WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 12 March 1924, Page 4

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

TUESDAY, MARCH 11th. The Council met nt 2 p.m. Present: fessrs T. IV. Duff (County Chnirun), W. Jeffries, B. Ward, W. carle. .T. A. Murdoch, M. Keenan. I. !. Chestermau, and Hon .T. Gritnlond. The minutes were confirmed and lit ward correspondence approved. An apology was made for the alienee of Mr Molls. IXWA R D C 0 RRES P 0 XDENCH, from Treasury Department, forrarding adviec notes of revenue ac'rued.—Received. I'rom Prime Minister, noting repreentations contained in resolution >assed by the Council relating to sawnil 1 tramways.—Received. From Hon E. 11. R. Bell, reporting heps taken with regard to allowances "or travelling hv Councillors.—Received. from Audit Office, asking what ac--1 i'.n had been carried out to adjust harges for attending meetings of the Council.—Received. In connection therewith the Council resolved into Committee and after a lengthy discussion it was resolved tc write to the Audit Office. Sir Francis Rell and the Prime Minister pointing: out the position as it affected the Council, and to ask the Prime Minis ter to introduce legislation to allow o the payment of expenses of member! on lines similar to those now paid In the Onvernmcnt to members of Lam Boards. From Mines Department, enclosing field log of prospecting operations ii the Manamii area. Received. From Same, advising the third hoi put down at Mananui to 112 withou bottoming showed a little gold at ft feet and the driller uas drawing th pipes.—Received. From Engineer-in-Chicf, Publi Works Department, intimating the re suit of the recent Commission was thn the Knmarn Borough Council shonl maintain the road in question. He reived. From ITon Minister Public Work: granting a subsidy of C for ,C toivarc the restoration of the Tvakapotal bridge.—Received. The Chairman on lined at some length the result of tl deputation to Wellington of which la Mr Grimmoml and Air O'Brien M.P formed in connection with Hood dan age. Hon Orimmond endorsed tl Chairman's outline, hut regretted tin the Government were not going to i more for the County than they lie agreed to. Mr Ward moved the men hers of the deputation be congrnlnla ed on their successful effort. He r gretted, however, that there was r unfair criticism of the Coucnil ill co iieetion with the loss ol Ivakapota bridge, which it had been stated w; caused by faulty design. As a matl of fact it was only as a result of :

abnormal Hood that the structure was carried away. He was glad to find that tlie deputation had been able to secure a grant of £ for C for the reerection of the structure. Mr Senile endorsed Mr Ward's reiuarks. He bad never seen a bigger Hood in the Waitahi river than the one on that morning. ft was an exceptional flood and to that- was due the damage that resulted. The statement in the .Minister’s letter in reference to the Council having the choice of a bridge over the main road and the completion of Hold Head road, was not correct. Mr Murdoch seconded the vote of thanks to the members ot the deputa-

tion, appreciating their services, special thanks being due to M.r O’Brien

M.P. lie thought the deputation had done well in obtaining a C for .£ grant in view of the hostility ot the Departmental engineers to a grant being made.

Mr Jeffries said there had been rumours of faulty construction in the erection of bridge. He would like to state that he had no knowledge ot any offer by any Oovermnent to complete the Bold Head road or erect the bridge on the main road.

The motion was then agreed to.

From Snnic. making a grant of £250 for protective works at Piper’s Flat bridge subject to satisfactory proposals being submitted.—Received.

From Commissioner of Crowrp Lands, advising a survey will be made for road deviation. Section 2555. AVataroa Survey District and plan made for the new road.—Received.

From Smile, regretting the Head Office is not disposed to participate in the expense of erecting a groin at the AA’aitangi river.—Received.

