COUNTY COUNCILS.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18414, 22 June 1925, Page 4

COUNTY COUNCILS.

CHEVIOT. At the trdinary meeting o£ the Cheviot County Council there were jiresont: Ors. T. Stevc-nson, G. L. Rutherford, D. McLaren, W. L. Foster, and A. D. Anderson. In the absence of the chairman (Cr. J. H. L. Hiitt) Cr. Stevenson presided. The chairman and Councillors stood in silence for two minutes as a token of respect to the late Mr Massey. A communication was received from Sir F. Bell with respect to a memorial to the late PTrime Minister. It was decided, to approve o£ tho proposed plan, and a strong committee was appointed to carry out the necessary canvassing. Cr. Stevenson was appointed to represent tho Council in tho absence p£ ths chairman at tho next Highway Council meeting, to consider heavy traffic regulations, and the annual estimate for the ensuing year. The Minister of Lands, in roplylug to the Council's letter regarding „the matter of utilising portion of the surpllis money from the Conway Domain for tree planting, stated that it would receive consideration.

Mr L. Spanger applied for the right to fence off a portion of unused read at Fort Robiffßon, known as Campbell ntreot. The position not being known to tha Council, the engineer -was instructed to report' to next meeting. A letter was received from Mr G. R. Jfacdonald regarding his access road, which was read and considered, and rccoit\mcr.daiion made.

Heavy traffic regulations came up for consideration. Under tho Government regulations the Council decided that license fees should bo allocated amongst the counties of tho Highway District on rateable values. Cr. a. Douglas was granted three months' leave of absence to visit Canada.

General rates -were struck over the ridings, the amounts being from 11-16 of a penny to Id in the £ , and a hospital rate of 5-16 of a penny in the £. A deputation from the Cheviot War Memorial Committee, consisting of Messrs G, W. Forbes, M.P., N. D. C&ilnpbell, 8. Smith and Jas. Paton, waited on the Council with the request for & donation of £IOO towards tho war memorial. A grant of 425 was made.

At the annual meeting of the Council Mr J. H. h. Hiatt was unanimously fleotod chairman.

Tho annual balance-sheet, which hid been certified as correct by the Audit Office, was adopted and ordered to be printed, together with the report thereon.

OXFORD.

| At ilie monthly meeting of the Oxford County Council, there were present, Crs. E. "W. Meyer (chairman), It. p. Henderson, T, Horn, H. F. Luers, and J: McGratli. Apologies for absence iveru received frwn Crs. T. Poivell and A. Meyer. The monthly report, which was adopted, stated that tho footpaths in the township had been graded; tho shingling of Uurathill road completed; the scour in the main drain at F. Baxter's repaired, and tho - groynes below tho Eyre bridge commenced. "It was decided to grade the lJoiiiain ro.-.d between tlie main race an:l Wright I '* load. Mr L. 'Watson waited on tlir C'hi'Til on behalf of the Oxford Benevolent and Improrerr.enfc League with re_ji-J to *.ue Council 6ection next to the saleyards. He stated tlwt th 3 committee eet up by '.he League had had. plans prepared for the hail oo the Council's section, but owing to the Council not being prepared to sell the section, the League could not raise a mortI gage on tho hal'; the committee thorefore suggested thai) the Council should lend the money required, as the hall would eventually becomo the property of tho Council. Tho request was left in abeyance. Messrs D. Hawke, A. Baxter, and A. Newport waite*' on tho Council on behalf of tho Oxford Brass Band. Mr Hawke statedthat owing to tho epidemic the band had not been engaged as tho shows were j.-ut off and consequently the band wa3 6hort of funds. Ho stated that ths band was an asset to the county and suggested that the Council should make an annual grant to the band fund, 'iff Baxter stated that the Football Club leased the old Ccuncil office at £2 12a per annum and sub-leased it to th>* band at £2 per annum. He thought the Council should give tho use of the room to the band free cf cost. Mr A. Xcwport endorsed tho other speakers' remarks and ctated as a, bandsman he was prepared to turn out, free of charge, when called upon "by tho Council, and lie thought that a.l other bandsmen would do tho same. It was agreed to make. a donation of £lO towards the band fund, tho matter of tho lease "being held over. ! A deputation of ratepayers of tho Ji.yie CVuntv nr.d tho Oxford County waited on the Council. Cr. Horn, in introducing the deputation, slated that all the ratepayers

present wero men of standing Mid had county at heart. Thgy wore waiting on the Council to ask it to make ft grant towards the erection ct a bridge over the Eyre nver, and although the bridge would be m Eyre County, it would bo of jjreit vwu6 to fc great nutobflr of Oxford ratepayers, Mr Gnniaey stated that as one of the many Oxford ratepayers affected, ho .would liko to urge the Council to mako a geiieroua dotation 'towards the erection of the bridge. lie stated that some of the Oxford ratepayers had ®>ub" scribed £l5O towards the bridge, so the Council could see that they were prepared, to help themselves. Mr Woodfield stated ■that if the bridge were ereoted it would mean that they would hive a better l'unu mail service. .. ~ The chgirman said the. Council would consider their request and notify them <accMdingly. After tho deputation the Council discussed the request which wa3 held over till nest meeting. A letter was received from Mr W. Fcnwick asking the Council to lower tho footpath in front of his property. It was agreed to We the work done. , , _ Mr A. T. Barry a application to put a ram in a water-race was granted. . , , A letter was received frQUj the Oxford Farmers' Union urging the Council to do its utmost to bring olectncity uito tho county. It was decided to inform tho Union that tho Council intended to take another poll to ask the ratepayers to sanction a It was decided to grade Church street.