WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 9 November 1921, Page 4

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

TFFSDAV, NOV. Bth

Tlit’ Council met at 2 p.in. Present: Messrs 1C Ward (County Chairman), L. 11. Morel. T. I! .Clicsterman, E. A. Wells. W. 11. Chinn, J. Ritchie, J. A. Murdoch and T. W. l>ulf. The minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approved. IN\VAIi It CORKESRONDENCE. From Treasury, forwarding revenue accrued. —Received. j From lit lion W. .Massey, notine receipt of resolutions passed regarding proposed Forests ltd! and . ptmnising consideration helore the Rill passes through Parliament.—Received. From Commissioner of State forests, acknowledging receipt ol letter relative to the Forests Dill, Id-1- Received. From Federated Sawmillcrs' Association. thanking C ouncil tor repot t of the discus-ion oil the Forests Hill and would eel into touch with the member lor Westland. —Received. plnaim.lhua County Council sup- ! i utiuo action taken respecting the ! Forests Dill and Mr Hudson, Ml’.;,

had been asked to co-operate m sauguardiiig County interests. —Received. From Resident F.ngimer. Public Works, retliruiug vouchers lor work done oil White Road a- payment ran- ! n,)t he trade until authority has been received. — Received. I*'coin (‘(unmissi'uier ot Crown hands, enquiring whether tin* Cutiiteil would lake over the control ol the Okaiito cemetery if the reserve is vested in it. , ,1 ; it was resolve 1 to take over control. Same, slating the Fader Sec,o; ~v for hands cannot see his way to ... . , any expenditure ioi rivet ] r.,lie-:tlull. Kokatehi Settlement, as | the Crown's interest is vets small. ... Itcecived ; copy to he sent to applicants. Sa:..e making tt eontrilmtion of US lo a--:-t in (irnU’eting road on | (he Matainui huait Hloek as requested. ; - -Deceived . with thanks, j From Same, approving of a subsidy ' grant ,of t-d to pievent overflow of i.onghhnv creek provided snn.-tantial protee ion has h: en done to the satisj faction of the Ciown hands Danger. ! Deceived. i F;,,m Minister in l.amls. advising that an •<". ■■■ •" the hand Diainage Hranrh has been instructed to report ■ a ihe d: ainage of the Mikelini. Kokatahi ami Koiletangi swamp lands. Received. Fri'm, I),.feme Department, issuing I, j ut -oi.n . la.mn -ut imai K is : *. nmehine gun as a wai trophy tor Westland. Received: with thanks; to he h: II led o', i•. n D'c Musi It’ll. I.'. ~ |*o 1-| |>ep:i*'l men! . Ileltilila, iiitneaiing application lor installation ~ . tele • : :‘ulh • ’deuce, Wailangi. had been lot w arded lo lelegrapli Engineer lor eotisiihuat ion. De- : ■ i'd From Tone-I l'”i>arl incut . granting p;.;,i 10, putting Mount. Tuiiun tia-k in ; .do frimin'. . uson a cording to proposals. Devolved; with thanks. Fii’M Allies I )e’>" rt incut, neatiiig airre. oviua.li'e i uls;aiiJing rents on dltVe:. nl mining rights abandoned in t, ;.ii- i f Minin : Ai t. -Received and <• I. Fnm same, asking dc.-ision u|mn ic(|V, ■ 1,,r extension of lilac liv a Dunn mil... pay i-.i: on H'-ciul elan:,. Ri -d ; tn.gp.si gran""tl. Ftotn liispeitor ol Mines, requesting , |,e sup, !i I wi-.'i I aliiv plan sliowiim the |. irt i«. 11 ol Adairs mail . o,";, ■ aim iti iu .:t ! whe’her il;e ...| i- likely lo interfere with tie : ond ill the flit nil’. Deceived : am mleli 1... From Supeiinteinh.nl. Mate Advance- ttliiee. gazetting tile result ot the poll 11, Ihe r ; el !’■ I'ilisi’ a '..a-! I „ ing I-. at,apelt,hi rirei

