COUNTY COUNCILS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10538, 13 August 1912, Page 1

COUNTY COUNCILS.

WAIMAIRI. The ordinary meeting of the Waimairi County Council was held on August 5: present—Messrs S. Bullock, R. W. Hawke, W. Hall, J. Hanna. R. 0. Duncan, F. Sisson, W. P. Soencer, W. Nicholls and W. J. Walter. In the absence of the chairman, Mr S. A. Staples. Mr Walter was voted to the chair. Mr Gibbs interviewed the Council in refeience to the summons issued against him for rates, when lie was only a. monthly tenant. He asked to be refunded the costs. Tho Council deferred consideration of the matter. Tlie Finance Committee recommended that the following rates should be struck: Harewood and Middleton ridings, a general rate of three farthings in the pound; Wairarapa, Hagley, Papanui, Riccarton and Fendalton ridings, three farthings in the pound, a special rate of five thirty-seconds of a penny in the pound for hospital and charitable aid rates; Belfast, Marshland and Styxridings, one penny in the pound, and a special rate of five thirty-seconds of a penny in the pound for hospital and charitable aid; Avon riding, 1 :\d in the pound, also a hospital and charitable aid rate of five thirty-seconds of a penny in tho pound. Mr Brown waited on the Council in reference to Spencer's drain, and made several suggestions. Several residents of Fendalton wrote complaining, about trees overhanging tho roads, and it was decided to give the owners notice to cut the trees. It was reported that the delegates from the Council had met.the delegates appointed by the City Council and Woolston Borough Council in reference to the upkeep of the Marshland Road. It had been decided to hold a meting on August 22, at tlie City Council Chambers, to further consider the matter. The engineer reported that several traction engines had not been licensed, and contractors rrero not taking out building permits. Re was instructed to issue sumaionscs against all who failed to comply with tha by-laws. It was stated that the owners of property facing Fendalton Road had agreed to tho suggestion that the tramway poles should be placed inside their fences. Permission was granted to the Provision and Produce Company to lay a pipe from its w-:" ks through Belfast to the Waimakariri River. It was decided to attend to the footpaths on Watson's Road, and to place handrails to make the Travis Road bridge more safe.

TAWERA. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Tawera County Council was held on August 5 ; uresent—Messrs Seymour (chairman), Carter, Evans, Johnson, Manson and Rutledge. The Agricultural Department wrote asking for an expression of opinion on a proposal to exempt plantations from rates. The Council considered the. proposal favourably. The Kiwitea County Council wrote suggesting that the PostmasterGeneral should be asked to reduce the charge on all bureau connections made per medium of private telephone lines on distances not exceeding twenty-five miles from 6d to 3d. It was decided to comply with the request. The clerk was instructed to make inquiry with a view to having Springfield connected by telephone with Christchurch. Mr Robert Milliken waited on the Council and asked that a road should be made up the south bi.nk of the Kowai to the property he had recently purchased. It was decided that as many of the members as were able should visit the place and see what arrangement could be made. The clerk stated that considerable damage had been done to the approaches to the Hawkins bridge by the recent floods, and all tho fords in the Kowai had been washed out. The roadman on tho West Coast Road reported that during the past week he had made a track through the snow on Porter's Pass, but that a subsequent fall had filled it up again. During the past year the poles erected as guides in Starvation Gully had gradually disappeared, and the road was now dangerous. It was stated that when the road was only used by % stock-drovers and travellers who knew the value of the poles, they were left alone, and it was only since Lake Lyndon had become a popular summer resort that they had disappeared, owing probably to the scarcity of firewood.

OXFORD. The Oxford County Council met on August present—Messrs H. Campbell (chairman), C. F. Bassett, A. Baxter, H. T. Cooner, J, Cross, J. M'Cormack and J. "Wells. he clerk reported on the proceedings at the' conference of the Eyreton, Rangiora and Oxford County Councils at Rangiora regarding the framing of by-laws. The surveyor reported that all the fords were considerably damaged by the floods, and that several holsters would be required. The swine bridge over the View Hill Creek had been completed. He was authorised J o place a similar one over Mounsey's Creek on tho Ram-pad dock Road. It was resolved to ask the owners to sell two or three acres of land where required for the purpose of providing gravel pits. Mr T. Vincent was granted permission to alter a water-race. A deputation from View Hill waited on the Council with the request for a footbridge over Rainey's Ford. It was resolved that if mora footbridges were wanted a loan must be raised, and the ratepayers of the immediate legality must be prepared to pay the cost of the loan and interest. It was resolved that gates with proper fastenings must be placed on Lilley's Road; that Mr J: Inch should bs requested to open his fence to allow storm water to pass in its natural course, or the Council would do so; that Wright's and Carlton Roads through the scrub should be ploughed as soon as possible; that Messrs Ward and Co. should be requested to remove the dilapidated building on High Street, and Mr Dal ley to remove the old coal-slieds on Main Street; that the Warren Road should be opened up by making a block cutting at the Terrace. The Under-Secre-tary for Crown Lands wrote for information regarding roading the backblocks. The following tenders for leasing reserves were accepted:—Reservo 1805, Mr W. Skurr, £4 per annum: 2634, Mr S. M'Kce. 10s: 2138, Mr T. Cleeve, £3 40s: ?RBO, Mr K. Martin, £1; adjoining U.S. 30,5G1, Mr T. Cooper, £4. Is; raising the pound cottage, Mr'T. L. Gainsford, £oo 10s. 'ft was decided to apply for authority I to complete the Ashley Gorge Road. I Accounts amounting to £"527 14s 8d i wore passed for payment.