MID-CANTERBURY

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19174, 3 December 1927, Page 6

MID-CANTERBURY

ASHBURTON. COUNTY JUBILEE. Although the date for the celebration of the jubilee of the Ashburton County has not yet been fixed, in the absence of a definite date as to the rising of Parliament, all arrangements are well in hand. At the Council meefing yesterday it was reported that a luncheon would be held at which about 70 people would be present, after the driving of the peg on the site of the proposed new traffic bridge over the Ashburton river, by the oldest sitting Councillor, Mr W. T. Lill. Crs. 11. J. Crothers and J. Bruce expressed pleasure that the committee had now decided to celebrate the Jubilee in a fitting manner, and hoped that old identities would be invited. Invitations havo been sent to the Prime Minister, Minister for Public Works, tho Hon. Mr Nosworthy, the Hon. Mr Eolleston, Messrs D. Jones and T. D. Burnett, M.P.'s, Mr J. G. Turton, of Peel Forest (first person born in the County), chairman of tho Main Highways Board, chairman of the Highways Board Council, tho Mayor of Ashburton, twelve ex-councillors, chairmen of neighbouring County Councils, and representatives of all local public bodies, Rangitata Traffic Bridge. Repairs to tho Rangitata traffic bridge arc expected to be completed within two months, providing the weather is favourable. Reporting upon the bridge at the AsWburton County Council meeting yesterday, the engineer (Mr A. A. Fooks) said the repair gang had returned to the bridge for the purpose of completing the repairs, which would consist of removing and relaying certain portions of the decking which had not already been treated, the laying of longitudinal planking, bevelled at the outside edges with two and a half inches of asphalt between. The extra weight would not affect the bridge, and when completed the structure would not worry tho Council for many years. The report was received.

Magistrate's Court ■ There was a very short sitting of the Magistrate's Court yesterday. Messrs W. H. Bundle and R. Clark, J.P.'s, were on tho bench. A defended civil action was set down for hearing, but was adjourned sine die. The list contained four undefended civil claims, but only one reached finality. Tho Ashburton County Council received judgment against James Black for £3 Is, with costs Bs. Plunket Society. The quarterly country conference of the Ashburton branch of tho Plunket Society was held yesterday afternoon, when Mrs H. Hunter presided. Tho bal-ance-sheet for the past six months was presented by tho treasurer (Mr A. Bushell), and was considered satisfactory. .The nurse's report stated that in the town and Tinwald there had been 506 visits .to the rooms, and she had yisited 108 homes, while in the country there had been 212 visits to the rooms, and she had called at 100 homes. An interesting and instructive lecture on "Karitano Products" was given by the secretary (Miss E. Yates), for which she was accorded a vote of thanks.. • County Council.

