WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 November 1917, Page 4

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

ORDINARY MEETING

Wednesday, Nov 28.

The Council met at 2 p.m. Present —Messrs B. Ward (County Chairman). H. Norman, J. Grimmond, R. Wells, E. A. Wells, T. W. Duff J. A. Murdoch and T. W. Bruce.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed and outward correspondence approved. A WELCOME. The Chairman extended to Mr E. A.,Wells a hearty welcome to the table. He trusted that he would have a long and pleasant term of office, and that the good feeling among members and his predecessor would be extended to the new member. Mr Wells said he was a little bashful, being the only new member at the table. He would do his utmost to continue the good feeling that existed between members, and to advance the best interests of the Council. VOTE OF APPRECIATION. The Chairman moved a vote of thanks be recorded to Mr Clifton in recognition of the long term of office he had served on the Council. The Chairman said Mr Clifton had done a great deal of valuable work for his riding and the County generally during his i6£ years of faithful service.—Seconded by Mr E. A. Wells and agreed to. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE. From Returning Officer, notifying election of Councillors. —Received. From Treasury, advising particulars of revenue remitted to County Fund Account.—Received. From Recruiting Board, forwarding first portion of Second Division list and asking same be checked.— Received. From Prime Minister, intimating it was not proposed to transfer the offices of Registrar of Electors and Returning Officer to another town. Received. From Minister of Public Works, explaining the Westland ferry service would be provided-for out of Maintenance Vote. —Received. From Minister of Health Resoits, replying that it was regretted provision could not be made for the improvement of Lake Kanieri road for tourist traffic.—Received ; further application to be made.

From Mines Department, regretting no assistance could be granted J. R. Danu for prospecting at Kanieri Forks ; stating a report was being obtained in regard to Webster and party’sapplication for extension of subsidy for tunnel at Back Creek ; intimating that a lurther prospecting subsidy had been granted to the Westland Prospecting Syndicate at Kanieri Forks.—Received. Mr R. Wells moved that further application be made for prospecting assistance to Mr Danu. —Seconded by Mr E. A, Wells and carried. From Minister of Internal Affairs, submitting draft of proposed amendment to motor regulations to be made by Order-in-Council. —Received.

From Customs Department, Dunedin, notilviiig gold export from Westland County for September, 1320/.S. isdvvts. —Received. From Public Trust Office, replying that the Trustee had not power to assign portion of a Native Reserve for a road in the Dillmans Riding, but it might be taken under the Public Works Act, though there was not any objection to the road being made through the leasehold. Received.

From Agricultural Department, promising consideration to application for renewal of slaughter-house license by G. P. Rea.—Received. From Ross Borough Council, expressing satisfaction at the arrange ments made for the bridging of the Mikonui river.—Received. The Clerk stated that on a basis he had worked out the share of the /1,600 would be as follows:—Westland County Hokitika Borough £ll3, Ptoss Borough £6B. After a general discussion Mr Bruce moved that application be made to the Ross and Hokitika Borough Councils for the portion mentioned to be found by these bodies.—Seconded by the Chairman and carried.

From Plokitika Borough Council, repudiating any liability for damage to County track by the raising of the level of Kauieri Take as a result of erection of weir towards the cost of which the Council had made a contribution.—Received ; after discussion the matter was referred to the Chairman to deal with. From Kanieri Power, I v td., on same subject and suggesting the Chairman should personally inspect the position ; also pointing out the abnormal rainfall at the time of the complaint.—Received. From H. B. Parham, asking for remission of rent on claims at Pine Creek which owing to conditions brought about by the war, it was not possible to work.—Received. Mr R. Wells moved the request be granted.—Seconded by Mr Murdoch and carried.

From B. de Bakker, asking for remission of mining rents owing to military service. Received. Mr Bruce moved the request be granted.—Seconded by the Chairman and carried.

From Wall Bros., Herepo, complaining of the wandering cattle nuisance in their district.—Received.

From A. Jamieson, Koiterangi, asking permission to shift fence on to road reserve, to allay noxious weeds and improve appearance of the road way.—Received. From J.-D. McKay, for self and neighbor, thanking the Council for assistance afforded regarding protection work —Received. From Westland Automobile Branch, promising assistance re garding the wandering stock nuisance, and asking that a light

bridge be placed across Palmer’s Creek, which often held up traffic. —Received.

From Canterbury Automobile Association, complaining of the nuisance to traffic by cattle being, allowed to stray outlie roads. —Received. From Bruce Bay District Committee, asking grant of .£3O for Jacobs to Bruce Bay road ; forwarding copy of minutes of meeting of district representatives; forwarding letter from Condon Bros for a further grant of for Mahilahi protection.—Received. Mr Grimmond moved that £5 be voted.— Seconded by Mr Murdoch and lost. From Okuru District Committee, reporting on protection works, and making certain recommendations. —Received. The Clerk stated that a copy of the letter had been sent 011 to the Public Works Department immediately on receipt, as that body was controlling the grant, but no reply thereto had been received. Mr Murdoch said it should be clearly pointed out to the south people that the Council had no say whatever in the carrying out of the work, which was entirely in the hands of the Public Works Department who were responsible for the making of the plans for the expenditure and the carrying out of the work.