From New Zealand Counties’ Association. asking for experience in regard to the rating of soldier settlements and for suggestions in the collection of rates. —Received : the Clerk

to reply. From Park and Murlocli, on behalf of Mrs Lamaeroft, Rinui, who is applying for a residence site, requesting a variation in the conditions of Section 112 of "Mining Act. 1908.”—Received: request agreed to. From Jus. 0. Hondo, Pnpanni, notifying transfer of his interest in lorry reserve, Wanganui river, and soliciting consent thereto.—Received ; referred to County Solicitor to peruse. From W. Ritchie, Koiterangi, slating ho has placed a boat on the river at Hokitika (lorge for use of settlers and the general public and asking

grant of IMS towards cost. —Received

From AA'm Jeffries and Co., applying for the renewal of their auctioneers license in the name of AA’m Jeffries

and enclosing cheque £4o.—Received

and approved. From Overseer Millncr, reporting the damage caused to the AA r aimea creek bridge by the flood waters; Max road requires repairs.—Received. From Same, reporting works carried out for the month.—Received.

From District Committee, Okuru,

stating the Turnbull dray road requires repairs and recommending application for a grant of £SO; and nsking supply of explosives for road works. ■—Received.

From R. AA 7 . Cooper, Rimu, applying for position of Comity Roadman.- -Received : filed for reference.

From A. ft. Croon, Rimu, suggesting that an Austin Single Cylinder or a Tangye engine with portable undercarriage be procured for driving purposes.—Received. From Booth, MacDonald and Co., Christchurch, forwarding information of machinery in stock and giving quotations of .C. 130 for portable engine. —Recived.

From Anderson's Limited. Christchurch. supplying particulars of portable oil engine suitable for driving crusher, price C-fGO.—Received. A representative of the firm was ore«* it in support of his firm’s offer.

Air Afurdocli moved that The ills' rer be referred to tile Chairman. Messrs Jeffries and Ohosterman to report.--Seconded by Mr Kenan and .'arri 'd. From R. T. Orr. Secretary Lang's Road Sawmill C'oy., drawing attention to condition of Lang’s road cud asking for repairs to lie effected. Received.

I'.’i.m Tlio.s. Nolan, Road'',an. gen oral report of work in hind. Wr.iaro' district.—Received.

From Overseer Millncr, further ie

port on district works.—Received. In connection with an application from J. Byes, Koiterangi, for drainage improvements, it was resolved that the work be carried out subject to Mr Byes providing free of cost, a halt acre for a gravel pit. From Ross Lime Cov., urging the erection of a bridge over Donnelly’s Creek to the lime kiln, and asking for a subsidy of £2.5 towards the work estimated to cost £doo. —Received. Mr Grimmond moved that the request bo granted.—Seconded by Mr Jeffries and carried subject to other local bodies finding their quota.

From Harihari Farmers’ Union, ask- : ing for attention being given to uu- 1 completed portion of Robertson road to 1 put in passable order; also asking fotsubsidy of £ for £ to aid prospecting for lime country.—Received. From Wm Olderog, Arahura, in connection with disputed piece of land near his property and asking for attcliti'oi of Council.— Received. Mr Ward moved that the parties affected bo given a month to settle their disputes, failing which action he taken by the Council— Seconded by Mr Cheslerman and carried. From Hon J. G. Coates, Wellington, authorising a number of grants on the estimates, subject to satisfactory proposals being submitted.—Received. It was resolved on tlie motion of Messrs Jeffries and Chestcrman to write the Minister of Ruhlic AAoiks asking that necessary mooring piles at Dance Bay be placed in position. From Messrs Wilson and others, asking for erection of a bridge across Palmer’s (’reek.—Roceiveil. From Motormnn Robinson. report „f work done by lorry during period. Received. FINANCE COMMITTEE. Your Committee has the honor to | report that the accounts presented for I the month of February, 192-1, have been carefully examined and beg to recommend that the amount as approved, totalling CIO.') I Js (id, be passed for payment. Your Committee recommends that lenders tie invited for supplies as may I,e required in respect to motor spirit, power kerosene 1 , oil, grease, and cement. Your Committee was acquainted today of the persistence with which some carriers were, defying the notices placed on bridges in respect to heavy loading. A flagrant ease occurred yesterday when a lead of timber of 2(100 feet was taken over ihe Kanieri bridge, the important- link for road traffic, north and | south. It is recommended by your Committee that in the event ot a reasonable expalnation lor the ollence not hcin-T forthcoming, a prosecution of tin* offender be undertaken at once. "Received and adopted. It was resolved to take action 1 against- the offender, in connection with the last clause. TENDERS.

