WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 August 1921, Page 4

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 2nd, 1921

The Council met at 2.10 p.m. Present: —Messrs B. Ward (Chairman), T. R. Cliesterman, W. Jeffries, E. A. Wells, W. H. Chinn. L. H. Morel and J. llitchie.

The minutes were confirmed and out ward correspondence approved. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE.

From Treasury, forwarding revenue accrued. —Received. From Minister of Railways, Wellington, stating the scheme proposed lor the Kurnara Junction road had been approved after mature consideration, and asking the matter he settled early as possible.—Received. From T. E. Y. Seddon, M.P., Wellington, snggesting a conference between the parties interested in tin reading and timber stacking accommodation at Kurnara Junction. —Received.

From Minister of Lands, Wellington, intimating an officer of the Repartition l would undertake general survey .work in Westland swaiiip areas and also or other lands mentioned.—Received.

From Department of Internal Affairs Wellington, regretting Section RU o the Counties Act, 1920, could not altered at present. —Received.

From Same, notifying increase, in fees payable by local authorities foi audit and other services.—Received. From Department of Agrioulture. Wellington, acknowledging receipt of application lor renewal of slaughtei house license in Stafford district.—Re ceived.

From Minister of Public Murks, \\ lington. stating the complaint of settler, on north Arahura river erosion wmii have early consideration. —Received. From Same, noting further represen lotions made in connection with tin formation of McArthur road and prom ising consideration. —Received. From Mines Department, Wellington forwarding list of mining rights in tin Okarito district which should be struct off’ the Register as the holders can no ho found, and asking for instruction -—Received.

From Same, '.stating a report is hein obtained on the application of Anderson and party to prospect in the l pixtr Wataroa ami Penh valleys lor gold ami other minerals.—Received.

From Same, giving particulars ol Jo'rmer prosjxtcting at Belfast Terrace, Hint Han. and regretting a subsidy could not he granted to MeQuilkin and party.— Received ; copy of letter to be sent to applicant. From Commissioner ol State Forests, Wellington, acknowledging letter conveying views of the Council regarding the establishment ot a School of Forestry.—Received.

From Same, promising at the earliest opportunity lie will propose, a time con venient for a meeting with the Wes Coast local bodies.—Received. From Valuation Department. W lington, forwaiding alterations I County rolls and owing to postponement of the re-valuations the old assessment. Mould eoillimie ill force. Received.

From Resident Engineer, I’ubli .Works, advising request lor spendint £2IH) vote for Harris bridge, Koiterangi had been forwaidod to the Head Ollic for consideration. --Received ; a further letter sent a grant of l' loi l' subsidy ol £l9ii foi the work. Ii was resolved G call for tenders for the work. From Same, stating he would recoin mend a subside lor protection work a Reiters Creel-: provided the Council als contributes. —Received : the work to b; arranged, for.

From Same, rephing owing to pr<

railing financial conditions La Fniitain mad Murk is mu considered ni siifiii ieurgency to warrant its being proccede, uiih at the present time. -Received copy ot let lei to be sent lo the panic aliened. From Commissioner ot Crown Lamb Hokitika, approving of proposals su 1 milled for the expenditure ol third accrued. Received.

From Hank of Now Zealand, inlimai ing increase in rate of interest on hank iny; aeeuniinodation will not operate til August Ist. Received.

Krom South Island Motor I’nion, ( Inistehureli. notifying conference ot delegates represent ing local bodies and motor unions "ill lie held on August Ith to consider business set down.— Heeeived.

Krom County Council, Ashburton, with reference to high rate of interest on money in the Dominion and askim consideration and support of resolution submitted. - Heeeived. The Chairman' moved that no action be taken. Seconded by Mr Wells. Mr Jeffries moved an amendment that support be {riven to the letter. Seconded by Mr M orel and carried. Krom Andersons, Ltd.. Christchurch enclosing information covering road graders, rollers and tractors for works. ---Heeeived.

Krom James .Murphy, Kumaro, applying for the right to fence a sinal 1 gravel reserve situated on the corner oi his land near Kumtira.— Received; referred to Overseer to report.

Krom Class and Brown, asking for a subsidy to drive a prospecting tunnel about o()(f feet at Lang’s Terrace.—Received; to be recommended.

Krom Harris Kros., iltihuka, complaining of the state of Turnbull ro - und asking repairs be authorised.—Received ; t\ be referred to the District Committee for report. Krom 0. Kossenbeek, Kcrgusons, referring to the question of stock wandering in the vicinity of Waitaha bench road.— Received ; and agreed to advise the Ranger not to interfere.

Krom .1. Springle, f lari Mari, reporting the manner in which he had been treated during the time he was employed on the Petersen road works.—Received. Krom Local Hodies, notifying appointment of delegates to attend the conference to deal with matters concerning inclusion of Westland in the Greymouth Harbour Rating Area. —Received.

