WESTLAND COIINTY COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 9 February 1921, Page 4

WESTLAND COIINTY COUNCIL

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY Bth

The Council met at 2 p.m. Present. Messrs J. A. Murdoch (Chairman), B. Ward, Ty. H. Morel, T. W. Duff, AA .HChinn, J. Ritchie, E. A. Wells, W. Jeffries and T. R. Chesterman. The minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approved. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE.

From Treasury, forwarding- revenue accrued. —Received.

From Right Hon AA. Massey, intimating he hoped to include the West Coast in his itinerary for the proposed trip to the South Island, hut would giw a definite answer later on.—Received. Mr Seddon M.P., wired that the date would be available shortly. From Same, stating he would place representations made for a landing at Bruce Bay before the Minister of Marine who would reply to the Council direct.—Received.

From Minister of Labor, Wellington, recording the decision to continue Wednesday as the half-holiday within the Westland County.—Received. From Resident Engineer, Public AVorks, Department, approving of a subsidy of £125 n for £l, for the erection of a new bridge over Waimea ( tech, Christchurch Road, when satisfactory proposals are submitted.— Received; plans to be drawn and submitted after a reply is received from Messrs Wright, settlers affected.

From Department of Overseas Trade, Wellington, thanking the Council for information supplied showing number of vehicles recorded under the “Motor Vehicles Registration Act. Recoiled.

From District Health Officer, ( in istclnirch, placing on record the delegation of the Council’s control and investigation of infectious diseases to the Health Department.—Received. From Mark, Sprot and Coy., orevmouth, giving particulars of the power and capacity of the four wheel drive truck with quotation for truck chassis f.0.b., Wellington.—Received. From T. E. Y. Seddon, M.P., Christchurch, stating he had invited Mr Massey to the Coast, and stating he would advise dates later —Received. From J. Hamlet and Coy., Christchurch, supplying information and testimonial extolling the advantages of the Do Dion Bouton truck in use by West Const sa f wmillers. —ReceivedFrom A. D. Riley and Coy., Wellington, enclosing specification and illustration of the ton Albion hydraulic tipping waggon fitted with body of four cubic yards load. —Received. From Lewis and Wells, on behalf of Boyd, Marks and Groweott, producing efjpy of application to surrender mining privileges absolutely and praying that the rent on the claims situated Rinru district, he treated as non-recoverahle.* —Received and agreed to, subject to the rates being paid, on the motion of the Chairman.—Seconded by Mr Wells.

From Janies Donovan, Okarito, asking that some modification be made in the sizes of timber required for culverts for the AYataroa south bank track. —Received; held over till next meeting.

From Donovan, fli 11 trap and Paganini, in reference to the use and maintenance of the tramline leading from the Main South road to the Okarito Lagoon and urging continuation of the vote for repairs.—Received. Mr Chinn said lie took the stand that he did at last meeting. The expenditure of County money on this line was not warranted. No hemp or no timber except Mr Paganini’s bad gone over this line. He was quite prepared to stand by Overseer Milliter's report, which he had asked him ty supply for to-day.

From Walter Thomson, Ross, stating he was unaware of applications being invited for Stock Ranger, and intimating lie was willing to accept the position for district between Little Wanganui and the Hokitika river.—Received. Mr Chinn moved that Mr Thomson be appointed Ranger on the terms offered by the Council.—Seconded by Mr Jeffries and carried; to date Ist March; public notice of appointment to be given. From W. 11. Chinn, suggesting inst ructions lie given to the South Stock Ranger (o give a general warning to owners of straying animals before issuing prosecutions.—Received.

From E. M. Jones, Alatainui, enquiring whether there is a vacancy for a ferryman at Paringu river crossing as he had taken up land in that locality and would conduct the duties if appointed. —Received; to he advised that there is no opening for a ferryman at Paringa. From James Park, Solicitor, .supplying legal opinion for the leasing of County reserves where there is no ferry, and outlining procedure to be followed when letting any of unused areas.— Received. After discussion, Mr Jeffries moved that a committee he set up to consist of Messrs Duff. Ritchie, mover and Chairman to consider the question of all ferry reserves and to draw up bile necessary conditions to rule future renewals of leases.—Sounded bv Mr Ward and carried. From Settlers, Lower Waitaha, requesting that in view of the completion of the Bold Head Road that the Government be asked to divert tliQ £ooo grant from the Waitaha Beach Road to the Hold Head road.—Received.

