WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 15 February 1917, Page 4

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

Action Appreciated.

The Westland 'County Council is iu 'eu~h*|. of the '\d , r*<ving letter from !■. > : o. D’‘-. .. .tit;: — Dr.. — i) ■ 13t.i October .* .. -avetl -.x-. u .Sir Alexit vi'' ih‘V copy of a tenolutioo p:sj.u by ins County Coanoil of WssiLnd expressing sympathy with the relatives of our mea who fell in the K*tt!e of tie Somme. I have now received a reply from General Goolay and have p’easnre in enclosing a copy for the information of yonr Coanoil. (Signed) J. Allen, Minister of Dtfecce.

[Copt.] Headquarters, New Zealand Expeditionary Force 16th Dec., 1916.

Memorandum to: The Honorable, The Minister of Defence, Wellington, N.Z. Tour memo of 18/10/16 enclosing copy of resolution passed by the County Council of Westland received. Will you please convey to the Chairman our appreciation of their action in passing such ft resolution, and of the terms in which they have referred to the part we have taken in this great war.

It is good for us to be occasionally reminded of the olose interest and solicitude with whieh our fortunes and actions are followed by those in New Zealand. (Signed) A. J. Godlxt, Liant-General, Commanding N.Z.E.F.

County Chairman’s Report The following report was read and received at Tuesday’s meeting. Gentlemen, —I beg to report that in accordance with your instruetions of last meeting, in company with Mr W. H. Robicson, the delegate appointed by thejAgrioultural and Pastoral Society, we journeyed to Wellington to meet the Hon Mr McDonald, Ministar of Agriculture, in regard to the experimental farm in Westland, The Minister told U 9 that altogether he had had several officers in the West Coast from time to time looking into this matter and the majority of their reports generally favored a site in the vicinity of Reefton, that being the only place snitabla where an area large enough for the purpose could bo obtained, which required abont 600 acres. After discussing the matter at some considerable length when the whole position was placed before him, the Minister informed us that he would oall tenders throughout the West Coast for an area suitable for the purpose, and, also, that an experimental plot would be put in hand on the Hokitika racecourse immediately, In the meantime I have been makiDg enquiries aa to suitable areas for a farm and when the applications are called, in conjunction with Mr Evans, we will do our beet to effer a suitable site for that purpose. We also met the Hou Mr Herries, Minister of Railways, in regard to private railway sidings used by Messrs Gardiner Wilson and Mallinßon. The Minister informed us that he would look into the matter and report accordingly, also, that he intended visiting ths Coast shortly and would ba glad to ms6t the Council in regard to any matter that may be brought before him.

As the Minister of Public Works ) Hon Mr Fraser, and bis Secretary were both absent from Wellington at the time of my visit, several matters which I bad to bring before bim had to be held over pending bis visit to Westland, when a list of requirements wil : be piHCcd befor J bim.

In regard to ibe mining applioation that earns before the Oonnoil at last meeting, whioh was left to Mr Evans and myself to deal with, we looked into the matter and found that the position as mentioned by Cr Wells would be safe-guarded and we did not consider it necessary to take any aotion in the matter.