WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 24 May 1923, Page 4

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

AYEDXKSIMY, MAY 23rd. OH IT] X AIT V AIEETfXG. Thu Council resumed at 2 p.m. Present Messrs T. W. Hu IT (County Chairman), M. Keenan. 'I. H. Chesterman, AY. Sc a rle, E. A. Wells, B. AYanl, W. Jeffries, J. A. Murdoch and Hon J. Crimmoiul. The minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approved. MOTION OF CONDOLEXCE. The Chairman referred to the death of the late l.eo Norlheroft, it former member ef the Council, and moved a vote of sympathy with Mrs Norlheroft and the members of the family. Ihe motion was earned, the menthol a standing in silence. I NAVA I! 1) CORRESPON HENCE. Krom Returning Officer, County of AYestland. notifying election ol Councillors -Received. Kroiu Treasury, notifying revenue accrued to credit of County Fund account.- Heceived. From Public Works Department, AA'ellinclon, in regard to votes appear-

ing on the J 022-21! Estimates, deferring expenditure.—Heceived. From same, promising to give consideration to the provision of a T for C subsidy of C-100 for repairs to Kokatalii traffic- bridge.—Received. From Same, Greyinouth, re extension ol Ferguson’s road and promising consideration of application lor TRIG for the work.—lTeeeiveil. From Minister of Mines, Wellington, advising that the matter of carrying settlers’ goods over Stuart and Chapman’s tramway is st.ill under consideration, hut formalities would shortly lie completed.—Received. From Mines Department, Wellington, re boring operations ut Mananui fiat, and advising the question of boring at Mananui fiat he deferred until the prospecting at Callaghans is nearing completion.— I’e.ceived. From Same, in respect to opplication from Westland Cold Prospecting Syndicate Ltd., in liquidation for remission of runt.—Received : to be treated as irrecoverable. From Department of Health. Wellington. in connection with the revaluation ui' tlu' Hokitika Borough and promising to communicate with the Valuation Department on same.--Heceived.

From Same, reporting plague in India, and asking the Council to see that active anti-rat measures are continued. Deceived. From (trey County Council, replying in regard to Austin motor roller, and inviting the Chairman and Councillors to view a demonstration of the roller now in operation between (ireyniouth and Paroa.— Heceived. From Bruce County Council. Milton, advising Conference of all South Island County Councils will lie held at Christchurch on Wednesday, .lime 20, and inviting two delegates Hum the Council.' ••Received : leferred to Chairman to arrange. From Same, m respect to heavy trafiie by-laws.—Received. From County Council, RecTtun, vo motor traffic by-laws, ami collection of fees.—Heceived. From Hospital Board, notifying levs 102.'!-21. namely Y2.'MU 0- ihl.-—Receiv-ed. From Westland Chamber ol Commerce, advising l bat Triennial Conference of local bodies of Westland will be lield on Wednesday, Alay -'ld, at the Tnv. i! Hall, as asking for notice- of motion I’' rived: Councillors in at From Park and Murdoch, notifying i i:\iiimt, application by Kokalahi Timj Iv: tie. Received. Fro'!! ( notify Solicitor, advising as in :yrceim nl between Mr Hoyde and : Mr Thiele lor leasing M.ikonni ferry reserve. -■Heceived: action to be (alien j in act ordauee I herewith. ! From 11. I.iiikhiter, in respect to cost : of erection of bridge over the Weil/iha 1 river, oid i /l'eriiig to contribute on I i'cko red payments. -Keren oil. ■

From .1. Tl umbal h, Waitaha. declining to contribute to cost of erection of bridge over Waitaha river, as road access gas required.—Received. It was decided to allow the proposal to drop, meantime, the offered subside not tie-, iug sufficient. From Jame.-. Donovan, Okarilo, thanking Council for grant to open Okarilo channel.— Received and action of Chairman in granting To, was approved. From Louis Lailgesen, Chesterfield, re road from Kumain Junction to Araliura road, and asking the Council for a Idler of endorsement to he alt ached to the petition to be lonvnrded to .Minister o I Public Works.—Received. The Chairman moved that the Council urge the vote lie spent in giving access from Knmara Junction.—Seconded by Air Alurdodi, supported by Air Jcfi’rfos and carried.

