COUNTY COUNCILS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16159, 13 March 1918, Page 9

COUNTY COUNCILS.

AMUR I. ! At ihe mooting of tlie Amuri County Council there wore present—M'e«srs M. Beu.cll (chairman), H. T. Heaven, H. 15. Davison. J. Loe, jun.. K. Pctiigrew, G. Fulton, G. O. Rutherford, B. Hampton, and W. H. Atkinson. I Mr J. H. ilcKie wrcte complaining of tbe | state of the road from his lioubc to the I tovr_?h;p. Tho overecer was directed to r.ttend to tbe road ay soon as possible. The secretary of the Huruaui Rabbit Board Trust, offered the use of the hut at a rental of 5s per month. The offer was accepted. Mr W. G. Morrison forwarded a list of subscribers towards tho erection of a light bridge over Dos creek. Har.mer SuriDgs. The clerk was directed to prepare a plan of the proposed bridge aud to draw up an agreement aii between tho settiore and Council relative to promised contributions. C'r. Rutherford complained of the state of t!ie Kiuimer river protective* works. The chairman and overseer were appointed to make an inspection. Tna clerk was directed to advertise for n-.c.i and teams necessary to commence the protcctipn works at, tlu "Bay of Biscay." It v.-ae decided to pay labourer.", the minimum wage of 10s per day. It was resolved that the hut complained of by G. Denton ehor.ld bo overhauled and any necessary improvements effected. It wiis resolved that 1h» grader should proceed to tho road from St. Leonard road to the Hound after coaipioting the Kaikoura road. Mr H. Farrow wrote suggesting the use ol the grader to throw back spoil from the aide of tho revive drain, also offering two-horse team and scoop at 30a per day. Tho overseer wiUi directed to inspect and ;cuke arrangements accordingly, the use of tho grader being allowed. J. Kennedy, f-iirfacemun, Kaikoura road, gave one month's notice as from February •23th, 1318. It wan decided to accept his resignation and to advertise for one tv.ohoi«e team and ono man with horse nnd gig for the Kaikoura road, the wages for tho latter to be 133 Ud per day. It was decided to oiler G. Arr.cr, surfacerr.iui, AVaiau, £'1 per day fov a two-liorse teuni. It was also decided to grant an increase in wages of'ss lid per day to L. Ho'f. Tho secretary of tho Automobile Association eoiit a resolution asking the Railway Department to give motorists and pedestrians greater protection &t the Styx crossing. It waa resolved to support the resolution, and forward a copy to Mr G. W. Forbes, M.P. Tho county clerk, Manawatu. forwarded a resolution asking tho Government to run race trains to relievo tho cost of upkeep of roads caused by heavy motor traffic at race tiinco. It was decided to support tho Teflolution. The town clerk, Auckland, requested the co-operation of the Council in urging the retention of Samoa in British hands after the war. The resolution was endorsed. It waa decided to write to 31 r B. Seth Smith stating that the rabbit gate Between Cheddar Valley and Colonel Chaffoy's required attention. Quotations for timber were received from R. W. Home and Co., Itoeee Bros., and the ICoiapoi Timber Company. It was decided to accept Home and Co.'s quotation, and the clerk was directed to order any of the hardwood suitisblo for the I.owor Waiau bridge. The tendern of Butler and Mayo for metalling Balmoral, Hawkowood. Grass, and Sherwood roads, and that of A. J. Sunckell for metalling Kaikoura. road, wore accepted. The tender of Butler and Mayo for the formation of Highfield ertreet was declined. Cr. H:impton drow attention to the state of tho Tfiilway crossing and culvert at FlintofTs corner. The overseer was directed to soe tbe resident engineer concerning suijie. The clcrk was directed to write to the resident engineer to clear the stream at the water table at the Bluff. Rotherham. Tho Valuer-General's Department forwarded £1111 lCs as subsidy on rates collected. Tho Council's solicitors stated _ that the nv "• by-laws were being examined and I soon be forwarded. . :io district engineer gavo the total amount authorised for the Waian bridge, and tho ovsreeer was directed to send him proposals for ..expenditure and the plan showing bye-ps-ss. Spccial meetings were held tho same day, the same members being present with tho osception of Cr. Atkinson. The balance-sheet for the half-year ended September HOtli wa3 adopted. On the proposal of the chairman, iieconded by Cr. Beaven, the motor by-lawn Kere adopted.

