WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 March 1920, Page 4

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING

The Finance Committee of the Council met at the County Chambers yesterday at 11.15 a.m. The following is a synopsis of the principal business transacted: —

Accounts for February to the amount of £1247 14s 9d were presented, examined and passed for payment.

A tender was received for the supply of gravel on the Kokatahi road widening work, at 3s 8d per cubic yard, and was declined, being considered too high. Overseer Millner was instructed to carry out the gravel supply by days’ wages. A matter of access to two sawmill sites was referred to the Overseer for report. The Committee considered the wages question, and will make a recommendation to the Council for an increase in the days’ wages to commence from the Ist of next month. The Council will be recommended to grant £IOO yearly towards superannuation for the permanent employees, a scheme of distribution to be worked out.

The next meeting of the Council was fixed for March 30th, the statutory meeting regarding the revision of ridings and representative to take place the same day. It was resolved to co-operate with the local bodies of the district in regard to the visit of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales.

It was agreed to recommend a grant up to £SO to assist in clearing Mahinapua stream. The Treasurer reported in respect to receipts, and it was resolved to press for payment of all outstanding rates. Accounts unpaid at the 31st inst are to be sued for. All ratepayers in arrears at that date will be placed on the defaulters’ lists, which are to be exhibited in the respective Ridings. Some routine matters were dealt with, and the meeting concluded.

LOCAL BODIES’ MEETING

MAHINAPUA STREAM,

A joint conference of local bodies was held at the County Chambers yesterday afternoon at 2.45 o’clock regarding Mahinapua stream. Present: Messrs G. A. Perry (voted to the chair), T. W. Bruce, R. Wild, T. W.’ Duff, H. M. Coulson, J. J. Breeze, G. A. Wood, 11. A. Thompson, E. A. Wells, T. A. Chesterman, S. G. Ferguson, A. A. Andrewes, W. Millner J. S. Langford and D. J. Evans. The following reports were received from Overseer Millner:—

CLEARING MAHINAPUA STREAM. I have the honor to report, having inspected Mahinapua Creek, and find the bulk of the obstructions in the creek channel consist of banks of weedgrown sawdust which should be easily removed by heavy tootli drags, operated by a fairly powerful motor launch. The material requires loosening, when the greater portion will be carried downstream, provided the clearing is commenced at the lower end. A good deal of sawdust .exists between Mahinapua railway bridge and the Mananui mill which will give trouble for some time, as it is almost impossible unless at great expense, to remove more than a small portion of the material in the first clearing of the creek channel. The present trouble will recur at intervals if the weeds in the channel are allowed to grow unchecked, ns the greater portion of light debris in suspension, which otherwise would be carried down stream by the flood water, is held by the weeds and growth, and gradually accumulates as the growth increased, finally forming into the present obstructions, which if not attended to, will completely close the waterway. A vote of £l5O, judiciously expended, will clear a channel ten feet wide sufficiently to allow motor boats etc., to navigate the creek in safety.—Received. MAHINAPUA CREEK LOOK. I have the honor to report having inspected Mahinapua Creek as instructed two days occupied in taking levels, and choosing a site for the construction of a boat lock. The narrowest portion of the creek channel in the vicinity of Mr Haile’s residence, is one chain in width, with good sound banks on either sides, and a ferro-concrete wall at this point would require to be five feet in height front the present level of creek bed, and one chain in

length inclusive of the width of lock gates to span the waterway of the creek, in addition a wall on each side of the creek five feet in height including the depths of foundations, each wall being 75 links in length, would provide a waterway of three feet six inches in deptli upon the shallow bars further upstream, which should be sufficient for present requirements. The total length of retaining wall

will be 250 links, and it will be very costly and difficult to construct with out curtailing considerably the present width of waterway, which would mean the flooding of the land on each side of the creek above the lock during high floods. Two gates allowing an opening of 66 feet, the present width of waterway could not be operated successfully. A smaller opening in the main wall could he provided with a lift gate, is considered to be too small, two gates separated by a ferro concrete pillar would increase the lock opening to 32 feet in width and 6 feet in height. The pillar supported two in number for the single lift, and three as shown for the double lock gates, may be objected to owing to liability of debris fouling the pillars during the high flood. The gates can be up above the highest flood level. The foundation of the main wall across would require to be constructed at least four feet below the level of the creek bed, and to bo four feet in width running to two feet on the lower side for a distance of ten feet to prevent scouring during high flood. Owing to the increased cost of all the necessary material and scarcity of cement and reinforcement for which no quotations were received, a detailed estimate of cost cannot at present be furnished, but after carefully considering all matters in connection with the construction, present conditions indicate the cost of constructing a boat lock of the dimension described will bo

£1,200. In addition the road leading from Mahinapua creek bridge which at its present level is subject to floods, and

will require raising and metalling for motor traffic for a distance of forty chains, will cost £2BO to place in decent order—Received. The Chairman referred to Mahinapua Creek and Lake Reserves Act, 1893, vesting the territory in the Westland Acclimatisation Society as the controlling authority. A general discussion ensued, when it was moved by iVLr Duff that the clearing of the creek.at a cost not exceeding £l6O be approved, and that no further deposit of sawdust in the stream be permitted.—Mr Coulson seconded.

Mr Wild moved an amendment that the lock or weir proposal be adopted at a cost of £1,200, the Government to be asked to contribute £6OO, the County Council £3OO, Hokitika Borough £2OO, and Harbor Board £IOO. — Mr Wood seconded.

The amendment was lost and the motion carried, tne County and Borough each to contribute £SO, and the Harbor Board and Westland Acclimatisation each £25.

It was resolved to apply to the Government for a grant of £2BO to construct a vehicle road from South Hokitika to Mahinapua railway bridge, to avoid the fall.

It was resolved to ask the Cotinty Council to undertake the work, Overseer Millner to be in charge. The Conference then proceeded to deal with other matters (reported elsewhere).