WESTLAND COUNTV COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 12 October 1921, Page 4

WESTLAND COUNTV COUNCIL

TUESDAY, OCT. lltli. The Council mot a-t p.m. Present: Messrs B. Word (County Chairman), \V. Jeffries, T. \V. Dull, T. B- C'lmstovinnn, ,1. Ritchie, \Y. 11. C'liiiui, K. A. Wells, L. 11. Morel. The minutes were confirmed and correspondence outward was approved. IWAUI) COHBFSRONDK.NCK. From Treasury, forwarding revenue accrued.—Deceived. From .Minister of I’nblic Works, promising early consideration to request lor further subsidy grant of CdtKl for tepnirs to Kokatahi bridge.—Deceived. From Same, stating representations made lor the forming of .McArthur road would receive attention.—Deceived. From Same, intimating further particulars supplied as to the dangerous nature of the Arahura river erosion would he looked into. — Deceived. From Resident Engineer, noting acceptance of tender for erecting Harris creek. —Deceived. Erom Same, advising there is no money available for gravelling Evans road.—Deceived.

Erom Same, stating assistance for t.lic Jacobs road to .Mnliitabi has been placed on the draft estimates for consideration.—Deceived.

Erom Same, reporting the Woodstock road drain carries away all drainage and no water from the road drains on to .Mr Wrtihlefski’s land. Deceived.

Erom .Mines Department, asking lor recommendation of tin* Council regarding overdue rent on special claim Ut.’il. ('allaglmns.—Deceived. From Same, retpiesting advice as to a iinmhcr of mining privileges on which rents are duo so that the Department can deal with them.—Received : to he dealt with as irrecoverable.

From Tourist Department, stating authority had been given to prospect for a better hot water supply at Waiho and other matters mentioned in the Chairman's report on recent visit to the South, would receive attention.Received; will) salislaclion.

From Valuer-!ioner.nl, intimating the revaluation of the Westland County, would la* completed about the end ol October.—-Received. Mr Jeffries moved that the attention of the Depnitment lie drawn to what the Council ™nsitlers the unwarranted delay in the carrying out of the valuation ol the district .—Seconded by Mr Chestcrumii and carried.

From .Medical Ollicer ol Health, torwarding regulations gazetted setting out procedure for demolition of insanitary buildings.— Received. From Same, giving directions for

extermination of rats for prevention ol plague by means of napping ami poisoning.— Received ; to be published. From New Zealand Counties’ Asso-

ciation. opposing the pinposed Government .Main Highways Bill and sub milting resolutions a dinned bv tic. Conference for support hv the Council. Received ; with thanks.

From General Manager Railway notifying the scheme set out I'm stat-

ing site at Kumara Junction had he a postponed as land now occupied hv sheds will lie math- available. Received ; alter discussion no notion was I a ken

From 11 nit 11. 1.. Michel. M . 1.. telegraphing tin- several requests I'm ('minty works siihmdlcd Jo him would have his utmost support. --Received: with thanks.

Ftnm Kt.v.ui County Council, deal iitg with hospital subsidies and staling resolution adopting fills nd in the wiiult! In- siippm ted. Ret ei veil. l-'mm South Otago Hospital Board, approving of proposed hospital subsidies.. Received,

l-'tom Cobdeii Town Board, co-operat-ing in urging im-icased subsidy lor the poorer Hospital Boards. Received. Enun Southland Hospital Board, advising receipt el subsidy circular.— Rc-

l-’roiii Green l-dand Botougli Goiim-il agreeing to support subsidy of .'ills '-I ill the L. Rtreived.

From Lyttelton Borough Council, rei 11 si 11 •_* to take action In the subsidy , I IK-s 1 inn. Received. From Hawke* Bay County Cntimi!. res Iving no action l,e taken conei-niii! -.- hospital sit’,sillies. Received.

T'rmu Southland Cmtmy ('mini d. i - civiim- circular in relV-reme to -- 11 1>■-i bus. Received.

FnOil Maiiintotii Cmititi (oom-il. re pulling in full sympathy with terms o! sit l .sidy circular. Received.

Fioim Borough of Alexandra. sap porting aims to lix the hospital subsidy at tills nd in the L. Rt-eeivi-d. From Fawn County Council, ttmiuimonslv approving of subsidies proposed.' Received. Finn luatigaloia Hospital linaid, pi,noising assistance to serine increase ol subsidies. -Received. From Wliaiigaroi Hospital Hoatd, favoring scale ol subsidies proposed by Health Depa r 1 ment. -ID-reived. From Lake County Conm-il, advisiii-.-, circular being minuted as received. Received. From Borough of Milton, appioviug i-l the contents oi circular dealing with In,.pi ia I subsidy. I’ei ei n <l. From Whaiigarei County Council, assuring it- hearty approval of subsidies l-’tom Unit County ('uuneil, deferring action on the inativi of hospital sub-i----dies. Received.