The monthly meeting of the County Council, held yesterday, was attended by Crs, A. Horsey (chairman), W. G. Gallagher, H. (J. B. Wuhell, It. Houston, J. Bruce, J, Carr, H. K Jessop, J, Lambie, H. J. Orothers, J, Moore, jun., D. J. Morrow, and W'T. Lill. The iinancial statement showed that after allowing for payment of accounts amounting to X 4516 2s (id, there would bo a debit balance of £12,794 (is Id. 'The engineer's report stated that the Pudding Hill, North Ashburton auxliary, and other sources of supply in this district continued to fulfil requirements. Freshes in the Itakuia river had caused the supplies in the Acton main races to be irregular. A washout had occurred at McFarlane's terrace, north branch of the Ashburton river, and a number of trees from the native bush were' lodged in the river-bed. Trees had been anchored to posts as a protection against further encroachment, and to prevent cutting off the supply creek which runs parallel with the bank of the river. The main races in the Ashburton-Bangitata area were in good order. The races in the town district of Tinwald wero causing trouble, and owing to their neglected state were causing waste and depriving occupiers in the lower reaches of a full flow. The work of repairing the Pudding Hill, bridge was' proceeding steadily, but owing to the state of the bridge, unforeseen repairs occasionally appeared, and made much extra ■work. The formation work of the deviation of the main highway, Chrißtchurch-Dunedin, at Hinds township, had been completed, and the metalling would be proceeded with shortly. Authority to proceed with the construction of the deviation of the HindsKangitata road through Messrs Tarbotton and Hurley's properties, had been received, and tho formation work would be commonced in a few days. He recommended that immediate action be taken to protect a strip of land between tho supply channel and Rakaia river above the flood'gate at Acton main intake, which was in danger on account of erosion. Ho had inspected the site of tho proposed bridge over the lake stream near Mr Todhunter's at Lake Heron, and had made suggestions as to the site and class of bridge. He had asked the chief surveyor to supply the position of the public road. The report was adopted and the engineer was instructed to carry out the protection of Acton. The inspector (Mr E. N. Johnsou) stated that it was very satisfactory to report such a small number of infectious diseases, only one of scarlet fever at Flemiugton and Fairton, and one of tuberculosis from Allenton being notified. He spent two days on the traffic bridge checking the speed of motors. The number of cars exceeding the speed limit was very large, there being over forty. Thirty-seven summonses had been taken out so far, which would be heard on December 9th. He had issued 20 drivers' licenses during the month, making the total 222 G. The report was adopted. Cr. Withell said thu notice on one end of the bridge fixed tho speed limit at 10 miles per hour, and the one on the other end at 15 miles per hour, and suggested that they be made larger and both contain tho same speed limit. The suggestion was agreed to. Cr. Lill said the Ashburton bridge was notorious from Auckland to the Bluff for its speed limit. He considered the limit should bo increased to 20 miles per hour. It was stated that the inspector never took. action unless a motorist was exceeding 20 miles per hour. Arising out of the damage to the wooden bridge over the Ashburton main race on Moorehouse road, Cr. Moore said the time had arrived when side bridges over main races should bo substituted by concrete structures in the centre of the road. The bridge had been damaged by a seven-ton lorry, and warning notices should be posted up prohibiting anything over two tons crossing them. The latter suggestion was agreed to. The Council's attention was drawn to the serious erosion which was taking place on the north bank of the Rakaia river just above the bridge, and the possible danger of the approach to the bridge if allowed to continue. Cr. Crothers said the river had washed out a bay and suggested that the Railway Department and Selwyn County Council should be notified of the seriousness of the matter. This was agreed to. It was decided to take action against those ratepayers who did not clear gorse when served with a notice. The Southern CroBS Glass Co., Ltd., applied to the Council to attend to the unformed road running parallel with the railway leading to the company's factory. It was decided to reply stating that the Council had no power to spend money on the road, but it would be prepared to do the An application for refund of heavy traffic fees amounting to £lO. on a one-ton truck for 1925-26, was received from Mr R. J. S. Wilson, Mt. Hutt Rural, who said he was exempt from the tax and suggested that the incidence of heavy traffic taxation as it affected the farmer, be considered by the Council. , ... ~ . It was decided to reply regretting that the fees could not be remitted and stating that the regulations would be reviewed when the new ones came into force. With reference to the Council's application to the Valuation Department for a revision of land values in the county, a reply was received from the Valuer-Gennral stating that similar applications had beea «eceived from

other counties and boroughs. The volume of work was too much to be completed m .one . or two «.«, and districts would be revised in order of urgency. He was aware of the disturbance to uniformity caused by apohca; tions to new valuations lodged by individual owners, but no satisfactory remedy had been found Revision of the Ashburton county wa being deferred until next year's schedule of revision work was being drawn up. The **&™£?t& R. Bremner at 5s 7d per acrel per annum was accepted for a reserve of 63 acres at Fairfield.

