WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 12 January 1921, Page 4

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

TUESDAY, JAN. 11th

The Council met at 2 p.m. Present: Messrs J. A. Murdoch (County Chairman), L. H. Morel, T. 11. Chesterman, B. Ward, J. Ititchie, E. A. Wells, AA . H. Chinn, AV. Jeffries and T. AV. Duff. , The minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approved. 1N AV AH D CO Rlf ESPON DENC E. ! From Treasury, forwarding revenue accrued.—Received. ■ From Audit Office, en- ' closing balance-sheet lor half-year, JUth September, 1020, duly certified.—Received. . From Department of Internal Affairs, placing on record the election of James A. .Murdoch as Chairman of the Council for the current year.— Received. I From Minister of Telegraphs, agree--1 ing to sale of telephone line between I Hari Hari and Meropo to the settlers for use as a private line.—Received. I From Education Department, AA ell- j ingtuti, intimating application for a new school at AVataroa will receive early attention.—Received. Front District Engineer of Hallways, stating if plans approved by the Chiet Surveyor are provided the road running alongside Arahura railway reserve will lie vested in the Council.— Received ; survey required to be obtained. From -Mines Department, forwarding schedule of unauthorised votes for road and bridge works, and proposals he submitted for approval before works proeeed —Received ; to-be referred to Overseer Milliter to complete in order of

urgency. . F ro i„ Public Works Department, declining to provide funds for the erection „f n bridge over Pigeon Creek on the road to Hokitika Gorge.—Received; ( ,>pv of letter to be sent to the Secretary of. the Koiterangi timber company affected. From same, pointing out the difficulties in obtaining hardwood and local timber supplies for the Little Wanganui river bridge, and immediately the materials are to hand the erection of the bridge will commence. Received. From same, regretting a grant could not be made for Hunt’s Reach road, as the work required is purely one of maintenance.—Received.

From T. E. Y. Seddon, .H P., enclosing letter from Marin- Depaitment in reference to the construction of a jetty at llriice Ray. and stating a report is being obtained.—Received. From Commissioner of Crown Lands, Westland, advising a grant ot Lott bad been voted for consideration with the Supplementary Estimates for Roto drain, Wataroa. —Received ; proposals for work to lie at once prepared. From Treasury, appointing Wednesday, 12th .January, as the time lor receiving evidence at Greymoutli in connection with the Greymoutli Harbour Commission. —Received. (A discussion that followed appears elsewhere). The Chairman moved that Councillors Jeffries, Chinn and Chairman be appointed to represent the Council at the Commission’s sitting.—Seconded by .Mr Duff and carried.

From same, telegraphing at present it is not intended the Commission shall sit in Hokitika.—Received. From A. D. Riley and Coy., supplying particulars of cost and work perfronied by the Albion Lorries.— Received.

From Automobile Association, Hokitika, promising support in action taken to have improvements effected to Lake Kanieri road, and contributing Co towards cutting down Morris Hill.—Re-

reived. From J. Schroeder. for repairs to road leading from Frosty Creek to Rutapu in view of carting timber from his mill.—Received ; a report as to cost to be obtained from Overseer. From A. O’Halloran, applying for a mill site on road reserve at Gorge Creek, and requesting the road bet ween Diedrieh Creek Bridge and the Hokitika Gorge be made passable for motor lorry traffic.—Received; referred to Overseer Millner for report. From settlers, Waitaha, complaining of the state of the Settlement Road and urging early attention to the morougfare. —Received. Mr Chinn .said it was one of the worst roads in the district. It would lie a good place to start with the motor lorry if they obtained one. He moved that a man be put on with the Roadman for three weeks to repair the road.—Seconded by Mr Jeffries and carried.

From settlers, Christchurch Road, urging the restoration of Harris Creek Bridge to give them access for stock to the grass paddocks.—Received; refer red to Overseer Millner for report,

From Settlers, Waitaha, offering to erect shelter shed at road junction, if Council provide material. — Received. It was resolved to adhere to Council s offer of a subsidy of £2O.

From Waiho School Committee, asking for £> grant to form and gravel approach to the new school. —Received ; to he forwarded to the Education Board with a favorable recommendation.. From J. W Thomson, wharfinger, forwarding £8 5s wharfage and storage dues collected at Okarito wharf.-—Re-ceived.

From Roadman Nolan, general report on district works and recommending the grader he used for repairs to the Wataroa roads.—Received. In connection with condition of the Waiho bluff, the matter was referred to Mr Jeffries to inspect and. report.