From Overseer Millner, reporting Awatuna road is badly rutted owing to heavy traffic; the Kokatahi road will require a large outlay as the haulage of timber by motor lorries lias caused serious damage ; and referring to several needs in various parts of tbe ridings.—Received. Mr Morel moved that 1000 yards of gravel be procured for Kokatahi road.—-Seconded by Mr Chesterman and carried.

From N.Z. Counties’ Association

notifying conference would sit at Wellington on 28th September, and asking

remits be sent in prior to 15th inst. —Received; remits were arranged to be sent on. The Chairman was appointed ' delegate. From T. M. Wallace, Kokatahi, asking £ for £ subsidy to assist with road drainage fronting his property.—Received ; referred to Overseer to report. From E. and P. Connelly, Tetaho, applying for prospecting subsidy over the country between Big Bay and the Arawata river.—Received.

From W T . Thomson, Ranger, notifying 24 head of stock at large on various roads for month, and forwarding driving fees collected in two cases.—Received.

From Overseer Millner, monthly report on district works; estimating approaches required by C. Aufehenan, Hari Hnri, at £l2: drainage required by H. I.evett will cost £25 ; not recommending any increase for Murray creek drain work ; stating culvert at Chesterfield road would he attended to as soon afj the material could he got on the ground : reporting on condition White road and gravel supply in lyikatahi district; also stating motor lorries Were using the roads after dark without lights—Received. £5 was voted to C. Autihenan and £l2 10s to 11. I.evett at £ for £ subsidy.

From Roadman Nolan, reporting that local works might he left in abeyance till the Chairman’s visit ; that the owner of the land adjacent to Mcßride’s creek crossing did not favor a weir nor the reduction of the fall, but would assist with a bridge; and reporting on small works south of Okarito.—Received.

From Chairman, Okurti district committee, stating new terry boat was now available at Hanst, also a spare boat at Arawata, and asking for small supplies; reporting that ('olivet's creek bridge, Turnbull road, had now been repaired, and dangerous bridge on Haast-Okuru road was being attended to.—Received. From Graham Bros., Waiho, asking for approach to bo‘o!. Received; Roadman to report.

From T. and J. O’Neil, Tetaho, in connection with protection I rum river encroachment at Ki ns Creek, pointing out possibility ol serious danger, owing to filling up of creek bed; and asking for assistance.—Received. It was resolved to make application to the Public Works Department for attention. From Canterbury Progress League, Christchurch, thanking Council for action in supporting request for Forestry School at Christchurch. —Received. Mr .1 ellries moved that the thanks ot the Council lie passed to Mr Evans tor representing the Westland local bodies at tin' Forestry deputation at Christchurch.—Seconded by the Chairman and carried. From D. J. Evans, reporting on personal inspection at Christchurch ol motor lorries at work then . —Received wit 1 1 thanks, members ("pressing appreciation of the interesting particulars supplied. From K. A. Corby, Evans Road, askjag lor a grant for gravelling Evans Road. Received. Mr 1). Roberts waited mi the Council in support of the work which was needed to enable Mr Corb\ lo get milk to the factory. Mr ( hiim imved that Government be urged to snciid a vole i i £2(Hi oil the. ostiumles a, soon as possible.— Seconded by the ' 'ha ll'ina. n and cal riod. GRFY HARBOR AREA..

Mcssis H. A. Baueke ißinm Mine, s’ Association), G. A. Reny (Hokitika Borough), T. W. Bruce Boss Borough), and Wood (Hokitika Harbour Hoard) sat in roiilVrenco with the t ouneil to discuss t|ie position. .'dr Raiicke suggested that a iimtistei pc tit urn be set up lo be presented io Parliament to protest against im-innon in tin- area, and set up a lighting fund for 1 1iv purpose. Mi Bruce said there were only no

ways to move, to pay m: to fight. He suggested that passive resistance bt followed by the whole community, against the inequity of tin- penalty.

