WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 June 1917, Page 4

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

■TUESDAIb JtTNE 12th, 1917

The Council met at 2 p.m. Present—Messrs H. Norman (County Chairman), B. Ward, J. Grimmond, J. A. Murdoch, T. IrV. Duff, A. Cliftdn, R. Wells, T. W. Bruce, and S. G. Ferguson. Ovei’seer Millner was also present. The minutes were read and confirmed and ontwaid correspondence approved. J There was a special attendance of senior scholars of the District Hi.h School under Mr de Beri'y to watch the proceedings of the Council for study purposes.

Before commencing the business the Chairman extended a welcome to the scholars and their teacher, expressing the hope that the course of the meeting would prove of value to the scholars.

Mr de/ Beri'y expressed his appreciation of having the opportunity to be present. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE. From Tramway, notifying remittances to credit of County Fund Account. —Received. From Marine Department, promising that surf boat for Bruce Bay would be sent on the next trip of the ttiiienioa. —Received ; Bruce Bay residents to be informed. From Same,./replying that "the Minister was awaiting report with regard to Okuru foreshore proposals from the Public Works Department. —Received.

From Mines Department, notifying transfer of prospecting subsidy from K. S. Hungerford to J. J. Mclntosh and party. —Received and approved. Fnom Same, intimating that a report" v'ds being obtained in regard to proposed works at Cedar Creek, and also works for Estimates. —Received.

From Public Works Department, stating a report Would be obtained in regard to further repairs at Kokatahi bridge.—Received. From Same, promising to give consideration to application for grants —Received. From Same, agreeing to enquire into state of Rittle Waitaha bridge. —Received.

From Same, regretting to state that for various reasons the Minister had decided not to take any further action at present in reference to protective works at Kawhaka Creek.—Received. Mr Duff moved that the Minister be asked for the reasons for the decision now made. He entered a strongprotest.—Seconded by Mr Ward, who said they had been battling for the last twelve months for justice for this work, without result. Members supported _ the motion Which was agreed to. From Same, making a condition that .if the Council widened Waikukupa track for same must be maintained bv the Council.— Received.

From Same, setting out terms on which Fisherman’s Creek bridge would be authorised. —Received and terms accepted. From Same, telegraphing refusal of consent to Municipal bridge beingrecoustructed with rimupiles, which he considered a waste of money, and asking the Council to provide the additional money, to instal hard wood piles.— Received. It was resolved to decline the offer, and that the Overseer carry out the work on his own plan. From Same, agreeing to obtain further report in regard to amended proposals for Waikukupa Saddle road.—Received.

From Resident Engineer, in reference to culvert at Stafford which required additional attention ; suggesting Mr Millner inspect flume crossing by the Woolston Tanneries Coy at Woodstock ; Writing at length in regard to road estimates.—Received, "it was resolved that the estimates as drawn up he approved, an amendment by Mr Bruce that a bridge for Bold Head road, be substituted for a bridge over Tittle Waitaha, being lpst. M IKON PI ItlilDi.iK PtTUTATIOX. Mr G. H. Chapman waited on the Council in connection with Mikbnni bridge. Mr Chapman stated that his firm proposed to construct a bridge across Mikonui river for milling purposes. It had occurred to them that they should modify their plan of the bridge so as to enable the local bodies affected to use it for general traffic. If the Council liked to take the bridge, plank it, band-rail it and make approaches and maintain that portion, his firm would not require any consideration towards the cost of the portion of the bridge that they would have to put up for their own purpose, which would necessitate the carrying of a 15-ton locomotive. They had one or two conditions that they wished, the right to have preference for their timber traffic and. that, no one else have the right to carry timber otet the bridge. With the exception of these conditions the offer was an open one.

The Chairman said it was not often that the Council had such a generous offer made to them. He heartily approved of most favorablo consideration being given. Mr Bruce endorsed his approval of the offer which he considered was an extremely generous one.. He favored raising a loan to have the work carried out. Messrs Stuart and Chapman were to be complimented on the public spirit of their offer. He moved that the offer of Messrs Stuart and Chapman be accepted for the erection of a combined road and railway bridge over the Mikonui river.

