your district tc receive, store and hold until advised later, re distribution, any produce oi other goods donated to the GovernorGeneral’s Relief Fund, with the exception of live stock, which I am asking Freezing Companies to accept.”—Or the motion of the chairman, it wa; agreed to reply stating that the Council would be pleased to co-operate ir any manner possible. The New Zealand Railways wrot< 1 stating that it -was impossible to gran a title for the land to be vested ir | the County for a pound site at St 1 Andrews, without a survey.—The clerl ’ was instructed to deal with thi matter.