WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 November 1920, Page 4

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

. )Y^pNlSg|>,4f' NpY. 24th. ORDINARY MEETING. The Council met at 2 p.tn. Present —Messrs J. A. Murdoch' (Chairman), W. H. Chinn, T. R. Chesterman, B. Ward, .FJ. A. Wells, L. H. More|, J. Ritchie. The minutes were confirmed. The Chairman moved t|iat a hearty vote of thanks, appreciative of their piist yajuable services b.e forwarded fo Messrs Grimmond, Bruce and Ferguson, and be recorded on the minutes. Seconded b.v Mr Chesterman, who paid a tribute to the services of the retiring councillors over a,long period of years. Mr Ward endorsed the motion. He recognised that public men were sacrificing their own’ interests in favor of the general public. The three retiring I members had done yeoman service. Mr | Grimmond had served for 44 years, j The new members had a good standard, ! to follow in that set by the three retiring members/ Mr Wells supported, recognising that the retiring menibers had done splendid service for .South Westland. Mr Ritchie expressed his regret at the absence of the three members. He recognised the good work they had done for South Westland in the past. Mr W. H. Chinn said he did not see how he could express regret, as it was through him and the others standing that had led to their defeat. H e recognised the great sendees the retiring members had given in the past. The motion was then agreed to. The Chairman moved a vote of sympathy with Mr Duff in his illness and expressed the hope for his early recovery. Seconded by Mr Chesterman and carried. The outward correspondence was approved. « INWARD CORRESPONDENCE. ' From Treasury, Forwarding particuprospecting and other works.—Received.

From Minister of Lands, intimating request for necessary surveys and reports for utilisation of swamp lands for settlement in Westland would have consideraton upon return of Chief Drainage Engineer from America.— Received. From Minister of Public Works, regretting a vote could not he placed on the Estimates for Gillams Gully road owing to limited traffic.—Received. From Same, referring to the unexpended balances in hand for road grants and bridge works and asking early expenditure otherwise the authority issued may be cancelled.—Received. From Resident Engineer, Public Works, stating that the sharp turn at Taker’s Corner on the Arahura Road, would be attended to, and suggesting “slow” notice boards he erected.—Received. From Minister of Mines, announcing from evidence adduced the payment of prespecting subsidy to Bryan and party could not be granted.—Received. From Same, again declining to aid seott and Crawford to test the back country at head of Hokitika river, and referring to Mining Bulletin No. 6 for information. —Received. From Same, stating there was no reason for believing minerals of value were likely to be found in South Westland area, and if the Council bad reasonable prospects a prospecting subsidy to Finneity and O’Connell will be reconsidered.—Received. From T. E. Y. Seddon, M.P., letter from Minister of Public Works, in reference to drainage of La Fontaine swamp and stating an Engineer from th Department would prepare a report.—Received. From Board of Trade, telegraphing a supply" of Portland and Golden Bay cement would be available early for urgent requirements. —Received. From Same, notifying satisfactory arrangements had been made and a building leased for the conducting of postal facilities at Hari Hari.—Received. From New Zealand Counties’ Association, circular dealing with proposal for an association of County Clerks' and approving of the idea.—Received. From Same, forwarding report of Committee concerning Arbitration Court awards and inviting suggestions from file Council for consideration.— Received. ' ' From Westland Agricultural and Pastoral Association, drawing attention to the growth of gorse becoming a nuisance in the Kokatahi and Koiterangi districts, and desiring to know if it could be proclaimed a noxious week.—Received. Mr Chesterman said gorse was getting a great danger, it growing all over much land That was not in evidence previously. Mr Ward said gorse was a difficult subject. To have it declared a noxious weed would

■cause much hardship to the poor farmers, who already had as big a load as they could well carry. . Mr Morel said it was only a matter of form to declare gorse a noxious weed. No notice of noxious weeds was taken in Westland. There was an inspector for the district but they saw very jhttje of him. As far as he saw noxious weeds law was ii dead letter in Westland. - The Chairman said his objection to declaring gorse a noxious weed was the fact that the Crown was the greatest offender . The letter was received.

From Mrs M. Scott, asking for erection of ivories to ' prevent Johnny Walker’s creek from damaging and overflowing land at Little Wanganui. —Received; Referred to Mr Cliinn to confer with Mrs Scott; copy of the Overseer’s report to he sent to Mrs Scott.