Mr Olderog waited on tlio Council to lind the actual position of the repairs to the stop bank on the Arahura river near his property. The Clerk stated that instructions .had been sent out to the Overseer to put the work in hand. Mr Ward explained how lie had urged the work to lie carried out as soon as possible. Mr Jeffries said he had seen the position and warned the Council of the grave danger involved if another big flood took place before repairs were effected. >

Mr Olderog stated the last flood had cut in further and the danger was getting graver every day. A number of matters were discussed affecting the Council, the Chairman intimating tha the would enquire into them and report to the next meeting of the Council.

From Receiver of Land Revenue, forwarding authority for halves and thirds amounting to £448 13s fid. Received. From John Burns and Coy., Christchurch, giving information of machinery in stock—Received. From International Harvester Company, Christchurch, forwarding pamphlets and specifications 1 of motor trucks.—Received.

From Roadman Nolan, reporting on the road to Gibb Bros', holding in the vicinity of Dooherty Creek. —Received, and new vote to be applied for. From Department of Agriculture, Hokitika, notice to clear roads and reserves of noxious weed known as Ragwort.—Received and referred to Overseer Millner. / From Public Works Department, approving of plans for the widening of Lake Kanieri road, and renewing of Mhlfory bridge.—Received and tenders for road widening being called approved ; Malltoy’s bridge repairs to be carried out by day labor. From Minister of Finance, replying

; regarding the price ot gold and stating the latest Home quotation was £3 15s ;kl per ounce; also mentioning that any of tlie banks will act as agents for individual producers at a small charge. Received. From Lands Department suggesting that the Council confer with the Chiel Surveyor at Hokitika respecting Ivu mara-Kapitea road reserve matters.— Received and referred to the Chairmai and Mr Duff to confer with Mr Gal hraitli. From Marine Department, stating that the Resident Engineer at Greymouth had been instructed to ..make the necessary survey at the earliset possible date for the landing at Bruce |s it v.—Received ; copy of letter to be sent t oMr Gillies and enquiry made when the plans would bo available to undertake the work. From Hon J. Grimmond, ex-member of the Council, forwarding photographs of himself.—Received and accepted with thanks, photos to be hung in the CliamI hers.

From C. E. Honey, executrix of late S R. Honey, asking for remission of rent anil rates in respect to a special claim at Callaghans.—Received and remission of rent to lie recommended on payment of the rates due. - From Roadman Nolan, reporting an additional Co grant was required to complete Waitiingi track; also declining to go to Inter-Wanganui unless expenses were allowed, and explaining the value of using the road drag tor repairs and upkeep-.— Received and .Co voted.. Mr Jeffries took exception to the Roadman lecturing the Council m regard to the carrying out of its works. No action was taken regarding the ex-

penses. From Same, reporting an arterial road was required down the south hank of the Waitangi river to Roto creek bridge, a distance ol seven miles to open up good settlement country. Received. -Mr Chinn agreed the work was necessary but did not approve the route, and suggested the settlers he consulted regarding giving land to take the road on the high country clear of the river, so as to avoid subsequent erosion. The matter was left with Mr Chinn to consult the settlers affected.

From Overseer Millner, reporting on several matters dealing with district W( ,rks.— Received, and copy ol report regarding La Fontaine bridge contract to he sent to R. J. Scott, contractoi , final payment to he held over meantime. ROADMAN APPOINTED. Applications for position of Roadman at inter-Wanganui district were received from J. Witiskie, Humphreys; \V. Punch, Hari Hari; F. Ellis, Evans’ Creek; and A. Dunlop, Fergusons. After consideration and consultation with Overseer Millner. Mr Jefinos moved that J. Witiskie he appointed. Air Ritchie seconded. Air Chinn moved as an amendment that \\ . Punch he appointed. There being no seconder, the amendment lapsed, and the motion was carried nem con. It was resolved Air Witiskie take up the duties as soon as possible. reports. FINANCE COMMITTEE’S REPORT. I —Your Committee has the honor to report that the accounts presented for month of January 1921, have been carefully examined, and beg to recommend tjiat the amount as approved, totalling £855 8s lOd he passed for payment. 2.—Your Committee has taken up the matter .affecting the Council’s interests in respect to revenues accruing from State Forests, and will report to ;t later meeting on the subject wjiich is of the highest importance to the interests of the ratepayers.

