WAIMATE COUNTY COUNCIL

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21182, 1 November 1938, Page 3

WAIMATE COUNTY COUNCIL

Monthly Meeting Work on St. Andrews Footpaths The monthly meeting of the Waimate County Council was held yesterday. Present: Mr J. Bitchener (chairman), Crs H. M. Whatman, H. B. S. Johnstone, W. Lindsay, N. A. Rattray and A. N. Hayes. A resolution of sympathy with the relatives of the late Mr E. Stokes was carried in silence. Mr Stokes said Mr Bitchener, had been actively associated with the work of the council for a number of years as chairman of the Lower Waihao Water Race Committee.

and had done much towards the smooth co-operation of the council and the committee. He was a man who had served his generation well. The chairman reported that in company with Cr. Lindsay he had attended the memorial service held in Christchurch, in memory of the late Archbishop Julius. Tire acting-chairman of the Finance Committee (Cr. Lindsay) reported that the debit balance at the bank in October 1938 was £7722/2/10 (1937, debit £9286/13/10). The accounts presented yesterday totalled £4076/12/3. The receipts since last meeting amounted io £4052/13/9 made up mainly as follows: Rates 1938-39 £4O/17/9; rates 1937-38, £l2/10/-; rates arrears £7/14/4, S.C. Hospital Board rates £29/18/11, Timaru Harbour Board rates £7/13/6; Morven Drain District, special area rates £5/2/-, heavy traffic licenses £94/14/1; part of purchase price Douglas cottage £llO, petrol tax refund £57/6/-, hire of plat £1729/3/-, sales from yard £545 5/2. In the Lower Waihao Water Race account the balance at the bank in October 1938 was credit £4lB/15/7 (1937 credit £453/14/2). The accounts presented yesterday totalled £lO5/3/8. The report was approved. The engineer’s report, dealing with the work done in the County during the month, was adopted. Election Expenses The Controller and Auditor-General (Mr J. H. Fowler) writing in connection with the Council’s claim on the Timaru Harbour Board for election expenses advised that the Harbour Board had agreed to pay £2O/18/6 if any itemised statement were submitted. The writer had considered the claim of £7/7/- on behalf of the Returning Officer and had decided to reduce the charge to £5/5/-. If the council agreed to the settlement there would be no need for a formal award under the Harbours Act. Cr. Johnstone: We appear to have won the bout. The chairman: Witho'’.t a doubt. Cr Lindsay: I would remind members that the Harbour Board has debentures for sale, and it would be easier for them to pay these accounts if you would take up some. Hawke’s Creek Mr J. W. Armstrong, Hunter, forwarded a petition, signed by 26 ratepayers, asking for a bridge at Hawke’s Creek on the Hunter-Makikihi road.

During the winter, it was stated, motor traffic had been continually held up at that point. Cr. Johnstone said it was a matter of surprise to him why the work had not been done before. It was a muchused road, and one on which a Government subsidy might be procured. The engineer was instructed to report. Waihao Bridge On behalf of the Waihao Forks Saleyards Company, Mr H. H. Meredith, secretary, advised that the following resolution had been passed by the directors: ‘‘That the directors of the Waihao Forks Saleyards Co. Ltd., considered that the company is entitled to compensation for land taken by the Council in order to make a better approach to the Waihao Bridge and requests that the directors meet member s of the Council on the ground with a view to arranging a settlement.” The chairman: We quite expected that. Cr. Whatman said that the taking of the land had proved useful for the read and had not adversely affected property holders. He favoured the

payment of compensation and suggested that the chairman and himself meet the directors on the ground and report back to the council. The suggestion was approved. Tar-Sealing Footpaths Acting on the instructions of the Chief Postmaster, Timaru, Mr J. R. Trimble, Postmaster at St. Andrews, asked for the council’s decision on the top-dressing of the footpath in front of the Post Office. The Main Highways Board had advised that although the path was in front of a Government building, the footpath was required as much for the convenience of County ratepayers as for any other purpose and the Board’s standard subsidy of £1 for £1 for footpath work represented a measure of assistance not formerly available. The County Clerk read a legal opinion submitted by Mr F. M. Martin, counsel of the New Zealand Counties’ Association, as follows: “As footpaths are in all cases part of the highway, there can be in my opinion no obligation on the part of a local authority to contribute towards the cost of construction or maintenance of footpaths in cases where thei highway has been classified as a State Highway. That is to say unless the local authority is liable for a construction or repair of a highway, there can be no liability imposed upon it in respect of that part of the highway that consists of footpaths.” In a later statement, however, Mr Martin had qualified his opinion, placing an obligation on the local authority where the footpaths were in existence when the highways were taken over by the Board. Cr. Johnstone said the Board should put the width of the road in front of the Post Office, up to kerblng and channelling,' in good order. It was in a shocking condition at the moment. Cr. Lindsay expressed the opinion that the council’s money should be spent first on access for country settlers. Cr. Johnstone: I think we should take a definite stand and say that, as we are not satisfied with the conditions laid down, we won’t carry out the work. The council decided to act on the suggestion of Cr. Johnstone. Dog Collars Messrs J. Watson, Invercargill, were the successful tenderers for the supply of dog collars. GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS WILSON THE WINNER In the final of the men’s golf championship of the Waimate Club, T. A. Wilson defeated R. Deacon at the 37th hole. Wilson was three down on the morning round. This is the third occasion on which Mr Wilson has held the club championship. LADIES’ GOLF CLUB DRAW FOR TO-DAY The following is the draw for the eclectic competition to be played by members of the Waimate Ladies’ Golf Club this morning.—Mrs Rattray v. Mrs JuU, Mrs Waldie v. Mrs Fraser, Mrs A. Grant v. Mrs Macdonald, Mrs Kellett v. Mrs Healey, Mrs Ruddenklau v. Mrs Brock, Mrs Dyer v. Mrs Schraeder, Miss E. Bitchener v. Mrs P. Grant, Mrs Leadbetter v. Mrs Richards, Mrs Scott v. Mrs OHara, Mrs Watters v. Miss B. Bitchener, Mrs Chapman v. marker. The draw for the afternoon foursomes wil be made at the club-house at 1 p.m. Club Match The best scores returned in the one club match were: Miss J. Taylor 78 net, Mrs Leadbetter 79 nett, Mrs Dyer 80 nett. REPERTORY SOCIETY THURSDAY'S PRESENTATION One of the most ambitious drama productions to be staged in Waimate for many years is J. B. Priestley’s three act play “Laburnum Grove,” which is being staged in the Olympia Hall on Thursday. Under the capable eye of the producer (Mr W. P. Black), a very strong cast has been rehearsing solidly for two months and should give an outstanding performance. An augumented Savage Club orchestra of 14 instruments is co-operating, under the baton of Mr C. E. Manchester. The cast of the play is as follows.—George Radfern, Mr D. Newall; Mrs Radfern, Mrs N. A. Rattray; Elsie, Miss M. Leonard; Inspector Stack, Dr R. G.

Shackleton; Bernard Bailey, Mr R. G. Shackleton; Bernard Baxley, Mr R. G. Morgan; Harold Russ, Mr G. Aitken; Joe Fletter, Rev. H. C. Richards; Sergeant Morris, Mr J. C. Winning. PERSONAL Mr R. Eddy, of Wellington, is a visitor to Waimate. Messrs A. Lake, S. A. Clarke and J. P. Hawke, Inspectors of the Canterbury Education Board are at present in Waimate.