WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 October 1919, Page 4

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14th

COUNTY CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

Gentlemen, — counties’ conference. I have the honour to report that I attended at Wellington the meeting of delegates representing County Councils throughout the Dominion, which opened on the Ist inst. The conference was attended numerously, and had a very large order paper to dispose of. The business involved consideration of various phases of County and local body government, a great deal of which referred to localities working under circumstances entirely different to those obtaining on the West Coast. This fact led me to think that in the matter of local ' reform in various matters affectiug public interests, the time is opportune for the West Coast local bodies to confer annually in conference so as to bring to more prominent notice the special disabilities which are complained of from time to time. If this were done in a provincial jvay preliminary to the Counties’ Conference, there would be a better understanding of the interests affected and a more influential support of the matters brought forward by the respective bodies.

At the recent Conference a great variety of subjects was brought forward. One of the principal questions brought up was that of the road problem, ai:d in this connection the President of the Conference, who had made a special visit for the purpose, submitted a detailed report on the Victorian system of road management. On the whole, however, the report was not very helpful iu a positive way. The President held that the system in Victoria had improved road construction, but it was a question iu his opinion whether the system could be applied or adopted to suit New Zealand conditions. Generally speaking, the road problem was better dealt with in this Dominion so far as giving the public road accommodation, and for that reason the President thought there was not much to learn. However, he thought also, that the road problem in this country was now beyond the unaided efforts of the local bodies, and believed in an intelligent policy of co-operation between the local authorities and the State. There the matter rests at present, except to say that the Conference subsequently urged on the Premier that the Government should take np the- question, and promulgate a policy to ensure better roads all over the Dominion.

In regard to various matters affecting subsidies, hospitals and charitable aid, and administration generally, the Conference adopted a series of resolutions which were conveyed to the Government but it does not appear likely (except in regard to subsidies) that much, if anything, will be done this session. There is just a possibility of some increase in rate subsidies being made, which will be specially acceptable to Councils such as this which have to impose a higher incidence when levying rates than those Counties with a greater rateable value.

ROAD MAKING MACHINERY. The time is at hand when the Council should consider the advisability of procuring some of the latest road making machinery. While in Wellington an opportunity was afforded of witnessing motor tractors at work in hilly r places, delivering metal etc, rolling roads and carrying' out a system of improvement. Iu conversation with other delegates I gleaned that some of the Counties, particularly in the North Island, have a large amount of road making machinery, and that it is proving very satisfactory in the more economical and successful making and maintenance of the roads. I have arranged for various catalogues of machinery to be sent forward, but 1 do not think that the Council could do better thau send Overseer Millner to the North Island to visit the Taranaki and Hawkes Bay Counties, see the machines in operation, note the class of work performed, and recommend to the Council what it might do in the matter of acquiring a plant which will be serviceable to tbe district

ROAD GRANTS. While in Wellington, 1 obtained the sanction of the Mines Department to prepare proposals for ArahuraHumphreys road improvement, and suggestions to expend £4OO on the work in question have gone forward for approval. I am hopeful this money will be available this month, as the work required is of a very urgent nature. In addition, the Mines Department will be voting over £1,200 for roads and tracks in this district immediately. The Public Works Department is providing votes for Westland on tbe Estimates in conformity with the recommendations of the Resident Engineer.

DEPARTMENTAL MATTERS. In conjunction with Mr Seddon, M.P., and Hon Grimmond, M.L.C., various matters of local concern were seen to. The Public Works Department has now taken over the maintenance of the Jacobs to Bruce Bay-Mahi-tahi road which hitherto has been under the charge of the Council. It is expected that authority will be issued very soon for the Bruce Bay Landing road. A large quantity of material for tbe Little Waitaha and Little Wanganui bridges is on the wharf in Australia, awaiting shipment to New Zealand, and Mr Sedclon has asked tbe Minister to make a special effort to get same sent across at once. The construction of the Tatare bridge (near Waibo Gorge) is likely to be gone on with at an early date, but there is not any immediate pr’ospecl of the Waiho river being bridged. With regard to this work efforts should be concentrated towards a vot e being provided next year. The questions of a grant for Okarito wharf shed and the matter of Okarito harbo r improvement, are being gone into by the Marine Department. With regard to forestry work in Westland, an is to visit the district immediately t 0 report in regard to the suitability of

localities to start reafforestation work,

LOAN PROPOSALS. I am sorry to find that the settlers of the Waitaha Valley are not disposed to co-operate with the Council in providing a good aiid permanent road for their own use. A very good offer was made to the settlers. They were asked to find the interest only on the cost of the work, the Council repaying the principal sum borrowed. It was an exceptional offer to make to any community and it is to be regretted that the offer was not availed of. There is a hitch about the erection of Kakapotahi (Lower) bridge, but this is likely to be overcome, as some of the settlers are anxious for the convenience of the bridge. The plans and specifications are ready to call for tenders as soon as the settlers agree to guarantee the interest on the cost of construction which will be defrayed by the Council, lam glad to be able to say that the settlers at Hari Hari have indicated that they are prepared to accept the Council’s offer in reference to works at Inter-Wanganui. These will involve a cost of £2,£50, which the Council is to find, and the settlers pay the interest during the currency of the loan which will have a life -of fifteen years. I might say that satisfactory arrangements have been made to borrow the money locally from the Hokitika Savings Bauk. The settlers at Hari Hari desire to consult me personally regarding the details of the loan proposals and 1 purpose visiting there about the 22ud inst. As the undertaking is a considerable • one, I suggest, if convenient, that members might accompany me so that they will have the opportunity of seeing for themselves what progress the district is making, and I would like to have an expression of opinion from members at this meeting. A BRIDGE FUND. My term of office is drawing to a close aud in concluding this report today, I would like to bring forward for the consideration of members a matter which has presented itself to me. I find that during the past eighteen months, the Council has paid out of its ordinary revenue, nearly £2,000 for expenditure in connection with bridges, and that for the next six months there is a liability in view of another £I,OOO, making £B,OOO for the two years. So large an average expenditure is a very heavy strain on the restricted revenue of the Council. This class of expenditure is not likely to diminish, for the County is now reaching a period in its life when much of the timber is becoming overripe, and renewals wall, at no distant date, become imperative. In the powers of the Council there is provision to create a Bridge Bund to be used specially for interest payments to provide moneys Jo renew bridges over 30 feet in length, which by accident of flood, fire, or other mischance, or on account of disrepair, are in need of reconstruction. The fun d is created by the levying of a bridge rate limited to one farthing in the £ on the capital value ot ad rateable property in the County. A rate of half a farthing would yield about £3OO per annum, which _ would be a considerable sum to provide for interest and sinking fund over a term of years for the renewal of bridges as required. If a fund of this nature were created, the structures could be of a more durable material than timber, and therefore more permanent, and I would commend to the Council and my successor the advisability of placing such a proposal before the ratepayers next year when the general election of councillors comes rofind again, with a view to the Council taking the authority to establish the fund. The rate need not, necessarily, be specially collected, but could form part of an appropriation from the general rate to be paid into a separate account out of the general rate receipts each half-yearly period. T. W. Duff, County Chairman.