WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 August 1922, Page 4

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

TUESDAY, AUG Ist.

The Council mU fit 2 p.in. Present : Messrs W. Jeffries (County Chairman), L. Morel, K. A. Wells, J, H. Chinn, W. Ritchie, T. W. Duff, and T. R. Chesterman. The minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approved. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE.

From Treasury, forwarding revenue accrued.—Received.

From Rt Hon W. F. Massey, intimating he had conferred with the .Minister of Public Works who will arrange for dairy produce being carried through the Otira tunnel after middle of September next, provided this traffic does not take more time than three or four hours per week.—Received; as very satisfactory.

From Minister of La infs, advising the completion of survey of Kokatnhi swamp lands, plans and proposals will ho available later; in the TTnri Tfari locality the surveys and schemes are complete and generally approved; it is proposed to invite tenders for work in the spring.—Received. From .Mines Department, asking for information in connection with prospecting operations in Westland during the last five years and what monetary assistance the Council is prepared to contribute in further systematic prospecting.—Received; it was resolved to reply stating that during the war period it was not possible to obtain competent prospectors; while the Council was now prepared to assist any systematic prospecting operations.

From Same, regretting that no subsidy can he allowed Geo. Head and party to try the country at Coal Creek as the Geologist states though the creek is gold hearing it is not payable under existing conditions.—Received.

From Minister of Public Works, stating l:e Ims considered representations made for issue of authority for Adair's road but owing to the financial position of tlie country he cannot accede to the request.—Received. From Same, promising consideration to Hie application for County grants and particularly vote for widening Lower Kukfitaht road.•■—Received.

From Department of Agriculture,' reporting that in response to representations the plant known as Japanese wir.ebcrry i Riilnts Phcenicolusinsj has been declared a noxious weed and in- ( hided in the 3rd schedule of the Act. Received.

j From Department of Health, Christ- | church, advising contributions toward? expense of Sanitary Inspector in Westland does not cover costs involved and the Director General under Section 2T ol the Health Act, 1!!2(1, increased this Council’s proportion to COS p r aiiiuiin lIS from Ist April last.—Received; it "as resolved to ask for details of the cause of the proposed increase, pointing out that very little services were rendered in the County. From Valuation Department, extending thanks for receipt of schedule of alterations to the as-essment rolls and the preparation ol Hie new rolls will be hnrriei! on and sent on as soon as possible.—Received, it was resolved to send a telegram of protest at the delay In the completion of the valuation, the delay causing much inconvenience to the Council financially as a result of not being able to strike the annual rate. It was resolved to send tbe protest to the Prime Minister. From Commissioner of Crown Lauds, replying to request'for roadway to sections in Totaru and Toarolm districts that if the route proves satisfactory he will have a survey completed in due course;—Rer eived. From Clare, Ross, requesting that the road roserv.’ between his property and .1. Minelian be kept open for traffic nod tbe position reviewed.—Received; referred to Overseer Millner to inquire into. From Steel, Reedv and Hunt, application for permission to cross the l.amplotigh track at Sandy’s hill with bush tramway leading to their sawmill. -Received and request granted, .subject lo Overseer’s approval.

From Jus Watt and Henry Haines, reporting having found indications of gold in 11 10 vicinity of Kelly’s range, Seven -Milo creek and in order to prospect wish to ascertain if a subsidy can he provided to assist them.—Received; to be informed of proper procedure. From Wm Wood and others, Okarito. asking for the continuance of the ferry service over the Okarito river as the stream is not fordable.—Received. From .). A. Outtnnee, Okuru. requesting a grant of L'lo he made for clearing out Bullock creek track to enable prospectors to pack provisions etc to the foot of Bald Hill.—Received; referred to Town .Members to deal with.

From Library Committee, Wolieka, supplying statement of receipts and expenditure for the past year in the upkeep of reading room.—Received. From Advisory Committee, Bruce Bay, in reference to the maintenance of Wie ferry at Karangarua river and stating Seen so Bros might undertake the duties of ferrying—Received.