From Borough of Waitara, advising taking no action on (|Ui*s! ion ol suh.-: dies to hospitals. -Received. From Awatere County Council, approving of the subsidies in terms set down ill lla- eircttlar. Received. l-’tom Buller County Council, suppot ling increase of subsidy to pooler Boards. —Received. Front Coronmmlel County Council, deciding to accept the recommendations ol the Hospitals Conference in lespect to subsidies. Received.

From Wnima. Comity Council, relusing to commit itself to any decision regal-ding subsidies. Received. Erom Taranaki Hospital Hoard, expressing opinion no good would come ol re-opening the question.' Received. From Coromandel Hospital Hoard, abiding by recommend;)lions ol Hospital Conference.-- Received. From Otago Hospital Board, resolving question of subsidies receive attention when Hospital Commission report is before Parliament. -Received. From Bay of Islands County ( mm -I supporting system of subsidies tecum mended in the circular issued. Received. From Westland Hospital It.and, ap proving t opiesoli I a t ions for increase in subsidies and highly appreciating action taken. Received. i-'i out S'aiite. ma in ill" copy ol onm- ;. i i ih-ii !! • alt It Depart melt i ; I - a ~-;,it allow.- ; lei l.ani. .-u-i ,!- : | asking p.-.ilitpi pay melt; •• il -. I- . in • 11 c. mi I >t ly . oily ■ I '... !i,„'ll M ! " w I i ll V. as lie* From Westland IBam-li \ ut mm 1 --•- on-ms and Searle will: aet ! '>n 1 , > o e ; amine Soulit mail and i ■ i, ,M |.m ■ and sharp hills. — Received. at the decision to form turnouts on ! Kanieri mad m giv- hi-ller facilities for traffic. Received. Front W. 11. Knrnbnch, drawing attention to collapse of vulveit near Evans creek and requesting renewal of

the work. —Received; request granted on usual terms of Council finding half the cost. j

From Awntuna Dredging Company forwarding cheque Cl2 10s towards extension of roadway to the ocean beach Received. .

From Fleming and Young, Kokatahi, asking for use of which and engine for the erection of the bridge to span Harris creek.—Received; referred to Overseer to orange. From Same, requesting a consultation with the County Overseer in re- ! ferenco to supply of piles lor bridge: structure.—Received. j From Cherrie, Do lTfikker, Allen and Roberts, applying for assistance to; construct a road about 20 chains to. their mill site near Ferguson s. Received. The Chairman said he was ol opinion that it would be far cheaper and more suitable if a tramway was laid down instead of a road, as there would he no cost of upkeep. He moved . to that effect.—Seconded by Mr Dill! and carried. From Stock Ranger Thomson, repo, ting owneis allowing animals to wander on County roads dining mold: of September.—Deceived. From Doherts and Foley, Auckland.

stating they are publishing a newspaper called The Local Authorities Review, and asking for patronage. —Received. From Overseer Milliter, reporting Lower Kokatahi road badly rutted, repairs will cost did; the necessity for attention to Lake Knnieri road as trallic is cutting up the.snrtace: again pointing out tile damage to the Lake Kanieri ami Kokatahi roads owing to heavy motor haulage in wet weather. -Received.

From Roadman Nolan, report: r settlers using the Loan Block road, Waitangi. are prepared to contribute toward its protection, and suggesting the Lands Department hear a share ol the. expenditure. Received; C oitm-ii to contribute 28 subsidy. From Advisory Commit fee, Brine Bay, stating the Hunts Beach road i to a verv dilapidated state and requires about CIOO to fix it up for traffic. —Received. It was resolved on the motion ol Messrs Ritchie and C hinu to offer Mr Wilson L'li) to put the road In a satisfactory order. From Resident Engineer, asking notification he given of limitation ol loads to three tons crossing bridges on Ross road. Received. From T. E. Y. Seddon. M.IL, forwnidiim eopv of Eorests Bill. Received.''

Erom Military Stoics, Trent ham. forwarding two machine guns.—Received. From Commissioner ol Crown Lands, stating a Public Works oHicer bail reported adversely in regard to river protection at Hokitika alfecting estate lands. Received : further action to be taken.

