WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 May 1922, Page 4

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

ORDINARY MEETING. The Council sat at 1.45 p.m. Present—-Messrs W. Jeffries (County Chairman), T. R. Chesterman, E. A. Wells, W. 11. C'liini!, B. Ward, T. W. Duff, L. 11. NT. i. I, .1. Ritchie. ’ UK I STATION. A deputation consisting of Messrs E. On- and J. -M. Allan waited on the Council in reference to the maximum weight to be allowed for motor lonics to carry over Mikonui bridge. They asked that the maximum be increased from 0 tons to 8 tons, otherwise a considerable hardship would he entailed on the latter’s mill. The Council promised consideration later. An application lor a former road in Koiterangi district to he dedicated in lieu of the original site on the plan, wa s stated to have the approval of all tin* parties affected and was agreed to by the Council. The minutes were confirmed and cor. respoudence outward approved, INWA R D CORE ESI’ONDENCE. From Treasury, forwarding revenue accrued.—Received. From General .Manager Railways, intimating if Stuart and Chapman, Ltd., contemplate carriage of passengers rn the Waitaha tram proper provision will he refilling! and ail Order in Council will he necessary fixing charges ami conditions. Received.

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From District Engineer Railways, enclosing agreement for execution by ihe Council covering railway reserve between Kumaia Junction and Kapiton being used for road purposes. - Received. Emm .Minister of Public Works, regretting he could not pinvide funds for the Ruatapu-.Mnhinnpun road as it will lie used mostly by tourists and this is not sufficient justification f"r spending money at present. Received : further application to he made. From Same, declining to sanction th - expenditure of grant appearing on the Public Works estimates for the upkeep of Adairs road.- Received.

From Same, referring to repiosculations made for widening and metalling | the Lake Kanieri road and keeping it in order for ordinary traffic refusing to ! provide a Government contribution. ■ Received; It was resolved to refer hack the letter pointing out inaccuracies therein. From Same, reporting the Crown Lands Department are taking steps to legalise the roadway between Acre creek and Kapitea and until this done no provision can be made for Kama ra-Kapitca road as it will only benefit- one sett lor. - Received ; application to lie renewed. From T. E. Y. Sodden, M.P., reply from Minister of Public Works dealing with his altitude in withholding authorisation of spending the into for Petersen's road till the leadline : s satisfactorily drained. Received; The Chairman and Mr Wind stated that as a result of a recent -. i-i• they had found ooiisjderble value had resulted from drainage operations carried out. by the ('uuneil. Emm Same, stating he is unable with limited funds at his disposal to make mleipiate provision for important works and thei el ore could not spend anything on Mi lirido's bridge at butler factory, Walaron. Re-emd; copy to he sent to Chairman of Walaron Racing Club. Er.im Resident Engineer, Public Woks, retaining piopnsals lor the wid

cuing oi tbc Lake Kanieri road and would forward reply on receipt of instructions from head ofliee. Received; pn pnsals to he sent cm to Minister. From Same, notifying the Govoniment is prepared to grant b'2so for repairing the llaast Pass track provided the Couneil contributes Col) towards the estimated cost of £301).- Received; •Mr Dull’ moved the Council find {.'so asked for and that tile local body on the other side he asked to provide simikoly. .Seconded by the Chairman and ran iede

From Same, advising applications Unvotes and grants Ibr the Public Works estimates tor 15)22. must he lodged not later than the nth .tune pmx. Projected works: -

Northern Riding I,S!)0 Central Riding 5,5011 Southern Riding -2,210 Received.

Erom Department of Internal A (fairs, acknowledging receipt of statement of moneys owing by the Couneil during past year as provided by the Finance Act. Received. !■’i<iin Commissioner of row it Lands, Hokitika, suggesting that to provide for protecting banks of the Kokatahi river near Meharry’s and Smith’s holdings actions be taken under Land Laws Amendment Act, 1010. Received.

Erom Same, supplying particulars for election of siding for loading purposes near Kakapotalii liallie bridge. - Received.

From Westland Hospitals Hoard, advising the resignation of Will Searle, Esq., as the Council's repiesentalivc on the Board, and asking appointment of another member to lill Hie vacancy.Received; Mr Ritchie moved that the Chaii man lie appointed. Seconded by Mr Duff and carried.