’!’. K. V. Seildon. M.P.. ell- . losing I.Horn .Monster of lYhiic Works, tolei ring to representations lu:u!e bv recent deputation to ciect Dan is Click biidgc. ( In istch.nrcli road. Deceived. F’lotn (iilib Itros.. accepting conditions imposed for the construction ol Rocherty toad, Wailm distiict-, as specified. Deceived. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Chinn, seconded bv the Chairman, that the work be authorised. From Dower Urns.. Derepo, agreeing to ,an \ ’tit the exlonsion of I,a F’oitiainc road and wait payment till grant is authorised. -Deceived. From Rax ter Bros., with letter of thanks for permission to lay tramway across Old Christchurch mad opposite Sections 171’2 and 17'_’o.- Received. F’idni l.iquidator, Campbell and Coy., Wanganui, supplying particulars eoitceiiiing juuclia.se of Duplex truck and invoice of benzine and tools supplied. Dei eived.

Fiom A.H.C., Motor t.larage, Wellington, telegraphing ui>on enquiry Ruck awaiting inspection by City Council and suggesting repairs he authorised before shipping fur the Coast. Deceived.

Kami W. Norman, Doss, and ('. Fisher, applying for the position of driver of the motor tipping lorry.- Received ; to he filed.

From Hansford and Mills, Ltd., Wellington, circular dealing with supplies ot New Zealand marble suitable lor election lII' buildings and momurinls. Received.

From Advismy Committee, Okuru, reporting repairs to Tutnhull road are tinder wav and tic need for supply ol telephones at the llaast rivci ford. Received. From .lane Knight, liimu, telet'iing to account fitriiislicd of rates due on residence area. - Deceived; pariieitlai ■ to bo supplied.

F'rotn .1. W. Thomson. Okaiito. toiu'arding'Stim ol h(! lls lor wbatlage and storage dues collected at the haihoiir sheds. — Received. The Chairman icporled the avcidein to the motor truck (p;u’ii<’uhir.s already published) and stall'll that in accord ancc with legal ailvicc tcccivcd. an .ieti',ll had Is’cn begun against the Wellington City Council claiming damages caused. Authority had been given to have the necessary repairs olli’clod to the machine, which were expected lo take about three weeks. Mr Mm ditch explained the action taken and then Mi Duff moved the action of the Ch:" ’ man he approved.—Sec 'tided ! Chinn and carried.

Mr R. Speed, mi behalf of the Humphreys Sawmill Ltd., asked assistance of the Council in putting down ]OO of gravel on the new road to

the mill, which was in a very bad condition at present. The C hairmah supported the request, and moved that Council vote C for t' up lo CIO for the work.—Seconded by Mr Duff and carried.

From Makara County Council, advising tlie resolution on the question of hospital subsidies has its approval and support. —Received. Ki oto Kumnni Rorough C uuucil, drawing attention to the heavy cost for upkeep ol' the A i« rood and enclosing ropy of letter from .dinister of Public \yorks.—Received. Krom Manawatti (‘ounly Council, requesting co-opera lion of t.lie local bodies in urging upon Vbe Railway Department a reduction of freights on carriage of benzine. —Received. From Woodvillc County Council, submitting resolution recently carried protosting against imposition of rural delivery fee by Postmaster-General and soliciting support.—Received. Krom Rangitikei County Council, asking approval of legislation being introduced ibis session to give effect to remit carried at recent on life re nee.

