WESTLAND COUNTY DECISION ON ROYAL VISIT

Grey River Argus, 14 October 1948, Page 2

WESTLAND COUNTY DECISION ON ROYAL VISIT

(Our Own Correspondent) At its meeting yesterday, the Westland County Council, on receipt of a lettei- from the Town Clerk, Greymouth, decided to take no definite action until notification regarding transport and accommodation for the Westland County children was forwarded. The Secretary to the Treasury, Wellington, advised that the applica; tion in connection with Kokatahi River bridge loan of £4OOO was receiving attention. The county engineer was left to attend to letters received from Mr John Donovan, Waiho, advising that he had obtained all materials for necessary fencing, and asking that the engineer define the road reserve in question so that he can proceed with the work; and from Gold Mines of New Zealand Ltd., Greymouth, applying for portion of a small section owned by the council at Kanieri for dredging purposes. The council agreed that the subsidy on kea beaks be abolished. A lengthy discussion regarding the flooding of the Waitangi River and its overflow on to the access road to Mr R. Williams’ property took place. After every 7 ' flood metal was poured on the road, only' to be completely washed away, said the engineer. “It is a big problem, and at the rate we are going it is just throwing money down the sink. Sooner or later the only way out will be compensation to the people concerned and let the river take its course. The stop-bank seemed to be the main reason for the flooding,” said a councillor. It was decided to bring the matter again to the urgent attention of the Catchmen Board. After discussion, the council decided to give their support to the Progress League in further representations for a resident magistrate on the West Coast.' The council will in the future observe Arbor Day either by planting trees on tailings or waste land and therebv utilise the gound on a “return to the county” basis, or by planting the trees so as to assist the Beautifying Society'. Further investigations were left-' to the engineer. An application from Mr A. R. Thompson, Bruce Bay, regarding repair to Ward Road to Paringa River was considered. It was pointed out that this road gave access to whitebaiters and £lO was granted. Kenneth W. Nolan was granted th e council’s assistance in making access to his property.