Erom Sume, lorwaiding statements showing amounts allocated for maintenance and levies struck on the contributory Local llodies for the year ending 31st .March, 15)23. the latter amounting to {53122 13s .'id, of which this Council contributes C2-lf)!) 7s 7d. spread over a period of nine months. - Received.

Erom Rank of New Zealand, limiting the amount of noeomniodaiion to L'l7oo, on oveidral't, till the Antecedent Liability is cleared.- Received.

I'rout Park and Murdoch, enclosin''letter I rom liorough of Hokitika to the effect no objection will he taken to merging portion of township south of the river in the County. Received; relerred to Finance. Committee to re-

port. Erom Westland Chamber of Commerce, stating a conference of laical Hollies will lie held at the Town Hall, Hokitika, at. i .30 p.m. on Wednesday, list May, asking lor business for discussion and attendance of Councillors. - Received; the Chairman and members to attend. From Pallia tun County Council, urgng support of a resolution, “That, all aieal Bodies throughout tiie Dominion ipproach the Government to apportion >art of the loan lining raised on the anidon market for payment of Anteoelenfc Liabilities.” -. Received ; to he sup-mi-ted. From J. Roberts,-Gnldsborougli, intitating he had made application to the

Warden to surrender special claim 1354 situate in Wniihea Survey District.— Received.

Prop] G. P. .Rea, Ross, reporting having met with an accident on a culvert 'along the Totnra road and claiming compensation for horse £3O and salt £lo.—Received ; -Mr Ward moved the Council express regret at the accident, but could not accept ally liability.- Seconded by .Mr Morel and carried. From F. Wall. Koitorangi. reporting that nil race night at 11 p.m. his car ran into a straying horse near the Kanieri bridge and asking payment of expenses incurred by the collision.— Received ; The Council expressed rcgiet at the accident. It "as resolved that the Overseer and Roadmen he instructed to report to Council all cattle seen wandering and that action be taken against offenders. From Orr Brothers, Hokitika, with respect to carrying loads over the Mikonui bridge and slating their drivers in future will conform to the regulations affecting- heavy traffic.—Received. From Geo. Head and party, applying for favourable approval of their intention to drive a tunnel at Coal creek, Kanieri district, in virgin country. Received ; referred to Mines Department.

From Lyes, Stopforth and Mall, asking fur further assistance to complete drainage Ibr about 18 chains along Wall road. Koitorangi. - Received and repoit asked for from Overseer.

From .las. W. Thomson, notifying he would reply to the offer to act as ferryman on the Okarito lagoon prior to the next meeting.- Rt ceived.

From Ocean Accident Insurance Company, intimating a claimant will not icasonahly submit to medical advice and enclosing cheque £lB Its lOd in final termination of compensation. Received.

From ('. J. Hondo, Kokatnlii, in reference to rates due on. propc-i t.v rti cully occupied ami asking frontage be cleared.- Received; Tile Council regret, eil it could not remit rates, but voted £:i toward clearing road frontage. From Overseer .Millner, reporting on repairs necessary to the roads and bridges at Wairnea, Kokatnlii and Araliura ilisiricts ; recommending the stone roller be mounted with a triangular hauling bar and wooden box body to carry a ton of material to give a rolling weight of tons; reporting on repairs to Cillam’s Cully road. - Heceived and approved. From Same, reporting tlood damage to the Kakapotahi bridge, two silver pine piles broken off and urging two hardwood piles be procured to replace ilios.e broken. Owing to danger ol ciosion if will he advisable to meet further spans and lie would supply an estimate of extension and protection later. Received. From Same, icpurting the tram crossings of Stuart and Chapman oil ll.ill Han load and Lake road need atten! ion: again di au ing at leiition to the damage done to Kokatnlii road by lieavv haulage and a vote of CbltO should bo applied tin to widen a tnitliei b<) chains of this road Irom K ilne’s upward. Received. From Roadman Nolan, reporting the eompletion of the pioteetive works au- j t liorised oil the Waitangi Roan Rlnek ; eoinplaiiit Irom a settler in connection wit.li a nuisance on the Three Mile track. .'Received. From Advisory Committee, Rime Ray. asking for authority to expend Cb in metalling .Maintain track. Rei rived. From Advisory Committee, Okuru, stating the llaast beach receiving shed rei|nires removing to a sater position and the building repaired ; and recommending expenditure ot CIO tor Okuru run track and Cb tor M aiatoto run track. Received.