From H. Blacknnm, Stafford, applying for a prospecting subsidy to drive a tunnel BQO feet into his claim.—Received ; to be recommended. From Sawmillers, enclosing copy of telegram to member for Westland, asking arrangements be made to interview Prime Minister so that accommodation be arranged for storage of timber and asking assistance of the Council.—Received ; left to town members to confer with Railway Manager on arrival in Hokitika.

From Park and Murdoch, on behalf of Westland Gold Prospecting Syndicate, applying for permission to construct a tramway along Ward road in the Lake Kanieri district.—Received.

Mr Wafd said he approved of the grant and he wished more applications of a similar nature in the County.

Mr Chesterman said lie approved of the proposal, as it would save the Council'a considerable sum "for upkeep. Mr Cjiinn sajd in sparsely settled districts where the residents had no objections, he did not oppose, but he 4id object where the people affected raised an objection, and instanced (he iiold Head road, where in face of the opposition of a|| the settlers <he Councij hacl made the grant. Mr Ritchie said the settlers should be safeguarded against the sawmillers ivliere there ’was aiiy friction.

The request was agreed to subject to tho usual conditions.

From Overseer Millner, reporting it will cost £39 10s to construct and clear out the drainage area near Thomson's oi file Kokatahi fo a cl; advising ordinary heavy loads be curtailed in weight in passage during reduction of Morris Hill, Kanieri; suggesting vote for Ara-hura-Awatuna road be increased to £6OO to enable (jjifficuTV country to be overcome; 1 Willoughby and Thorpe v. culd undertake the Back Creek road work at £2OO. —Received and approved.

From Roacjman Nolan, reporting a heavy flood Jiad caused damage to culverts and roads; recommending Docliorty road work he held in abeyance as a working party may be arranged shortly; and’ particulars of his action in connection ‘ with wharf repairs and material for Okarito sjied. —Received. From Prime representations regarding loading facilities for timber at Hokitika would ' ,avG care ‘ ful conside.ration. —Received. From State Advances Office, notifying resolutions affecting loans had been duly gazetted.—Received. From T. E. Y. Seddon. M.P., forwarding copy of Greymouth Harbour Board Amendment Bill.—Received. / From Gisborne Borough Council, advocating the adoption of a system of premium bonds in respect to local bodies as an inducement to attract investors.—Received.

From Westland Progress League, suggesting a conference on December Ist regarding Greymouth Harbor Bill, and askiiig Council to appoint representatives. —Received; The Chairman, Messrs Ward, Jeffries and Ritchie were appointed to represent the Council. From Automobile Association, thanking Council for action regarding improvement of Toker’s corner, Arahura road, and stating “slow notice” boards would be provided; promising to join in urging further grant for Lake Kanieri road improvement; suggesting a mileage basis of Is 6d for a motor car tariff throughout the district. —Received. From C.. J. Nightingale and others, urging attention to the South Spit-Rua-tapu beach road lately rendered impassable by sand drift.—Received; and referred to Overseer Millner to attend to.

From Overseer Millner, reporting position regarding encroachment of Johnny Walker’s Creek, Little Wanganui.—Received. From Chairman Okuru District Committee, reporting on district matters the need for ferry reserves.—Received.

From Roadman Nolan, reporting on works in Wataroa district.—Received. From Overseer Millner report on matters receiving • his attention since last meeting.—Received; Mr Chinn moved that Waitalia settlers be offered £2O to erect a shelter shed at Wait aha settlement road junction. Seconded by Mr Chesterman and carried.

Ifr Cliinn moved that applications be invited for a ranger to take charge of wandering cattle nuisance, district to extend from Hari Hari district to Hokitika river at £IOO per annum Seconded by Mr Ward and carried.

From A. O’Hallornn, tßimu, nskjng for erection of a bridge over • Pigen Creek, on Hokitika Gorge 'road.—Received ; a grant to be applied for. ; From Stuart and Chapman, Ltd., asking in view of the change of 'the personnel of the Council, if the Council were prepared to cancel the agreement made the Company 'refunding the expenditure of Council on the bridge, the Company then taking over complete control of Mikonui bridge.—Received.

Mr Ward said when he was chairman it was one of his pleasant duties to open that bridge. He thought there was much misconception over the erection of the bridge. He was of opinion that the' opening of that bridge was one of the finest operations of the Council in the past in the interests of the settlers.

