WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 12 April 1922, Page 4

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

TUESDAY, APRIL 11

The Council met at 2 p.rn. Present Messrs B. Ward (Chairman), W. H Chin, W. Jeffries, T. W. Duff, L. H Morel, E. A. Wells, J. Ritchie, J. A Murdoch.

The minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approved. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE.

From Treasury, forwarding revenue accrued. —Received. From Minister of Internal Affairs, calling attention to powers conferred on local authorities to make financial provision for paying off overdraft, and requesting a statement showing commitments of the Council at 31st March. —Received.

From Bank of New Zealand, enclosing form of resolution covering authority to borrow by way of overdraft up to three-fourths of the previous year’s revenue.—Received.

From Same, advising their .head office cannot reduce the rate of interest on overdraft to less than 7 per centum per annum which is the minimum.—Received.

From Hastings Borough Council, dealing with sections of the Local Bodies Finance Act and pointing out the defects and after consideration of the whole act asking the views of the Council. —Received. From Conservator of Forests, Otago, referring to the growth of introduced trees of Pinus Insignis and Eucalyptus varieties, and offering the services of a tree planting Inspector to co-operate in providing for future timber requirements.—Received. From Postmaster General, authorising the re-opening of the telephone office at Woodstoclr.—Received.

From Controller and Auditor General, in reference to the statements supplied in connection with the collection of rates within the County area.—Received ; reply of Treasurer approved. From Department of Industries and Commerce, urging preference he given manufacturers of iron work and machinery in New Zealand and to foster purchase of goods to ease distress caused h\ u ncmployment.—Received.

From Mines Department, approving of subsidy at the rate of 39s per week per man for two for 17 weeks to enable the Hokitika Prospecting Syndicate to prospect at Upper, Arahura towards the Taipo district.—Received. From Same, stating that as it is too late in the season to prospect in the high country the application of 3. and J. Scott be left in abeyance till next summer.—Received.

From Same, advising there is no objection to treating rent due on area in the Waimea district as irrecoverable providing cancellation is applied for by the holders of the mining privileges.— Received.

From Resident Engineer, asking steps he taken to have regulations enforced in the matter of excessive loads being conveyed on roads.—Received. From Same, stating that he is awaiting instructions from head office to deal with claim for protective works at Potter’s creek.—Received.

From Harbour Board, accepting the Council’s offer to collect harbour rates within the County area and would intimate when the records were ready to be banded over.—Received.

From La»ds and Survey office, forwarding reply from Under Secretary refusing to recommend a grant for river protection, Kokatahi river, and suggesting action under hand Laws Amendment Act.—Received; copy to he sent to Mr D. Smith.

From Park and Murdoch on behalf of ratepayers resident of South Hokitika, asking a resolution lie carried incorporating that district as part of the County of Westland.—Received ; consideration deferred To next meeting.

From Stuart and Chapman, Ltd., Ross, forwarding plans for bridge and tramway construction and application tc Railway Department for use of certain classes of trucks for goods traffic between Ross station and Waitaha Junction.—Received.

From A. Scott, Karangarua, declining to continue to act as 'ferryman at the Karangarua river at the reduced rate offered after April Ist.—Received. From Norman Friend, Okarilo, reporting on the traffic over the boat ferry on the Okarito lagoon and stating he cannot accept the reduced rate non offered for the service.— Received; it was resolved to offer the position to Mr J. W. Thomson.

From Hewer, Searle and C'o., offering to gravel La Fontaine road according to the"estimate prepared and suggesting a gravel site he purchased in the vicinity of the work. —Received.

From L. E. Langesen, Kapitea, asking the Kumara-Awatuna section of road lie formed and metalled to give the settlers access to their, properties. —Received.

From Westland (told Prospecting Syndicate, notifying the withdrawal of their lorry on the 18th February from traffic and from that date tic Kcuieri Sawmill Company used it temporarily. —Received.

From Overseer M diner, reporting subsidence due to heavy traffic at i.ang s culvert on Lower Kokatahi road ; Lie necessity for gravelling from White road towards Kanieri, this will he attended to on return of lorry limn Southern districts; the need lor iemoval of trees from Pigeon creek lo prevent erosion of land.— Received ; urgent works to be attended to. From Same, reporting Hungerford’s bridge in a very dipapidated state with portion of one span broken; and general repairs necessary to roans and culverts in the Arahura district. —Received.