From Prime Minister stating the (■ablation rolls would be available tor the Count il to stiike the annual rate the first Tuesday in July. Received. From Same stating that the question of granting permission to raise a loan of £.3.000 in connection with the antecedent liability would have early consideration.— Received.

prom Superintendent Ad vanees Olfiee stating consent to borrow lor antecedent liability would be considered when the Council had passed the necessary special order. Received.

From -Mines Department intimating A. McCormick had paid in £lO on account of arreais of mining rent, amt the balance would be wi itten oif.- Received.

From Same reporting that as surrender of mining lights bad been agreed to by Unwind and Roberts, arreais would be written off. Received. From X. Z. Counties’ Association asking for expression of opinion regauling Local Bodies Finance Act, and for any amendments considered desirable. - Received.

prom Health Oflicer, (3n istehnieh, forwarding Gazette notice in regard to closing onleis under the Health Act. Received.

Erom Timaru Borough Couneil urging amendment to law whereby Electric Power districts might he established bv a poll instead of by petition.- Received.

Erom Hokitika Borough Council en qtiiriog tile terms and conditions upoi which the motor tipping lorry would bi mailable for gravel supply in th Borough. Received; referred toCh. i. man, (>voi seer and Clerk.

From Westland Hospital Board stating the Minister for Health would be interviewed on Sunday morning, relative to subsidies, and asking the Council be represented to support the Board's request in the matter. Received ; Chairman and town members to attend.

From Success Gold Dredging Coyin Liquidation offering to pay .Cl 5 on account up rent- due, and asking that the balance £ls he treated as non recover-able.—-Received ; and oiler accepted. From Baxter Bros. Ltd., asking permission to lay a tramway across and along port ions of Spencer Road, North Arahura. —Received; referred to Overseer; It was resolved to refer to the Chairman tin application for a combined road and traffic hiidge. From ,1. Manzuni, Callaghans, asking that rent due to the amount of £7 10s he treated as non-reeoverahle, as the rights were not now in use, being abandoned. Received and agreed to. From James Fitzgerald, Wninihinihi applying for renewal of Slaughter 7tou.se license W. 2.3. Received an,| granted.

From A inlet sons Ltd., forwarding quotations for ten ton steam roller, £llsO and eight ton, £1350, with pur ticulars as to running costs.—Received.

Eton) W. Robinson forwarding detail- / ed statement of running of motor *

lorry since last report. For 27 days gravelling .(i36yils. had been put on the road. On (i days miscellaneous carting carting had been done, and grading carried out.— Received.

From Overseer Milliter reporting (!. Rea’s accident was not caused through

any faulty timber work hut through water erosion of the sirle logs; that White road tramway ha,[ not yet been passed; that owing to remoteness the Fppcq- Totara road was difficult and costly to maintain; also supplying general report on district works. Receiv-

From F. Cunn, Kolokino, applying lor grant of £5 for bridge erected iceently near Ins residence.- Received ; £.'! was granted.

From Same urging that the Drainage Engineer he sent to Rntokino swamp with a view to arranging for a comprehensive work being carried out. Received; Mr Chinn thought it the best swamp in Sooth Westland. He moved that Mr Strawbridge be asked to report and present a suitable scheme. Seconded by Mr Wells and carried. OVERSEER MILI.XER’.S REPORT. I have the honor to report upon the progress of works during the months of April and Mav 1922. Kokatahi hiidge icpairs, L’2 for t i grant.—Six men have been employed on this work for the past two mouths, and steady progress lias been maintained throughout. Several faulty caps, torhels, and lower chords have been icmoved. and renewed; also faulty hand railing, struts, corbels and decking replaced with heart, of limn timber. Kanicri river bridge, Lake Kanieri bridge.—This bridge os keen overhauled. and is now safe for heavv trallie. All the land spans on the southern side oi the bridge liave been snpnorted at centres with trestles; four faulty stringeis removed from two thirty feet spans and redecked with S x 1 timber. One thirty foot span crossing the stream which could not he supported at centr-s ow ing to the danger of cut tailing the width of waterway between the piers, was rendered more rigid In the construction of a (preen truss over each

