COUNTY COUNCILS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11671, 11 April 1916, Page 3

COUNTY COUNCILS.

WAIMAIRI. Tho Waimairi County Council met yesterday ; ptresent—Messrs S. A. Staples (in the chair), T.' D. Boag, S. Bullock, W. P. Spencer, W. Niholis, G. E. Currie, R. W. Hawke, F._ Sisson and J. Fitzpatrick. Tho chairman reported that in accordance with a resolution passed at the last meeting, two additional sanitary inspectors had beon appointed. Tho engineer's report on tho work of the month was adopted.The Christchurch Fire Board wrote with reference to fire protection, asking for details of the area desired to be placed under tho protection of the board. It was decided to supply the data requested. The Tramway Board wrote stating that tho road between tho tram lines on the Riccarton Road would be attended to. The District Health Officer drew tho attention of the Waimairi County Council yesterday to tho insanitary state of tha Bide channel in Cutler's Road, Riccarton. The aitatoment of ridings accounts waa as follows:—Styx, debit balance £451 10s lid; Marshland, .credit balance £277 19s 2d; Avon, debit balance £222 18s; Belfast, credit balance £IBO 10s 8d; Harewood, credit balance £6B 4s 8d: Papanui, credit balance £5 14s lid; Wairarapa, credit balance £2ll is 7d; Riccarton, credit balance £2OO 16s 7d; Fendalton, credit balance £446 4s 8d; Middleton, credit balance £146 16s 3d; Fendalton loan, credit £363 19b Id; James Avenue loan, credit £l7 Gs Id; Scotston loan, credit £95 2s 6d; Shirley loan, credit £721 Is 4d; electric lighting loan, credit £16,040 2s 3d; Hillmortcn loan, credit £1663 19s Id. The financial report for the year ending March 81 showed a debit balance of £22 8s 2d. The report was adopted. OXFORD. Tho Oxford County Counoil met on Tuesday; present—Messrs J. Wells (chairman), Alex. Baxter, H. Campbell, J. Cross, D. Hawke and E. W. Meyer. The f surveyor repo'rtcd regarding the. Cooper s Creek main race flume over Gamman s Creek that a considerable amount of repairs was necessary. It could be done span by span so that the water could, be turned on every evening until tho following morning. It was resolved that the necessary materials should be procured eo that the work could be done in May, when ithe water would not be so much missed. Regarding a water supply from the Waimakann River, it was considered advisable, be■lOi an engineer, to ascertain, the probable effect of dirty water on the pumps and turbine. Tho clerk was asked to work out the increased area that could be watered. Tho foreman leported the result of; his • sanitary inspection, having served thirty-six notices for pajemieos being in an unsatisfactory state. It was resolved that notice to clean Weylands Creel: should be served on the owner; to call tenders for cleaning ditches on High Street, Main Bush Road the Terrace and Woodside, also for shingling Depot Gorge Road on each side of the railway crossing and to repair the Oxford pound and put in a sump and a concrete channel from the pound cottage., It was resolved to erect a notice board at ;the corner of Lees Road, opposite the post office, stating that horses are not allowed to, be left on the road; also to request tho constable not to allow motors and vehicles to congregate on the main street, more especially near the saleyards and the Co-op. It was resolved to call for fresh tenders for 'traction engine work and for blacksmithing. The Eyre water race caretaker was reappointed for twelve months. It was resolved to call for lenders for ploughing the Domain Road, also that the .Waimakariri Water Supply Board's fates for 1914-15 should be refunded.. Regarding the railway traffic manager's suggestion to alter the time of the north train on Saturday evening, the council was not in favour of reverting to tho old time-table. Permission wa s granted Mr W. Ryde to plough side of Welch's Road to destroy goree. Regarding a circular from the Public Works Department in connection with grants for roads and bridges, it was resolved to apply "for a grant towards re-decking the Eyre bridge. The credit balance at the bank on March 31 was £1079 0s lOd. and cash in hand since banked £59 13s lOd. Accounts amounting to £436. 12s 7d were passed for' payment. ASHLEY. The Ashley County Council met at Loburn On Friday; present—Messrs Hugh ■ Ensor (chairman), Hiatt, Joyce, O'liolioran? Parish and Wilson. Sympathy was expressed with Mr Philpott in his coniinued i.l-health.