Air Chinn suggested that planks he placed on bridges longitudinally to save damage to planking. The suggestion was approved.

From Same, estimating the cost of repairs to Arthurstown road and metalling of the portion within the Borough of Hokitika at £35 15s.—Received; the work lias been put in hand at the expense of the Borough. From Roadman Nolan, recommending a wood and stone groin at an estimated cost of £26 lie erected for protective works at the Loan Block, Waitnngi. —Received and proposal approved. From Same, forwarding letter from J. C. Christiansen who cut a line over the Waiho Bluff and estimates it will take £3OO to form a track about one mile in length.—Received. From Same, reporting on works undertaken for the past month, and asking authority to obtain gelignite and other necessities.—Received. Mr Chinn j suggester that the Roadman carry out

the necessary repairs to outlying tracks himself.—Approved. From Advisory Committee, Okuru, requesting votes of £lO each to repair Waiatoto river bridle track and Arawata track, and to keep traffic open two men were employed on the Jackson Bay .Port Road.—Received and requests granted. From Commissioner of Crown Lands, with respect to portion of railway land proposed to be takeri at Acre CTeek for Kumara-Kapitea road',' stating special legislation was necessary and lease required, costs £l3 13s were incurred. —Received and,.approved.

From Westland Hospitals Board, notifying proposed levy on local bodies, Westland County £2449, Hokitika Borough £BO7, Kumars Borough, £B7, Ross Borough £7B, total £3422, and stating the levy would be struck on 24th inst. Note: previous year’s levy was. £3893; County £27Bo).— Received. A general discussion ensued. In answer to Hie Chairman, Mr Chinn said the maintenance charges had been cut down as much as possible. The cause of the high levy was the high capital expenditure for which the previous administration was responsible. “The Mental Hospital owed £4OO for use of the laundry, for the past year and there would also be a somewhat smaller amount for the present year. It was stated that these figures were not included in the estimated receipts on the statement supplied. Mr JcfFries said at last year’s meeting it was stated the laundry would cost £I3OO, and now they found that it had cost £3077. He thought they should ask the Charitable Aid Board for an explanation. He moved to that effect. —Seconded by Mr Murdoch and carried, other matters referred to to be also enquired of. From Park and Murdoch, forwarding agreement with the Kokatahi Timber Cov., Ltd.,, regarding tramway on White road for signature.—Received; to be completed. From Board and Council, Auckland, inviting subscription to the monthly local body newspaper.—-Received and approved.

From W. Searle, Herepo, explaining circumstances under which lorry load of stock had been taken over the RossHokitika road to the A. and P. Show, and that the trip was made owing to the train arrangements not being suitable for the transit of the stock.—Received ; copy to be sent to Resident Engineer, with the suggestion that the explanation be accepted. From G. P. Rea, Ross, reporting accident to horse and self through a hole in the Totara road, and claiming £3O damages for the horse, and £lO tor personal injuries.—Received ; referred to Overseer for report.

From Ernest Kirby, Hari Hari, asking for a grant oi £8 or £lO for two approaches to freehold section on Main South road.—Received. Mr Chinn moved C 4 be granted. —.Seconded b\ Mr Jeffries and carried. From R. Thompson, Karangarun, asking for £5 grant to Hunts and Manakainu tracks, the application being approved by the Advisory Committee—Received. Mr Ritchie moved the request be granted.—Seconded by Mr Jeffries and carried.

From W. Robinson, reporting the mileage for the month spent in South Westland was 624 miles; cost of benzine etc £3l Is 6d; and stating 165yds of gravel were placed on Robertson road; 110yds Petersen road; 210 other Inter-Wanganui roads; 27$yds Lu Fontaine road, 28 miles graded Wataroa district; 15$ miles graded at InterWanganui, and 7 miles graded at Waitaha. —Received as very satisfactory. Front Overseer Millner, reporting £9 required to repair Kumara Junction road ; 05 to reopen drain on Chesterfield track; £lO 10s for drains in Kokatahi district and £lO for road repairs Kokatahi; also monthly report on district roadworks, including grants expenditure.—Received.