water stringer. [.eft hand branch creek bridge was stripped of all the old S x 3 planking and '.-('decked with 8 x I timber, ItU 'l2 x K x I heart of rimu planking bring required for the purpose. Alalfroy’s bridge repairs C for !_' grant. —This work is progressing steadily, a good deal of faulty timber being removed, and replaced, ptincipally caps and corbels, which were badly crushed over several pi-rs. The work of removal n unites skilful management owing to the necessity of keeping the bridge safe during repairs for heavy engine and timber tratlie. Lower Ivakapotnhi bridge—This work is proceeding fairly well in spite of the damage caused to tin 1 structure by tin 1 leecnl floods. The two broken silver pine piles have been rephieed with hard wood ntles. and in a slant. time the bridge will lie available for wheel trallie.

I’etcrseli’s road extension. This work is proceeding slowly but surely and the lorma'ion should la l completed itt lour or live weeks from date. Lower Kakapntahi bridg;c protection. ■ The work of reopening the centre channel to divert the stream li'iua the nojthein approerli to the hiidge is nearlv completed, and cannot fail to he successful. A good deal ot heavy timber has been removed hv explosives and the channel should he easily scoured on I by the first Hood.

Duck Creek footbridge leiiewal.— Mill ray t oad, which has In en held in ah 'vnnee tor some time owing In the m-e-s.-ary amount of timber not being available lor repairs, -was completed, and a good serviceable structure three fed in width, is now available, for font and cycle tratlie. I'm t ions of Lower Kokatahi road, t'pper Koknl a hi, Koilerangi. Cropps, Hokitika Flat, (‘amrlbnck and portions of Whitrnmhe roads liave been cleaned by the large mad grader drawn by the County lorry. Repairs were elleeted to the decking ol bridges and culverts on Lower Kokatahi and Koilerangi loads, had holes patched, and stone btoken on Lower Kokatahi, and Arablira A alley roads, and two si ringers remnved and renewed in White bridge, Kokatahi road. Daring the last thin* 1 days the road drag has been used with good results oil the Kokatahi mad between White mad. and Kanieri river bridge. Ow ing to the coni ititled downfall ol rain the by-roads leading to the grave! sites on the river beaches were rendered too soli tor use for gravel haulage by the motor except dining line days. \ cry bad boles were repaired with gravel between White road and Lang's drain. and appr -lies to bridges on Koilerangi rood, ami impel' portion of Lower Kokatahi load were attended to. Slips were removed, and urgent repairs attended to on Lake Kanieri mad, 1 Ink i tika-l lan llau. Blue Spar and Mine SpttrHumphreys roads, and a good deal ol gorsc and blackberry cleared from the One Mile. Arsihura Valley and Humphreys roads; also uatcrtnhhs chimed and giicse denied tioni Avaluna and Scandinavian roads. Repairs were completed to Art burst ow n road, and almost completed to the Borough portion of the same load. Culverts were repaired and gorsc cleared tram the first portion of Insolvent track, and a culvert repaired on Pott’s track, between Soldon's Terrace road and the upper end of Rimu. Repairs veto also elleeted by metalling the rough tailings on Adair's mad near the dredge.

FINANCE COMMITTEE’S REPORT. Your Committee lias the honour t«> report that the accounts presented for the months of April-May have been earcfuHv examined, and beg to reoemmond that the amount as approved, totalling 151-15) 10s 1 (hi be pa-sed for payment. Received and adopted. The Treasul'er's report (published yesterday) was read and received. The Chairman said that Mr Evans had given due consideration to the finances of the Couneil. He thought it-

would lie wise to consider did’erenti; rating even at this stage. He wind approve of consideration being heh over for the year. lie moved the re port he approved. Mr Ward seconded, stating the rt marks of the Chairman were certain], complimentary to tile Treasurer. Witl the new valuation apparently the rate would show an increase from an Sd rat as against Oil last year, lie was glai to find the Chairman recognised whn the rest of the County had done fin the Southern riding in tile past. Tin motion was then agreed to. ORDER PAPER.