Later in the afternoon the Council agreed to inform the writers that they had not the least desire to alter the present agreement. FINANjDE COMMITTEE’S REPORT.

Your Committee have the honor to report that the accounts presented for the month November, 1920, have been carefully examined, and beg to e-cam-mend that the aniounjb as approve 4 totalling £ll3B 9s lid be passed for payment.—Received and adopted. OVEBSKER MJLLNERhS REPORT.

Sir.—l have the honour to report that now the loan proposals for the purchase of road-making machinery is rejected the Council should consider the advisability of purchasing a four-wheel drive motor tipping waggon for new road construction and repairs; also cartage of timber for bridge construction in various parts of the County, or in the alternative, the purchase of three single horse and dray teams for road work for use in districts where horses and drays are not at present available. Suitable teams with equipment would cost #125 each. The cost of the’three teams would amount to one quarter tjie cost of a motoi; tipping-waggon, but each team would cost £8 5s weekly to maintain, or a total amount of £24 15s weekly for tjie three, which is greatly in excess of the cost of maintaining a, suitable motor for roadwork. At present a considerable mileage of County roads requires attention and treatment with the large road-grader, one of the best investments the Council ever made, but tyo machine can not be' used because a suitable team for haulage is not available. This difficulty would be over come if the Council possessed a motor

waggon of two tons capacity, as it could bo used for tliis class of work in addition to meta] and timber haulage. The cost of timber haulage by teams from Perry’s Mill to Kanieri River Bridge, Lake Kanieri road, a distance of eight miles, is 7s 6d per hundred superficial feet ,tho time occupied by a team being six to seven hours. A motor waggon could easily accomplish three trips daily over this distance, and deliver the timjbe.r at a cost of 3s per hundred feet, or possibly less. J

COUNTY CLERK’S REPORT. Sir and gentlemen.—l have been requested to report in respect to the impounding of cattle in the County of Westland. /

The matter is governed by the provisions of the Impounding Act 190 S, and its amendments. The Council as a local authority defined under the Act, lias power to appoint public pounds and poundkeepers. The poundkeeper is an independent public officer and not the servant of the local authority that appointed him; nor is the local body answerable for the acts of the poundkeeper. Tho local authority hhs authority in respect to the s pound or pounds only in its district. Recently tho pound in a neighbouring Borough was referred to, but this Council has not control over same, nor may it make any direction regarding fees, which are those fixed by the local authority controlling the pound in question.

1-1011. The chief need for a pound or pounds within' the County is on account of cattle wandering at large on roads. There are districts where cattle so wandering are both a nuisance and danger to 'the public at large and steps should be taken as circumstances warrant to establish pounds in such districts as a safeguard if not a preventative. The act provides (section 17) that any poundkeeper or any person authorised either by tho local authority having charge of the roads, or by any

person owning land adjacent thereto, may impound any cattle which at any time 'of' 'the day or night are found wandering at large or straying in or lying about or tethered in any road or other place of,public' resort, or so immediately adjoining thereto as to obstruct the same, and owner of the‘cattle'shall'be liable to a fine not 'exceeding two pounds for every head thereof over and above any other rates arid f'lmrrros incident to the impound-

ing of any sueli cattle. Note: Section 51 states that ail fines incurred under the Act may be recovered in a summary manner before a. Magistrate, or any two or more Justices, and shall he paid into tho Public Account and form part of the Consolidated Fund. Further to (Section 17 it is provided if any cattle are found straying, lying about or tethered between sunset and" sunrise, • any constable,

poundkeeper, or- occupier of land adjoining tile road, or other person authorised by the local authority, may place any such cattle ‘in a stable, yard or enclosure during the night and remove tho same as soon as conveniently niay ho after sunrise to the nearest pound. Any expenses not exceeding one shilling per head for the first twenty head, and sixpence per head for all over that number, incurred by the constable, poundkeeper or other person in so doing, shall he paid by the owner of the cattle over and above any fine, rates, or charges. The provision just quoted from Secton 17 shall not apply (a) tq cattle owned h.v the licensee of any Crown Lands if they are depastured on roads within sueli land over which lie has a right of pasturage. (b) —To cattle for the grazing of which tho owner has received the sanction of the local authority having control over the roads where such cattle are depastured. (c) To cattle owned by any person in the lawful occupation of land if they are depasturing on roads which are unfenced on either or .both sides by the land of such occupier. - It has been held that land is not unfenced within the meaning of the paragraph just quoted if there is an actual fence with separates the road from the land which was intended to'prevent the free passage of cattle from the land to the road, although the fence may not come up to the standard required by law to enable an occupied of land to recover for cattle trespass. The fees which the poundkeeper may charge for stock impounded and sustenance rates are included in the third schedule attached to the act, while fees for driving cattle to a pound are enumeraed in the second schedule of the act. D. J. EVANS, County Clerk.