Only one tender was received for tlie erection of a bridge over McBride’s Creek bridge, from Nolan and Robertson, £BO. The Council to notify the settlers that their limit was £SO and they provided the balance, the Council would accept the tender.

For Ba Fontaine road extension fenders were received from Hewer and party, .Cfftl ; (’has Shearer and party, C2H() (is. The tender of Shearer and party was accepted. No tenders were received for "Wall road and it was resolved to extend tenders till the 2.5 th March. OVERSEER MIBI.XER’S REPORT. 1 have the honor to report upon tinfollowing works completed during the month of February. CENTRAL RIDING.

Kokatahi Bridge Repairs £ for igraul. This work was continued under the direction of Bridge Foreman Boucher, repairs being confined to the renewal of faulty decking in live spans, repairing and renewing posts and railing to Lite northern and southern approaches to the bridge. Standards between spans and railing was replaced for .V,<! links m length. All repairs will be completed to the structure before the end of .March. Flood damage repairs were commenced to the large outlet drain oil Lower Kakatalii Road. I lit l renewal of the piling and lining will absorb tlie whole of grant of £-50. Slip Hill repairs £ for £ grant was continued and slips removed Irom the road and watertahles re-opened. Scarcity of suitable labor has hindered the completion of both the last mentioned works.

Kiikntalii River I’roteetion £ for £ grant was put in hand and a quantity ol manuka scrub cut in readiness for haulage to the work. Ail the necessary material will require to be Intuit a! by the County motor the distance being bio far for horse teams. COUNTY AYOIIKvS.

A section of the upper end of Lake Kaniori Road beyond AAard Hoad wapartly repaired with gravel. Small slips removed and watertables re-opened between Lang ami .Murray Roads ami a small supply of gravel carted lor tutnre repairs to the road between AA’hite Road and Graham's corner. Murray Road, leading to the Kukatahi Dairy Factory was repaired in several places, and urgent repairs effected to holes on llokitika-Kanieri raotl, and a short drain at Woodstock to prevent .flooding of a portion of Hokitika-Ross Road during wet weather. AA luer-fables were cleaned where blocked with scour, rutf. raked mid partly blinded on Hokitika-Ross road between Riiiiu ..and Ruatapu road. A portion of llokitika-Kanieri road between the tram crossing and Shenandoah. Creek bridge was scarified, graded and rolled”, then metalled and blinded, about 100 cubic yards of fine gravel being used for the work. Hokitika-Knniara Road was repaired with crushed metal between the lloki-tika-Borough Boundary and Ho Ho, and drain re-opened and water-tables cleaned below the Abattoirs. A defective culvert was removed on Hokitika Kaniori Road, and replaced with 18-inch concrete pipes. AVator-tables were cleaned on llnkitika-llau Han anti small subsidences repaired on Blue Spur Road. The crusher road at Kaniori was dragged, repaired with gravel and rolled, and very bad holes on AA'hite Road repaired with gravel. Seddon’s Terrace and Eel Creek roads were repaired and cleared in several places and a short section raked on Arthurstown Road. A supply of river beach gravel was carted for concrete pipe construction, and moulds cleaned and set up in readiness for future work. NORTHERN RIDING. Portion of Hokitika-Kumarit Beach, and Kumara Junction Roads were repaired with grave] and watertables and drains re-opened between Howery Creek and Kumara. A defective culvert was removed on the main road between Stafford and Goldsborotigh and renewed with HO in, diameter pipes. Bad holes wer repaired and water-tables cleaned on Callaghan’s and Larrikin’s Loopline. Trees removed from Little Dam Track and two culverts repaired on’Loopline road. Watertables wore cleaned and growth cleared from the roadside on Blue Spur-Arahura Road, and 6/36in. concrete pipes and several yards of gravel carted for culvert renewal one One Mile Road. Arahnra. The timber for renewal and repairs to the footbridge leading to the Sale Yards, Arahura was procured and carted to the bridge. SOUTHERN RIDING. Temporary repairs were effected to the damaged truss of Granite Creek Bridge hand railing erected and banks protected with manuka scrub, at Horse Shoe Bend (temporary bridge) Rosa

