WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 February 1917, Page 4

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

Tuesday, Feb 13,

The Council met at 2 p.m. Present —Messrs H. Norman (County Chairman). B. Ward, J. Grimrnond R. Well-, .1. A. Murdoch, A. Clifton, T. W. Bruce.

An apology was made for the absence of Mr Duff.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed and outward correspondence approved. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE. From Acting-Premier, thanking Chairman for message of sympathy in connection with the death of Hon. Dr. McNab.—Received. From Mrs H. Macandrew, acknowledging letter of sympathy in .bereavement. —Received.

From Treasury, notifying particulars of revenue forwarded. —Received.

From Acting-Premier, stating Hon. Fraser will visit Westland early in Febrnary.—Received. From Hon. Fraser, stating he would advise date as soon as he was able to fix same. —Received.

From Minister of Marine, promising to look further into the expenditure of the vote for Bruce Bay landing and road.—Received.

From Minister of Tourist Department, replying that the request for an emergency grant of £IOO for improvement of Lake Kanieri road would have consideration. —Received. From Resident Engineer, stating river encroachment near Harris’ was being watched.— Received; held over to be brought under the notice of Minister of Public Works.

From J. C. Malfroy & Coy., applying for railway crossing at Three Mile. —Received and agreed to. From Resident Engineer, offering no objection to the foregoing application.—Received.

From Waiapu County Council, urging that in lieu of grants local bodies should receive increased subsidies on rates, or some other more acceptable means of Government aid. —Received ; consideration deferred. From Petone Borough' Council, urging that the pay of all men enlisted be increased to 10/- a day, and that wealth be conscripted, and profits so derived be utilised for the men on service.—Received,

From Hokitika Borough Council, stating in view of the Council’s reply it had been decided not to go on with the East boundary drainage scheme. —Received,

From Inangahua County Council, forwarding copy of Dr. Henderson’s report on the limestone deposits.— Received. Mr Ward moved that the Inangahua Council be asked to convene a further conference to deal with the subject.—Seconded by Mr Ferguson and carried. From Hokitika Harbor Board, notifying vacancy on Board occasioned by death of the late C. R. Glass, and asking that same be filled.—Received. The County Chairman was appointed to fill the vacancy. From Bruce Bay Improvement Committee, forwarding report of meeting, and asking for small votes; also urging the completion of the main road near Waikukupa Saddle to give through access for vehicles to Bruce Bay from Waiho Gorge.—Received ; votes asked for authorised and latter request to be brought under notice of Minister.

From Okuru Improvement Committee, forwarding accounts incurred. —Received.

From Hari Hari public meeting, forwarding resolution in respect to bridges and works for which authority was asked, and requesting that the Minister of Public Works might stay a night at Hari Hari to be entertained. —Received.

From Jas. Park, applyingf for remission of rent on account o Hyndman & party for extended claim at Garabaldi Gully.—Received ; request granted, From J. McLean, urging the drainage of Wanganui Flat road as being of great benefit to the settlers. —Received.

From Chas. Tate, Okarito, asking remission of rent for special claim at Okarito river.—Received ; request

granted

From Overseer Millner, reporting on inspection of various district works; stating Neilson road was conmleted, also South Beach school road ; drainage works at Hari Hari were valued at £ls, and a crossing at £9.—Received.

From Roadman Nolan, report on district works in the Wataroa district. —Received

From District Engineer of Railways, forwarding copieß of correspondence relating to steps on Hokitika railway bridge.—lt was resolved to ask the Borough Council to execute the deed asked for, the County agreeing to take their share of the responsibility. From Valuation Department, asking return of rateable value of mining property. —Received ; the Clerk to reply. From Ross Borough Council, declining to make further payments on account [of recruiting charges.—Keceived.

From Recruiting Committee, applying for £1 2/6, quota of expenses due.—Received and passed for payment.

From Finance Committee, reporting that the acc-rantß as presented for the month of January, 1917, have been examined, and beg to recommend that amonn* »s appioved, totalling £668 j:l/4, be |«a Sab for payment; also recommend,.g that the salary of Overseer Millner be raci eased to £2O per month, as from the Ist mat. —Received. TENDERS.

Being considered too high, both tenders were, declined; referred to Overseer to carry out for amount of grant, £6O. ORDER TAPER The Chairman moved: —‘“That tlie accounts presented for the montn of January, 191", as revised and recommended for payment by the Finance Committte, amounting to £668 13s 4d, bo passed for payment.”—Carried. The Chairman moved: —That lists of works in the various ridings for application for Government grants be prepared and presented at next meeting of the Council.”—Carried. Cr Grimmond moved :—“That expenditure recommended by the 'Bruce Bay Improvement Committee, amount, ing to £B, be authorised.” —Carried. Cr Ferguson moved:—“That (the Overseer be empowered to arrange for road drainage works necessary at Hart Hari, cost about £l9.”—Received. Cr Ferguson moved:—“That ft subsidy of £ls be granted to assist in restoring ithe Canoe Point tram line, Okarito Forks.”—Carried.

Cr Ferguson moved : “That in view of the land section at South Waitangi being now thrown open, the Government 1)0 urged to give necessary road access by way of Scally road to tho Wataroa dairy factory, without delay.” —Carried.

The Council rose at 4.30, with tho usual compliment to tho chair. Mr Grimmond moved that the Counoil congratulate Hoa James Allen on the honor conferred on him by his Majesty, and also his Honor Justice DennistoD.—Seconded by the Chairman and carried. Mr Wells moved that £5 be expended in clearing cutting at Kanieri. —Seconded by Mr Ferguson and oarried. Consideration of the oattlo wandering nuisance was deferred tor a month. The Council rose at 4.20 p.m.

From Westland Chamber of Commerce, urging attention to the development of the lime deposits of the' district for agricultural purposes.— Received,.

From A. J. Ward, Matainui, pointing out tlie urgency of constructing Scally road extension for access for the Wataroa dairy farmers to the factory.—Received. From Overseer Millner, reporting on -works completed during the month. —Received. From Roadman Dale, reporting on road repairs, and particulars of -wandering cattle in the Kokatahi district. —Received. From Roadman Black, giving particulars in respect to wandering stock in the Inter-Wanganui district, .--Received,

From Roadman Nolan, reporting on district works, and supplying particulars of stock at largo on the roads —Received.

MORRIS HILL COXXINO. £ John Coyle ... ••• 96 M. Keenan ... ... 98