ORDER PAPER. Tjid Chairman moved:—“That the accounts for the month of November, 1920 as revised and recommended for payment by the Finance Committee, amounting to £ll3B 9s lid., be passed for payment.—Seconded by' Mr Chestennan and carried.

The Chairman moved:—“TJia: all existing committees he discharged, and the Council proceed to the appointment of fresh Committees.”—Seconded by Mr Ware} and carried. Tlie Chairman moved that the following Committees be appointed: (a) Finance: Crs. Dliiff (Chairrtiai), Jeffries Ritchie and Wells. (h) Public Works: Crs. Cheste-man (Chairman), Chinn, Morel and Wir-il. (cjl Mining Committee: Crs. Wells (Chairman), Duff, Chesterman, and

Chirih. (d) To sign cheques and doeunvnts for and on behalf of the Council: l'he Chairman, Crs. Duff, Jeffries and Ritchie.—Seconded by Mr Ward and carried.

Tlie Chairman moved:—“That .John Peake be appointed Valuer of Mining property for file County of Westland on the same terms and conditions as previously.”—Seconded by Mr Chinn and carried.

The Chairman moved: —‘.‘That the Finance Committee be authorised

to arrange for the necessary repairs and painting of the County Office, if the estimated cost is reasonable.” by Mr Chesterman and carried. TMe Chairman moved : —“Tint Hie Public Works Committee confer

with Overseer Millner as to the means considered necessary to be taken to expedite the expenditure of grants and loan moneys available for expenditure throughout the County.”—Seconded by Mr Ward and carried. Cr, Chinn moved:—“That in view of the decision of the Hon. Minister of Public "Works not to proceed at present with the extension of the South "Westland railway to the "Waitaha, and with the object of fnciltating transport and reducing freights to the southern districts, a special committee consisting of tho Chairman, Crs Jeffries, Ritchie and mover be authorised to' confer with Stuart and Chapman Ltd regarding the extension or the Company’s sawmill tramway along the Bold Head

Road route to the Big Waitaha river; i and that in connection therewith it he ft

suggested all bridges and culverts be constructed and planked a sufficient width for stock and vehicle traffic, also that the Committee confer in regard to freight charges over tlio line in question

between Ross railway station and the Big Waitaha; and further tliat negotiations be opened for the metalling of the proposed road line after tho tramway is down, witli the object of providing a shorter and better route for stock and vehicle traffic between Boss and the Southern District; the Committee to report fully on the matter for the January meeting of the Council.” Mr Chinn said fio had been always in accord with the stand of tho Council in connection with the Mikonui bridgo. Ho felt that now tho southern settlers were in accord with tho action tab ell was in t]ie best interests of th° County. In connection with Bold ffoad road ho feit that it would be a good policy for the Council to urge and assist Stuart/ and Chapman Ltd to push on their line.

of railway further south. The Bold Head road would prove a boon and reduce the present cost of transit by 10s,per ton. Mr Bitch ie recognised the erection of ' Mikonui bridge had proved a great boon to the settlers of the south, fie seconded tho motion for the appointment of the Committee. Mr Ward said ho wished to assist South Westland. There had been e S&uie misconception in the past, but bo was pleased to find that the new members had agreed that the Council had done the right thing in arranging for the erection of the Mikonui bridge. , The Chairman congratulated Mr Chinn on the motion brought forward, which ho was in accord with, promising every assistance with the object in view. The motion was then agreed to. | A telegram was received from Power - and Party, Waiho Gorge, offering to take Doherty Itoad contract at £250. ft was resolved to accept the tender.

STATUTORY MEETING,

The Auditor-General returned the County balance sheets duly certified to, with exceptions'.—Received. The matter was referred to the Chairman to write to the Auditor for particulars. The Chairman moved:— “That tho Council consider the annual balance sheet and audited statement of accounts!, and upon settlement arrangements be made for publishing same as usual. Seconded by Mr Chesterman and carried, The Council rose at 5.20 p.m. • ~