WAIMATE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20067, 26 March 1935, Page 3

WAIMATE

MEETING OF COUNTY COUNCIL GOOD CREDIT BALANCE A meeting of the Waimate County Council was held yesterday. Present — The County chairman (Mr H. B. S. Johnstone), Crs. H. M. Whatman, R. Sinclair, J. J. Dickson, W. Lindsay, A. N. Hayes, and the Hon. J. Bitchener. Chairman’s Statement The chairman stated that since last meeting the Main Highways Board had granted authority for the Council to proceed with the preparation work for tar sealing the Main South Highway from Tawai to McNamara’s corner. This would be an invaluable help as it was now possible to level and grade this important stretch of road during the winter months when conditions were most suitable, and by next spring the sealing operations could proceed without delay. In regard to tar sealing generally, the speaker thought the time had arrived for the Council to consider the question of purchasing a plant which would make it possible for this work to be undertaken by its own staff. The plant, he understood, would cost from £IOOO to £I2OO. It was pleasing to report that rate collections this year had been most satisfactory, 94.3 per cent, having been collected, leaving only 5.7 per cent, outstanding. This success, he thought, was due largely to the 12 h per cent, rebate being in operation. On March 31 last year only 83.6 per cent, of the rateable amount had been paid. Finance The chairman of the Finance Committee (Cr. W. Lindsay) reported that the credit balance at the bank was £7362 15s 6d (1934 £8965 17s 8d). The accounts presented totalled £4552 7s lid. The receipts since last meeting were £17,062 17s 2d. In the Lower Waihao Water Race Account the credit balance at the bank was £467 7s 2d (1394 £SOO 5s 6d). The accounts presented totalled £29 0s 4d. The receipts since last meeting amounted to £2OO 4s 6d. Riding Matters Dealing with the engineer’s report Cr. Dickson said he would like a portion of the top of Cox’s cutting in Lower Pareora riding cut back in order to remove an existing danger through the view being obscured. —Work to be carried out. Cr. Lindsay said he thought that the Council should approve the engineer’s suggestion that assistance should be given to the Crown authorities in straightening Waimate Creek on Messrs Studholme and Tamblyn’s properties, on condition that the Crown provided the necessary supervision and transport costs and undertook liability thereafter. — Agreed to. On the suggestion of Cr. Whatman the engineer was instructed to spend up to £SO to put Meyer’s Pass Road in order. Cr. Hayes brought up the matter discussed at last meeting of putting down an experimental section of tar sealing on Station Peak Road with a view to reducing expenditure on maintenance. After discussion, the engineer pointed out that the matter was now past the experimental stage, and said it would be better to apply to the Main Highways Board to have any •tretch decided upon treated in the ordinary way. Cr. Whatman said that in his opinion, although they had a big tar sealing programme on hand, matters should be put in train for a start to be made at the earliest possible moment with the sealing of the road through the Gorge. Cr. Bitchener strongly endorsed this view. The chairman remarked that they were getting away from the road under review, and it was decided not to proceed with the matter in the meantime, but that it should be kept in view that this highway should be considered when opportunity offers. The chairman then moved that the engineer be instructed to furnish a report on the question as to whether it would be advantageous to the Council to purchase the necessary plant to enable tar sealing work to be carried out by the Council’s staff, and that in the event of the Council deciding that it would be advantageous to do so that the Main Highways Board be approached for any necessary authority.” Cr. Whatman said that he was not altogether in favour of the motion as the plant, which would cost about £I2OO, would probably only be used for a part of the year, and would be a white* elephant for the rest of the time. Cr. Bitchener pointed out it was only an inquiry which was being made Into the matter and the motion was carried. Correspondence The Main Highways District Council wrote confirming acceptance of British Pavements Ltd’s tender for bituminous sealing on the Main South Road. Messrs Meehan Bros., Makikihi, were granted permission to install a petrol bowser and storage tank on their premises, subject to complying with the usual conditions. The Christchurch City Council wrote in regard to the Mortgage Corporation Act embodying legislation repudiating liability by the Crown for rates, and asking for support for a protest to the Government in the matter. The chairman moved that the letter be received. Cr. Whatman moved and Cr. Lindsay seconded that the protest be supported. The chairman’s motion was carried. The Waimate Automobile Association wrote inquiring if anything had been done regarding a dangerous corner previously notified at Waihao Downs, and also drawing attention to the view being obstructed at various corners in Waihao Gorge, particularly in the vicinity of the three bridges, owing to overgrowth of broom and gorse. It was decided to erect a danger notice at the first mentioned locality, and the engineer reported that the gorse and broom were now receiving attention. Mr W. D. Stowell, Lansdown, wrote drawing attention to the necessity for repairs to a culvert leading to his property.—Matter receiving attention. Mr D. McGimpsey, Hakataramea, wrote asking that a bridge be erected on the road to his property, owing to the ford being impassable in flood time.—Engineer to report. The South Canterbury Hospital Board wrote notifying that three members to represent the combined Waimate Borough-Waimate County district at the forthcoming county elections would be required.—Received. The Department of Lands and Survey wrote that owing to confusion with Redcliff, near Sumner, the Geographic Board had altered the name "Redcliff” in Waimate to Ikawai, by which name it was already known to a certain extent locally.—Received. Mr A. Berry. Riccarton, wrote advising that he had arranged with the tenant to clear gorse on the road line of his property at Hook.—Received. Mr W. Black. "Waihao Grange,”