From Same, enquiring if thete was anv objection to closing road reserve on river hank, I’ocrUu S.D. Received; no objection.

l-'tom Hokitika Museum administrator applying for a grant towards display of exhibits. — Received; Mr Ritchie moved that LIU he granted.—Seconded by M r Jeffries and carried. From A. Haworth. Wanganui, offering new Duplex motor tipping lorry for LlOr.Y net cash. —Ree-ived. From Inglewood Boiongh Coiimd, resolving not to take any action iegatditig Government *ubsid\ to hospital hoards. Received.

l-'tom Manga papa Town Board. on same subject noting representations made. Received. From Mrs Smith. ('bristelmrel-. offering an enlarged framed photograph of her late step-father. John l.atig, an e\-( nltm-illoi. Received; accepted with thanks.

From F. R. Butler, Malainui. agreeing to at range for polling cars across Waitangi river, IVe Ik’s (id each way, subject to telephone being put. in house.

Received. It was resolved to wait (111 the Chi,-| Postmaster to see il telephone communication can la- made, a committee of Messrs Chino. Ritchie. .li-lfii- s and the Chairman being appointed.

From W. .Milliter. County Overseer, stating Donnelly's cteek nppj-oach was being attended to at a cost ol LB; that a grant of C 10(1 was inquired for Cedar creek road; that improvement ol Neilst-ti road. Kmlerangi. would cost Lint). ~r temporary diaiimge work, L'lli; lavmnahlv recommending grant of LI.-, 1., S. Ila'vill ; staling mad access required by Steel, Reedy and Hunt, sawmillcis, at Kumara hill, would cost Lid. -Received. From Roadman N'ulan. monthly mp,,rl mi district winks, and tecommendiog F. I'oitlor’s application lor motor ferry at Waitangi. Received. From Cr. .Jelfries, reporting mi Mr McNicol’s application for road for roadway, stating lie could not rocumim-nd any expenditure hv the Cottueil and suggesting that application la- made to Mr .1. Ilansbuiy to allow McNicol to use the existing road through their piupeity. wiiu had staled they would oiler no ohjei-lioti. Received and adopted.

FINANCE COMMITTEE’S Hi::’-’ Ymn Committee has the honour to repot t that the accounts presented lot the month of September, IH2I, ban been cart fully examined, ami beg- G recommend that the amount appmved totalling L1(172 17s Id, lie passetl Ini payment. Received and adopted. DEPUTATION. A deputation of proprietors uf niotm lorries consisting of Messrs R. Wliiley. Grant i Kanieri Sawmill Cuv.f, Orr Bros., I). Diedrichs, R. Wild'. Wilson, and llaekell waited on. the Council in couneclioii with lu-avv trallic.

The Ciiairman said that tin- expenditure mi the load Used by motor lorries, were exceeding all reasonable grounds, and unless assistance was given the Council would not he able to carry on. For the Central Riding Limit) was allocated for the upkeep of the roads for tin- year, while the expense lor the past six months was L'l ISO os sd. Tho Council could not continue on these lines and they had asked the deputation to meet the Cmtm-il to discuss the best means of keeping t hi- road in older and he would ask II they had any proposals to make in this euum-etion. They wished to meet them in a lair manner.

Mi |{. W’hiley said I he lorry min'is had discussed the mailer, hut had mil arrived al any actual decision. II had liecii suggested tliai there lie a wheel tax, or each ol' the lorries do a eerlaiu auuuilil of work. There was no doiild. the roads were celling into a deplorable state. lie would suggest that if each lorry owner cave the scrvi.es of the lolly for a lev. day:- eaea vline improvement would he shown, lie u i shed lo help I he '..mail and ’ >■ , .onised the value of wood loads. \|, ; || v i || said the money spent mi !\ anieri I.,ike road al piesent was ..imelv i'ro-ui aivav. nothing being ■ lone I.iaeliealle lo ' lees and dray. I',. I ' 11l „ I.eel ... a - -. • I. i-e-I \|.' I). Diedriehs I hoil.u:li I a wheel tax |. , • ea . V I i a Hie was the fairest way | i ; meet ing t he <l:li."iii'y • ! ;; vJ'ili! said they had dismissed, I blit had not come to any agreement as j O what ehaiges to h" made. lie j hong it what would meet with up-, iroval would he for a monthly charge or a lorry of Co, eoiiimeicial ears C‘-\ mile eais Cl, private ears os. and also charge lor linkers. Mr I’’. Oil' said lie favoured the suggestions made hy Mr Wild, lie

thought a tax on the lorries and cars would he the fairest method. ; After a general discussion if was resolved by seven owners present to pay I Co each per month unconditionally, j The deputation then withdrew. j REPORTS. j The Chairman’s report tpublished I yesterday) was read and received. , Mr Jelfries moved a hearty vote ol j thanks to the Chairman and Clerk lor; the valuable report, and also the Mem- ! her for the District and Motts Michel ; and Grimmond for the valuable assist-j ante given.—Seconded by Mr Dull w ho | endorsed the remarks of the mover, and appreciated the assistance given . bv llte lion .1. G. Coates. | The Chairman thanked members fori the vote and voiced his appreciation . of the Vfiry* valuable assistance given , him by Mr Evans, whose services at , all times were invaluable to the ( oiin- |