From Secretary, Weliokn l.i lira r.v. submitting balance sheet.—Received. From Secretary Oknrilo Library Committee, forwarding copy of balance sheet.— Received. From Overseer AFillner, report re slip on Chesterfield road.—Received. From Same, re culvert on HnkitikaKtiinara. road.— Reeeived and authorised. From -J. Whitiskic, Ileiepio, report on Peterson road extension.—-Received. From Alotormnn Robinson, reporting work for April, 390 yards of gravel; 27 t yards of metal, also road grading, dragging and rolling operations, and cartage of timber.—Received. From .Minister of Public Works, Wellington, in regard to grants and promising to give the matter every consideration.—Received. From Canterbury Automobile Association. Hokitika Branch, pointing out the bad slate of the road between Klimova .1 unction and tlm Tercniakau bridge, and asking that improvement he made at an early date.—Received. From H. A. Boddington, l.mvoi 1 Kokatahi, application to have work of tilling and gravelling frontage to new Public Hall completed.—Reeeived. From T. J. Ilampson, Stafford, enclosing Stafford Literary Institute balance sheet for 1922.—Received. From W. T. Cropp, Koiternngi, applying to have 20 chains of drain cleaned and deepened fronting his property. —Received ; referred to Overseer. From .1. H ewer, TTerepo, asking for improvements to be made, to the road between Haddock’s road anti Sutherland’s Homestead.—Received; referred to Roadman.

From the Trustees Assigned Estate of .]. 1). Lynch, Grey motifh, re payment of rent CI I os (id which the Receiver of Gold Revenue is pressing for payment in respect to sawmill license Xo. 1,80, purchased some years ago bv the Totara Sawmill Ltd.—Received : referred to Chairman to report. From W. A. Comport, Riant, enclosing copy of the balance sheet of the Rimu Literary Institute.—Received.

From Overseer Milliter, reports ns per the following : —Reporting that a turnout requires constructing on the bank at the eastern end of Fisherman Creek bridge; also midway, between bridge and dredge, in addition gorsc requires clearing from lower end of road; also inside and outside check rails placing.—Received and works authorised.

From Overseer Millner, report re Ballarat Lead Track requires clearing to allow children at Gillam’s Gully Mill to attend school at. Stafford by a short route, cost £3 15s. Also reporting the upper surfaces of stringers are soft for seven inches in depth in Wnimea Creek bridge, requires renewal, cost £-10.—Received. Mr Murdoch

moved that the report bo forwarded to. the Government and to be informed the County have not the funds and to ask what the Government propose to do. —Seconded by Mr Cliesterman and carried. From Same, reporting re road roller 7 or 8 tons weight would be suitable. —Received. From Same, advising forwarding to .Jamieson, Koiterangi, and others interested in Pigeon Creek bridge construction plan of a bridge 44ft in length.—Received. From Same, advising that Roadman Holley will be sent down to the RossKokatahi track to clear trees blown down by the gale.—Received. From Same, reporting re cost etc. ol cleaning and repairing Cumming road between Kokatahi and Mrs Cumming’s residence, approach to the new hall of metalling same. Cost will be £'2o. Also Cumming road requires grass grow th clearing and holes and ruts repairs, cost To. Also a 12in concrete pipe requires constructing on I pper Kokatahi road. The cost of the construction across the roadway will require to be 6ft Gins in depth and 12ft in length, cost will be 7 pipes at Jos T"i os, cartage of pipes £l, labour construction T 3 15s, total cost TlG.—Received.