From E. R. II ayes, applying for use of gravel reserve at Koiternngi for

apiary.—Received. From R. F. Speed, Humphreys, applying for leave for Humphreys Sawmill Coy. to haul logs over Humphreys road.— Received. The Chairman moved that the request he granted, subject to special precautions for the safety of the travelling public.—Seconded by Mr Duff and agreed to. FINANCE COMMITTEE’S REPORT. 1. —Your Committee has the honor to report that the accounts presented for the month of March have been carefully examined, and begs to recommend that the amount as approved, totalling £1527 13s, he passed for payment.

2.—Your Committee recommends that the balance of the Kakapotnhi bridge loan he transferred to the County Fund Account to meet liabilities for contract incurred. 3 —Your Committee recommends that under the provisions of section 6 ol the Counties Act, 1921, the Council authorise payment's of one guinea per meeting to town members attending meetings, from the month of February.

4.—Your Committee recommends in view of the annual meeting falling next month, that the ordinary meeting he held on the statutory day, namely May 24th; that no meeting lie hold in June, and that the following ordinary meeting he held on 4th July, followed hv a meeting on Bth August. This arrangement will save the holding ol two Conned meetings within the period covered.—Received and approved.

OVERSEER’S REPORT. I have the honor to report upon the progress of works during the month ol March.

Harris creek bridge, Koiternngi, C for £ grant. The contractors have completed this work, and the bridge has been open to traffic for the past fortnight.

Kokatahi bridge repairs, £2 for £1 This work is progressing fairly well an< plenty of labor is available, in fact more are offering than can be accommodated.

Lower Kokatahi road drainage, £2OO grant. The drain on Robinson road is completed; also 27 chains out of the 29 specified on Lower Kokatahi road, excepting the stumps in the last mentioned drain which require removing with explosives, which have been unobtainable locally during the past three weeks. The first six chains on Robinson’s road was a mass of submerged stumps, trees, and large roots, and with ordinary labor the cost would have been excessive, with the probability of the whole of the grant being exhausted on the Robinson’s road drain of 20 chains 75 links in length.

Malfroy’s bridge repairs, £ for £

grant. This work has progressed very < well indeed, a good quantity of defec- : tive timber having been removed, and replaced during the month. Lower Kakapotahi bridge loan vote. This work is progressing. All the piles are now driven, and a good deal of timber in position. Petersen’s road extension loan vote.’ The formation and culverts are practically completed on No. 3 section, and clearing and formation are in progress on No. 2 section. | COUNTY WORKS. Portions of Murray road drainage, £l2 10s vote of Council, and White creek drainage extension, £lO vote of the Council were completed; also the lower 15 chains of Wall road drainage, £2O vote. Defective and broken planks were renewed on several bridges, and culverts in the Kokatahi and Tvoiterangi districts. A portion of Lower Kokatahi road, from White road fo Kanieri river bridge was raked in with the horse drag, and the breaking of ' large stone was attended to as far as 1 Dawson’s road, the remaining portion l is now being broken. Portions of Lake ■ Kanieri road were kept in order by > i hand raking, stone being broken in the worst holes. The defective timber in > two spans of Kanieri river bridge, hake ’ Kanieri road, were renewed, and centres placed under three spans which did ! not interfere with the water way. Pori tions of Arthurstown road were repaired with gravel hauled by the motor and ■ a drain reopened along the northern 1 side of road below the native reserve ; - also a bridge on the eastern Borough ’ boundary raised 18 inches in height, l and levelled, and the gorse and black- ; berry cleared from the last .mentioned 1 road for a distance of 21 chains. Sev- • oral trees were removed from Seddon’s Terrace track, and a'culvert repaired; ; also a faulty stringer, and 18 planks “ renewed on the first culvert below i Rimu, on Adairs road. Water!nbles ; were cleared and gorse and blackberry cleared from the Hokitika-Tlau Man and Blue Spur roads. Gorse and blackberry were cleared in a good many l places i»v the Roadman on Arahura Valley, Humphreys, and One Aide road. ; Arahura Valley and Humphrey’s mads were horse raked, the Roadman attending to the breaking of the large stone, also to minor repairs to the footbridge at Arahura saleyards. Repairs were attended to on Fox’s, Duffer’s and Callaghan’s roads; also Watson’s road, and decking repaired on Kapiten bridge and culverts on Sandy’s hoopline. Wnitalia Settlement road was attended to by the Roadman, and the whole length of road cleared, and graded by the County motor and grader. Ihe Roadman also attended to repairs and clearing of blackberry on Waitaha Beach road.

