WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 13 December 1922, Page 4

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

TUESDAY, DEC. 12

Tlie Council met at 2 p.m. Present —.Messrs \V. Jeffries (County Chairman), B. Ward, W. 1.1. Chinn. J. Ritcliie, L. 11. .Morel, T. TV. Duff, E. Wells mid T. It. Chesterman. The minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approved. ]NW AUDCO 1? H ESPON D EX CK . From Mrs Malston, Wellington, a.e* kr.cwledging letter of sympathy in recent bereavement. — Received . From Treasury notifying particulars of revenue accrued.—Received . From Public Works Department, approving of arrangements for carrying out Arahura protection work.—Received. From Same, regretting funds were not available for repairs to creek wall at Stafiord.—Reeeived. From Same, asking for removal of old flume crossing on main road at Stafford.—Received ; to be attended to. li'rom Minos Department, aeknow-c lodging prospecting application from White and Tlareourt for Blue Spur— Humphreys district. —Received. From Prime Minister, on subject ol royalties from timebr.—Received. From .Medical Officer of Health, awaiting report on hotel drainage at Kokatahi.—Received. From Same, in respect to hotel drainage at Woodstock. —Received ; licensee to be advised. From Same, offering the services of the Inspector of Health during the present year at an increase of 25% on last year’s contribution. —Received; the Council regretted the funds would not allow the granting of the increase. From Clerk, House of Representatives stating evidence asked for in respect to a Mines Committee investigation was not procurable, there being no record.—Reeeiveil. From North Canterbury Combines, suggesting questions to candidates for Parliament in respect to adjusting levies for hospitals in respect to both population and capital value, and not only ill respect to the latter. —Received.'

From Town Clerk, Hokitika, stating that after further consideration the matter of fencing the approaches to Mahinapun bridge could not he entertained.—Received; Mr Ward moved that- the matter he again referred to the Borough Council, urging the danger to travelling stock. Seconded by Mr Duff and carried. From Westland A. and P. Association, stating a special meeting would he held to consider the matter of the amendment to the Fencing Act. - Received. From 1,. l.attgesen. Chesterfield, urging that the amount voted bv Parliament for Kumara Junctimi-Awatuna road to he put in hand at once.—Received; application to he made t><> the Department. From 11. IlnittO', Kumara. applying for prospecting subsidy for two men for four months, in the Taipo-Arahtira district. Received ; to lie recommended. From Overseer Miilner, reporting il.nnnge to l,nlv“ Kanicri road. £2O, and urging road grant of 2200 be applied for.—Received. From Same, reporting road damage at liltte Spur etc, -Received.

From Same, leporting on Stafford drainage, urgent attention being necessary, also in respect to repairs to Arnliura track, cost CP.— Received. From Minister of Public Works, promising to look into the freight charges for dairy produce through Arthur’s Pass tunnel.— Received: as s.i! isfactory. From Resident Engineer, drawing attention to the tun row lyres of timber waggons plying on the Ross road between Frosty (‘reek mill and M a unmi i tram, and requesting steps be taken to enforce the bylaw as to the width of tyres.--Received : referred to Overseer Miilner for enquiry. From Park etui Murdoch, supplying copy of application by Rimti Cold Dredging Coy.. Ltd., for it residence site near Kanicri Forks. Received ; no objection. From W. Mc(’luggage ami 11 others asking that Three Mile creek ferry, near Okarito he reinstated.— Received. The Chairman said he was quite satisfied the ferry was not required; Mr Chinn said if until I He* .absurd to reinstate the ferry, it was resolved after “further discussion not to take any action. Front Ro-ieb u Fugineer. Groymonth, enquiring as to position of Three Mile ferry, reported to be discontinued.—!!e< eived ; It was resolved to reply that the Council had discontinued the ferry in the interests of eco tunny, not considering the ferry was required at tin* present time. From Overseer .Miilner. reporting on various district works, including repairs and ■reconstructions. Received. From Roadman Xolan, report on works in the Wntaroa district-Re-ceived. From Mntorman Robinson, reporting cartage of 2.'tS yards of gravel. 10 yards of stone, 35 yards broken metal, also cartage of pipes etc., road dragging and rolling and half day cartage Westland.—Received. From W. Houston, Arthurstown, thanking Council for protection grant and Councillors for advice in respect to works proposed at South Hokitika, in Borough of Hokitika.— Received. From Percy F. Chaplin and . Rasmussen. applying for six months’ prospecting aid to operate in the Rig Bay. and Hope River district, South -—Received. Front Overseer Miilner reporting cost ot a suspension chair over three Mile creek at .CIO for materia! only.—Received. It was resolved to effect repairs to track off Christchurch road at cost of £lO. Repairs were authorised to creek drainage at Stafford at cost ol Cl ss, and repairs to German Gully bluff on Browning track.

