LEVELS COUNTY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20097, 2 May 1935, Page 6

LEVELS COUNTY

MONTHLY MEETING HELD » ROUTINE BUSINESS The monthly meeting of the Levels County Council was held yesterday. Present—Messrs C. E. Rerr (in the chair), R. G. Cleland, T. W. Brosnahan and J. E. P. Cameron. Mr Rerr said that the chairman was unfortunately unable to be present on account of indisposition, and they all hoped that he would soon be restored to normal health. Financial Position The/ chairman, reviewing the financial position, said that the credit balance at April 3 was £5106 13s 3d. During the month £393 17s 8d was expended, and cash received totalled £3ll 2s, leaying a total credit of £5023 17s 7d. Accounts to be passed totalled £4459 15s 3d, leaving a credit of £564 2s 4d. Mr Rerr said that the accounts appeared to be large, but they included Fulton’s contract. Of this amount, however, the Highways Board would refund £2OOO, so the Council’s position was better than it appeared. Hemlock The Council confirmed a resolution passed at a special meeting declaring hemlock a noxious weed in the county. Mr Rerr said that he thought the action was on right lines. He had noticed the spread of ragwort in other parts of the country, and the position would become the same if action was not taken in regard to hemlock. In terms of the resolution. they could order the eradication of the weed, and if the work was not done, the Council could put a man on to do it, and charge the cost to the land owner. Raincliff Deviation Mr F. Langbein, representative of No. 15 Highways District on the Main Highways Board wrote stating that the Board concurred in the acceptance of the tender of R. Rydd of £312 19s 6d for the deviation near the Raincliff Bridge. Approval was also given for the purchase of land and legalisation estimated to cost £6l ss. Opihi School Road The secretary of the Opihi School Committee wrote drawing attention to the state of the grass road leading to the school. At present the road was in a bad state of repair, being scoured up on all the clay facings, and was positively dangerous to any vehicular traffic. It was agreed to have the road attended to as soon as possible. Suggested Tree Planting The South Canterbury Federation of Women’s Institutes wrote stating that they were desirous of planting where possible on highway roads in the county trees and shrubs (native ones where possible) on one side of a road only. The trees would be planted singly and some distance apart, and fenced round to protect them from stock. The Institute desired to start on a stretch on the left side of the Main Road from Opihi bridge toward Timaru.

Mr Rerr said he was sure they were in sympathy with the work, but they were contributing to the Beautifying Association, and the position would have to be looked into. He suggested that the Federation be asked to communicate with the Canterbury Beautifying Association and ascertain what steps were being taken in regard to this district.' Mr Cameron said that it was essential that the trees be properly fenced. In the Mackenzie County barbed wire had been used, and this had torn the wool from the sheep, and the enclosures now looked like back yards. Mr Brosnahan said that the distance the trees were to be planted from the road line was an important one. It was agreed to ask a representative of the Federation to attend the next meeting, and explain the proposal more fully. Bad Railway Crossing The Automobile Association (South Canterbury) wrote drawing attention to the bad state of the railway crossing to the lime works at Cave, and asking that something be done to improve the crossing. The engineer was instructed to look into the matter and report. Engineer’s Report In his report the engineer (Mr T. Black) reported that the approximate expenditure on works during the month was £922 2s. The cost per week was £230 10s 6d, as against £202 15s Id per week last month. The refund from the Highways Board for the month was £290 6s 6d, leaving the cost to the Council for the month £631 15s 6d, reducing the cost per week to £157 16s 4d. The engineer also detailed the work done in the various ridings during the month.