M.r Wood (Chairman of Hokitika Harbor Hoard) thought that the district was penalised sufficiently by toe wharfage charges over the Grey wliarl. He did not think there was much they could do. Ili l thought that a small committee should lie set up to watch proceedings. Mi Wells thought they should light the rate. It was an unjust one and they should not pay unless forced to. Mr Jeffries said the boundaries -bad been gazetted, lie did not believe tin.: a peti lion would achieve success. He thought they should wait till the rale was struck, and then fight it to the utmost. Mr W. II .Chinn said ii was .hard on the area round Hokitika who would liavo to pay two harbour rates. Mr G. A. Perry (Mayor) said lie generally agreed with the attitude taken by Mr Jeffries. He did not think m was advisable to arrange fora petition, which would not be of any use, or do more good than a protest by t.lie lord bodies. The Chairman said the idea of being included in tbe Grey Harbor Area ws entirely repugnant to every ratepayer in the district. They were in the aiea now in spiio of all their protests. He thought they should do nothing Luther at present until a rate was struck and then they could make t-bcir protest as they thought fit. The Chairman moved that no action he taken at present, hut that a committee be set up to watch proceedings con sisting of the Mayors of Boroughs, Chairman of Council and beads of associations.—Seconded by Mr Wood and carried. MOTOR LORRY TRAKKIC. It was stated bv the Chairman that the motor lorry owners bad failed, to make tbe suggestions lor carrying on, as promised at last meeting. Mr Jeffries said that in view of I lie fail.ue of the owners to meet the Council something must be done to prevent the ever recurring damage that was being caused to t-lio roads by the traffic. A general discussion followed, it being agreed that tbe funds of the Council could not stand the heavy demand made on it for repairs.

Tbe Chairman moved that tbe byelaw prohibiting motor lorries using the roads be enforced, unless tbe owners reimbursed the Council to the extent oi one-half of the cost of the upkeep caused by the traffic. —Seconded by M.r Morel. Mr Jeffries supported, though he did not think the action was strong enough Tt was costing the Council over £IOO a month for the extra cost of upkeep, which the Council was unable to meet out of their finances, without crippling them. ,

Mr Morel said he did not want to stop the timber industry, but from some of the mills they were not getting any royalty. Drastic action would have, to he taken to prevent this great damage being continued. The-motion was then agreed to. TENDERS FOR GRAVEL.

Tenders for gravel supply on Arahura road were received from Wnt Olderog 4s and D. J. Agnew 3/4J per yard. The tender of D. J. Agnew was accepted. FIN A NCE COM M.TTTEE’S REPORT. Your Committee have the honor to report that the accounts presented for the month of July, 192], have been carefully examined, and beg to recommend that tbe amount as approved, totalling £1,617 (is 7d, be passed for payment.Received. ORDER PAPER. The Chairman moved:— “That the accounts for the month of July, 1921, as revised and. recommended for payment by the Finance Committee, amounting to £1,(517 6s 7d, be passed for payment.”—Seconded by Mr More! and carried.

The Chairman moved: — “That arrangements be made for a conference at Kurnara Junction relative to the proposed road works connected with the railway siding, the Council to be represented by the Public Works Committee and tiie Member for the Riding, and other parties interested to be invited to attend.”—Seconded by Mr Jeffries and carried. Wednesday, Aug. 17th, was fixed for the conference.

Mr Chinn moved:—“Tha*l the Council authorise the construction of an approach to Mr Scott’s new residence at Knrangarua, on the usual £ for £ conditions.”—Seconded by Mr Morel and carried for £2. Mr C'lhiiii moved: "That the Council join with local bodies similarly affected in urging the Government to iiieiease the proposed subsidy to Hospital Boards in regard to local contributions from contributing authorities, to an amount in the region of the sum originally estimated, namely 30/9 in the £. and that steps ho taken to communicate with members of Parliament in the districts concerned to join in-the proposed request, and associate themselves w' on the Commission report or legislation is before the House in advocating a substantial ndvrtnoe in the amount of the subsidy to the hospital districts in the Dominion which are prejudicially affected by the suggested change from the original scheme of allocation.” — Seconded bv Mr Jeffries and carried. The Chairman moved that repairs be effected to road near I). Bradley’s.— Seconded by Ur .Jeffries and carried. Mr Chesterman moved that Stuart and Chapman he requested to clean out drain off Kokatahi road, that had been filled with lops of trees. —Seconded by Mr Jeffries and carried. Mr Chcstcrman moved that a standing order be placed with mills in the district for supplies. Mr Morel seconded the motion.

Four rveeks ago » bridge had been broken, but they bad been unable to get the mills to supply the necessary limber, till Smith Bros supplied it. He pointed out the difficulty of obtaining timber from the mills and lie thought some actio neonld he taken. The motion miis carried.

SPECIAL MEETING. The Chairman moved: -“That the resolution agreed lo on the sth July, namely : “ That a. special loan of one thousand five hundred pounds stg. (£1,500) be raised by the County Coun_ ril of Westland for the construction of a. bridge and approaches thereto over the Kakapotnhi river at its junction with the Wnitnha river to connect with the Bold Head road; and that the consent of the ratepayers of the special district of tbe County of Westland lying between tbe Mikonui and Waitangi rivers, named the Kakapotahi Bridge Rating District, be obtained thereto, and that all other necessary steps, including the preparation of a valuation roll, be taken for raising the said loan,” be mid lierohv is now confirmed.”— Seconded by Mr W T ells and carried. The Council rose at 5.30 p.m