WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 May 1917, Page 3

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

Tuesday, May 8,

The Council met at 2 pm. Present—Meears H. Norman (County Chairman), B. Ward, J. Grimmond, A. Cliftou, T. W. Duff, J. A- Murdoch, T. W. Bruce. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed and outward correspondence read and apapproved.

inward correspondence,

From Treasury, particulars of revenue accrued to credit. —Received. From Acting - Premier, thanking Couucil for offer of assistance in Dominion crisis, and notifying visit to Hokitika. —Received. From Mines Department, agreeing to remit rent due on special claim held by Baird & party.—Received. From Minister of Public Works, stating the Marine Department would provide a surf boat for use at Bruce Bay if the settlers would assist in working same; replying that request for assistance through storm damage to Okuru foreshore had been referred to the Marine Department; intimating that £376 was available for 7-ffc road over Waikukupa saddle if the Council would complete the work for the amount on proposals approved by the Resident Engineer ; asking for a £ for £ contribution for restoring Municipal bridge, estimated to cost £2lO with ironbark piles. —Received. Satisfaction was expressed at grant of a surf boat for Bruce Bay. The Council decided to support Overseer Millner’s report offering to restore Municipal bridge for £IOO, From Resident Engineer, stating the Overseer in the far-South was being requested to co-operate with the local Improvement Committees in regard to expenditure of grants ; intimating that the following works were held up thi'ougli lack of labor ; Haast to Okuru, £l5O ; Waiko to Karangarua, £376; Blue river to Haast, £234; giving stipulations under which Mitchell & party might be allowed to enlarge culvert crossing main tfoad near Stafford ; replying that the Department took no responsibility were river erosion affected private property only, and not roads ; stating the Department had not diverted Dry creek; intimating complaint about flood damage at Goldsborough would be looked into.—Received. From National Efficiency Board, supplying copy of Geraldine scheme for care of soldiers’ farms, and intimating procedure for electing committee ; also notifying visits of officials. —Received. From Recruiting Board, replying to various matters submitted by the local committee. —Received. From Town Clerk, Kumara, forwarding revised list of First Division for borough.—Received. From N.Z. Counties’ Association, stating there would not be any conference during tbe duration of the war, but stating tbat the executive would meet in July and deal with any matters requiring representation to the Government. —Received. From Waipara County Council, urging that public attention be drawn to the necessity of growing foodstuffs, including potatoes and other vegetables, wheat, &c., and that half-holi-days be devoted to the cultivation of small country or suburban areas. — Received. From N.Z. Civil Engineers’ Society suggesting when appointments of engineers are being made, the Society might be .consulted as an advisory board.—Received. From 'Westland Charitable Aid Board, forwarding estimates and approximate amounts of levy for the current year, Westland County—

£3022/10/ —Received. From W. H. Chinn, protesting at the proposal to move the Wataroa public school to a new site.—Received. From S. Wallace, Wataroa, drawing attention to the danger to Rotokino road by reason of the diversion of Dry creek, caused by tbe Public Works Department works.—Received. From James Thomson and J. D.

McKay, asking attention to tbe erosion of Evans’ creek which was taking away valuable land. —Received. It was resolved that Overseer Millner report and if favorable a subsidy of 6/8 in tbe £ be granted, the assistance of Commissioner of Crown Lands to be asked for. From J. W. Thomson, Okarito, complaining of tbe maintenance of the Three and Five Mile tracks.— Rebeived ; Mr Thomson was in attendance in support of bis complaint, It was resolved to ask Overseer Millner to inspect and report. From James Donovan, replying that he had performed more work than specified ; extra work necessary was outside his contract, and would cost £6; but in any case tbe complainant would be difficult to please. —Received. From District Improvement Committee, Bruce Bay, reporting on difficulty to obtain labor to carry out road votes; agreeing to work surf boat promised by Marine Department with three men, and settlers to find shed. —Received.

[Loft Sitting.'!