WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 11 March 1925, Page 4

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

TUESDAY, MARCH 10th. 1925.

The Council met at 2 p.lll. Present

—Messrs K.„ A. Wells (County C'liair--111:111), T. H. Chesterman, W. Senile, W. Jeffries, J. Donovan, T. W. Duff, J. A. Murdoch and M. Keenan. The minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approved. TNWARD COR RIvSPOX DEXCE. From Treasury, notifying accrued revenue.—Deceived. From Public Works Department, forwarding copies of skeleton specifications for information and guidance in road works. Received. From same, enclosing circular letter received from chairman Main Highways Hoard regarding worktig of main highways, and enquiring as to fresh roads to lie declared.—Received; Mr Chcstcrman moved that the Kokatahi road as far as Hokitika Gorge lie declared a main highway. Seconded by Mr Jeffries and carried. From same forwarding tracing of plan of road proposed to be closed fronting sections 11 .’if) and 1219 Ivaniori £>. !>.. Forestry Rcservo and asking for endorsement of same,—Received and agreed to. Front same, regretting Department could not grant request re widening road opposite Tetaho Post Office, as there are a number of more urgent works to be done with the limited amount of money available.—-Received. Mr - Jeffries moved that Overseer Milltier he authorised to report on work at next hueeting. Seconded by Mr Donovan and carried.

Frum Minister of Public Works acknowledging letter respecting the rebuilding of Waimea Creek Bridge at Stafford, and stating that representations made would have eareful consideration.—Received.

From Treasury, in connection with royalties to laical Bodies tor timber from State Forests, stating State Forests Service advises that amount £2f>*-> 9s 2d, due to County would he paid over n.s soon as possible.-Received.

From Mines Department, asking Council to forward plans ami specification of deviation of Seddon Terrace Road to Inspector of Mines. Rcetton, for his approval, Rcee.ved.

From same asking Council to pay further amount of IMo lfs (id, into Public Account for drilling at .Manama Flat.—Received; the Council resolved to disavow liability, the Council having agreed with the Minister to pay £SO, which amount had been paid. From X. '/. Railways. Greymmith. regarding Mananui application tor right of access along Railway reserve, and stating matter had been submitted to Head Office and application had been declined.— Received; resolved to approach Minister of Public Works on

subject. From Department of Internal Arthurs in reference to illicit shooting of demand taking of opossums in vicinity of Lake Knnieri, and stating Department was asking Westland Acclimatisation Society to submit a report on the matter.—Received. From Same, forwarding copy of report of Commission regarding proposed alteration of boundaries of the Borough of Hokitika, and stating it had been decided to carry out re-vain ntion of the Borough and that a start had been made on the work.—Received. Mr M urihr. h urged that the payment of £550 by the Borough Council should be involved in tlie Ministers’ approval of the report as well as in the venort itself. Sixor.ded by the Chairman and carried.

From Minister of Railways, acknowledging receipt oi letter asking that Railway Department loan its Maintenance Gang for a period to assist 111 bringing .Messrs Stuart and Chapman's sawmill tramway between Boss and Waitaha. up to the required standard to permit of Railway rolling stock being taken over the line, and statin, that matter would have careful consideration. Received. From Stuart and Chapman Ltd., Boss, in respect u the main Tramwav, and noting that Council was urging the Railway Department to allow its maintenance gang to overiu the line.- Received. From -la.s. O’Brien, ALP., forwarding letter from Minister of Internal Affairs in reference to travelling expenses.—* Received. From I’osL and telegraph Department, Hokitika, informing Council oi additional telephone offices that would he able to call medical aid through the Postmaster at Hokitika, during the night.- Received. It was resolved to ask the Borough Council to take steps to ascertain whether two thirds of tlie telephone users were in favour of a continuous service. From N.S!. Counties Association, stating Council’s representations desiring amendment of draft motor regulations, were placed helore Assistant Under .Secretary of Internal Affairs, and advising decision would he made known later.—Received. From Kokatahi Timber Coy., Ltd., applying for permission -to place a large gate across White’s lioad, about 12 chains from the .Sawmill in order to keep the mill horses from straying.— Received; request granted, subject to the usual conditions. From It. Watson and Sons, Larrikins, applying for permission to lay temporary hush tramway along branch County road leading from the northern end of Llie small Government Dam at Larrikins towards the Loopline road. Received and agreed to. From B. Wright, Christchurch Road, stating he was unable to pay rates, and asking Council to consider promis of bridge.—Received ; the rates clue were remitted and it was resolved to make further application to the Minister for assistance. From Overseer Millner, reporting on application irom Warren and Feeney for permission to haul 70,000 superli< ial feet of timber across Blue Spur Road.—Received; consideration delerr-

From Roadman AVhitiskie giving particulars of time worked cm various roads.—Received. From Roadman Nolan, forwarding report of work done during the month of February.—Received. From AV. D. Nolan, Okuru, repo ting several works in distiict completed hv tlie local Committee.—Received. From Treasury notifying that the enquiry in regard to timber revenue pavable to the Council had been referred to the Forestry Department to reply direct.—Received. * From Inspector of Mines approving proposals for the Seddon’s Terrace road deviation for mining purposes.—Received.

