COUNTY COUNCILS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20105, 8 December 1930, Page 3

COUNTY COUNCILS.

PAPARUA. The ordinary meeting of the Council was held on Thursday, "when there were present: Messrs Leslie (chaivma n), Kyan, Manion, Morgan, McArthur, and Henley. An apology foe absence was received from Mr A. ixecman. A deputation from the St, Jolm Ambulance Association waited on tlio Council to explain tho work of tho Association arid to Bolicit contributions. The deputation, consisting- of Dr. Thomas and Messrs W. J. Hunter and C. W. Hcrvcy, explained that the Association proposed building and housing their various departments under one roof. Mr Leslie promised that representations would be carefully considered and tho reply sent, in duo course. However, as several members were absent, it was decided to hold tho matter over until a full meeting. A firm of solioitors who aro engaged in winding up a decfcaserl ostat«>, wrote stating Ihat tljpy had a amall section belonging to the Estate which they were unable to cell and which they would be #lad it the Council would take over. It, was decided to reply that as tho land was of only nominal value and the area small, the Council could not accept tho transfer. With regard l'> futur* rates on tho email section, tho Council considered that the estate was a valuable one and that tho legatees who were benefiting by the assets must accept their liability. The clerk stated that the annual rate amounted to one shilling. The Oxford County Council wrote enclosing a copy oi a resolution passed at their last meeting in relation, to hospital expenditure for tho next financial year. It was decided to approve of tho resolution, the opinion expressed th.it with tho new unemployment levy thcro should not be the necessity for po much expenditure on chantable aid by the Hospital Board. Tho Upper Kiccarton "Burgesses' Association wrote concerning the dust nuisance on Iho Yaldhurpt road, especially during race days. It was decided to state what steps v.ero taken on race days to minimise thp nuisance and also to point out that this portion of road is on the Council's programme for immediate paving. When tho Highways Board approves, this work will be gone on with. Notice of motion was given Mr .1. Henley: "That all wavres and salaries be reduced twenty per cent, and that tho Arbitration Court be approached with a vinw t.) reducing tho wajres of all employees who aro working under Arbitration Court awards." MALVERN. At the meeting of the Malvern County Council all members wcro present, Cr. Wright presiding. The chairman reported that ho had arranged to pay tho Council's share of I tho Glentunnel bridge to tho Highways Board i after the completion of tho bridge. I It was decided to support the Oxford , County Council in its resolution asking the i Hospital Board to keep the estimates for next linancial year as low as possible, particularly on account of the difficulty experienced by local bodies in financing their uuderI takings. j Tho Unemployment Board wrote offering I to subsidise work £2 for £1 for relief of unemployed before Christmas, but the conditions of the offer made it unworkable, and the letter was received. It 'was resolved to ca-11 tonders for the right to cut cocksfoot in tho county on the usual conditions, closing on December 22nd, and a committee was appointed to deal with them beforo Christmas. A deputation from tho St. John Ambulance Association waited on tho Council, and explained their appeal to enable progress to be made and better service to he given. Members heard them sympathetically. It was agreed to let the matter stand over until after harvest, as tho position at present is such that an appeal to farmers for money would fall on deaf ears. Owing to the difficulty experienced in col- 1 lecting rates, it has become necessary to close down the Council's work till a-t least after harvest. This will also enable farmers to j obtain labour locally, instead of getting men from outside who are unaccustomed to farm work. It was reported that the Bush Gully road extension plans had been approved of by tho Public Works Department. EYRE. Tho monthly meeting of the Kyre County Council, was attended by Messrs 11. I*. Evans (in the chair), 11. A. Bennett, R. O. I>i;son, J. W. Frizzed!, and F. L. I'arriham. It was agreed that the State Forest Department should close two roads through the plantation of New Zealand Forests, Ltd., lately bought by the Department. A resolution forwarded by tho Oxford County Council, that the Hospital Board be requested to uso the greatest economy when drawing out the estimates for 1031-32, was affirmed by tho Council, and it was decided to send a comunication to tho Hospital Board to that effect. It was decided to reply to the St. John Ambulance Association that the Council did not desire to receive a deputation, as there would be no surplus funds this financial year out of which a grant could be made. It was decided to pay to tho North Canterbury Electric Power Board half tho cost ; I of moving poles in tho footpaths at tho KaiI kainui Settlement. . In regard to th© draft regulations for i motor-drivers' licenses the Council decided to reply that it was considered that the regulations were unnecessarily elaborate, and it was decided to suggest it would be morehelpful towards the elimination of accidents if constant and strict supervision were given the matter of brakes being in order, of glaring lights being properly set and focused, and if severe penalties were imposed for a 1 breach of the speed limits or of the driving j regulations. | It was decided that there were no works in the county of a constructive nature that required attention such as would comply with tho offer of the Unemployment Board. It was decided to reply to the Kaiapoi Borough Council that if the Ohoka road wero put under the control of the Eyre County Council the advantages would be that shingle could be supplied at 4s per yard instead of at the 8s paid at prcnent; that the Council's graders being constantly in use at adjacent roads, a weekly run along the road would improve the surface, and that the main | road, being now on the main highway from Christchurch to Southbrook, would receive a one-third subsidy as coon as it was accepted as the detour road. Owing to the possibility of a debit balance at tho end of the year, it was resolved to dispense with all outside labour and run i the county till March with tho three perma--1 nent hands alone. It was agreed to lease to Mr R. H. Palmer a drain reserve on his occupation. The engineer was instructed to supply an estimate of the cost of a culvert across Collier's Creek, near Lowland Lees, on the Two-chain road, and to effect repairß to the road leading from the Kaiapoi railway street to Mr G. W. Wright's homestead. I The engineer reported all roads in good I order, with sufficient shingle delivered to I keep them in order till March. j ASHLEY. The Ashley County Council met at Loburn. Present: Crs. D. R. Hutchison (chairman), Bennett, Ensor, McCracken, Metherell, Pulley, and Wilson. On the motion of tho chairman, a letter of sympathy was directed i to be sent to Mr and Mrs James Fitzgibbon ! and family, in their recent affliction. Mr Crookes interviewed the Council with regard to the entry of storm-watur on his land at North Loburn. Messrs Bennett and Metherell were asked to report. The Progress League's report with regard to the Lees Valley bridges was received, and hearty approval of Mr Climio's efforts was expressed. It was decided to attend a further conference at Kangiora. The Public Works* Department had declined responsibility and referred the matter to the Highways Board. The Board, however, had refused any higher subsidy tha, £2 for £l, leaving about £ISOO unprovided for. The contention of the League and of the Councils, that soldiers' settlement should bo roaded and bridged by tho Government, had not been admitted. The chairman stated that the district engineer would make au inspection of Dobson s

road tho following' day, and members soing through would report. Tho road lind not received duo attention, and tho Council agreed to give it precedence in thy iiexl financial year. Approval vas given to tho resolution of tho Oxford Council, that the next hospifM levy on contributing bodies bhould be reduced to a minimum. Mr W. M. Harris asked for a permit to eroet a gato across the track lip the Eastern Grey. The Council raised no objection. With regard to cattle-stops on roads, the Counties' Association forwarded its solicitor'* opinion, which statod that legislation would he necessary before Councils would be freed from responsibility for costs through accident, or damage. The Council therefore did not feel justified in making any such stops. Rentals outstanding on reserves were looked into, and the clerk was instructed to apply for prompt payment. Messrs Metherell and Pulley were asked to report on drainage matters along Mr Charles Hill's frontage on Sinclair's road.