From Overseer .Milliter rojmrtinjj; on complaint against delay of staff commencing work.—-Tfccoivod. A general discussion took place on the matter, moinhefs voicing a. nnmlier of complaints while recognition of the services rendered was also voiced. Kroni Overseer Alillner report on |\akapo ta h i bridge.—ll erei veil. Overseer Millner reported on stone crushing plant submitted for report.— Received. .Mr Olderog’s offer to supply scrub lor protective works, free of charge, was accepted for Kawhaka Creek repairs. ft was resolved to ask that attention be given to Mnlfroy’s tram as stated by the report to lie urgently necessary. VIXAXCK COMM ITTKK’S REPORT. Your Committee lias the honor to report that the accounts presented for the month of November. 1022, have been carefully examined, and hog to reericmend that the amounts approved totalling £1212 ISs fid, tie passed for payment. Received and adopted. ORDER. PAPER. The Chairman moved :—“That the accounts presented for the month of November, 1922, as revised and recommended for payment by the Finance Committee amounting to £1212 12s fid be passed for payment Seconded fry Mr Duff and carried. The Chairman moved:—“That tlio Council resolve into Committee of the whole to consider the Treasurer’s report in respect to the maintenance and '

upkeep of Lake Kanieri road, deferred from previous Council meeting.”—Seconded by Mr Duff and carried. The Chairman moved: —“That while in committee of the whole, tin: Council consider the Overseer’s report in respect, to acquiring a portable stone crushing plant for use on the County roads.”—Seconded by Mr Duff and carried. Mr Duff moved that the Council adopt the principle of the purchase of a stone crusher and that an Acme crusher be secured in the terms of the Overseer’s report. Mr Chosterman seconded ■'the motion. He favored machinery for getting their work done. Mr Ward favored the getting of it stone-crushing plant. The only factor was finance and the best authority on that phase was their Treasurer and he would like a statement from him on that point. The Treasurer said the Council would not have much difficulty in fitmticieng the actual cost but there would also he the cost ot upkeep. It would have the advantage of making ]>ernianent work, that would ultimately reduce the cost of upkeep. Mr Chinn sakl lie favored a motor lorry, hut he 'did not tnvor procuring a stono-crcshor, as lie did not think that the southern .portion qf the Coun!tv should have to pay for it. TTe quite realised the necessity of a stone crusher in the northern and central ridings. Mr Morel said lie was not certain that there was a fell supply of stone available. Mr Chestcrman favored a crusher as the only way to make a proper road. Mr Ritchie could not see bis way to support the purchase ot a crusher, as it would be a serious strain on the finances, though it would he of advantage in the upkeep of the roads. Mr Wells said if they wanted good mads they had to have broken metal. They had plenty of blue stone available. He favored a stone crusher being obtained. The Chairman said he admitted the motor lorry had done a great amount of g'od. He thought the method of procuring the machinery should be done out of special loan. He was satisfied the stone crusher would not be an advantage to the southern riding for 5 to 10years as there was plenty of gravel in that district. They bad a mantin le from the ratepayers not to purchase a stone crusher by special loan. He suggested leaving (he matter over til! the end of .March next. Mr Duff in reply said it would be strict economy to get the stone crusher as the whole Council would benefit by the action by having better roads at it lower expense. Mr Ward said it appeared to him to he it question of north against south, and lie therefore suggested that consideration be deferred till 3fst. March next. This suggestion was accepted by the mover mid seconder anil the propositi was adjourned til! 31st. March. Mr Clieslerniitn moved:—“Thai application lie made to the Public Works Department to treat as urgent the 2300 voted for Lake Kanieri road. unci in view of the late damage to the road in the vicinity of McKay’s creek, a request be made for the immediate expenditure of the grant.”—Seconded I liv Mr Wells and carried. In reply to Mr Chinn, it was stilted that repairs had been authorised to Firms Road extension. Mr Chinn moved that 23 lie granted to O’Neil Bros, for an approach to their cowshed. Seconded hv Mr Ritchie and carried. The Chairman extended hearty Xmas greetings to members and stall, and gre-- which were cordiallv endorsed. SPECIAL MEETING. The ('hairtua it's motion: "That the Council proceed to pass by special order. a bylaw as lie lore the meeting lor consideration, providing tor the licensing of vehicles using the roads within the County, and prohibiting the use cd vehicles on such roads without a license; also appointing tecs to he paid to the County Fund Account in respect to the licensing of vehicles as passed,”, was held over for a month to await further developments. The Council rose at 5 p.m.