J. Your Committee recommend that the necessary notification he given that ten per cent interest he added to all rates remaining unpaid after the 28th February .—Received and adopted.

REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEE REGARDING BOLD HEAD ROAD. P’urther to report of December 14tli List in regard to matters affecting Bold Head Road, your Committee bad a further consultation to-day with the representative of Messrs Stuart and Chapman Ltd., in regard to matters arising out of that report. E—lt was agreed in accordance with tin* expression in the previous report that the tariff charges for the transport of settlers’ goods, stock, etc., by the tramway would not exceed the Government railway charges for the carriage lit similar goods, stock, etc. 2.—As regards metalling the roadway for further use, and the decking ami strengthening of any culverts required for ordinary road traffic, the cost to lie charged to the Council in the matter to be determined by some disinterested person. 2. As to the tenure for the use of the road reserve for tramway purposes, it was resolved that Stuart and Chapman, Ltd. be granted a term of five years from the expiry of the current yearly period, with the right of icnewal for a further term of five years if all the conditions pertaining to the Council’s agreement with the firm arc being duly complied with.

The foregoing matters are now referred to the Council for formal adoption by resolution of the Council. —Received and adopted. It was further resolved that the agreement embodying the foregoing be prepared and laid on the table loi signature when available. ORDER PAPER.

The Chairman moved That the accounts for the month of January, 1921, as revised and recommended for payment bv the Financo Committee, amounting to £855 & 10d, be passed for payment.” —Seconded by Mr Duff and carried. , The Chairman moved : ' That

the town members of the Council be appointed a sub-committee to act for and on. behalf of the Council in dealing with tenders on the 28th inst.” —Seconded by Air Gliesternran and carried. Air Chinn moved :—“That Overseer Millner be authorised to have Petersen’s road works put in hand by day labor, and M. Collett be appointed working foreman in charge of same.” Seconded by Mr AVard and carried. Air Chinn moved :—“That application be made for the transfer of tile Waitaha to South Beach road vote of j £SOO to Black Creek bridge and eul- | verts required on the neighbouring work of Bold Read road serving the )> hv Mr

: same community. —Seconded ov ivu j Alorel and carried. Mr Ritchie moved “That the I Minister of Public Works be urged to call for tenders for Slippery Face road deviation. CSOO grant, as early as possible, the work being urgently required for the convenience and safety of public traffic.”—Seconded by Mr Duff and carried. GENERAL.

Regarding Canoe Point tramway, near Okarito, Overseer Alillner was heard in regard to the present traffic using the line. It was resolved that .Messrs Donovan, Gilltrnp and Paganini he advised that their letter had full consideration, and no further action in the matter was resolved oil by the Council.

Air Jeffries referred to some matters affecting the AVaitaha settlers and the road serving them. On the motion of Al r Jeffries a vote up to £35 was granted for shelter shed at the Waitaha village#road junction. Mr Jeffries

gave notice to move that a grant of Cl,ooo he applied for for widening Waitaha Setllenient road. Tlie question of table drains was referred to the Roadman. ■ Mr Alorel urged that the clearing ol White’s Creek he proceeded with at once. R was resolved to leave the matter in the hands of Messrs Alorel. Chesternian and Overseer Millner. Air Chesternian drew attention to the necessity for further repairs to Kanieri river bridge, Kanieri Lake road, ft was resolved to ascertain Rebalance of the vote available, and apply the money to the best advantage. |*»ave was granted Roadman Dale to accompany the Chairman on a visit to Jackson Bay to he made this week-end per the AVakaiti. The Council rose at 5.20 p.m.