From Overseer Millner, reporting repairs to Waimea protection at Chapel; submitting conditions for Malfrov and Coy’s tramway on portion of Old Christchurch road ; giving particulars of works in the Dillmans Riding; also of works in the Stafford Riding and repairs to Malfroy’s bridge; works necessary in Rimu Riding; expenditure of Government grants; completion of Evans Creek protection, cost os 6d ; Fisherman’s bridge contract. —Received and recommendations approved. From Roadman Nolan, notifying F. Gibb was leaving Waiho Ferry, and suggested specification of duties for new contract, reporting on district works, erection of a pound at Hari Haii, and other matters. —Received.

From Public Works Department, stating that ,£1,500 of urgent works in the “A. ” list of applications for grants would be available for Westland on the recommendation of the Resident Engineer; and adding that a grant for the Westland ferries was the subject of special consideration by the Minister. —Received. From Department of Internal Affairs, notifying restrictive legislation passed last session regarding collection of funds for patriotic purposes, all local efforts now to be approved by a local public official, and then only in respect to approved funds by the Department. —Received.

From Overseer Millner, reporting opening of Brownings Pass track ; stating a grant of ,£75 was required to clear growth in White Creek ; favorably commenting on progress with Mikonui bridge construction ; advising clearing of Totara road ; recommending control of Totara roads owing to resignation ot C. Black, now leaving Council’s employ ; stating expenditure of Government grants was proceeding satisfactorily.—Received. Mr Millner was appointed engineer on behalf of the County in connectibn with Mikonui bridge.

From Roadman Nolan, general report on district work, reporting on pounding of cattle at Wataroa ; recommending various small works; stating public pound near Hende’s Ferry would cost 10s to establish; approving rental of Bird Road reserve to J. Friend; supplying tenders for Wailio Bluff ferry track. —Received. It, was resolved on the casting vote of the Chairman to hold over consideration of the erection of a pound at Heudes Ferry.Tenders for the upkeep of Wailio ford and approaches were opened—one from C. Christiansen at £ls for repairs to Wailio and £lO per year for maintenance, and from W. H. Batseon at £24 per annum.

Both, tenders were held over till next meeting. FINANCE -COMMITTEE'S REPORT

1. Your Committee have the honour to report that the accounts presented 1 for the month of October, 1917, were carefully examined and beg to recommend that- the amount passed for payment, totalling £668/14/1 he approved. 2. Your Committee to-day examined the accounts for the. month of November, 1917, and beg to recommend that the- accounts, amounting to £1162/1/2 lie passed for payment. 3. Your Committee -sanctioned a contribution of £lO to the motor mail Scrv'iccj from Jackson, .and heg to recommend that action be approved.— Received and adopted. Mr. Bruce moved that Messrs G. S. Robinson (Chairman), P. Hansen, G. S. McMillan, W. Berry, W. Thiele and C. P. Glass be appointed as Trustees of Haiti Hari burial ground. Seconded by Mr. Norman and carried. ORDER PAPER. The Chairman ‘moved : “ That the accounts for October, 1917, as revised and recommended for payment by the Finance Committee, amounting' to £66S 14s id, be passed for payment.”—Seconded by Mr Norman and carried. The Chairman moved : —“ That the accounts for November, 1917, as revised and recommended for payment by the Finance Committee, amounting to is 2d, be passed for payment.”—Seconded by Mr Grimmond and carried. The Chairman moved : —“ That all existing Committees be discharged, and the Council now proceed to appoint new Committees for the ensuing year.”—Seconded by Mr Murdoch and carried. Finance' —Ors. Norman (Chairman), Grimmond, Duff and R. Wells.

Public Works-—Crs. Bruco (Chair- | man;, Murdoch, Ferguson, and E. A. Wells.

Mining Ors. Murdoch (Chairman), Bruce, E. A. Wells, and Grimmond. j To sign cheques The Chairman, Crs. Norman, Dull' and B-. Wells. Mr R, Wells moved:—“That the rate of wages to casual laborers employed by the Council, be increased to 12s per day as from the Ist December, and man, horse and dray 20s.”—Seconded by Mr Bruce. Mr Murdoch moved an amendment that the matter be held over for a report at next meeting by the Treasurer and the Overseer. Mr Wells agreed to hold over the motion pending a report at next meeting as suggested. Mr Norman moved that Overseer Millner arrange to remove some trees on Whitcombe track. —Seconded by Mr Bruce and carried. The Council rose at 4.40 p.m.