WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 25 May 1921, Page 1

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

ANNEAL MEETING. WEDNESDAY, MAY 25th. Tfie. Council met at noon. Present Messrs J. A. Murdoch, T. R. Chesterman, W. H. Chinn, J. Ritchie, B. Ward, T. W. Duff, W. Jeffries, L. 11. Morel and E. A. Wells. election of chairman.

The Chairman said the meeting was called owing to the. statute cutting away the life of the present Chairman. He would therefore vacate the Chair. The Clerk (Mr Evans) took the chair and invited nominations for the jxisition of Chairman. Mr Duff proposed that Mr Murdoch 1,0 appointed. Seconded by Mr Morel. Mr Cliinn proposed Mr Ward. Seconded bv .Mr Ritchie.

The voting was as follows:--j,’ or u r Murdoch- —Aves —Morel, Wells, Duff, Murdoch. Against Chestorman, Ward, Ritchie, Chinn, and Jeffries. 4-5.

For Mr Ward Ayes- Chcsterman, Ward, Ritchie, Chinn, and Jeffries. Against Morel, Wells, Duff, and Mur-docß-5-L Mr Ward was therefore declared duly elected Chairman for the ensuing 12 months. Mr Ward took the chair and thanked members for electing him to the position. Ho had boon 13 years in Hie Council and should have served a good apprenticeship and he would do his host with the support of members, for the welfare of the County. His predecessor (Mr Murdoch) had ably filled the position and he would have a hard task to follow his able footsteps. He would do his best to further the best interests of the County. He regretted that them was even- prospect of stringent conditions prevailing and they would have to watch the financial interests of the County and only carry out the most urgent works. He would now move a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Murdoch for his able past services. Seconded hy Air Chcsterman. Mr Morel supported the motion consrlerin.r Air Murdoch had always, done his best to advance the best interests of the Council. Messrs Ritchie, and A\ ells each joined in congratulations to the new Chairman. Air Chinn. said lie haul supported Mr Ward as he' considered he was entitled to" the position. The motion was then agreed to. , Air Murdoch returned thanks for the motion. Ho thanked them for _ tho hearty support they had given him in his brief term of office. He appreciated the help given hy Air Ward during the term. His reason for standing was because he had only served six months, the change being due to the alteration

of tfie statute. As a member of the Council he promised the Chairman his steady and steadfast support. Ho thought the Council were lucky indeed to have such am able member to fill the chair.

Mr Jeffries congratulated Mr Ward on his victory that day. He had served on the Council for 13 years and had once only previously filled tho position. He was glad to be able to say that for tho first time the limited circle of those who received the position of Chairman had been broken. He congratulated Mr Ward on his election. There was no reason why Mr Ward should not prove very successful in the office. He promised to give him every support. Air Duff joined in congratulating Air Ward as Chairman and promised him every support. The retiring Chairman had done excellent servico during his term of office. He had considered that it would have been advisable to have reappointed Mr Murdoch, but be in no way desired to infer that Mr Ward was not fully able to carry out his duties in an able manner.

Air Chesterman congratulated the Chairman. At tho previous election ho had decided on the next occasion to vote for Mr AVard and had done so. Air Ritchie congratulated the Chairman on his election and said he had decided after the last election to give his next vote to Mr Ward. He congratulated him on bis election. Mr Wells congratulated Mr Ward on his election, feeling confident that lie was well able to capably fill the chair. Air AVard thanked members for tlieiigood wishes and promised to do his best. HOSPITAL BOARD LEVY.

A letter was read from the Hospital Board declining to hold a conference with the Council on the question of the levy. —Received.

The Chairman said the letter appeared to him to he almost an ultimatum. He would leave the matter to the Council to decide as td the action to he taken, Air Ritchie stated that at last meeting Al.r Murdoch had put a question to him re the laundry. The resolution to purchase the laundry was agreed to in October 1920, was about a week before lie was appointed to the Board. By the purchase of the plant, the Board had saved C9OO as against the lowest offer that had been received from other linns. He considered the deal had been a good business one. Air Murdoch said lie was still of the same opinion as at last meeting that it was not good finance, in the purchase of a laundry that was not in actual want. It would have been wise on the part of the Board not to have incurred a large expenditure-that could have been held over while the present stringency of the financial position existed. Mr Jeffries said the point that Mr Ritchie wished to make was that lie was not a member of the Board when the transactions were made. Mr Alorel said from a Board view the present allocation was considered final. The Chairman regretted the members of the Board had refused to meet the Council in conference. It had been mentioned at last meeting that on the fixing of the levy depended the amount of rate to be struck%y the Council. Air Jeffries thought they should take a united front, and that they should write again to the Hospital Board to ask for a conference before they took definite action. Ho still thought the pruning knife could he used. It was a costly matter to ask for a commission, lie would move that the Hospital Board be asked again to confer with the Council and urge that the capital expenditure at Wailio he deferred.

Air Morel seconded the motion. Air Duff said that there did not appear to be any hope of the Board giving way and he thought they should go on and strike their rates on the figures before them.

Air -Morel thought that the Board were unanimous with himself dissenting to meeting the Council. The motion was then agreed to.

VISIT OF MINISTER OF MINES. The Council discussed the visit of Hon Air Anderson, Minister of -Mines, on June 3 and 4.

After discussion the making of Arrangements was left to the Chairman to deal with.

CLOSING KANIERI BRIDGE. Reference was made to the proposed closing of Kanieri river bridge, and the action taken in referring the matter to the Minister of Public Works through Mr Soddoii, M.P.

Overseer Millner reported that the bridge could be temporarily repaired to carry two ton loads at a, cost of LbO, and further repairs of 2200, while the cost of complete repairs would be £IBOO.

Mr Wells said the Council should enter a strong protest against the dosing of the bridge, which would cause a very great deal of inconvenience. The bridge should be kept open lor light traffic only.

Mr Chesterman also urged the bridge being kept open for light traffic, until effective repairs were carried out. Mr Wells moved that the Public Works Department he urged to keep the bridge open for light two wheeled traffic other than loaded drays, and that repairs be effected at once. —Seconded by Air Chesterman and carried. DOUGHBOY CREEK ENCROACHMENT. Overseer Millner reported a serious encroachment at Doughboy Creek, affecting the Koiterangi-Doughboy Creek track, and estimating tho cost of tho work at £SO. Left to the Chairman and Mr Aforel to report.

ARAHURA RIVER PROTECTION It was resolved to grant £5 towards foreshore protection works at Arahura near Mai froy’s bridge on the north side. It was resolved that the use of the concrete moulds be loaned to Mr o*jjde for making pipes, to be returned to the grader shed at Kanieri. Other matters were discussed and