WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 8 April 1925, Page 4

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

WEDNESDAY, APRIL Bth

TREASURER'S REPORT

Treasurer’s report on receipts and expenditure for 1024-1925, and apporionment to separate ridings for 1925-20.

Sir and Gentlemen: —T have the honour to report, in accordance with the resolution of the Council, on the finances of the past year, and to submit the following for your guidance in connection with tin?apportionment of revenue for the current financial year, in terms of the provisions of the Counties Act: — The financial year which closed on March 31st. gave the following general revenue, exejusive of special grants:— General and mining rates

The general revenue under the above headings for the previous year v.as £13,311 15s Id. The receipts on account ot road grants etc. from the Government were 95057 2s Id. The gross revenue for the year was 921,085 17s 8d as against £ls 137 -Is 3d the previous year. F.xi’KXDrrniK. The following supplies an analysis of the rxenditure under the various subdivisions set out in the Counties’ Act : General Debts and Liabilities: —

Lust; year's t*x|i«'iuli ture* on the above sol vines wus £7.;!-)! Is "d. Summary of General Lxpcuditui " : (:•) (JoiUTuI dibits 1 •!■•>•> 11 *' (10 {.fontl'ilmlioiis under Ads :l 3:{(i 4 4 (e) ('utilities’ Art DOdo 7 ;> (<!) Atnin roads 8.198 15 <> £13.035 8 » Tlic general revenue shown above wits £15,428 los 7d and tlir general rxpviiditnrr in tin* preceding paragraph £j p.s, leaving u credit oi (■I 70S 7s 7d lor {.!><■ vonr. SKI’.II! AT!•: RI Dl>:c: ACCOCNTM. ( l.'tii' the twelve months <-n«L'il March 31st. 1 925) ■ Tin- following is ilir soiiarnie riding accounts for (lie past liiiainial year: I c, ‘ s! 4t S = S ! §§§ | 5 | | "** 't tt ti l Mr- s 7 s •- ’d < < v. d Z

£*23o 8 4 £22ii G 5 la reference to the estimates ol revenue and expenditure for the year, it is pleasin'; to recall that the estimates of income given a year ago, namely £15.000, has been slightly exceeded, reaching C15,-128. The income would have heeii higher hut for the motor licensing by-law being superseded by the (iovernment motor taxation. [he credit balance shown on the past year’s transactions, the fact that payments on plant have been completed, and that some income is to he derived from heavy motor traffic, warrants the Council reducing the general rate, and it is recommended that the rate for the current year he six farthings in the £ capital value. Allowing for such a reduction, the intimated income for the current year is set down at £13.000.

hi respect to expenditure, there is the likelihood of some relief for hospital maintenance, though the amount will he probably considerably above the demand of ten years ago. The estimates last year of expenditure was £12,200, but it readied £13.635. principally on account of the extra expenditure on roads.

The estimated expenditure for the year is £12.500.

On these estimates there will be available £I,OOO for district roads, plus the credit of £1.703 for the past year, or a total of 02.703 as against 02.025 last year, fn addition, the separate Hidings will receive the benefit of the district road account wherein there is a net credit of £4O. Allocated on rating values, the £2,703 available will he apportioned as follows: - Northern Hiding 0535 Central Hiding 067 Southern Hiding 1201 £2703 Carrying forward the balances from the district road accounts of the Separate Hidings there will be available the following:— Northern £620 against £4OB last year Central £1026 against £976 last year Southern £1196 against £1291 last year.' £284*2 £2475

This will permit of an . average monthly expenditure on district roads of £237 as against an actual average last financial year of £226. The figures reveal a satisfactory fin* ancial position, when it is borne in mind that the annual outlay has grown so much of late. There is no doubt the road plant has been of value economically to the Council and a saving is resulting from the Overseer being able to get about tlic County quickoi now that he is provided with motor transport. The relief to the ratepu.vois in the reduction of the rate is mainly possible because of the direct saving being made by the use of the mnchineij. It should lie borne in mind also that the policy of renewing all culverts m concrete‘is having an easing effect on the annual outlay. In all the circumstances, therefore, there is an easiei position financially, with the prospect, despite the reduction in rates, of further improvement by reason of the quicker methods of handling road repairs, and the closer supervision ol works. . As affecting the working of the .Separate Ridings, there is a matter to come up for consideration in September next which might he mentioned now. It is in respect to the readjustment of representation which requires to he done in September preceding the general election of members in Mac. 19-’<; Representation is based as lar as passible on the proportions of rateable value and manlier of electors 111 each R.idinir. The existing number of members is three for each Riding. Ihe number of electors in each Luting ranges from -UK) to 500, hut there is considerable disparity in rateable values as the following table shows:--Northern *OO-*-rU The question of leaving the representation as it could he considered against an alternative basis of putting the Arahura district into the Central Lining and leaving the Northern Ruling with two members, and increasing the Southern Hiding to four members. There is further for consideration the sub-division of the Southern Hiding into two separate Ridings with two members each, the upper Hiding tojre from the 11 (). Line to the Little Wanganui river, and the lower Riding to lie from the Little Wanganui river to the extreme southern boundary. Ihe Soutli■ern subdivision would then be as billows:—

11.0. Line to Little Wanganui, population 457, rateable value. 9215,266. 2

representatives. Little Wanganui to Far South, population 492. rateable value £174.392. 2 representatives. The Council will have Ihe opportunity of determining this matter in September next.