wrote applying for permission to run an electric wire across the road to his property—Granted. General Business. Tenders for horse feed were accepted as follows: James Meehan, Ltd., 1000 bushels of oats at 3/3 a bushel; National Mortgage and Agency Co., Ltd., 500 bags of oat straw chaff at 1/10 i a bag. On the motion of the chairman and Cr. Sinclair it was agreed that a subsidy of up to £5 be granted to the Waimate High School Board to meet the expenses of the woolclassing classes. Mr T. E. Parry was reappointed to represent the Council on the Waimate High School Board for the ensuing term of two years. The Secretary, Lower Waihao Water Race Committee (Mr J. K. Blair) reported that the supply of water in the races during the month had not been satisfactory, but had improved during the last few days. A considerable amount of new fluming had been laid down during the period to repair leakages and very little expense in this direction should be needed for some years.—The report was adopted. MEETING OF CREDITORS A meeting of creditors in the bankrupt estate of H. H. Searle. furniture dealer and repairer, was held in the Courthouse, Waimate, yesterday afternoon. The statement of accounts showed that a total of £145/7/7 was owing to seven creditors. Assets were set down at stock-in-trade, £10; book debts, £lO. There being no secured creditors, the total deficiency was £125/7/7. Bankrupt’s statement set out that he had started on his own account in July, 1932, taking over the furniture business formerly run by his father. He had carried little stock, and what he had was mostly on consignment, as he had set out to develop a connection on the repairing side of his trade. For the first 12 months he had held his- own, but latterly trade had fallen off and owing to proceedings being threatened by one creditor he had thought it best to file. He was not in a position to make any offer to his creditors. After an examination by the Assignee, the meeting decided that the position was no fault of the bankrupt, and a resolution was passed allowing him to retain his tools of trkde. GOLF The following is the draw for the handicap foursomes (qualifying medal round) to be played by members of the Waimate Ladies’ Golf Club to-day: No. 1 tee: Mrs A. Grant, Mrs Chisholm 19 and Mrs Aitken, Mrs Ensor 36; Mrs Ruddenklau, Mrs Johnson 33 and Miss Stevens, Miss E. Jones 29; Miss A. Jones, Miss Cameron 18 and Mrs P. Grant, Miss O. Cameron 33; Mrs Hurst, Miss Cochrane 36 and Miss Leslie, Mrs Barclay 30; Mrs Dyer, Miss Gorman 36 and Mrs Webber, Mrs Knell 36. No. 4 tee: Mrs Healey, Miss Brownlie 23 and Mrs McLean, Miss Godfrey 19; Mrs Templer, Mrs Fraser 14 and Mrs Carlton, Miss Hertslett 23. HOOK TENNIS CLUB The weekly euchre and dance held in the Hook Soldiers’ Memorial Hall in aid of the Tennis Club was successful. The prizes were won by Mrs Mason, Miss Smith, Mr C. Medlicott and Mr F. Grayson. In the guessing competition Miss Bradshaw and Mr A. Dale tied for the prize which they divided. Music for the dance was supplied by Mrs C. Rose, Mr A. Wells acting as M.C. On Saturday the Club held a stall in Waimate when all manner of home and farm produce was offered for sale. A competition for a dinner was won by Mr C. G. Preece.

Mr E. A. Murrell, D.8.0.A., F. 1.0. (England), representing Procters, the Premier Opticians, Christchurch, will be visiting Waimate on Saturday, 6th April, and may be consulted on all defects of eyesight at the Royal Hotel. Appointments can now be made by ringing uo the Royal Hotel