Mr Ferguson seconded the motion. 'They lutd been battling for yeurs for a bridge without success, and now,

thanks to private enterprise, they wet 1 © in a fair way of getting a bridge that would meet the requirements of the traffic, and be a boon to the southern people. Mr Grimmond thought they should first obtain an estimate of the cost of erection and of its maintenance, and also an opinion on the legal points involved. He moved to that effect, as an amendment.—Seconded by Mr Wells.

Mr Murdoch suggested that Mr GfiramOnd add to his amendment that the Council express its hearty appreciation of the very generous offer of Messrs Stuart and Chapman. Mr Grimmond agreed to this addi-

tiou. In answer 'to Mr Murdoch, Mr Chapman said the proposed site was a considerable distance from the proposed railway bridge site of the Government. Mr Mnrdoch considered the firm were to be commended for their very generous offer. Fur the safety of all concerned he thought that it was advisable to carry the amendment at the present juncture. Mr Duff endorsed approval of the action of the firm and expressed his intuition to give every assistance to have the proposal carried into effect. Mr Clifton thought the best course to advance the proposal, of which he heartily approved, would be to obtain the data mentioned in the amendment. Mr Bnice, by leave, added the amendment to the motion. J Mr Ward said lie was of opinion that the most important part of Westland was south of the Mikonni river and the bridging of that river was the most important work in Westland at the present time. Fie heartily supported (he amended motion. Mr Grimmond suggested that the Government be asked for 1 a grant for the work. After further discussion the motion was agreed to. Air Chapman further explained the desires of his firm, promising every assistance with the object in view. The'Chairman moved a hearty vote of thanks to Afr Chapman for his attendance and h's firm for their generous offer. Seconded by Afr Ferguson and carried. This concluded the deputation. From Matiuknu County'Council, proposing that Councils should have legal power to compel owners to clean willows from creeks. —Received, i From Timarti Borough Council, supplying copy of resolution to Government that motor cyclists anil drivers be licensed after examination.—Received. From Westland Charitable Aid Board, notifying- amended levy to the Council of £2,662 10s or £221 17s 6d per month. —Received and accepted. From Police Department, forwarding constable’s report in reference to removal of material from Goldsborough protection works.— Received. It was resolved that the Chairman, Mr Duff and Roadman Millner attend to overflow of water. From Jas Park, intimating that. Afrs Jeffries was now the assignee of the I v ake road lease.—Received, From J. W. Heiule, urging immediate attention to the wanderingcattle nuisance at Inter Wanganui. —Received. From James Donovan, offering ios per annum to lease a small island in the Three Mile lagoon, near Okarito.—Received. ■ From Andrew Scott, Karangarua, protesting at the transfer of a road vote from Cassell’s Flat to Vincent’s road. Received ; .consideration held over. From Edward CrOn, Haast, resigning his position as ferryman as from 30th September, owing to pressure of work aiid shortage of labor. —Received ; to be asked to reconsider same. From James McPherson, Okuru, declining to pay rates on section threatened by Turnbull river unless land was protected as damage was alleged to be caused by former protection of another settler’s holding.—Received ; report from Okuru District Committee to be asked for. From W. H. Passmore, J. Mundy, J. Stewart, J. Fitzgerald, applying for renewal of slaughter house licenses.—Received and approved.

From Chairman, Bruce Bay District Committee, asking foV small road repairs, ancl suggesting protection at Condon Bros, Mahitahi.—Received ; referred to Roadman Nolan for report. From Ritchie Bros, Bruce Bay, asking that balance of subsidy of the new track be expended in extension, with the addition of £2. — Received and approved. From Chairman, Okuru District Committee, drawing attention to expenditure necessary on Turnbull road.—Received. From Roadman Olderog reporting considerable abatement in the wandering stock nuisance in his district.—Received. From Roadman Dale, giving particulars of wandering stock in the Kokatahi Riding.—Received. From Roadman Nolan, supplying particulars of wandering stock at Wataroa. —Received. It was resolved that in addition to the Chairman, the Roadman be empowered to lay informations necessary in re-' gdrd to the wandering cattle nuisance. Ayes: Crs Grimmond, Clifton, Bruce and Chairman, with casting vote; Noes: Crs Ward,’ Ferguson, Wells and Duff. It was further resolved to with, draw the present informations as prepared, and to start de novo as from Ist July in respect to any further offences. From Overseer Millner, supplying various reports on district matters.—Received. With regard to protection work •