From Overseer .Millner, reporting N. Harris refuses to sanction the Kokntnhi river diversion ns lie considers the river may destroy his property; repairs necessary to Blue Spur creek bridge costing L'S; Doughboy road badly scoured and fallen timber oil the road. —Received.

From Same, reporting the erosion going oil at the southern bank of the Arahura river near residence of R. Dalgleish and to prevent further (lamage early attention bo given as there is a likelihood of the river cutting into nil old channel.—Received.

From Same, referring to claim from G. Head for compensation for injury when engaged in County work ; recommending repairs.to culverts on La Fontains road cost C3I, Wanganui Flat road C2l and 4,000 feet of planking is required for various culverts and bridges. —Received. From Valuer-General, notifying that the Valuation list for the Northern Riding would be open for inspection at the County Office to Mie 12th August.—Received. From X.E. Counties’ Association forwarding copy of balance sheet and stating position in regard to Highways’ Bill.—Received.

From Booth, MacDonald and Coy., Christchurch, giving further particulars of road rollers and scarifiers.— Received. From Watnroa Library Committee supplying particulars of Library account.—Received,

From Bark and Murdoch, applying for consent to a prospecting license being applied for by Geo Linklater, Stafford district, covering portion of Kelly’s Terrace road.—Received, and approved. i (Mr B. Ward took his seat). From C. J. P. Sellers applying on liehall* of H. Jones for leave to take a tail race across Bruce road, off Knnieri Lake road.—Received; request, granted under usual conditions.

From Motorman- Robinson giving particulars of operations of lorry from June 13th to'Jtily 28th inclusive; 5851 cubic yards of gravel were delivered on various roads, IT daj’s miscellaneous carting was done, including four days taking rails and trucks fron Wait aha to Petersen’s road; 309 gallons of benzine were consumed for the period.—Received. From Overseer Millner, reporting on Murray road drainage, £2l; and giving further particulars of Arahura river erosion and protection, stating settlers on north band objected to a £l*olll. —Received. It wfls resolved that tbe Murray rand drainage he approved. F rom Roadman Whitiskie reporting on good progress with Peterson road, over 50 chains metalled; and at La Fontaine Creek one fall was lowcicd 12 inches and another 16 inches; the scop doing good work.—Received ; the Chairman reported that the work being done was excellent. - From Minister . of Public Works, Wellington,, stating that he wa s unnble to grant the request of Council for further expenditure on Kanieri Lake road at presentßeceived. It Wa s resolved to again write to the Minister.

From same, negative reply to request for grant for Rnatapti-Mnhinn-pua road.—Received. The Clerk stated the application was for a grant to connect Mnnanui with road at Lake Mahinapua. It was resolved to advise the Minister of the actual circumstances.

From Koiterangi Timber Coy. "Ltd., asking for permission to lay tram along Koiterangi road.—Received; referred to Overseer Millner for enquiry and report. From WeStlaml Trotting Club asking for permission to remove clay from Kanieri Lake Road, near Slip URL— Received; request granted. From Overseer Millner, reporting repairs are necessary to Kanieri Lake road.—Received and authorised From same, re repairs to Kokatnhi biiidoe.—Received ; recommendations to he given effect to. Mr Ward said

lie had ret eived complaints that the cost of repairs to Kokatnhi bridge wide excessive, am! that there was not enough timber to keep the men at work. Mr Millner stated that the latter statement was incorrect, as the men had never been stopped from working owing to the absence of timber.

The Chairman said that ho had also made enquiries in reference to Kokatnhi bridge, lie knew that the work was a difficult one, but he thought that after the present work in hand was completed, no further work slvould he done till Air Boucher look charge about Ist September. From Overseer Millner, further report on road drainage on Dawson road

at cost of CTO 10s.—Received and approved. From same report on inspection, of various works in the County.—Recoin'd. From J. A. Dowell. Kokatnhi; asking permission to shift fence to enclose portion of the road reserve.— Received: to he advised the Council had no power to grant the request. From Orr Bros., complaining that the County lorry had been carting for the Koiterangi lime kiln; enquiring if it were proposed to compete with private employers; stating they could not understand why Messrs Stuart and Chapman objected to an 8 ton lorry using Mikonui bridge, while their own loco engine weighed over 10 tons.- Received.