“■That Couniy Councils be exempt from the ojHM'ation ot all Arbitration ( ourt awards. Received and endorsed. Overseer Millner rej>orted as I olio ws : f have the honor to report that during the discussion with the proprietors of the motor owners at tin* County Chamber yesterday, it was mentioned that horse and drays working on Rake Kanieri road were in the habit of proceeding and returning from work timing working hours. This is incorrect as far 21 s 1 know. All workmen are working hours per day. Roadman Dale was instructed several limes not to allow any of the workmen to leave their work before the usual hour lor ceasing, ami on .Monday last A. Rhodes. who for some weeks has been working M. Keenan’s horse and dray on Rake Kanieri road work, refused to continue because Roadman Dale would not allow the horse and dray to leave half an hour before the usual ceasing noiir. This is the third time recently that a team has refused to work the hours required and left tie work in consequence. Received. Krom Oversee? .Millner, reporting completion oR timber stiuctural portion of the Roadman's cottage at InterWanganui ; good progress was made dining the month in the extension of Petersen road ; that laboiners and cartels on Rake Kanieri marl a ere only allotted actual time worked : damage to ridvci ?on M? Arthur ion R Koiterangi, :, N {) |,• I»i tit •11* i s ioiiy; !iis intcnti.ni to gravel Rake Kanieii ami Kokatalu toad when Duplex lojry anives. Re- • •eivetl.

Krom Sana*, ashing for purchase of a C olonial involving diag scoop of 7 t ■ ■!iir Jed r:>pn> if;. and wile rope lor use at giuvel bins and for ferry boats as mooring lines.- Received; drag :.1 .ie,i to hr pro* nn d.

Kiom Same, iriei'iing to the diflicul* ,i.s e.icou.iK'ieii m repairing Rake Kanieri road whik* the heavy lorry traflic continues ami suggesting all f -'v motor t.afiic he stopped on this 1 1 1 ole for a fortnight till icpairs are • •flectr*d to the ttor-J portion*.- Re

ieived. ( onncillois repressed the desire not to deal too haishly with the lorry liv,n us, but it was pointed out it the conditions contimmd lhe roarl would heroine impassable and automatically

tradl.. It v.ns also resolved to circularise each lorry owner in the direction of not using the road on wet da vs.

i Roadman Nolan, asking lor supply of galvanise 1 wire for use in protecting road at Waitangi Loan Received.

From W. Thomson. Stock Danger, supplying names of owm'ts allowing animals to wander on County thoroughI'aii's for the iii'Uith of October. Rest d : nc; oti t : 1 e taken.

From Resident Engineer, Public Wot!.-., regieUing the l.a Fontaine road extension co.Md mg he sanctioned in ti.gt of .Ministerial instructions.— Received.

From Drey County Council, approving of ciictihir issued liv this Council with respect to the provisions of the proposed Forests Dili. Received. From Tourist Department, Wellington, stating that the question of repairs to Lake Kanieri road is considered to lie one for the Department, of Public Works, and the matter had been tl’t.’i ted to that Department aet ordiiiglv. —Received.

Ftom Roadman Nolan, reporting completion of Potter’s Creek protection costing L'bO; necessity for icmoval ol stranded trees in the Waitangi liver; various small winks i-airicd out du.uii , the month. Received.

Fiom Same, telegraphing Racing Club at Wataroa decline to contribute toward erection of Inidge to span .McBride creek.- -Received.

From Same, forwarding paiticulais for the guidance of Tourist party crossing Southern Alps by Healey Pass and journeying down by Perth and W ataroa rivers. —Received. From James Mcßride, Wataroa, ro(ftiesting conversion of piesent footbridge over Mcßride creek similar to Whale creek liridge to allow crossing for stock.—Received ; it was resolved the Roadman report on the actual cost. From Right Don W. F. Massey, forwarding copy of cable received lor the observance of Armistice Day. Deceived.

F’rotn David (’. Streeter, 1 Inkitika. applying for position of driver ol the Duplex motor truck and submitting testimonial.— Deceived; to lie tiled. Frolli Deceiver of Land Revenue, lodging the sum of LdUS os fid tepiesenting halves and thirds to Die credit of the County F’und account. -Do eeivetl.

From P. Olson, drawing attention to damage done lo his propelty by tlobd waters at Arahuta. Itcecived. F’rotn D. Wood. Administrator of Hokitika Museum, thanking (’otimil for denation of CIO. Received.

