LAKE COUNTY COUNCIL

Lake County Mail, Issue 8, 16 July 1947, Page 8

LAKE COUNTY COUNCIL

The monthly meeting of the Lake County Council was held in the Council Chambers, Queenstown, on Thursday last, there being present Crs D. H. Cookburn (chairman), T). C. Aubrey, T. I<l. Bryant, W. A. McLean, D. R. Rowe and W. H. Thompson.

The treasurer’s statement was received and adopted, which disclosed a debit balance at last meeting of £3602 10s 3d. Receipts for the month totalled £434 IBs Id. Accounts passed for payment amounted to £lll9 14s 4d, leaving a total debit balance of £4347 8s (Id.

Two ratepayers sought the council’s action in the revision of their recent re-valuation. The county clerk pointed out that the council had no power whatsoever to deal with this matter. The Valuation Department had given those ratepayers concerned due notice of the valuation and the time had expired for objection thereto, therefore the objections were out of order.

The council formerly approved of the estimates and resolved to strike and levy a General Rate of 23-8 d and a Hospital Rate of 3-8 d in the £ for the year endin" March 31/ 1948. The County Engineer submitted his monthly report, which disclosed the fact that the usual routine work had been carried out under severe winter conditions. Considerable difficulty was being experienced with the Skippers main highway, particularly at the Blue and Dredge slips. The gravelling gang had been employed in spreading metal on roads in the Queenstown Riding, and the Wanaka gang had similarly attended to the requirements of that riding. In respect to the Rees Bridge the engineer reported that, in company with an engineer of the Public Works Department, he had inspected the bridge, and stated that when the shortening and repair work had been carried out the bridge would not carry a greater load than four tons gross weight. At the suggestion of the engineer it was decided to investigate the possibility of the installation of a low-level bridge pending the ultimate erection of a permanent new structure.

The programme of work for the ensuing month was approved, which covered the continuation of general routine work together with special attention to the Blue and Dredge slips on the Skippers highway, and further work in connection with the Glendhu Bluff, Wanaka riding. In reference to the request of ratepayers in the Mount Barker area the engineer submitted an estimate of cost to complete the deviation and improvement of Faulk’s road. It was resolved that the engineer provide a further report on an alternative proposal. A further report was requested in reference to the Deep Creek ford, Skippers highway. In reference to the classification of roads the Transport Department. Wellington, advised that its engineer, in company with the county engineer, had carried out an inspection of the roads within Lake County and the Department forwarded the proposed re-classification of highways and roads within the council’s area.—lt was resolved to accept the recommendation. ft was resolved to support the New Zealand Counties’ Association in its endeavour to obtain a reduction in the proposed levy for the services of health inspectors. The Southland Catchment Board gave statutory notice in respect to the levy of l-3d in the £ on all property in the county and within the. Catchment Board area. —lleee i ved. The New Zealand Institute of Horticulture wrote soliciting the council’s financial assistance in the form of annual membership at £1 Is per annum. — The request was declined. The county solicitors, Messrs Osborne, Stevens and Stevens, wrote advising the cojmcil that the Minister of Marine was unable to meet representatives of the •ouncil at Wanaka in respect to the •ontrol of the lake wharves, but would be. pleased for the Surierintemlent of Marine at Dunedin to deputise for him. —The offer was accepted. Mr J .F. McDougall, of Cardrona, ad-

vised that the Cemetery Trust at C'ardroua had ceased to exist, stating that great difficulty was being experienced in securing members for the formation of a new trust. —The matter was referred to the member for the riding and the county engineer with power to act.

Mr J. M. Faulks, of Wanaka, applied for permission to level the road frontage of his section in McDougall street, Wanaka. Permission was granted subject to the engineer’s approval.

Mr Clarence J. Soper, of Athol, for I Messrs S. Soper and Sons, lodged an objection to the council’s decision to instal a culvert on Paddy’s Alley road, Athol, to alleviate storm-water difficulties. —The letter was received and, contents noted. It was resolved that, in accordance with statutory provision, the council submit the proposal to the Southland Catchment Board for its approval. Mr Clarence S. Soper, of Athol, for Messrs S. Soper and Sons, wrote requesting the council to instal a culvert, on the Paddy’s Alley road, opposite his residence, to alleviate undue Hooding of storm water. —The clerk was instructed to advise Dir Soper that the council had already arranged for a culvert to be installed at this particular point.

Mr A. G. McLeod, of Kingston, wrote offering to carry out casual grading on the Kingston Loop road. —The matter was referred to the county engineer for his attention.

Mr W. Studholme, of Wanaka, made a request that, in view of the council’s decision to offer the Cardrona Nursery for public purchase, that certain trees of a unique type be retained.—lt was resolved that the request be agreed to, and that the member for the riding, together with the county engineer inspect the plantation and arrange for the preservation of certain species of trees. Mr John McPherson, of Fairlight, communicated seeking the council’s assistance in the replacement of the swing bridge over the Mataura River going across to his property.' —The matter was ‘deferred pending a reply from the Southland County Council as the majority of the land owners’ property was situated in that county.

The application of D. A. McLeod, butcher, of Wanaka', for the renewal. of a rural slaughterhouse licence, -was granted. The South Island Local Bodies’ Association forwarded a copy of a reply it had received from the Valuation Department, Wellington, asking that improvements to properties in the form of buildings be given effect to on the basis of building permit estimates of cost.— Received.

Sitting as the Glendhu Domain Board, consideration was given to a report from the County Engineer upon a new water supply'.- —It was resolved that application be made to the Loans’ Board for permission to raise a sufficient amount of money to cover the cost of the proposed water supply, together with other necessary amenities to the Glendhu camping ground. The next meeting was set down for Thursday, August 7.