Mr Morel stated that the lorry was used to carry some bricks that were urgently required. Mr Ward said lie thought the Council was taking the complaint too seriously. If any damage was done it was to the Council’s own property, and no outsider was nllee-lod. He was glad to know the lorry was of special value to some rate payers in a special circumstance. He objected to the carping tone of the letter to the Council After a. general discussion, the letter was received.

The Chairman referred to his recent visit to a number of works. La Fontaine bridge required considerable repairs. It was resolved to carry out repairs estimated at t’3o- Haddock’s Crek bridge repairs to ho effected.

Three Mile lagoon ferry, costing tC>o, is not in use at present. He moved that the IVrry service he discontinued and that Overseer Millner report on the cost of a bridge to serve the settlers there. Seconded by Mr Chinn and carried.

The Chairman reported the completion of Kakapotahi bridge and approaches. A very satisfactory job having been made. 11l connection with Okarito lagoon ferry' he recommended that the work of looking after the shed at Okarito wharf and tho lagoon ferry at Okarito be combined, at a salary of £2O per annum, and that the present caretaker’s services ho cancelled and fresh invitations ho invited.

This was moved hy Mr Ritchie, and seconded hy Mr Chinn and carried. The Chairman suggested that longgitudinnl planks lie laid across bridges carrying heavy traffic. He also urged that wherever possible concrete culverts he placed instead of timber. In reply to Mr Ward, Mr defines said lie was hostile to the purchase of the lorry, but he was hound to admit that so far the lorry had done good work.

Mr Duff said tho question of concrete culverts was an important too and should he considered at every possible opportunity.

FINANCE COMM ITT BBS’S REPORT. Your Committee has the honor to report that accounts presented for the month of July, 1922, have been carefully examined, and begs to report that the amount as approved totalling £1431 13 s 4d, he passed for payment.—Received and adopted. SPECIAL COMMITTEE’S REPORT.

Your Committee has the honour to report that conformable with resolution at last meeting of tile Council, a meeting of town members was held on the 27th. inst. relative to tho working conditions of the road staff, the organisation of work, and the care of the Council’s road plant. All members were present excepting Cr. Murdoch, out of town. r l he Committee arrived at the following resolutions which nro submitted for your consideration: I.—That goods required for works are not to be ordered except with the approval of the Overseer, sent through the County Office.

2. That stock be taken of all County tools and plant annually, and the record be kept for the information of members. Stock lists at date arc laid on tbe table for members’ information. 3. —That Roadmen be notified they are responsible for all tools end plant in their possession and same must he kept in order in terms of the lists now furnished.

4.—That Roadmen take instructions with regard to Conntv works from the Overseer who is to be in charge of all works in the district. !>.— That where works are authorised by the Overseer or the Council, Roadmen are to carry out same as far as possible. Fxtri labor is not to be employed without the approval of the Overseer.

6. —That the Overseer lie empowered to attend at ofice to all works as they arise considered of an urgent character, and to report immediately on any action so taken. 3 hat in respect to works necessary, but rot immediately urgent, particulars of same to be supplied to the Council for authority in order of importance. 7. —That in addition to the statutory holidays during the year, the road staff bo granted 14 days leave on pay with the approval of the Overseer, at such times as deemed most suitable. That 1 for any additional days off duty, pnrj ticlilars of which must he supplied on the monthly diary sent regularly to I the Council, a deduction to he made from wages accordingly. 8. That where County plant is loaned in nj] cases with the consent of the Council, n reasonable rental be charged, and a substantial cash deposit he taken to ensure prompt return in good and satisfactory order.