at tipper Waitaha, a work to cost £25, it was resolved to ask tlie settlersfto find half the amount. An expenditure of about £2O was sanctioned for road works at Waitaha Beach to give improved access to the flaxmill. Several road works were held over to await decision in regard to a suggested retrenchment scheme. It was resolved to ask for £7O from the Spencer road'vote to improve the thoroughfare. A subsidy of £so was granted towards the deviation road work at Woodstock to assist a large mining venture in that locality. A quantity of broken metal was sanctioned for roads in the Rimu riding, the Overseer to arrange lor the supply by local contract. From Mines Department, agreeing to remit rent due by J. Sullivan & party, Stafford. —Received.

From Commissioner of Crown Hands, stating Evans Creek erosion should be attended to by the settlers, and declining to recommend a Government grant. —Received. As Crown lands were affected Mr Bruce thought Government should assist. From Ross Borough Council, asking contribution up to £5 to repair Donnelly’s Creek footbridge. —Received and agreed to. From Hastings Borough Council, inviting support to the Beamish national development scheme to increase the number of producer's by assisting soldiers and workers without means to take up essential industries. —Received and referred to the Chairman and Clerk to report.

From the Westland Automobile Association, offering to provide directing posts and danger signals if the road staff would erect them as required.—Received and request acceded to.

From Westland Chamber of Commerce, in respect to south bridges, urging full consideration to the proposals for bridging Mikonui river and, if arranged, to take up other necessary work on the main south route. —Received and the work of the Chamber heartily approved by Mr Ward. From Brighton Terraces, Iffd., asking grant of £6O towards construction of deviation road at Woodstock. Received,„ already dealt with.

From Roadman Dale, suggesting he be given control of KanieriRimu Ridings.—Received, Overseer Milhier reported a roadman would still be required for Kokatahi Riding. It was resolved to hold over the matter pending a special report from the Overseer as to the disposition of the roadmen through the district. From Roadmen Black and Nolan, reporting the wandering cattle nuisance was abating.—Received. From J. W. Thomson, forwarding £ 3 15s wharfages from Okarito. —Received ; the question of repairs to the shed and painting were deferred pending UlO finances being reviewed. From lfin©s Department, repeating that in the case of Mrs Taylor at Stafford, all claims were statute barred.—Received; and- Minister to be reminded that he had promised special assistance to remove the dwelling to a more sale location.

From ,'D'is'ti-fidfc engineer, Railways, Greymouth enquiring what decision bad been reached regarding road access to Kumara station.—Received; and referred to Mr. Murdoch for report.

From 'Roadman Dale reporting repairs to Duck Creek bridge Kokatahi —Received.

From Ovorseer Milner favouring the purchase of. a horse road roller.—Received ; and enquiry as to cost to bo made, the offer to experiment with concrete roller at race course being accepted, REPORTS. The Finance Committee report recommending tho passing of accounts ami tinting to £845, ](J lid. was received and adopted. Tho Treasurer’s report an proposed retrenchment was reeeievod and' laid on the table.

1 A supplementary report fron Overseer Milner was received. It was ,ic ; y; olved that from Ist. July the roadmen be placed under the con trol and direction of the Overseer. Members generally approved the proposals outlined for economy combined with Efficiency in carrying out road/ repairs and improvements. ORDER PAPER. » The Chairman moved—That the nc-eouVs presented for the month of May, 1917, as revised and recommended for payment by the Finance Committee/ amounting to £845 10s lid. lie passed for payment. Mr Bruce seconded; carried. The Chairman moved :—“That the allocation of revenue for the current year, as proposed in the Treasurer’s Statement presented at the mst meeting of the Council, be now considered and adopted.”—Held over for next meeting. The Chairman moved,.:—“That public notice he given of the intention of the Council to make and levy at the next regular meeting of tho Council a general rate of six farthings in the £ on the capital value of the rateable property within the Coufity of Westland, in accordance with the provision of section 117 of tlit Counties Act, 1908, the said rate to be payable fourteen days after the 17th July, 1917.”—Deferred to July meeting.