WAIREWA. The AVairewa County Council met oil Saturday. Presen J. V. Chapman (chairmam), Crs. J. i\ Buchanan, G. Barclay, J. O. Coop, and M. Cooney. An' apology for absence was received from Mr \7. J?. Parkinson.

H. Niblett wrote regarding the erection of three finger-posts on the portion of the Kinloch riding under his charge. Tho request was agreed to. Mrsil'ary Walker wrote regarding tho sale o£ her property at Little Kiver. The clerk Wfl3 instructed to proceed, with the matter and to report at tlie next meeting. Tho Manawatu. County Council forwarded a resolution to the effect that the abolition of race trains bad caused much extra wear and tear on the roada in the matter of motor traffic, and requesting that the running of race trains be resumed.

Cr. Barclay stated that it wa« absolutely ghastly the way, tho railway trams were fun. Private firms at present were carrying on under great disabilities, but were doing their boat in the circumstances. On the other hand, the Railway Department threw up its hands and worked the railways for nothing exoopt loss of revenue. It was ro3olve<l to* fall in with the view of tlie- Manawatu County Council, and that tho Minister of Railways and ;the General Manager be asked to send in their resignations to the National Government on account •£ the general mismanagement of the railways. The clerk was instructed to write to the Hon. C. A. C. Hardy, M.L.C.. and the Manawatu County Council in these terms. The town clerk, Christchurch, wrote regarding a conference to be held to consider the Arthur's Pass tunnel. Subject to his approval, Cr. Parkinson was appointed to represent the Council at the conference. Tlie Director of Education, "\Vollington, wrote regarding the establishment of Kitchener Memorial Scholarships, and requesting assistance. The letter was received. Mr E. A. Kadford wroto regarding certain blocked drains. The matter was left in the hands of Cr. Cooney to attend to. The Department of Internal Affairs advised of certain alterations in the motor regulations requiring numbers on both front and rear of motor-care and motor-cycles, the back number on cara to be illuminated at night. ( II was proposed by Cr. Coop, eeconded by Cr. Cooney, and carried, "That the clerk make enquiries regarding the steps to be taken with a view to the appointment of a motor inspector in tho county with authority to give driving certificates to motorists." The Ilalswell County Council notified tlie time and place of meeting of_ the conference called to consider motor traffic. Cr. Cooney stated that before attending the conference he would like th© views of the Council in the matter. It was suggested by Cr. Coop that a iyre tax should be imposed on all motorists. Cr. Cooney said ho thought the Government should pay something towards the upkeep cf roads carrying heavy tourist traffic. The Springs County Council suggested that cxnert advice should be obtained regarding Miller's bridge. Motukursra. It was decided that Mr T. Qnealy be asked to represent the Council at the inspection of tho bridges, and that the Springs County Council be also asked to appoint an expert. Air Orton Bradley forwarded information regarding the payment of hospital fees.—Received with thanks. The town clerk, Auckland, submitted a resolution regarding the retention after the war former German possessions m the PaciSc. c-speeially Samoa. It was decided to reply suoporting the resolution. The Mayor of Christchurch wrote regarding the formation of a league for the advancement of Canterbury, and inviting the Council to appoint n delegate for th* conference on Mnrth. 21st next. Cr. Barclay was appointed to renresent. the Council. The cWk's Teport stated that no aophcaUons for the issue of licenses had been received from tbrer- Akaro3 motor-car proprietors plving for hire in the county though thev had been recently -written to. The matter'was left in the hands of the chairman and clerk to nrocecd with. The financial statement showed the receipts for the tr_±.tve bemi £872. the pressnt balance oeing approximately £4ao. The foreman reported on the work recently carried out. and" stated that the Council's whara at the outlet oi Lake Forsyth had been acain broken into. Cr. Cooney reported that Mr Don. Sanson had agreed to accent the position of foreman for tb<» KaHuna ridin?. UV Pnrkir.son had eeen Mr Otley regarding the necessary repairs to the house at Kaituna, and the matter wan being attended to. Cr. Barclay reported that Mr J. Markay'a road! also Mr S. Stanbury's. were badly "in need' of repair. Regarding Stanbnry'e road it was agreed to pay Mr Stanbnry fr.r any work be might do on the by-road leading up to his bouse. It was resolved that the matter of quarrying pieia' {rem Mr D. Gcbbie'c quarry be I—it in the hand? ci Org. Parkinson and Cooney.

Tho purchase of four horse.? wn« ]e/t <'c lie hands of Czs. Paikinjson and CconVj-.