9.—That Roadmen be requested to take all reasonable rare of plant in their charge, and report promptly any loss or extraordinary damage done to County property.

Received.—The Chairman moved the report lie adopted and circulated to all Roadmen. Seconded by Mr Duff and carried.

OVERSEER. MTLLNER’S REPORT, MONTH OF JULY.

SOUTHERN RIDING

Petersen Road Extension.—This work is progressing in rt satisfactory manner forty chains of metalling being completed for the month ending July 2llli making a total of 53 chains 75 links of metalling completed to date. Tn addition a large slip from the hillside which covered the roadway at the point of diversion from original survey line, was removed, and the damaged portion of road placed in order.

Petersen Road Drainage.—Work was commenced at peg 27 chains (the creek outlet of the southern road drain which was widened to four feet in width and the fall taken up nearly dead level) to peg 18 chains 50 links a total distance of 8 chains 50 links completed.

La Fontaine Creek Clearing £ for £ grant.- The continued fine weather has allowed good progress to he mode with this work, especially since the drag scoop has been in use, removing the shingle from the lied of the stream. The total amount of gravel, stone etc removed for tile month amounts to 330 cubic yards. „

Lower Tvakapotnhi Rridge .and Approaches. This work is advancing toward completion and will be ready for final inspection during the month of August as practically all the heavy work is completed. CENTRAL RIDING.

Kokatnhi Bridge Repairs £ for £ grant. -A good deal of defective timher was removed, and renewed during the month. Several spans screwed up, ami a considerable quantity of old ironwork re dressed and rendered fit for use.

NORTHERN RIDING. Mnlfroy’s bridge. Repairs £ for £ grant. Shortage of timber for repairs delayed this work .considerably, working ceasing on one or two occasions until supplies were available. Repairs during the month consisted in the removal and

renewal of caps, corbels, transonres, bracing and decking at a low cost for this class of work There still remains, two lower chords, several trnnsomos anil about -<OOO feet of decking to be removed and when this is completed the bridge will be in good order. Tn the meantime work is suspended until a small grant is available. SOUTHERN RIDING.

General repairs were effected to several roads by he Roadman in the Hari Haii district ruts raken in, metal bio ken and water tables cleaned and culverts repaired on Waitahn Settlement Road, track to Donnelly’s Creek Footbridge cleared, and repaired and trees removed from Mt. Greenland track.

CENTRAL RIDING

Portions of the upper end of Lake Kanieri Road were repaired, with gravel and a defective culvert on Sunny Bight Road removed and renewed with 18-inch diameter concrete pipes. The Roadman also attended to urgent repairs on Lake Kanieri and Han Ilan roads, and removed all old planks from StripUnds Creek- Bridge replaced thorn with 8x 4 heart of rimu planking. Hokitikn-Hnu Han -Rond was cleared with the large road grader and the worst portions repaired with gravel. A small portion of Back Creek Road was repaired and the surplus broken metal caitc-d by the County Motor from Seddon’s Terrace Road to a bin on Back Cicek Road to be in readiness for road repairs. Bad boles and ruts were repaired on Rualapu Beach Road between Mnnanui and Mahinapua Road, and heart of rimu planking carted by Hie County Motor from Kanieri and distributed at Lower Kokatalii and Koiterangi Read bridges. Defective decking broken by heavy traffic was renewed or. Koiterangi bridges a culvert on Upper Kokatnhi Rond near Bladieis Road and on a culvert on Lower Kokatnhi Road immediately above White Road. A road drain was also cleaned on he western side of Morris Hill. NORTHERN RIDING.