From Health Department notifying ease of scarlet fever at Kokatahi, and the removal of the patient to the hospital ; also a case of tuberculosis at A rah ura.—Received. From same explaining that the contribution to the Health Inspector's snlarv iras in conformity with the law, and if the Council appointed an officer outside the Department the appointee must have the requisite qualifications. Received. From J. Tfanshury. Totara, asking for small grant of £3 to assist with filling in front, of residence.— Received; request granted, subject to payment of half cost. From M. Keenan. Woodstock, applying for permission to place two swing gates on the unused portion of Riant Lead track and adjacent track connecting with Adair’s road.—Received ; request granted. From Motorman Robinson, monthly.

report on work bv tipping lorry.—Received. From Overseer Millner stating track to Donnelly’s Creek footbridge required attention, cost to £5; approach to It O’Brien’s, Kokatahi, £10; protection to i.rivnte property below old Koiterangi ford, £125; giving relative cost for asphalting bridges and providing running planks for convenience of traffic. Received. From C. J. Nightingale expressing regret at refusal of,the railway authorities to allow roadway to be carried through to Mananui. Received. From Engineer-!n-Chief, Wellington forwarding draft rules for the regulation of motor vehicles of two tons and more.—Received. Mr Searlc asked how the position affected the South Westland roads. At present he ami others were paying £lO 13s -Id per month for lorry license fees and sometimes they only used the road once a week. . Air Murdoch considered the proposed regulations were very cumbersome and irksome and moved that the position ho reviewed by a- committee consisting of town members. Seconded » - 1 Duff and carried. It was resolved that Overseer Millner be appointed Inspector under the Motor

Lorry Act and Messrs Green and BubI imson examiners under tlie Act. From W. T>. Nolan. Okuru, reporting considerable flood damage in that locality and statins arrangements for carrying out repairs.- Received. From Conservator of Forests in rete’ once to road to state nursery, asking that consent to gate over road be cancelled .—‘Received and request ft;' anl e< • From Payne and Barettn asking for attention to road loading to their residences. —'Received: referred to Overseer to report, subject to the parties assisting in the cost. _ From P J. Sim drawing attention to necessity for repairs at Mikonui to track leading to MacLeod s house. _ Received; Overseer to report. From 1 iiter-AVanga.mii Dairy Coy.. asking to have several special rates in the district transferred to tlm general rates of the- area between Big and Little Wanganui rivcrs.-Rcccivod. Mr Scarlc moved that the request be acceded to if the legal position allowed, 'the clerk to report at next meeting. Seconded by tile Chairman and earned.

deputation

Air Jeffries introduced a deputation from Inter-Wanganui in reference to the ferry reserve held by Mr J. Mmchan. asking for a definite lease to be given over the reserve, the lease oi which has run out, Mr Minehan addressed the Council asking for a new | o a.sc at a reasonable rent, with substantial compensation at the end of tl ie period for improvements. Mr Jeffries moved that the matter he referred to the Finance Committee to report at next meeting. Seconded by Mr Searlc, who said Air Mmolt an could not expect to get the rent ,educed. The motion was agreed to. Air B Adamson waited on the Connoil’ i„ connection with the proposal to resume an area of his laud for a road at Wataroa. Air Jeffries said there was a deadlock

on the matter among the parties. After discussion it was resolved that the sum of £SO he paid fur the laud tc 1)C , taken and that the Conned had no objection to swing gates being erected across the road; same to he erected by Air Adamson. Air R. AYhiley waited on the Council t,» object to the notice of motion by Cr Cheslerman to raise the low-lying portion of the Kokatahi road near Ins property, which would result in the Hooding of hiri property, with corresponding damage for which he would hold the Council re -pt-.iisiblc. Air ( hesteniiaii said he was of opinion the proposal would not cause any damage. The outlet drain would also he enlarged. It would be necessary to in ahe a bridge there, and the sooner this was done the better, because .f the present drain were wasehd away it would block access to Kokatahi r ’-.r ;> t least .is week'?.