OFKSTION OF DF’I’V

,\ii Murdoch ictci red to the recent tariif, which put a duty of .’to per cent ad valorem on mining machinery, lie entered a siiotig protest against the imposition of such all unwarranted duty which would vitally alfect the mining industry. It was pointed out that dredging machinery such as at Rimu Flat could nul he made in the Dominion, and would unduly prevent the proper advancement of the dredging industry, instead of giving evetv encouragement. to what was tt languishing industry

Mr Speed who was present, said it was impossible to get the dredging machinery made in New Zealand. The Chairman thanked Mr Murdoch for his very luminous exposition of the position. He felt the importation of this machinery should be encouraged and not he discouraged as the present proposed duty would cause it to he. It seemed a suicidal policy to tax the machinery needed for such a*' industry to such an extent as was proposed. He had pleasure in moving;— Thai this Council emphatically protests against the proposed increase of Customs duty to do per cent ad val. upon machinery used for gold mining by means of dredging; the Council strongly urge the Government to frame the tariff with the view (1) That gold dredging in the Dominion is a languishing industry; <2) That the modern method is deep dredging; CD That past exjwrieneo has proved that sufficientlx powerful dredges cannot he made in the Dominion. The Council submitthat dredges for purely gold mining purposes should be treated as mining or gold saving machinery and brought in free alongside plus H) per cent impout. The Council respectfully submits that the ptoposeil impost, it carried, will mean a death blow to the g"hl dredoing industry in New Zealand.

Also that copies of the above he sent to the Premier, Minister of Mines, Member for. the District, and all goldfields membeis. .Mr Speed further instanced the inability of New Zealand manulnctnrers to make manganese steel, ol "hii-h the component parts of the hit* dredge "enmade. Fnlcss the duties were n-duced it would mean the extinction ■>! the dredging operations. Mr Mori’l seconded the motion, endorsing the remarks of the previous speakers. The motion was then agreed to. DF.POD.TS.

Accounts amounting to LTI7. 11s (id were passed for payment. The special committee’s report on acceptance of fender tor Kakap'itahi bridge was read and approved. ODDKD PAPER. The Chairman moved -“That the accounts for the month of October, as revised and recommended fur pavment by tlte Finance Committee, amounting to F-177 lls (id. bo passed for payment.” -Seconded by Mr t Festeimati and carried. The Chairman moved : ‘'Tluit the Council resolve pursuant to Section Dll (e) of the Counties’ Act, I ’•-(I. to declare bv S|K’cial Order, (he lollowilig list of roads to lie main mad- within the Countv :

(a i Toremakau bridge road to Kuiitttt'a beach road, (lit Awatuna road, Co) Araliura \’a 1 ley road, id) Kanieii Lake mad. l o| Kokatahi road lo Oraliam’s torniT, thence across Kokatahi livin' bridge to Ciopp's road. •! A l l Inn stown road. (g) Dualapu road. (li) Total’ll road, Ci) Waittiha Settlement road, :j| Wanganui Flat road, (k) Wataroa Flat road, D) Okarilo road. Cm) Turnbull road; and that the Special Order be passed at a special meeting of the Council on the Kith day of December.—Seconded by Mr Dufl and carried. The Chairman moved : - 'That John Peake he appointed valuer of mining pro|>erty for the County of Westland for the ensuing year on the same terms and conditions as previously." Seconded by Mr Wells and carried. Mr Chinn moved: —"That the Minister of Public Works be urged to call tenders for Waitangi bridge, Main South road, and Doits Orimrnond and Michel, and Mr Seildon, M.P., be asked to jointly support the request to the Don Minister.”- .Seconded by Mr liitohie and carried. Mr Chinn moved L’J be voted to till in hole and making approach to Air J. McKay's homestead, the estimated cost being Cti. - Seconded by Mr Ritchie and carried. Mr Chinn moved that Overseer Mdlner report as to cost ot approach to slaughter house ol Mr M. Nolan.— Seconded by Mr Kite hie and carried. Mr Chinn moved that a road approach lie made to Church ol F.ngland site at Dari Dari. -Seconded by Mr Dili-live and carried.

Mr Morel moved that Overseer Mil! tier report on the I’cokalahi-Ri;ss tin.”: and take necessary action. Seoul !i,l h\ Ml (’heslerinan and ra i ried. The Coum il rose at o p.m.