WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 May 1921, Page 4

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

TUESDAY, MAY 10

The Council met at 2 p.m. Present: Messrs J. A. Murdoch (County Chairman.), L. H. Morel, J. Ritchie, E. A. Wells, W. H. Chinn, W. Jeffries, T. W. Duff, T. R. Chesterman and B. Ward. The minutes, were confirmed and outward correspondence approved J inward correspondence. i From Treasury, forwarding revenue accrued.—Received. . From Receiver of Land Revenue, en- ■ closing approved schedule for. thirds and halves amounting to £582 3s 4d —Received.

From Mines Department, consenting to rent due by Cooper and party ' n re " spect to special claim, No 2360, Rimu district, being treated as irrecoverable. —Received.

From Same, advising that officers of the State. Forests and Lands Departments had been deputed to investigate claim for Timber Royalties from 1914 as claims prior to that year had received settlement. —Received. The Chairman said the Council had got one step ahead at last in thjs matter. With the Clerk he had had an interview with Mr McGavitt, one of the officers appointed. Mr King the other officer, has not yet arrived. He suggested that Mr Ward be appointed with him to represent the Council. Mr Ward said all the Council could ask for was what was just and due to the Council. The question was one that had been, in dispute for a considerable time.

.Mr Duff said the present position was an advance on past action. He thought that they should approve of. the Chairman and Mr Ward acting on behalf of the Council. The Clerk stated the matter for decision was mainly a legal one, on the question of what constituted timber royalties, as to the inclusion . of rents etc therein. Mr Chesterman approved of the Chairman being authorised to act on behalf of the Council.

Mr Jeffries said they should approve of the suggestion of the Department and they should make the l>est possible case they could and lay all their cards on the table.

Mr Ritchie approved of the Chairman taking his suggested action. The proposal for the Chairman and Mr Ward with the County Clerk to represent the Council and take what action they considered best, was then

agreed to. From Minister of'Public Work’s, stating representations made tor the early expenditure of grants for small bridges on the main south road had been noted and would have consideration.—Received.

From Same, promising attention to request for an Engineer being authorised to undertake the engineering works necessary in South Westland.—Received.

From Resident Engineer, Public Works, intimating authority for expenditure of grant for Biladier’s road had been deferred and work must not proceed until monetary'authority has been received.—Received. Mr Morel moved that £5 be granted to erect a plankbridge to give access. —Seconded by Mr Chesterman and carried. From Minister of Public Works, Wellington, reporting intention of Government to limit all expenditure to such works and purposes as are absolutely essential; asking for schedule of works in hand and no recognition will be given without authorities have been issued.—Received.

From Resident Engineer, Public Works, deferring issue of authority of additional £IOO for the making of the Awntuiia-Arahura road.—Received. From Same, deferring issue of authorities for the grants tor Kokatahi road drainage, McArthur road, and White road.-*-Received. Mr Morel moved that a special request Is* made for spending of McArthur road grant.— Seconded by Mr Chesterman and carried.

From Tourists and Health Department, stating proposals for expenditure of £3OO, Lake Kanieri road widening, had been referred to Public Works Department for examination and recommendation. —Received.

From Valuation Department, Wellington, notifying the revision of values of rateable properties in Westland will not be completed for current year’s rating.—Received. From Chairman of Royal Commission

on Hospitals, circulars dealing with evidence to he submitted to Commissioners and the examining of witnesses in reference to administration and control.—-Received ; the action of the Chairman in recommending that alteration lx' made so that Charitable A<l Hoards, collect their own rates, instead of levying on local bodies, was approved. From International Harvester Coy., giving particulars of motor truck equipped with three yard hydraulic hoist dump body.—Received. From fnglis Bros.', Wellington, supplying terms acceptable if the Council intends to acquire an A.E.C. motor truck from the firm.—Received. From Gosling and Son, Blenheim, quoting price for sale of Nash Quod motor truck in good order, delivery at Blenheim. —Received. From Westland Hospitals and Charitable Aid Board, submitting estimates approved for maintenance for current year, and levies struck on the local contributory bodies to provide amount

required.—-Received. A discussion thereon appears under a separate licad-

From Bank of New Zealand, Hokitika, granting application of the Council for overdraft accommodation limit up to £SOOO, year ending 31st March, 1922.— Received.

From Grey County Council, adopting suggestion for inclusion of their County under the scope of the enquiry over Timber Royalties and returning thanks for information supplied.—Received. From Ranger Thomson (Ross) notifying 16 head of stock at large on public roads for the month of April—Received. Mr Jeffries moved that the Ranger be instructed to lay informations against the owners of the wandering stock contained in his report. —Seconded by Mr Morel and carried.

From Westland Chamber of Commerce, inviting the Chairman and Councillors to attend a conference to discuss proposals to erect a low level bridge over the Little Wanganui river, South Westland—Received. Mr Jeff-

ries was appointed to represent the Council. , ■ . ....

From. Wright and Quatef, Christchurch itoad, accepting terms set out for t)ie restoration of the bridge across the Waimea, creek. —Received. From Arnerich, Behan and Ahern, applying for the.remission of rent due on mining areas held at Tunnel Terrace, Stafford. —Received. Mr Duff moved the request he acceded to. —Seconded bv the Chairman and carried. From James C. Hende, Pukekura, soliciting favorable consideration for his tenure of ferry reserve at Big Wanganui river when the question of titles are settled.—Received; consideration deferred pending report of Committee oh ferry reserves.