A defective box culvert at foot of Morris Hill requires filling in and drain constructing along branch roa 1 lending from Ivokuisihi mad to Kanicri school.—Received. From AY. Passmore and .1. Mancra, applying lor renewal () i slaughter bouse license.—Received. From Hon AY. F. Massey, promising consideration to protest against tile resumption of land tit Rack (reek, without compensation.—Received and action approved. From Hoit AY. F. Massey, notifying Mr John .Strauehoii had been appointed a Royal Commission on royalties.—h'ecelved. Mr Murdoch said Lhc matter was of sufficient importance to warrant the highest judicial mind to adjudicate. He pointed out that when Al.r Strauehoii was Commissioner of Crown Lands he made the apportionment on which the royalties had boon made up. The quest ion to be dealt with is a very involved one. Tie moved that another appeal lie made to Mr Massey for -All .Justice Chapman to be appointed.

.Air Murdoch suggested that the matter lie referred io the member lor the District lor attention. Mr AYanl was in sympathy with Air Murdoch. It was pointed out that the Commissioner had taken part in the alleged leakages of royalties and he approved and seconded the motion. Mr Jeffries said he had no object mu tii the motion, lint lie thought they were beating the air. AA’hen the deputation was in AA'cllingtini Mr Massey stated that Hie enquiry would not go back beyond the dale of the departmental enquiry at which the Council was mii. represented. The Chairman stale-1 that that was the position, blit it was not a fair one to the Council.

Il was mentioned that .Mr O'Rjian was in South AYestland. The motion was agreed to, the Council to approach the Premier forthwith Fom J. Donovan and others. Wateron, asking for authority to open road hloeked by fallen ireos.--Received : referred to Roadman. From F. AY. Cliestermaii. Kauieri. asking for an approach road alongside his property.—Received : referred to Ovcis.cr. From Alls Thiele. I’oss, thanking the Council for information supplied. Km civcd. I' rum D. A. Roberts. Bos-, asking for read access at Evans Rond.- Received: referred to Overseer to report. From Bondman Nolan re river pro-t—.-tion on l.oao Block.— lietcived. From AA’aitaha and AYataroa l.ibrnrv c mnmittees forwarding balance s!o.:< ts. Received. YKHICI.E BYE-LAWS. From Grey County Council stating ■ll connection with the proposed heavy traffic bye-law . I Imi it was not proposed l it," oqy lnjrlu. r aetion. Received. From Boiler t.on use Couinil slating the matter had lice" approved. and asking for further information.--Re-ceived. From Inangahmi County Couneil asking for further particulars and slating i lie subject bad lie m referred to a special committee.— Received. The Chairman expressed regret Hint after Midi a lengthy period they were no further ahead, lie asked what the Council proposed to do. Air Wells moved that the Council take action on their own. and go on with the proposed live-law. .Mr .fefiVic- said it was to 1m regretted that the Grey County Council had withdrawn. lie approved of Mr Wells' motion that the matter lie gone on with. Me seconded the motion. Afr Alurdodi agreed with the motion, urging it was time that the Conned moved. The live-law drawn up, would, in his opinion stand, and the Council should move to put it into force.

Mr Ward supported. The subject had been before the Council for months past and now ail their efforts to milk.- the bye-law a general one bad failed. They should certainly put Hit; bye-law into law, and so obtain funds for Hie upkeep of roads and bridges. Mr Sea-rle supported the motion. I>ui hr thought the tax should he made general. The proposed tax of £SO on a motor lorry was a reasonable one. Mr Wells stated that some country owners of private ears thought the proposed fee of £3 was ton much in view of Lite other heavy rates they paid. Mr Ward thought the stale H charges was a very fair and reasonable one. The motion was then put and agreed to. The special meeting was adjourned to next meeting when tlm bye-law will come up for final decision. FTXAXCE COMMITTEE'S REPORT. 1. —Your Committee lias the honor to report that the accounts presented for the month of May, 1923, have been carefully examined and beg to recommend that the amount as approved, totalling Cl 175 ISs 10- be passed for payment. 2. —Your Committee was asked to recommend the allocation of the annual library vote, and hog to suggest that an amount of £2S he appropriated oil the lines of former grants, subject to the Committees .supplying copies of their latest balance sheets.—Received and adapted. ROAD M A KING RLA XT.