Mr Chinn entered a protest against the expenditure of the subsidy ol for repairs to a tramway at the Forks, which was only used for the carriage of logs to the mill at the Forks. Apparently the Council had been under a misapprehension as to the actual position. After discussion it was resolved to dis continue the subsidy, and to ask Roadman Nolan to report on the work. From Roadman Nolan, enclosing letter from G. W. King, in respect to putting Waiho Bluff track in order.—Received.

From Overseer Millner, advising expenditure of L'l I lor diverting Johnny Walker Crock, reporting it will cost C 250 to build a new bridge over Harris Creek; the work of cutting down Monis Hill has been completed to satisfaction ; KJanieri Lake road requires attention owing to continuous motor traffic and £4B is estimated for tbe work ; estimating repairs necessary to bridges in the Kokatahi Riding at £225, and Harris Creek bridge, Cropp’s road £216. Received. On Mr Chinn’s report it was agreed to grant Mr T. Cron £3 and wire for work at Johnny Walker Creek. It

was resolved, on the motion of Messis .Morel and Wells, that the bridges he repaired as recommended except that White Creek bridge he held over. The works authorised were Municipal Creek bridge €SB l()s, Harris Creek bridge £39, Raft Creek bridge £B6 7s, Harris Creek Bridge £2l(b From District Health Officer, Christchurch, inviting Council to defer its duties under the Act, to the Health Department, ill connection with control of infectious diseases; the cost to the Council being £34 Is 2d.—Received. Mr Duff moved the Council delegate its powers t« the Health Department.Seconded hv Mr Chestermnn.

From Grey County Council, conveying resolution to draw attention of Minister of Mines to the price of gold as between New Zealand and England.

—Received ; to be supported. From Westland Miners Association, conveying resolution asking for sitting of Harbor Commission at Hokitika.— Received. ' From District Engineer of Railways, Grey mouth, agreeing to proposals tor transfer of land for road at Awatmia, with a small exception.—Received. From Resident Engineer, Greymoutli, approving of transfer of vote from Ku-mara-Awatuna road, trom Kuniara to Stafford end.— Received.

Enmi Roadman Nolan, further report on district procedure. —Received. From M. Nolan, Ross, applying for grant up to £35 for repairs to farm at Totarn.—Received. From C. J. P. Sellers, enclosing application for prospecting license by Knight and party.—Received; no oh jection. No applications were received for position of Roadman for Dari Hari, or Ranger. FINANCE COMMITTEE’S REPORT. 1. —Your Committee have the honor to report that the accounts for the month of December, 1920, were dealt with as follows:—On December 22, wages accounts to the amount of £717 8s Id for the Christmas holidays, and to-day accounts totalling £(>7o lls 7d were examined and approved for payment. The whole totalling £1393 19s 8d for the past month, is recommended for payment accordingly. 2. —With regard to the repairs and painting of the County "office, the estimate for the work is £B2, and the matter is referred to the Council for final decision.

3. — In reference to Bird Road contract, -the Committee recommends that the contractor owing to serious illness, bo relieved of further liability in the matter, and Roadman Nolan be instructed to have the work completed according to specifications for the nimicnt available.— Received. It was resolved to invite tenders for the renovating of the office. PUBLIC WORKS REPORT. (Published yesterday). Received. A telegram was received from J. Humlet, Christchurch, offering a Guy motor lorry at £1,150. and a Dedion Ronton at £1,550. Mr Chestermnn and Mr Chinn spoke in support of the proposal to obtain a IoiTV.

Mr Ritchie said In* favored mechanical labor, but lie did not consider it was advisable to obtain a lorry at present. Mr Duff was in favor of the Council doing its best to secure a motor lorry, and lie thought they should leave it to Overseer Millner to recommend the most suitable one.

Mr Morel thought they were premature in regard to a motor lorry. He thought they should get more information, especially as only some three months ago the ratepayers had turned down the loan proposals for a lorry and stone crusher. Mr Ward said he looked to the pro gross of the County. He found the old order had changed and that they had come to a standstill. The time had come for a change by the introduction of machinery. He was in favor of severing a lorry but which machine to secure he .had not yet made up his mind. He favored a recommendation from Overseer Millner as to which was the most suitable.

