WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 14 March 1923, Page 4

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

TUESDAY. MARCH 13th. The Council met at 2 p.m. Present: Messrs \V. Jet Dies (Coimtv Clini nn:in), | L. I!. M.oivl, J. I’l Lchie . E. A. Wells, : B. Wiinl. T. W. Dull'. J. A. .Murdoch, T. |>. Cho.-terman uud W. 11. C'liinn. The mimics were confirmed sun! outward torre-pondem-e approved. The Chairman cxLcndcd a. welcome to Mr Jen kin, President oi the ( anterInirv Industrial Association. i X WAR!) (OKI! ESI'O.XDEXCE. From Cr. Ritchie, acknowledging receipt of letter conveying sympathy and condolence in recent bereavement and deeply thanking the County Chairman and Councillors and appreciating vote of thanks for services rendered as a representative of the Council on the Hospi;d Hoard. Received. From Treasury, forwarding revenue accrued. Received.

From Minister of Mines, promising eaieful consideration to the protest in relation to the proposed increase in the rental of sites already granted under Mining Acts for residential and business purposes.— -Received.

From Same .iu reference to the payment of rent due by the Mount Greenland Quart/. Coy.. Did. for special claims in the Tulara Survey district. —Recuived : to he remitted.

From Minister of Labour, supplying gazette extract appointing day selected for tlm observance of the statutory half holiday in West la lid. — I ieeei veil.

From Department of Imernal Alfairs. luru anling 11rder-iii-Council extending the time for the preparation of the County rolls for the ensuing election of ( oiim :!lo: Received. From Conservator of Forests, stating there is no statutory authority at present to vote a sum of L'oO to repair Hack Creek and Artlinrstowu roads damaged by heavy timber haulage. Heeeivecl . to Is.- brought. In fore Min-

i.-lot of .Mines. From Medical Officer of Health, referring to the plumbing and drainage of premises at Kokalahi and requesting, information. -Receiv'd. From Overseer Milliter, reporting on the sanitary arrangements carried out bv the proprietor of the Kokalahi hotel. Received. From .1. A. Dowell. Kokalahi, detailing the drainage works effected and the installing of a septic tank to meet the requirements of the Health fnspec-

iir.— Received: to lie Sen 1 on to ileaiil Di partimml. Christchurch.

From S, W. Richardson and T. F. Nolan, notifying they are applying for a license to elect and maintain a private telephone line at Malaiuui. and requesting the Council's sanction.- Receive! I : I'.'quest grutiled.

From Westland 110.-.pltal Hoard, ini'rim ii ng the intention to borrow L.TOT' required- to complete (he building .srhomc anil provide for the erection o’ the Old People's Home, and asking eon•■m to tlm | ropo-al-..—|!ci eived. Ml W '"I loot ed t hat the 'o.im il approt r of ih proposal to borrow the amount named. Seconded by Mr Wells ami ea tried.

From J. C. Malfroy and Co., point ing out ther recently eotn rihnted for protective work it Ara'.nra rivet and after Kinsid-'raeien would advic ns.'istatire thov are prepared to give U. t! .■ wo: :. me. m .11 . . R -n • d From I iin-r- Wa ngauni Dairv • -.y.

iterepi, requesting represent at tons !n made* to tlie authorities eoneerned the injustice to the dairying industry t-lirougli the proposed tax on motor lorries a.ml the restriction on free running it* it means the ta.x will la* passed on to Di setth-rs.-.Received. Mr Dull report ed on tie- deputation that Lad waited on the lion J. G. Coates at Wellington. no definite reply having luon given at the time. Mr Evans reported mi (he result " the Conference villi Mr Gillies 1 R.-si dent Engine. r) .it the County Office

ialready reported). From Koiterangi Timber Company forwarding application for a traniwaj along the main road and a king eon .-1 lit thereto. Received and approved

Mr ('’iextermaii said il tvmt a disgrace tn think tho settlers could not pci l!. -• i i goods av.nv lor the want of a road th.it they should have. It. was :i degrace to the Government. o!r Chinn said the who!" trouble lif.x in the Failure of t ! >o f>. parliii. mi in their •miti nut le-e oi pmiii' ive metliods of repair. The Council should point out the inefficient methods used hy the Department. Mr Ward said In thought it. reasona I le that .- tne toll should he charged for the hearv traffic. hut their efforts si titl'd lie centred in getting the heat.v t ill now enrpn-ed. eonsideralily redtie<d. lie thought CIOO. instead of C2f’.h would lie ii very fair toll. He moved th. it the Public Works-' Department he asked to have the present proposed seale of toll, reduced substantially, .■seconded by Mr Wells and carried.

