COUNTY COUNCILS.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17472, 5 June 1922, Page 4

COUNTY COUNCILS.

ASHLEY. The annual meeting of the Ashley County Council was held on Thursday last. Prosent—Councillors Hugh Ensor (chairman), Barwell, Bennett, Dawson, O'Halloran, Miller, and Pliilpott. Cr. En3or was unanimously re-elected chairman, and in returning thanks he said that the current year would be a difficult one. .13 the Council had resolved to pay down for its share of the Garry bridge. He heartily thanked Cr. Miller for his service (13 deputy-chairman. Members regretted that Cr. Miller would not continue in this position, and appointed Cr. J. P. M. O'Halloran. The Counci'. recorded its hearty appreciation of the clerk's work during the past y The ordinary meeting followed, and the chairman reported on the recent meeting of the oommittee of the Power Board of the combined districts, in which most of the Ashley County was included. Cr. Ensor stated that if dairying were pushed on, in the county the getting of the current would be facilitated, though farming was cloße enough in some portions already to warrant the lines. . Messrs Hastings, Bridge, and Parkinson forwarded the plans of tho survey of the Garry bridge ro;»d deviation, and tho chairman wan asked to make necessary arrangements with adjacent landowners. The annually-recurring nuisanoe of gorseH frontages was brought up, and a written request from ratepayers for attention to the matter was read. It was agreed that the statutory measures would have to be adopted unless tho notices to clear received more attention. Notices were authorised in .the case of two roads, and in further coses as the need became apparent. Crs. O'Halloian and Philpott were asked to secure teams for the repair of the main road through the Mt. Thomaß riding.

Tho clerk was authorised to offer the lessee of reserve 22J3 free tenancy in exchange for shingle from the terrace bank further up the No. 2 road. Thß frontagers on this road reported that, as soon as the ground softened a little they would use a tiaction plough on the roadside 4 preparatory to formation. The executive of the New Zealand Counties' Association wrote, stating that it had heartily adopted tho proposal that the Hon-' pital levy should be calculated two-thirds on capital value, and one-third on population, and it would urge the Minister's acceptance. The St-lwyn County Council wrote that it had in hi.nd a. further conference in.: Christchurch, and the Ashley Council expressed tlio hope that North Canterbury couilties would write in hearty support.

Tho Highways Conferenoe in "Wellington was referred to, r.nd the chairman asked, if possible, to -attend.

Cr. Dawson reported considerable experimenting with phosphorised wheat for the destruction of small birds. The result was now efficient woriking, and the cost trifling, and it was to be hoped that farmers would regularly apply at the office, during the winter, for grain. Cr. Dawson was thanked, and asked to oontinue the work.

A vote of thanks was accorded Mr Henry Bennett for his trouble in securing a very serviceable draught hol:se for the use of the Council.

This striking of the general rate was fully considered, and it was decided to notify a three-farthing rate for the Loburn-White Bock Hiding, and eleven-sixteenths for the Mt. Thomas, these rates being the same as last year. No special rate would be collected.

Cr. Miller eaid that the present county rotids bore too heavily on. the resources of the Loburn-White Rock Riding-. After ful7 discussion, the Council agreed to Cr. Miller's motio-n that the Carrs-Sinclair road, and the Round Hill road be made county ronds.

Messrs George Croft, J. Macleod, and T. Pulle-v interviewed the Council in. regard to an Honours Board for the county. Mr Croft stated they represented the committer. appointed during the war for conductins; farewells and welcome homes. They held now about £3O, and a reoent public meeting had authorised an approach to the Council for the acceptance and supplementing of this sum, and the con-truotion of an Honours Board. After fliscureion it was agreed that the Council accede to the request, and that Mr .Dawson and the members of the deputation carry the matter through, piving the board into the charge of the Loburn Domain Board at the Council's V'ill.

Cr. Philpott was authorised to go on with the plantation, at the Okuku brdge, and Saturday, July 3«t, waß appointed foT the inspection cf some of the roads of the county.

HALSWELL. At the adjourned annual meeting of the Halawell County Council there were prosent—Crs. G. Mulcock, E. Paterson, H. Stuart, H. Eaglesome, and P. Macartney. Cr. Mulcock was unanimously re-elected chairman for the ensuing year. It was resolved that the date of ordinary meetings be fixed for the third Thursday in eaph month. The clerk was instructed to m®k« application for grants for various works to be carried out. The Paparua County Council forwarded a copy of a letter from the Hailway Department regarding the siding into the shingle reservo at Birdling's Flat, and' it was agreed l to join in a meeting of the Councils interested) to be held shortly. The Halswell School Committee wrote asking that a foot-bridge be erected at the Blacksmith's corner, for the purpose of providing a safe crossing for schtyu children, and it was agreed to accede to the request. Thn clerk vas instructed to serve jotico on certain occupiers to have their fences cut back. The Hospital and Charitable Aid Board notified that its levy on the county for the current year would be £330 19s Id. A letter from the Timaru Borough Council regarding the method of forming Power Boards waa received. Crs. Paterson and Mortem were elected a Finance Committee, and Crs. Paterson and Stuart an Electricity Committee.