The Treasurer’s report on the road-making plant (published yesterday was read.— Received. The Chairman said it was recognised that they had io get better roads and Ibis was the only way to do it. He felt convinced that it was necessary to get machinery to cope with the work of repairing. their roads. The Overseer stated definitely that it was necessary to have machinery to get tli -ir roads in proper order. Mr Wiird said they must look to having better roads if they were going to collect fees from the users of vehicles. They should proceed nr.d obtain a stone crusher. He moved that the Council procure forthwith a stone crusher at an approximate cost of £107)0. Air Wells seconded the motion, as a good start. He thought an expenditure of £3OOO was rather too much at present. Mr Jeffries opposed the motion. First, after the alarming statement of drift made that morning, which neither ho or any other member believed m. A> the senior member of the southern riding lie was pledged to oppose it. 1 he necessity for a stone crusher and other machinery docs not apply to the Southern riding. At present they do not get the benefit of the motor lorry. If they want the plant, then it should be paid for by the. ridings who require it. Air Searie could net support the proposal, There was ample gravel for the southern roads. They had specially rated themselves for Kakapotahi bridge and Petersen Road, so if they wanted this machinery they should specially rate themselves in the northern ridings. Mr Cliesterman said he was a great

supporter of tlie Use of the latest machinery. The. main thing to make' the roads, was to get the best metal and put it on cheap. Afr Alurdodi said he was going to oppose the motion, because he did not think they could afford it. There was no one place in the County whore they could place the crusher. Hon J. Grimmond was going to oppose the motion. He mentioned that if such a proposal were carried it would assist in fomenting a movement for a division of the district into two counties. Afr Keenan said ho was in favor of a stone crushing plant. JL was the best way to make roads to use broken metal and therefore he would support it. Afr AA’ard had been disappointed. He thought the new Council would show an improved outlook, hut they had not done so. They were losing money every day by not using up-to-date methods. The motion was put and cavri 'd : Ayes. Messrs Cliesterman, Keenan. Wells. AYanl and Chairman. Noes— Afessrs Searle, Grimmond, Alurdodi and Jeffries. TENDERS. Tenders were opened for the supply of gravel for lnter-AYauguiiui district as follows: — £ s. d. Hewer and Shearer 210 II 8 0. Afansliip 2ii 10 0 The tender of Hewer and Shearer was accepted. ORDER PAPER. Tim Chairman moved ‘That the accounts for the month of Alay as revised and recommended for payment. t ;v the Finance Commit-Lee. amounting t i 6117") JBs IDs ho passed for payment." Seconded by Air Murdoch and

carried. The Chairman moved: —“Ihui; all existing Committees be discharged, and the Council proceed to the appointment of fresh Committees as follows: (a J—“ Finance Committee : Councillors Jeffries (Chairman). Chesteronan, Alurdodi and Hon Griniuiond. (b). —“Public AA orks: Committee:--Councillors AYanl, (Chairman). Searle Yyells and Keenan. (e), “Alining Committee :- —Coiiik-iI-Ws Wells (Chairman) Alurdodi, Chesterman ami Hon Grimmoiui. (d). “Councillors to sign cheques:— The Chairman and Councillors Jeffries, AYanl and Alurdodi. Seconded by Mr Jeffries and carried. Mr Hrimmond moved:— I hat an expenditure of £LA he authorised to repair the trade over AAataroa Bluft to Saltwater ■Reach." Sc. ended by Air Searle and carried, the work to he carried out by the Roadman. The Council rose at ■> |>.m.