From Wm Gunn, Wataroa, reporting '!»■ roadway near his property is very narrow and urging it, Ini widened for a < I l~'t:i IK" • of iihout two chains. Rc- < cited ; the work to he done at cost of e.-

From Tlionuus Walsh. Weheka, stating Cooks river is encroaching on his property and requesting provision he made for tin- road being repaired so that he eouhl remove his residence which is endangered.—Received: referred to roadman for report.

From I>, Dennohy, Oit ristoh arch, agreeing to the profKisals for proter-' tion of tiie land at Waitangi river and would find £0 towards the cost.—liereived iiml approvi'l. From Wood and Ml■('!uggage. protesting against the closing of the. Three Milo ferry, south of Okarito. and reinovid ol the boat list'd then'. lieeeiv-

From Secretary, Okarito Racing Club, forwarding copies of resolutions passed by tho Committee for arrangements to be undertaken to ferry the public across the river on rats' day and asking careful review of the matter. —Received. From -Tames Thomson, ferryman, reporting steps taken to cope with ferry traffic for the Okarito race meeting and copy of correspondence dealing with the situation.—Received.

From Overseer Mjllner. reporting meeting with an accident on the Old Christchurch road and absence from duty from Feb. 19th to the 22nd : advising extra man ho employed to assist tho Roadman in clearing Happy Valley tracy: and advising arrangements for the upper end of the Taipo track being put in order. —Received. Tt was resolved to approve o! the plan for levelling road at Shetiadoali Crook bridge. Stuart and Chapman to hear the cost. From Same, reporting Arthurstown road requires repairing in various places as tho constant heavy traffic has caused damage.— Received.

From Same, giving particulars of inspection of Taipo track complained of by Mr Fitzgerald : and reporting on the mining operations at Passmore road and advising the prospector he notified in view of future damage.--Received. From John Condon, drawing attention lo the overgrown state ol the Blue River horse track and requesting it. he cleared.—Received. Mr Ritchie moved 17 10s la-- granted. * Seconded bv Mr Chinn and carried.

From W. F). Nolan. Okuru. reporting one of the stringers in the Tfnast creek bridge wants renewing and asking notices bo placed on the structure, bridge unsafe,-—Received.

From Roadman Nolan, reporting ne-1 jssity for protective work at lower j i r aitangi so as to divert the stream j •hich is endangering the road near 1 ’riend’s property; and works in the! istrict receiving attention during the J iionth.—Received. ! From Same, staling C. Anderson is j irepared to take charge of the ferry at j ,ower Wataroa crossing; estimating it i . ill cost to to widen road near W. i iunn’s holding.—Received; ferry up-I Kiintmcnt to date front Ist March. From the Minister of Alines notifying visit to Hokitika at 5 p.m. on the loth iust.. and stating lie would he glad to receive deputations in the evening.—Received. Front M. Keenan. Woodstock, stilting a mare valued at £2o was badly injured crossing a bridge on the Kokatalii road and claiming CIO compensation.—Received ; Overseer to report. From Overseer Milliter monthly report on County road works; stating approach to Donnelly s creek footbridge complained of by Ross Agricultural Association was in good order, and stating the Roadman would attend to the clearing of rushes etc.: estimating cost of drain required by settler on Woolhousc rotirl at Co.—Received. From Molorman Robinson reporting for past month. During halt of the month the lurry was under tepaitssotne time being lest waiting for parts which had to come from Auckland. The ltirrv resumed on Ist March.—Recoil-

