COUNTY COUNCILS

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16146, 26 February 1918, Page 5

COUNTY COUNCILS

WAIPAUA. Tie manuUy meeting of tho "tVaipara County (Jouncii was lieici on Saturday. i J ro. sent—Air K. Evans (chairman), Crs. D. I). ilcFariane, and O. T. Svans. Apologies lor iiodt-noe was received lvoia Ore. AJ.ci.tue and N. D. Campbell. The clerk's report stated that the financial position was a-a toilows: —County fund account in credit J&SUOD, Huruuui bridge loan account in credit £1300, land fund account in credit £J£S. Tho "work at the Greta bridges and roadway had been suspended for the present, tho work having been made socure against floods. Five teama were enr gaged in ehingling the Cheviot road. The contractor draining the Bwimip on Hyde's road was making good progress. Correspondence was received from Mr W. F. Pannett asking fox a bridgo over tho "VVaikari river leading to his property. The clcrk was instructed to enquire if Mr Pannett was prepared to assist on the same conditions on wjiich other bridges had been built. Tho District Engineer New Zealand Bailways, wrote regarding the necessity of taking out a deed for the crossing of telephone lines at Omihi and Scargill. It was resolved that the deed be mado out and the amount charged to tho telephone account. Mr H. Acton Adams wrote, asking mat Eobcrt'e cutting be graded. It was resolved that he bo informed that tho Council had had the matter under consideration for some time, and that the work would be carried out as soon as possible. Tho Automobile Association wrote, asking for aupport in asking the Minister of Railways to make a subway or erect automatic gates at tho Styx crossing. It was resolved that there wero a great many crossings in iS T orth Canterbury just as dangerous, and that the matter be left "to the local authorities. The Manawatu Comity Council wrote, asking that support bo give to induce the Minister of Kailwuys to run race trains, ao the extra motor traffic did a lot of damage to the roads. The letter was received. j The following resolutions wero submitted from a public mooting of ratepayers held on the 12th instant:—'"That this meeting of ratepayers ie strongly in favour of accepting the North Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board's offer of assistance to build a cottage hospital and maternity homo in the county, and we are prepared to he taxed to meet tho expense." Also, "That tho Council bo induced to instajl an up-to-date lighting plant in the new office and board room." Tho resolutions were approved. A petition, signed by fourteen residents of Scargill and surrounding districts was received, asking that tho Council take no action for the present regarding tho building of a hospital. It was decided that as the meeting of ratepayers was a representative one, they could not do other than carry out their request. AKAROA. The monthly meeting of tho Akaroa County Council was held at Duvauchelle on Saturday. Present—Messrs J. R. Thacker {in the chair), J. D. Bruce, and E> Hay. Apologies were received from Messrs T. Stewart, C. B. Thacker, and Fred. Williams. The Manawatu County Council wrote forwarding copy of resolutions dealing \vtth the extra wear and tear on roads by motor traffic in race time owing to the withdrawal of race trains, and asking the Government for financial assistance. —Received. The Haiswell County Council notified arrangements for a conference of local bodie3 interested to deal with the question of maintenance of tho Main Traffic road from Little Kiver to Christchurch. Mr Bruce was appointed to represent the Council at tho conference. The Minister of Public 'Works wrote elating that ho would notify the Council as soon as possible when ho would be able to receive a deputation in connexion with the extension of the Lake Coleridge scheme to the district. The Canterbury Education Board wrote asking if thq County Council would convey to the Board a portion of an unusucd road adjoining the Okain's Bay School, such portion to Be used for school purposes.—Agreed to, subject to the consent of tho Okain's Bay Road Board. The Education Department wroto soliciting assistance towards the Kitchener Scholarship Fund. Consideration was deferred till a full mooting. The question of motor-car licenses was discussed. It was resolved to obtain legal opinion with respect to the position of unlicensed cars that occasionally plied for passenger traffic. The Okain's Bay Cemetery Board wrote stating that tho following had been duly elected members:—Messrs E. W. Harris, C. F. C. Moore, H. H. Harris, A. T. Mason, and S. Harris. Mr Bruce reported that as tho AkaroaWainui Road Board missed a meeting during grass seeding, he had not yet been able to discuss with it tbe question of impounding stock found at large. Mr Hay reported that in company with Mr Templin (electrical engineer) he had examined poles and other material in view of tho probable extension of the Coleridge scheme to the Peninsula. The material was all of good quality. It was reported that the tender of Messrs Triggs and Denton had been accepted for the 6uppiy of dog collars. Tho chairman stated that, as members were aware, the Supreme Court had quashed the Council's appeal in xospcct to the mtor by-law dealing with night travelling of motors on Peninsula roads. The by-law had been declared ultra vires, and it would now be nccessary for the Council to take the necessary steps to delete it.