The clerk was instructed to notify traction engine proprietors that the heavy traffic bylaws of the county, which had been relaxed during the summer, would bo strictly enforced, the clerk and the foreman being instructed to report breaches. The resident engineer, Christchurcli, notified his wish to roduce the steep grade of tho G,lentui cutting east while- the bridge works were in progress. He forwarded an outline plan, , and stated ho would diacuss the matter on the spot with councillors. The thanks "of the council wore voted to the engineer, and arrangements were made. It was stated atao that the Automobile Association would- be informed of the proposal. A petition was received from AVhite Rock ratepayers asking for a, light bridge over tho Karehi. The clerk was instructed to prepare estimates for the next mooting. Tho secretary of the Belgian Relief Fund wrote for a monthly quota from th& council. It wa3 decided to take the matter into consideration as soon as the council had finished with the present quota to the Patriotic Fund. Thanks were accorded Colonel Millton for a copy of the " Journal of forwarded by him to the' chairman, contairmg his articles on the collecting of boulders ■ I from the stony lands of Canterbury. I I The- Washpool Road being reported to require further provision for drainage the chairman agreed to inspect it with'Mr O'Halloran. Tho clerk reported on the scarcity of loams for road repair, nnd it was decided that a committee should meet in Random. to discuss terms and conditions, and advertise requirements. The c.erk reported a large credit balance at March 31, now mostly pledged for -bridges under way. A paysheet. of £6Bl Is 5d was passed, including lodgments to the public' works account for the Glen'iui and Makerikeri bridges. The County Patriotic Committee met during the afternoon and it was decided to ask the county canvassers to repeat their applications "for quota payments in cases not fully paid up. Mr O'Ha'.lor&n notified the receipt of an oil painting, which ho wished to be raffled for the queen fund, and the clerk was instructed to obtain the Minister's permission, the thanks of the committee being also accorded Mr O'HaHoran. A letter of thanks was voted to Mr C. C. Peterson, Rangiora, for a donation of £1 10s to the qtio'iv fund. It was decided to meet again on Wednesday evening to make arrangements for the queen coronation at Amberley. KAIKOURA. The JLaikoura County Council met on Saturday; present—Messrs James Boyd (chairman), J. Gilbert, J. W. Harris, J. Johnston, H. Mackle, F. J. Monk and Renner. Mr R. Latter wrote urging expedition in closing "paper" ronds on tho Gren_ Hills country. The council agreed to facilitate matters as much as possible. Mr R. S. Rounthwaiio, C.E., asked, for information regarding reported failure of water from Luke's Creek, which at the time of his inspections had a volume of wa-ter many times in excess of that required to supply Kaikoura town j several times over at a. time declared to be tho driest season on record. It was resolved that Mr' Rounthwaite should be informed that the supply had, when inspected by members of the council diminished four-fifths, and was in consequence, considered inadequate. Tho Hospital Board asked the council to' bear part of the cost of the special inspection (made at tho council's request) of Kaikoura town and district by an officer of the board It was asireed that the board shcu.d be asked what proportion of euch expense Kaikoura was expected to refund. The chairman of the Reermtmg Board thanked the council for its readiness to assist in recruiting. His Excellency the Governor's private secretary advised that his Majesty tho King had commanded that his appreciation of the council's resolution of sympathy with him in his accident should bi> conveyed to members. The Minister of Justice forwarded a copy of complaint made bv Mr James Dovle that the County Council had not treated him fairly in connection with impounding stock, and an explanation was asked for. It was decided that the_ Minister should be informed, in effect, that investigation made by the council did not sustain Mr Doyle's complaint. Mr T. Lawson presented tho council with the model made by him (and exhibited at tho late agricultural and pastoral show) of suggested improvement of Takahanga Domain. It was > decided to thank Mr Law°on for his gift, and to express the councils appreciation of the artistic„excellence of his work. The Publio "Works Department advised payment of £2OO for improvement of the track leading to Stag-Spey block. In compliance with the Public Works Deartpment's circular it was decided to ask that votes should be provided for bridging Cribb Creek, the. Kahutaru and Charnell Rivers (on tho Kaikoura-Waiau Boad), and the Black Miller and Limestone Creek streams on the Kaikoura-Clarence Road. The tender of J. W Smi'h at £lO6 was accepted for work on the Post Office cutting, the Government subsidising ■ the council to the extent of £4O. this being part of the Ministers promise of Ka.ikoura-PaTnassus Road improvement. It was aeieed to accepfc a Government grant of £IOO on a £ for £ basis to a road down the Conwav (from the Kaikoma-tPar-naasus Road) to Mr W. A. Monk's.