ORDER PAPER. The Chairman moved :—“ That the accounts for the month of March 1922. ns revised and recommended for payment by the Finance Committee, amounting to £1527 13s, lie passed for payment.”—Seconded by Mr Duff and carried.

The Chairman moved That pursuant to the provisions of Section 30, Finance Act, 1919, applications be made to the Governor-General in Council for consent to borrow a sum not exceeding £3,200 at a rate of interest not exceeding 6 per cent, per annum to pay ofF the ascertained antecedent liability of the Council owing on Bank overdrafts as at the 31st March, 1922.”—Seconded hv Air Morel and carried.

The Chairman moved :—“ That pursuant to the provisions of Section 11, Finance Act, 1921, applications be made to the Hon. Minister of Finance for an order-in-Council by the Gover-nor-General authorising the raising of a loan of £3.200 for a period of eight years at a rate of interest not exceeding 6 per cent, per annum for the purpose of paying off the ascertained antecedent liabiliy of the Council as at the 31st March, 1922.”—Seconded by Air Morel and carried.

The Chairman moved:—“That upon your consent being given in respect to the foregoing resolutions numbered 2 and 3, the Council authorise the paying off of the overdraft as at the 31st March, 1922, amounting to £3,342 8s lid by the hypothecation of debentures to the amount of £3.200, redeemable at the rate of £2OO per half year over a period of eight years dating from August Ist, 1922, the rate of interest on the debentures loan not to exceed six per cent per annum; and the balance remaining of the antecedent liability; together with accrued hank interest on same, he paid off by a cash transfer from the County Fund Account to the County Fund Antecedent Liability Account as at August Ist, 1922.”—Seconded by Mr Duff and carried. Tl ic Chairman moved: —“That the necessary resolution he adopted empowering the Council to borrow by wav of overdraft from the Bank of New Zealand a sum not exceeding £2,500, such overdraft to he secured by the revenue outstanding and uncollected as at the 31st March. 1923.” —Seconded bv Mr Morel and earned.

The Chairman moved:- Tl a' lists of proposed new works for Government grants for the 1922-3 Estimates he prepared by Overseer Mitlnoi and laid on the table at next meeting of the Council.”—Seconded hv Mr Duff and carried.

Mr Murdoch moved: — “That a vote of £9 he authorised for repairs to Kumara Junction road.”—Seconded hv Air Duff and carried. Mr Ritchie moved:— “That, representations ho made to the T’ublio AVorks Department +o expedite the completion of the approaches to the Little Waitaha ridge.”—Seconded by the Chairman and carried. Air Jeffries moved that Roadman Nolan give necessary attention to the approach to Wataroa school approach road.—Seconded by Mr Chinn and carried.

Air Chinn moved that instructions he given to the officer in charge of Okarito wharf to put casks awaiting shipment under cover.—Seconded by Mr Jeffries and carried.

The Chairman complained of the action of some motor ear drivers who were not giving other wayfarers a fair share of the road. The action of some drivers was a great danger to other users of the roads and too strong a protest could not be made against the action of some of them, which was a distinct contrast to other drivers.

Mr Murdoch supported and suggested that the Automobile Association be written to drawing attention to tbejj

complaint, with a view to giving the matter further publicity. On Mr Chinn’s suggestion it was resolved to make enquiries as to the cost of a suitable road roller. SPECIAL MEETING. The Chairman moved:— “ That the Council now by special order, pursuant to the public notice given, confirm the following resolution of the

Council adopted at a special meeting called for that purpose on the lltli t day of March, 1922, namely“ That ] pursuant to the provisions of Section | 5 (e) of the Noxious Weeds Act. 1908, , the Council by special order declares that Foxglove (digitalis purpurea) shall be declared a noxious weed within the County of Westland within the meaning of the Noxious Weeds Act. i 1908, and its amendments.”—Seconded Iry M.r Jeffries and carried. : The Council rose at 4.20 p.m. '