ORDER PARED. j TFio Chairman moved; “1 hot j the accounts presented for the month ; of September 1921, as revised and re-; commented by the Finance Committee. ; totalling £1072/17'!, be pas-sal for payment.’’- Seconded by Mr Duff and. carried.

The Chairman may. 1: ‘That j the resolution of the 1-lth. June last : deferring action for six months in re- , card to the purchase of a motor tipping lorry, lie and hereby is, rescind- ; rd.” Seconded by Mr ( hestermah. | .Mr Wells supported tin- motion feel-; jug tho time bad arrived for the Couo- j cil to secure a motor lorry. He had been instrumental in holding over the purchase for six months and thereby had saved £001) or C7l‘o in the price.

Mr Dilehe opposed feeling they should hold over the consideration for at least another six months, at present Hn-y , : M ||,l not afford to lmy a motor lm ry. Mr Jelfries expressed his surprise «t (lie sonier-ault of some members. Nolle of the members showed how they were going to make the saving. Hie funds of the Council did not warrant thu expenditure. Some twelve libs ago the ratepayers lmd voted mil the loan proposals of Lfi.ooo. He quoted figures shewing it would cost £!>'«> a vent to lam a motor lorry, lie could not see why they should lie .ailed to spend £1 JOt) on a motor lorry. The southern members would get no benefit f'<-nt tie- proposal, and he would sngg'-t o southern members moving for diilcrentintc riding rating.

The Chairman said he wished to ex

, lain his rea-oii lor moving in the matter. Since being elected Chairman he had visited all the districts and had not been non observant,. He felt if they did not alter their present systein the Council would collie to a standstill. The m. tor Dallle had come to stay and the Council must move m a progressive way. or they would not lie able to carry on.

The motion was put and carried. | Ayes— Mos-rs Morel. Chesti'rmau. Wells. Chinn. Hull' and Chairman. Noes .Messrs Ritchie and Jetl'rios. 1 The Chairman moved; "That in rd one with the report and recommendation of Overseer Milliter authontv he given for th n pnrelmse of a four wheel drive motor tipping lorry on such terms and conditions as may |,c arranged to meet the finances of the Council."

The Chairman said Overseer .Millm-r had repotted in favour of the purchase of a motor lorry.

Seconded by Mr Duff, who thought they were following a wise course. If they half done litis twelve months ago. their roads and finances would have been in a far better position.

M, Chesti-rman supported. The time for dray w ork was gone. There was nothing left hut to get a quicker system of icrairing the roads, which required rebuilding. Mr Morel saiil he was sine lie would lie tight in supporting the motion. He felt (hat a motor was required. Mr .! i-il't-ii-s opposed. IB* was cott- \ im rd I In* proposal was a had one, for wdtitdi the Council would have to pay as a whole, lie felt that the southern ratepayers would have to find most ol till- money, lie would oppose the motion.

Mr China said lie always supported a motor lorry. They had plenty of gravel and wanted a cheap means cf placing that gravel mi the roads. It was a waste of money to use horses and drays for mid dling the roads. IBrecognised it would he ;t great benefit here, though it would not he so much use to tlii- southern roads at present, lint that would come later. \t present in this district they were employing four men. horses and drays at a r nst of

L.'K) a week and what w ■ they getting for it. He favoured getting a motor tip lorry. Mr Wells supported ti--- motion. IBconsidered there was nothing wntiM cope with (lie necessary repairing of the roads Iml a motor lorry. The Chairman contended the lorry would heiu-lil the Northern and (Vitlial tidings and part uf the Southern riding as far as 1! ,ri llari. He deprecated the suggest iun of parochialism, ami desired the County as a whole. The motion was put and carried - Aless'rs Jegries ami Ritchie voting against. The Clinirman’s notice of motion in inspect to determining the list of main mads was deferred for a month to cnnhle mouthers to further consider the ma I ter. A discussion ensued on the Forests Bill. as reported elsewhere. Mr John I’ealie was appointed Acting Treasurer during the absence of Mi Evans Bu six weeks in Australia. In committee the Chairman was einpoweted to watch local interests in respect to the t a fill’ bill. 'The Conm-il rose at o.dtt p.m.