Consideration of the .’hie. lion was deferred till the order paper was being dealt with. FINANGK COAIM ITTF.K’K KI’POLI. 1 Your committee has the honour to report, that the accounts r .rosonl.ed f„ r payment lor the month oi I'eluunry 1925, have been earelully examined','and beg to re.umn.end that the amount as approved, totalling LHlo (is Id. be passed for payment. •_> Your Committee further recommends that the Clerk’s salary |.'educed three years ago under a retrenchment scheme at that time) be increased as from the Ist. inst. to £l5O per annum. Received and adopted. The Public AVurks' Committee’s report on flood damage etc., was received and adopted, it being also agreed that Overseer Millner he requested to inspect all roads during his visit to the southern district. OB DEB PAPER.

The Chairman moved;— “That the accounts presented for the month of February. 1925, as revised and recommended for payment by the T iuanec Committee, amounting to 01. lo 0s Id he passed for payment.”—Seconded by Mr Dull' and carried. Tho Chairman moved:— “That the Treasurer prepare the annual statement of apportionment of gross income, estimated for the year commencing on the Ist. April, and the proposed allocation of surplus revenue over the several Ridings as required by the Counties Act, and submit same for consideration of the Council in due course.”—Seconded by Afr Duff and carried. Tho Chairman moved:— “Unit Overseer AHUiicr prepare a list of works for Government grants lor the year, 1925-1920.”—Seconded by Air Duff and carried.

Cr. Chest erninu moved:— “That the Overseer he authorised to raise the lower portion of the Kokatahi road adjacent to AVhilcy’s sawmill, for a distance of about ton chains, at least one foot in height to avoid the frequent hold-up of motor traffic, by flooding, on the road in question.” Air Chestermnn was of the opinion that the work proposed would not do any harm to Mi AVhilev. It would only mean raising the road a foot in the lowest part and would cost about C3O.

Tim Chairman seconded the motion. He did not think it would do any harm to Mr AY in ley. and would he a great advantage to the farmers. .Mr Murdoch moved an amendment that the matter lie deferred to enable the Overseer to report on the matters brought forward by Mr AYhiley. This was accepted by Mr Chesterman and agreed to. Cr. Chesterman moved:— “That a vote of £l2 he authorised to continue the track round Lake Kanieri at the upper end from the Styx." Mr Chesterman said lie had been surprised that the Council had cancelled the previous motion during his absence, which had approved of the offer of the settlers of the Kokatahi, who had agreed to carrv through the track to Dorothy Falls at a cost of £l9. He had been tillable to attend last meeting when the proposed track authority was cancelled. About £0 had been spent before the work had been stopped. He did not see why a public track should be stopped for the sake of two men. He moved the motion. Seconded by Mr Keenan. i

The Chairman said he had supported the original motion, but when he heard the deputation of Mr Andrews and Mr O'Reilly he had changed his opinion. Tie would like, however, to hear file other side before be took any further action. Ho moved that the motion he deferred to next meeting to enable the objectors to appear before

the Council, and also those who asked for the work. Air Jeffries said the Council had done nothing hastily. The objecting deputntoin had put their ease very clearly and convincingly, and he had not been able to alter the view he had taken. Air Chesterman said one mallei’ complained of was that where the horses were impounded was on the public reserve, and that the settlers had the fid! right to use that portion. Mr Andrews (who was present) said the horses complained of had been running in the paddock for three or four weeks. Ho had no objection to anyone going through his section as long as they did not carry guns, or took dogs. The. amendment was seconded by Air Murdoch and agreed to. Cr Donovan moved: —“That Roadman Nolan he. asked to estimate the cost of repairing a drain and clearing about 20 chains in length of the South Bank Wataroa track near the beach.”—Seconded by Air Searlc and Cr. Searlc moved: —‘ That the Highways Council he urged to put m hand the erection of a molor-brulge at Granite. Creek crossing, near Fergusons and also near La Fontaine bridge, where motor car traffic is often held up by floods.”--Seconded by Air Damn an and carried.

Die Chairman nioveu. — . . tho Overseer ho authorised to earr> out road repairs as follows: Back C eik road for convenience of mining (hum. , £l2' Doughboy road for settlers access. SeLdcd by AH' Keenan and Air Donovan moved that the Highwavs’ Board he asked to put up fences t„ the approaches to the north amt south sides of the Little A\ anganui bridge. Seconded by Air Jeffries and Tlie next meeting was fixed fur Bth. The Council rose at L4o P- 111 -

For babies apply mixture of XAZOL and Olive Oil to nostrils and throat as a precaution against Infantile Paralysis.—Ailvt. _