Prom Overseer Mitlner, reporting steps taken for expenditure of £3OO and £IOO votes on Lake Kanieri road and collapse of tunnel at Stoney creek; difficulties experjenced in carting pipes for White road ; estimating the cost of spanning the Little Wanganui river at £300; giving pariculars of minor works attended to in the different Ridings. —Received ; various urgent repairs in the Woodstock, Arthurstown and Adair road district were authorised. Mr Jeffries stated that lie was in entire accord with Mr Millner of tlic danger of a low level bridge being washed away in the first flood. Mr Ward said lie was entirely against a low level bridge."

Mr Ritchie agreed to the suggestion for a contribution to the Public Works Department. Mr Chinn was totally against the suggested low level bridge, but approved of the other suggestion of Mr Millner.

From Minister of Public Works, regretting grant could not be made for widening Waitalia Settlement road, and pointing out tile road was ns wide as most of the main south road, and quite adequate for the traffic if the Council would insist on the observance of the width of tyre regulations.—Received. Mr Chinn discounted the statement of the width of the road. It was the narrowest road in the County. It was resolved to forward a copy of the letter to the settlers. Mr W. Robinson waited on the Council to explain particulars of the Nosh Quad motor truck, a four wheel drive, of which he is agent, price £llsO, and with tipper £1450. Weight 2 tons and would carry 2 tons, and draw a trailer four tons.

From Jnglis Bros., Wellington, urging the claims of flic A.E.C. motor truck and forwarding report of successful demonstration held in Waimea County.—Received. From Manawatu County Council, forwarding copy of article on Hospital levies from “Farmers’ Union Advocate.” —Received. From J. 0. Meharry, urging repairs to accommodation hut at Toaraha hot springs for prospecting and other camping out parties.—Received; enquiry to be made as to the cost, a shingle roof to he suggested. From Overseer Millner, reporting repairs necessary to White road, £2O; forwarding monthly, report on works; approving proposed tramway crossing at 13 mile peg by Baxter Bros; reporting in regard to McQuilkin and party’s prospecting application ; giving progress on Government grants expenditure.—Received ; White road repairs to be arranged, provided Sawmill Coy. provide l' for £.

From Roadman Nolan, reporting on works and recommending works; Cook’s Walk and Gillespies tracks, £ls; approaches to stables and hotel, Matainui L'l 7; Saltwater tracks, £l7 ; timber required for Oknrito wharf and road bridges; horse feed allowance, £l2. —Received. Approaches to hotel to he carried up to £7 10s, subject to similar

amount being found by owner. A special vote of CO was passed to Roadman Nolan for special circumstances. From Resident Engineer, Greymouth, stating it was not proposed to authorise the La Fontaine road extension work. —Received.

From Hokitika Borough Council, stating they were prepared to sell 3ft concrete pipe moulds at £7 10s each. — Received. The offer was accepted, subject to arrangement to be made by Overseer Millner. FINANCE COMMITTEE’S REPORT. Your Committee lias the honour to report that the accounts presented for the month of April, 1921, have been carefully examined, and beg to report that the amount as approved, totalling C 1,308 3s sd, be passed for payment.— Received and adopted. The Treasurer’s report was received. The Chairman moved that it be a remit

for the next County Conference that a

local body should have the permissive right of determining by resolution whether the apportionment should he on “total income” or “general rates.” —Seconded by Mr Duff and carried.

Mr Ward complimented the Treasurer

oil the excellent report, which had proved ot great value to the Council, ft was indeed a lucid and complete re-

port and he had read i' with pleasure and fully endorsed it. ORDER PAPER.

The Chairman moved :—“That the accounts presented for the month of April, 1921, as revised and recommended for payment by the Finance Committee, amounting to £1,308 3s sd, he passed for payment.—Seconded by Mr Duff and oarried. The Chairman moved“ That the report of the Treasurer on the proposed allocation of estimated revenue for the current financial year bo now considered and approved.—Seconded by -Mr Wells and carried.

The Ch airman’s motion:—“That pub-

lie notice be given of the of the Council to make and levy al general rate separately in each Riding of the County of Westland, of farthings in the £ on the capital value of all rateable property, in accordance with Sections 120 and 121 of the Counties Act, 1920; tho said rate be payable fourteen days after being struck,”' was held over, pending the suggested conference.

Mr Duff moved:—“That the Finance Committee report as to the allocation of the annual vote for public libraries in the County, and that in the meantime the institutions be asked to

state their financial position.”—Seconded by Mr Jeffries and carried. Mr DufF moved:—“That the Public Works Committee in consultation with Overseer Millner be asked to recommend a suitable motor tipping lorry for purchase by the Council to enable County works to he carried on more promptly and economically,”

Mr Duff said they all knew of the want of the Council for qn improved

manner of carrying out their necessary 1 road works. On receipt of the report I of the Committee they would be in a position to vote on the question. Mr Chesterman seconded. The roads every day were getting worse and worse and it was necessary to have an improved method of repairing them. Mr Ward supported the resolution which did not commit the Council to any purchase. The motion was agreed to, Messrs Ritchie and Jeffries voting against, j Mr Chinn moved: —“That a vote 1 of £lO be authorised for repairing and | reopening Happy Valley traek.-Se-conded by Mr Duff and carried. Mr Chinn’s motion: —“That the necessary steps be taken for authority to raise a loan of about £1,500 for the i construction of Kakapotahi bridge and approaches to connect the main south road with Bold Head road at the Little Waitalia junction ; and that a loan poll be taken over the district served namely ! between the Mikonui and Waitangi J rivers; the period of the loan to he i fifteen years,” was held over till next meeting. The Chairman moved that £lO be authorised for repairs on the old 1 Christchurch Road.— Seconded by Mr Duff and carried. ! The Council rose at 5.20 p.m.