Mr Wells supported obtaining a lorry. The time had come to get an improvement on the present slow methods of ( , construction. Mr Jeffries said he had not heard one argument in favor of a motor lorry. It would cost fs> per week for a driver, and there was the high cost of oil. He considered there was an urgent need for economy. In the interest of the ratepayers the Council should take every effort to conserve as far as possible the expenditure of every shilling. He was pledged to conserve every possible shilling. He had not been satisfied that the Council was justified in the proposed expenditure of up to £I3OO. There was no possible justification for that expenditure at present. The Chairman said for the reasons as expressed by Mr Jeffries, lie was going to ask Overseer Millner to report as to the cost, the saving to be effected, and the best machine. If by getting a machine* they could get better efficiency, then be would favor one being procured. ORDER PAPER. The Chairman moved :—“That the accounts for the month of December, 1920, as revised and recommended for payment by the Finance Committee, amounting to £1393 19s Bd, be passed for payment.”—Seconded by Mr Ward and carried. The Chairman moved:— “That pursuant to the statutory provision, Wednesday afternoon each week he lixed for the weekly half-holiday for the County of Westland.”—Seconded by Mr Wells and carried. The Chairman moved:— “That A. Clifton Esq., he reappointed to represent tbe Council on the Hokitika High School Board of Governors for the ensuing term.”— Seconded by Mr Wells and carried.

Mr Chinn moved: —“That fhe report of the Special Committee now before the Council in respect to Bold Head Road matters, he adopted.”—Seconded by Mr Ritchie and carried. Mi Ckesterman’s motion:—“That the report, of the Public Works Committee as before the Council, recommending tlic- purchase of a Ley land mofoi tipping lorry be adopted, and the Committee empowered to complete all necessary arrangements in connection therewith,” was deferred to next meeting, Overseer Millner to be present to supply further details required. Mr Chinn moved: —“That Roadman Nolan inspect the repairs asked for by Messrs Gibb Bros to Doclierty

Creek track, and the sum of £l9 be voted for urgent work, the Roadman to sible.” —Seconded by Mr Jeffries and carried. Mr Chinn moved: —“That a legal carry out same as expeditiously as posopinion be taken in regard to the most satisfactory tenure which can be granted for the leasing of unused ferry reserves within the County, and on the receipt of same, the Council take steps to review the terms on the renewals of leases.” —Seconded by Mr defines and carried.

Mr Ritchie moved : —“That box culverts be constructed on Petersen’s road, 1-lari Mari, where required to avoid wet crossings for school children. —Seconded by Mr Jeffries and carried. Mr Ritchie moved :—*‘That £ls be authorised for repairs to Upper Totara road.” —Seconded by Mr Chinn and carried. Mr Ritchie moved:—"That the Minister of Marine be urged to have the Landing at Bruce Ray constructed as soon as possible. —Seconded by Mi Jeffries and carried. Mr Ritchie moved: —“That the Public Works Department be asked to have about five chains of the Mabitabi Settlement road repaired to facilitate traffic oil the main south route.” Seconded by Mr Murdoch and carried. The Chairman moved.:— “That

iis 11 ion* seems to be some doubt from the Press Association message published regarding the Prime Minister’s movements that Westland will he included in the South Island tour, the Council again extend an invitation to the Rt ICm Mr Massey to visit the district to go into several matters, aflocting mining, forestry, agriculture, and local administration of public departments and generally to meet the people regarding various important deputations.”—Seconded by Mr Ward and carried. Mr .Jeffries dissenting. The Chairman moved" That, the Finance Committee be requested to look into and report regarding securing to the Council such portion of the revenues accruing from State forests as will recompense the Council for loss occasioned by the discontinuance of present sources of revenue through the operation of the State Forestry Act. —Seconded by Mr Wells and carried. Mr Ritchie moved that the Public Works Department have box culverts to replace open crossings on the linght-water-Wehckn road.—Seconded by Mr Chinn and carried. Mr Chinn moved that the Public Works Department be asked to call for tenders for the small bridges in South Westland for which local timbers are to be used. —Seconded by Mr Ritchie and

Oil rried. Mr Jeffries moved that Roadman Nolan lie removed to llari Mari fen - one mouth to carry out the works authorised at this meeting, viz Peterson’s road, Factory road to river find small culverts on swamps.—Seconded by Mr Ritchie and carried. Mr Morel moved that Overseer Milliter report on the best means ot preventing the overflow ot water on Kokatidii road. —Seconded by the Chairman

■and carried. Mr Chinn moved that the Council grant, Co to Mr Friend to clear the south bank of the Waitangi.— Seconded bv Mr Ritchie and carried. The Council rose at o.jo p.m.