ed. From Okarito Racing Club telegraphing that nine of the thirteen perM ,i,s signing Mr Thomson’s letter in respect to the Okarito ferry dispute had never attended a meeting of the Club and were not aware of the posit ion. - Received. From District Railways Engineer. (Weymouth, forwarding copy of a letter sent to Messrs Stuart and Chapman Ltd, enclosing requirements of the Department in connection with the tramwav to Wnitaha.—Received. Mr Ward, speaking to the reception ~r the letter said the maiWr rested now with the sawmilling firm. They had met the Council very fairly indeed, and it was a distinct hardship that the set-i|,-rs could not he met in the desired direction. The Council had done its uliim't to extoid the rail-head some 111 or II miles hut it appeared now from Lite restrictions of the Railway Depart incut that the matter wa- no lurther advanced. After discussion it was re solved to place the matter h-t'oro Iho Minister of Mines on Wednesday rvoiDEEFTATIONS. HARI’V VALLEY TRACK. Mr J. Davidson waited on the Council asking for repairs to Happy Valley track. Wnitaha. lie said the reportthat the trick had been cleared tor six miles wa- incorrect. It was only passabit for two miles and the rest was dangerous and had not been cleared lor - veil yea-... Me was prepared to clear He- tract bv piece work. Ihe track required charing for I to 0 miles in lit" upp'i- end and the lasi half-mile was badly bided in the'corduroy. It would cost about tffi) to pill it in order. .’.tier dismission it was resolved that f r- sr-.i'i' Millin’!' i I p-.-t and to arrange v it!; .Mr David-on a t-> la-vim tbe m - repairs 'Tli'gled MlMivi I IK Hi; 1 RISKRVI-. ;,. eoimi"'iioii wit b Mikonui terry serve Mr I’ilkinguni appeared on beimb of Aft's Thick* and Air Al. Bo.vle Ids (',lll ! 1 ,■ i 1 .: 1 1. iii 1 ,n:iinetion with a lease thereof. The following letters were read. From Airs Thiele per A. G. RilkingLou applying for lease of Mikonui ferry re- 1 mres oeeuniml since |!IK2 and offering to pa\ a yearli i-nlnl of C( i !;'K, Received. Ft e m Al. Hoyle applying for a lease o| |.j acre.-.. Iseing; portion ol the lotvgoing reserve, which In- had occupied and improved during oast, years.- Reft w a -(;■ i al, afi r Mr I’ilkington !i:-• I outlined the ebiim ol his <•!'•* 11 1 that the parii"s desir'd an ad.i

ii, on lit! i, xi meeting. there I icing every prospect of ail agrtumen t being r;u ; . lo b-tw.-"‘U the lwo parties. It w;e. resolved therefore hy the Council 1., adjourn eonsidera tion until next me -ting. I- iNAXCK COMMIT I'KKN REPORT I. 'four ('onirnil tee ha- Ihe honor lo report that the accounts for the month i-Vbi tiary. 1926. as revised and ivuntil' i,ded for payment hy the Finance Committee, amounting to £S76 bn pa-s-

.-■t for payment. ■J. Yiu 11 ■ Coin mi lice recommends ihat ill ! oi'.'lam e with the provisions ol the Rating Act. ten per rent, interest 1,. lUiii-eci iilHin all rat's overdue aat the 26th March, and that public m lice he given lo lhai elfe'-t. Received ai d adopted. The Chairman .sidnuined a verbal report of the ''or!; of th." deputation tr. \Y lliiigton on forestry matters in which he. Mr i lull and Mr F.vans had taken part (particulars of the deputation’work have already appeared}, and al.-o Smart and Chapman’s tramway, and the main roads maintenance. Mr Ward Pit. 'h- dnpiitalinn were successful. He moved a. hearty vote of thanks to the Chairman. Mr Dull', and Mr Kvails for their successful eliorts on behalf of the Council. Seconded, by Mr Che-terman and carried. ORDER PAPERTiie Chairman moved :—“ I hat the a coo tilths presented for the month „f February 1926. ns revised and recommended for payment hy the Fjmittee Committee, amounting to E s , o 19s 7d he passed for payment.” Seconded hy Mr Ward and carried. 'Hie Chairman moved: '‘Unit the Treasurer prepare the annual, statement of apportionment of gross income estimated lor the financial year eotnii’it'iieing on the l w i prox., and tile ptoP'osed allocation of .surplus revenue over the several Ridings as required hy the provisions of the Counties Act, and submit same for the consideration of the Council.'' Seconded hy Mr Dull and carried.

(Y Chinn moved:- “That in ord: i to afford ratepayers an opportunity of expressing an opinion on the qiie-tion of rating oil unimproved values in tiie County of Westland, petitions praying for a poll to he taken thereon a' the time of the general County elections in Mav. he deposited at the post offices in the County of Westland, and rite pavers given three weeks to sign same, and in the event ol the requisite 15 per cent, ol tho total ratepayers signing in favour of a poll, such poll he held on tile 9th May. throughout the County of Westland. *■'- vended by Mr Ritchie and tarried.