RAKAIA. The monthlv meeting of the South Rakaia Road Board was held in the Board's office on Thursday. There were preseiit: .Messrs James Lambie (chairman), H. A. Harrison, G. S. Hardy, and Walter Lethara. The Clerk reported that receipts since last meeting amounted to £lO7 7s b'd and that rates unpaid totalled £1749 <s. It was resolved that the ten per cent, penalty be added to all rates remaining unpaid after January 28th, 1928 The Clerk reported that the Mam River road, Thompson's track, and WinohmoreLauriston roads had been patched and that G. Hutton had completed the Acton River road and Mamwanng s road contracts and had commenced work on the Methven Line road. It was resolved to hold over until a future date the question of the Road Board s liability to maintain a public clock at the Rakaia Post Office. Notices ot transfer from \V. T. Dalzell to D. D. McFarlano and from the estate of i. Stevenson to S. Gieygoose were approved. The Clerk was instructed to draw the attention of the Railway Department to the present dangerous state of the railway yard at Mitcham. On Wednesday evening in the Town Hall an anniversary tea and concert in connexion with the Methodist Church were held. As many people in the district are suffering from influenza the attendance was not very large. An excellent tea was served at prettily decorated tables at six o'clock. TTie ladies assisting were: Mesdanies England, A W. Whiting, Patterson, Kermode, Basher, Hampton, Behrnes, Kaon, Misses Hopwood. Morland, Hight, Evans, O. Whiting, Burley, Bonnington, Pluck, Rapley, Kaan, E. Hopwood, and I. Behrnes.' A work and sweets stall, arranged by the Girls' Bible Class, was presided over by Misses G. Hunt and J. Henderson. After tea a splendid concert was given in the hall by the Baring square Choir, Ashburton. Part songs, "Now let us make the welkin ring," "Slumber Sea," "Moonlight," and "The Comrads' Song of Hope" were contributed by the choir; violin solos by Miss V. Money; sorfgs by Mrs A. Black, Mrs R. Featherston, Mr A. Dolphin, and Mr F. Porter; recitations by Miss Nancy Bishop; monologues by Mr R. Featherston and Mr F. Porter; pianoforte duet by Miss R. Porter and Mr J. Corbett; vocal duet by Messrs W. and J. Corbett; solo and part song, "Image of the Rose," by Mr W Corbett and the Male Choir; pianoforte solo by Mr J. Corbett. The accompaniments were played by Miss R. Porter, Mrs Featherston, and Mr J. Corbett. The Rev. J. Boothroyd, who presided, thanked the members of the choir for the entertainment and the ladies who had provided ta. MAYFIELD. The quarterly summoned meeting oF the Loyal Mayfield Lodge, M.U., 1.0.0. F., was held in the band hall on Wednesday evening, N.G. Bro. K. Dellow presiding. An invitation was accepted from the Loyal Hinds Lodge to attend their church parade to-morrow. One candidate was initiated. The election of officers foi the ensuing term resulted as follows:—N.G., Sister Broughan: V.G., Bro, S. Richardson; E.S., Bio.'K. Beckley. Bro. J Sewell, who acted as installing master, congratulated Sister Broughan on being the first sister to occupy the N.G.'s chair in the history" of the Mayfield Lodge. Bro. J. Winchester was appointed warden, and minor officers were elected as follows: —R.S. to N.G.. Sister B. Richardson; R.S. to V.G., Bro. W. Johnstane; L.S to N.G., Bro; G. Burgess; L.S. to V.G., Bro. H Whiting; guardian, Bro. H Lilley. Bro. J. Addis thanked the outgoing officers for their good work during the time they had held office, and wished the newly-installed officers a happy and pleasant term of office. The retiring N.G., Bro. K. Dellow. returned thanks. It was decided that Bro. J. Sewell be reccnmended for the Purple Degree, and his name be placed on the Merit Board, and that he receive the Past Grand framed certificate. Sick pay amounting to £3 13s 4d 'was passed for payment.