, 7"' The Chairman moved :—“That tho attention of the Government be drawn to the desirability of re-nam-ing places in Westland bearing enemy alien names.”—-Mr Grimmond seconded; cafricd. Or ' Grimmond moved :—“That tho expenditure rocommended by the Bruco Bay and Olturu District Improvement Committees for local works, j be authorised.’’—Seconded by Cr Duff and dai-riid. J

Ait Cr Ward’s Suggestion, it w«» resolved to eaiqniro from the Minister of Public Works, 'that decision lie had ! reached with regard to the protection Work at Woods’ Arahura Valley. £G was voted for repairs to Seddon’s Terrace and 'Eel Creek tracks. It was resolved to write to the Land Board in regard to the limestone deposits in the district, -.suggesting that Until a decision was reached ns ! regards the location of the. proposed | public body lime works, all areas be | reserved from dcledfcion by private parties or companies. The July meeting was fixed for the Ist of the month, the Finance Committee to s'it at 10 a.m. and the Council at 11 a.m. The first business at the meeting is to bo consideration of the proposed retrenchment proposals and matters connected herewith, including the amount to bo fixed for tlm annual rate. The Council rose at G. 20 p.m.

RETRENCHMENT SUGGESTED. -J At the monthly meeting of the \Westland County- Council to-day, the following report from the County Treasurer, arising out of the increased demands from the Charitable Aid B iard on the Council, was read. , In reply to your request I beg to supply a statement showing Government valuations of Ridings and the allocation over the Ridings of the Charitable Aid levy for the year, together with the total (general and mining 1 rat 3 collectable in each Rid-

ing for the period : Riding Valuation Proportion Rates « of I.evv Collectable

Last year the Council was asked to provide ,£IBO3 10/ for Charitable Aid levy. This was equal to nearly half the general rate collectable. On this occasion the levy shows an increase of £B6O. < To provide the £2662 10/ it will absorb about one penny of the general rate spread over both mining and general property.

In preparing the estimates for the year on which the road expenditure is allocated, £2,000 was allowed for Charitable Aid, but this has to be increased now by £2,662 10/. This amount will require to be provided (a) By increased rates, (b) by retrench nient and economies in other directions, or (e) by decreased road expenditure. Eliminating the last suggestion, there remains the two alternatives for the Council to decide upon. ' Under (b) retrenchment and economics, the Conned might decide l o cut out all subsidies, including grants to Literary Institutes, A. and P. Association, -Acclimatisation Society or War Funds ; assistance to ratepayers constructing road approaches, or in protection works where public interests are not directly affected; Council te meet every second month, giving enlarged executive power to Chairman, town members and Overseer for works and the pass" ing of accounts : votes for road grants not to be exceeded, and all subsidy road grants by Government to be declined. Overseer to organise road maintenance economies, including purchase of supplies, plant, etc. The only practicable alternative to the savings under these various headings, and such other economies as might be possible, is (a) increased taxation by bringing the annual rate up to 2d in the £ capital value, in lieu of l?,d as at present. I would suggest that the financial position be taken in hand without delay before any drift takes place, so as to ensuro the Council *naintaining the strongest financial position in these difficult times.

£ L s (i jC H a Dillnians 40,832 166 13 6 3°5 2 6 Stafford 20,753 94 18 6 224 5 6 Aralmra 29,117 133 2 3 2S5 3 0 Kanicri i9.°‘3 86 [ 9 0 182 S 0 Kokatahi 157.422 719 6 976 9 9 Rimu 20,338 94 8 0 273 11 - 6 Totara 90,464 4i3 11 9 600 1 0 Okarito 141,966 .649 1 0 379 T 9 6 Okuru 52,19° 284 2 6 4°3 11 9