M r WclE a . ■" ' I ' : native of motion to the effect that the Council write to the Public Works Department penning out that repeated requests had be. n received urging that the. necessary repairs he effected to Kanieri. bridge t" enable it to he oiv-n. d to light tialuc and a'-!:i’.i'- r for favourable consideration. Seconded hy Mr Che-terman and carried. Mr Chinn moved that an open crtts.s----i,,;.. near Walls „n the H iri Han road, receive attention by the Roadman. This was agreed to. Mr Chinn moved that Mr Millnei l*'po.t as to cost of extension of Ferguson road. —Agreed to. SI ’EC f A L A f FETIN' G. The Chairman's motion: —“That the

Council proceed to pass by special ■ order, a bye-law as before the meeting for consideration, providing for the licensing of vehicles using the roads within the County, and prohibiting the use t of vehicles using the roads without a license ; also appointing fees to lie paid to the County Fund Account in re-J s.pect to the licensing of vehicles a j passed” was further adjourned to next . meeting. I AIIKOXUT BRIDGE. i The Chairman said during the past I few days a, correspondence had been »p-1 pearing in a northern paper in connection with the Alikonui bridge, in which innuendoes appeared belittling the action of the Council in the matter. Ik thought that the Council could affirm that they appreciate the work done by Stuart and Chapman in connection with Mikonui bridge, ami their oiler to assist the settlers in connection with the carriage of goods. Air Ritchie endorsed and said he recognised the great advantage that had resulted from the erection id .Mikonui bridge. He fully appreciated the assist- ! a nee given liv .Messrs Stuart and Chapman.

Air Ward said it was gratifying to find the later Council approving of what wa- done in those Inr oil days. He was chairman when the Mikonui bridge was opened ami he looked hack on that (lav with great pleasure, lie was pleased to know lie was a member when the work was completed, and the Council bad received good value for what it had cost them.

Air Murdoch was pleased to know that new members had stated. Ihe Government had distinctly refused to extend the railway to South Westland. Stuart and Chapman had more than expended the £IOOO the Council had given in improving the structure thev had erected which had been thrown open for public traffic, and now they wished to take over the carrying of public goods.

Mr Duff said tbe Council made one of its host bargains when they got. a bridge that would have cost CHORD to £71!All erected for £I.OOO. The Council were indebted to the firm for tho generous treatment the linn had always given. Mr t Linn said that the bargain the Council had made was a splendid one and was deeply appreciated and approved I.V every southern resident and II otlcr- who used the bridge instead of rlie former dangerous ford. hie Exiiißrnnx. Mr JeH'rie* referred to tbe coming Exhibition in Hokitika at the end id (lie year .and slated that it had been suggested that Air Evans D oimt; Clerk) be the Secretary, lie knew tc no one else who could do justice to the office. The County as a whole, was concerned in the importance of the ea ea-ion. and lie understood that ii AD Evans Were relieved of portion of Id duties for two or three monies. : bv the appoint incut of extra rs.-ist.auee. for which tbe Exhibition C'Mumi: -. wf. ild finance tbe .son Le : ~i' Ah' Evan coi lld 111- .seemed without the walk m II" Council -nllcring in the -ii.'blesi. ■ i would be a graceful net mi I lie pari ol He- ('onm il to relievo Mr Evans o: pari of hi- duties, and he ■ tiggeL d that eimr-o ho followed. Mr Dull' agreed that Mr El an,- ■' "'ll !:, 1 : :ml It he w 'to prepared to i• over a big load lie fell sure d 1 cub. !,v well done. The Council ivouid lav no a--grots in giving every a-sist .lpi" to the project. M.- Ward -aid if they did •■! !.;.v Mr Evans, as organiser the •xbibitton

.Messrs Chinn and Wells :t!- > sup j. purled _ t’ Mr Alurd'i ll said the exhibit ion ivonl 1 a direct, benefit to the County, ami I i bo,- Hi,add also consider ih" question [i of grant. | The' Chairman -aid that a-prei would fc come before thorn at a later stag"'. | Mr Murdoch hen moved Dim Mr | Evans be cmpowcreil to engage the a- fe Mxlnnee necessary to cany Ml the Inis- g ini of Ihe Council a- Mr I'.iatc- may fe desire .and be be relieved of -mT. .In- jj ties as were it •c-ma i\ . Seconded by | .Mr Ch.'-lerman ami carried, it being S understood that no extra expense there- " b\ would involve on the Connell. Ini t,j be met bv the Exhibition Committee. Mr Evans thanked members fur tie c kind remarks. The (Vinneil rose al o. 11> p.m.