COUNTY COUNCILS

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16157, 11 March 1918, Page 3

COUNTY COUNCILS

PAPAItUA. The ordinary mooting of the Paparua County Council was held on Thursday, when there were present—Messrs J. Leslie (chairman), Henley, Shipley, Morgan, San drey, Freeman, and Ryan. The water-race caretaker at the head works reported that a email flood in the river during the 'month had made it necessary to scoop a deeper channel into the head. This work had been done, and tho flow of water in the main had increased to normal. The flow of water generally had been good during the month, but a number of tho smaller water-race» had become eo overgrown with weeds as to require cleaning a. second time. The Halswell County Council .wrote stating that a meeting of delegates from adjacent counties would be held in tho Christchurch Drainage Board's offict on "Wednesday, 13th March, at 2 p.m., to discuss tho question of tho Akaroa motor traffic. A general discussion took place on tho question, and tho Council's representatives were given a free hand in the matter. The Minister of Internal Affairs forwarded a copy of an Order-in-Council amending th<» regulations under tho Motor Registration Act, 1908, in tho direction of making it compulsory for motorists to have their care or motor-cyclos numbered both at the back and at the front. The clerk was instructed to inform all motorists registered with the county of the alteration. Mr Creorgo Shipley wue appointed the Council's representative on the deputation to tbo Minister of Public Works, to urge on tho completion of tho Arthur'© Pubs tunnel. Mr James Leslie was appointed to represent the Council at the meeting called by tho Slityor of Christchnrch for March 21st, •to discuss the question of forming a league for the advancement of Canterbury. A deputation, consisting of Messrs Roydu and Field, waited on tho Council witli reference to tho effort now being made by tho Y.M.C.A. to collect the necessary funds for the carrying on of tho Association's work at the front. After tho deputation withdrew a discussion took place as to tho ,l?est method of assisting in this work, and it was decidcd to write to tho various Patriotic Associations in the county asking for their co-operation in tho matter of collecting what is considered a fair share for the district. The clerk presented a report dealing with the location of the etroct lights in the Sockburn riding, comprising in all 40 lights, and he was instructed to have tho necessary lamps installed by the Public Works Department ns soon ns possible. It was decided to pay half -the cost of upkeep of an oSctra. light at the Middletoii croeaing.

ASHLEY. The Ashley County Council met at Lobum on Friday. Present—Messra Hugh Elisor (chairman), Geering, Hiatt, Mcintosh, Pariah, and Wilson. Mr Thomas Croft interviewed the Council with regard to diverted streams at the new Ashley Bridge. Ho asked that the north bank should be protected below the bridge. It was decided to meet Mr Croft at tile spot on April 3rd. v Tho Council supported the Manawatu Council's resolution advocating the resumption of special trains for rac© meetings, and supported also the Auckland City Council's resolution strenuously advocating the retention by Britain of that portion of the Samoan Group taken from Germany. A circular waa received from the Education Department outlining tho Kitchener Memorial Scholarship scheme, of which Col. tho Hon. R. H. Rhodes, M.P., had provided £1000 as a nucleus, fcr sons of New Zealand soldiers. Tho chairman waa asked to represent tho Council on the deputation to Wellington promoted by the Arthur's Pass Tunnel Leaguo. Tho clerk was authorised to attend the conference in Christchurcli on March 21st for the purpose of forming a league for the advancement of Canterbury. On account of various bridge works being now completed sufficiently for traffic it was decided to ask the Hon. Sir William Fraser to pay his promised visit to the County. After discussion of patriotic grants, it was decided that on tho present occasion the sum of £50 be given to tho Salvation Army's war work. In reply to Messrs Cuningham and Taylor a report waa received from Mr Hiatt and the clerk with regard to the changed course of the Makerikeri at Barwell's Ford doing some damage to tho road and overflowing freehold low-lyiig land. On adjourning to visit the spot the Council found it quite impossible to shoulder any resrKmsibility. Some protective work to save tho road was authorised. Road requirements of the coming season were considered, and it was resolved to call tenders for about 2800 cubic yards of gravel for the Main road to North Loburn, and tonders aiso for shingling on a portion of Dobson's road. Patching work would ba dealt with laters Tho Rengiora County Council wrote with regard to rolling the new riverbed road, and it wn« decided to man} further endeavours to -do the preliminary claying. , Tho Committee of Advice met during th& afternoon. r