The Chairman moved:—“That tin accounts presented for April-May. 15)22, as revised and recommended for payment b,v the Finance Committee, amounting to CI9IB IDs 11 )* 1, lie passeo for payment.’’ Seconded by Mr Dull and carried. The Chairman moved: “That the report of the Treasurer on the proposed allocation of estimated revenue for the current financial year he now considered and approved.”-- Secondedby Mr Ward and carried. The Chairman moved.— “That public notice he given of the intention of the Council to make and levy a general rate separately in caeli Riding of the County of Westland, of eight farthings in the £ on the capital value of all rateable property, in gecordnttee with Sections 120 and 121 of the Coun-

ties Act ,1920; the said rate to he payable fourteen days after being struck.” Seconded by Mr Dpff and carried.

The Chairman moved: “’flint the list of works for Government grants as now before the Council he approved and scheduled for ulficinl aeeeplao-e.”

Sei onded hv Mr Duff and carried. Before dealing w ith I lie next motion, the Council met the motor Un-i-v owners Messrs Stuart. < irr and llackell. who were present l.y invitation and ill answer to a request by jbo Chairman they put their view- before Lhe Council.

Air Hankell considered he had done a fair share towards keeping the roads inj order, hv supplying timber at a cheap’ rate and a monFlily payment. He considered the proposals before the . Council were too severe. Air Orr considered that the best suitable speed for loaded lorries was 15 to j Hi miles. Tim load should not. lie less than ISO!) feet. | Air Ward said lie had no doubt that 12 miles an hour was quite fast enough for AVcst Coast ri.ads. Afr D. Stuart- eonsiderd 12 miles an hour was a fair speed. A load of 1200 fet was rather small. Jt ought to lie up to 1800 feet. The Chairman then moved:- “That the Couneil now consider the advisability of restricting the rate of speed for all loaded lorries to not exceed 12 miles per hour (the engines to he govern ed accordingly to the satisfaction of the Council’s officer}, and the loading to not exceed 15150 feet of red pine or ISt)5) feet of white pine t imber; ano that for the months of .Tune, July. August. September and October. the monthly charge for lorries plying on the County roads he increased to CIO per month; payable in advance.”

Seconded by Mr Wells ami carried. The Chairman moved: “Thai a small vote he authorised for repairs to the approaches of Gillespie’s Cemetery, cost not to exceed £2.” Seconded by Mr Chinn and carried. Mr Dull' moved: - “That tin Pi on nee. Committee report as to the alhaation of the animal vote for public libraries in il"- County, and the institution requested to slate their financial position.’’--Seconded hv the Chairman and carried. Air Alorel drew attention to the danger of erosion at Bigeoii Crock. and asked for a visit of the ('eiio.il to inspeet and meet the settlers nfl'octed. D was resolved to make the visit on June 2nd. Mr Chinn moved that further application tie made for permi-siou for the extension of La Fontaine road works as an urgent work, which will lie carried out if payment is assured later. This was agreed to. Mr Chinn moved that a grant of £3 he made for approach to Air I’. Amlierger's area at Finns’ Creek. Seconded by ATr .Alorel and carried. SRECIAL MEETING. Tin- Chairman moved :--“That the Couneil do now hv spe ( ini order resolve to raise a loan of £5!,2(10 at a rate of interest not exceeding six per cent, for the purpose of assisting to pay oil' the anteeednt liability of tbe Couneil as existing on March 31st.. 15)22. as defined by the bocal Bodies’ Loans Act. 15)21 : and that, pursuaiil to the provisions of tbe Icm al Bodies’ l oans Act. I ill 51 a special rate to secure the aforesaid loan which is to have a currency of eight years and to !>e repayable in sixteen half-yeai K instalments Instruck over the whole Countv. and be annually recurring as tbe .security rate during tbe currency of the loan: tbe said special rate to be one-fifth of a penny in the £ oil tbe capital rateable propel ty within the County of AA’eslland.’’. Seconded bv Air Dull' and carried. I