Road. Water-tables were cleaned on the hills between Donnelly’s CreekBridge and Ross Ivokatahi Track and scours repaired on Totara Hill, and Flat Slips were removed and the deviation on the hill-side. Donnelly’s CreekBridge improved, metalled and a retaining wall of stone built to pretent slips interfering with drainage. Repairs were effected to ASaitaha Settlement and Waitaha Beach Roads; also dragging and repairing Petersen Road from Wanganui Flat Road to La Fontaine Bridge, removing large stones and breaking, also dragging Robot tson's Road, between the main road and Petersen Road. Tlie swamp poition of Petersen Road Extension was also repaired by breaking metal in the ruts. The upper portion of \\ angaitui Flat Road was dragged and stone broken and repaired with gravel near the factory. ORDER PAPER. The Chairman moved:— That the accounts presented for the month of February, 1921, as revised and recommended for payment by the finance Committee, amounting to £10.51 ;js (ill, he passed for payment.”—Seconded bv Mr Jellries and carried. Tlie Chairman moved:— “Ibat the Treasurer prepare tin; annual statement of apportionment of gross income estimated for the year commencing on tlie Ist. April, and the proposed allocation of surplus revenue over the several Ridings, as required by the Counties Act. and submit same for the consideration of the Count!' in due course.” —Seconded by Air Jeffries and carried.

The Chairman moved:-- “That Overseer Millner prepare :i list- of works for Government grants lor the \i-ar 192 !-2‘i.”—Seconded by Air Jeffries and curried.

The Chairman moved:— "That tlie Treasurer be authorised to negotiate a loan not exceeding £ 1 AH)(> at

.51 per cent, repayable in live years at £2O! I per annum (in two instalments) to defray the Council's liability in respect to the restoration of Kakapotahi bridge, security to be gi'eu ill terms ot Sections 2,1 and 21 ot the Local Bodies' Loans Act, which ,-naldc the funds to be raised without

iuUiiiji a poll wli.'ia loadin' lan! l)i'va destroyed by flood.”— Seconded l.y Mr .Mines and carried .Mi Crimnmiid

niiivcd " I hat I ho (.;:■■!! rrussin:.': r.u the Walnroa Flat roail. adjacent t'> Nolan's httlcher.v. !«•

n ii SOt l inul improved to permit motor triilTio in flood time, cost jiltoilL CIO. .--Seconded liy Mr .ieti'ries ami carried. Air (trimiiinnd moved :"I lint lloodluan Nolan Ik- authorised to repair rive M.He creek horse bride;,..”— Seconded l.y Mr Sea He and carried. Mr (triiiimond moved :-- " I Ital the resident Headman be authorised to improve Wnilio Bluff track."--Second-ed hy Mr defines and carried. the madman to do the work. It was resolved to ask Overseel M Miner to report on the proposed elosimv Ol' road at South Hokitika. Mr Sea He moved •.--"That the Headman he directed to maintain the uncompleted portion of i.oluitsOil road, eoniiectinft with Haddock iu.m. in passable c-olidilion I'm- liid'L traflu —Seconded bv Mr Jefiries and < lied. Mi

Scm'lo niovril: —"’llmt tbo Agric-uUuntl I k-jiartniont bo usUoil b>r a''subsidy of £ for £ to enable ]>rosIwotiiiK for aoriciiltoral lime to bo undertaker. in the lnter-Want-'nimi-W ntiirnn (listl'itos. -Soorm.bsl by Mr •lolfrir.s ami rallied.

Air AY aril moved: ‘‘That Orvrs,MT M illlll’l- I'l P'll i US to t ill' t "1 bridging Rainier-s Creek. Aroliun. A alloy." SiM-mnli-i! by Mr Dull' ami carricd.

Air Keenan moved that up to !:!■'> he spent on repairs to Anhursiny.n I?i>;i<l. Seconded In’ -Mr ( hosteiiumi

anil curried. The Council rose at 5.1,-i p.m