The Roadman attended to repairs on Arahura Valley Valley Road, and Humphreys Road, and assised to strip a gravel pit on Two Mile Road, also clearing blackberry growth between Two Mile Road, and Or Ward’s residence. Gillam’s Gully road was repaired on a £ for £ subsidy basis, the Roadman attending to the work of breaking metal. Urgent repairs wore affected tn Awatuiia Road by metalling a subsidence at the western end of Wairnea Creek Bridge. A fallen tree was removed lrclii Awiitunii Road about half a mile above the bridge Hillmans' and Watsons Road were attended to by repairing bad holes v ith gravel and decking renewed on Kapiton and Kuinnra Junction Rond fridges. TENDERS. Tenders for Evans Rond construction were received as follows: A. Gardiner £143 15s 0 Corliv and Wright ir. 150 !! 0 The tender of A. Gardiner was accepted. ORDER RARER. The Chairman moved:— “That the accounts for the month of July ; s revised ami tv.oiuinendcd for payment by the Finance Committee, amounting to £1434 13s Id, he passed for payment.” Seconded by Mr Duff and i nrried.

'hie Chairman moved:— “That (ppb( u'o n be made to the Govornni'm; a grant - I L'MT. £ for £. for the purpose (.1 prn'ce?ing the foreshore and checking further erosion <J tic Arahura river near l{. Dalglcish’s residence.'’ Seconded by Mr Ward and carried. Mr Millner to prepare pro posivli for the work.

'1 he Chairman moved: — '‘That application ho made to the Public Works Department For permission to move the LiLlle iVaitaha liver wire footbridge to the Hokitika river gorge, aml upon permission being granted lie Overseer he authorised to ban tin' work attended to.” Rei ended hy Mr Morel and carried. The Chairman moved.— “That conditional upon the property owners agreeing to river protection at uppe" Hokitika river, and contributing the sum estimated hy the Overseer, the Council agrees to contribute I'd!) to-

wards the cost involved.” Seconded'by Mr Morel and carried. Cr. Ritchie moved:—“That the Marine Pcpnrtm; ut he urged again to consider jjnnnanls for (lie expenditure if a boat landing at brace Hay, and to that on .1 hi asked to confer with Captain Holloas of the g.s.s,- Hincmoa in respect to the most practicable method for carrying out the work to suit the pressing rc.'Hiiremeuts of the district far the saf r and quicker handling of inward and outward freight.” Seconded bv tile Chairman and carried. Tiie Clmi/maii moved:— “.That in view of the increasing amount ;>f un owppiymoip in the district as a result of the enforced stoppage of the sawmilling industry, the Government ho urged to consider the advisability of proceeding with the expenditure of suitable road grants, already authorised by Parliament under the Public Works Department.-” Seconded by Mr Duff and carried. Cr. Chinn moved:—“That the County Solicitor lie authorised to prepa.n tiie necessary Order-in-Coiuicil required in respect to the carriage ot j | settlers’ goods and stock over tiie i Ross-Waitnha tramway of Stuart and ] Chapman Ltd. and same be submitted to the Railway Department at Wellington.” Seconded by Mr Jeffries and carried. Cr. Morel moved:—“That a report lie obtained for next meeting of ihe. Council, of the cost of a suitable bridge over Pigeon Creek, Koiterangi.” Seconded by Mr Chesternmn and carried. Cr Morel moved:— “That the Overseen’ furnish a report of the cost of opening a vehicle route for light traffic by Doughboy road, to give connection between’ Whitcomhe and Endowment rqads', Koiterangi.” Seconded by Mr Wells and carried. Mr Morel stated that White’s road was ‘in a had state. The millers had been granted leave to place a tram on the roadway hut it.was now in n had state and required immediate attention and that they should not he allowed to recommence operations until the road was properly repaired. The Council referred the complaint to the Chairman and Overseer Millner to take action. Mr Chinn moved that southern members confer with Messrs Stuart and Chapman in reference to the load in,g over Mikonui bridge. Seconded by Mr Duff and carried. Mr Ward moved that the Overseer repair drains on Humphrey’s road at cost of IT. Seconded by Mr Duff and i arried. Reference was made to the invitation to Canterbury extended by the Pro oess League, and a hearty invitation was extended to Councillors to take part. The Chairman and Mr Duff notified their intention of accepting ami leave uas granted to the County Clerk to take part in the visit. The Cornu il ruse at T.T) p.m.