OVERSEER M fLLNER’S REPORT

NORTHER N DING. K until ru to Kapil j Road, 920( grant, has proceeded in a fairly satislac lory manner, the Contractors having completed twenty-live chains ol clearing and two chains ol lormation during the month.

Portions of the upper end of Staf ford Drain, were cleared as deep m possible, and large leaks stopped it the creek retaining wall behind Staf

lord Township. Arahura Valley, One .Mile, and portions of Humphreys and lllue Spur to Arahura Roads were repaired with gravel ami broken stone and rolled with ten ton roller.

Slips and fallen trees were removed from the lower end of Arahura to Brownings Pass Track.

A drain was cleaned along the eastern boundary ol Liverpool Bills track, between Stafford school and residence. CENTRAL RIDING.

Koka t alii Bridge Protection was completed the spei ilied distance of 650 links, under the direction ol Roadman Dale, and no fault can he found with

am- uortion of the construction

Kanreri Tram Hoad Protection was commented on the 2-th ol the month, hut only preliminary work was undertaken, practically of a temporary nature to prevent the hanks becoming undermined along the narrow portion oi the roadway.

The slip at McKays’ Creek, Lake K.-iiiic.i road was partly removed, the removal being (unfilled to Ihe deeper pollens ol debris blocking the waferway. Water tables were cleaned where necessary and small slips removed from watertables on Crayfish Mill and .Morris Hill cutting. Defective decking was removed and replaced on ihe bridge crossing tbe tinter race on Milltown Head, and on a culvert on Lake Kauieri road below the hatchery. Had j boles were patched on Lake Kanicri end Lower anil Cpper Kokniahi and a portion of Koiterangi IL a<L. Tlii' vote of £0 was expended in clearing Doughboy Hoad of overhanging and encroaching scrub, and Styx River Track cleared and several very narrow portions widened to allow horse traffic to use the track in safety. Defective decking was removed and renewed on several culverts, and bridges in the Kokatalii district. Mind blown trees wore cleared from the upper end of Reddon’s Terrace road and gorse cleared from Tucker’s Kbit Hoad. ROFTII ERN It I DING. Kakupotabi bridge was finally completed. the railing being painted, and the decking tarred and sanded. Kaknpolahi ILidge Protection, L"2i)o grant, was commenced and 510 links of wire net and stone work, also loose fascine of manuka scrub, placed under the net. Kvans Hoad drainage was commenced, and the work advanced 10 chains

along the eastern boundary of -Mr Derry’s property. La Fontaine Branch Creeks were cleared of obstruction, and abrupt points removed between Petersen road and La Fontaine Creek. The usual maintenance work was carried out by the Bondman and a pipe drain constructed under Wanganui Flat Hoad near F. Haddock’s bolding.

OVEftSFEU’.S SPECIAL REPORT,

RAISING KOKATAIII HOAD.

I have the honour to report having inspected the locality of the proposed raising of a portion ol the Lower Kokatalii lload lor a distance of ton chains beyond Taminelli Hoad Reserve. The proposal is to raise the lower portion of the roadway twelve to fifteen inches above its present level, and remove a platform culvert, and reconstruct it with 36 inch diameter pines, at a total cost oi L»n. I his I work will only he temporary for sooner or later a piled bridge, forty feet in length will he necessary where the large outlet drain now exists. The lower portions of the timbered section of drain below the road are becoming unsound and the-sum of £ls will be required during the coming wiiitei to renew all decayed timber, including flooring, also to drive six small piles along the side of lining to strengthen and prevent collapse during high Hood. The new bridge at present prices would cost £IOO and a further sum of £IOO would he required for protective work, to prevent erosion of the land above and below the bridge. The increased width and depth of channel over the present width of outlet drain would allow more than six times the amount of water to he discharged than i-s possible at the present time. A work of this description would prevent fho road becoming impassable to motor traffic during small floods, and would allow high flood water to subside more rapidly than at.

present. CLERK’S REPORT

Sir and Gentlemen, —Regarding the special rates struck in the inter-Wan-ganui area for roads and drainage works affecting Petersen Road Exertion, and the liability of the Dairy Factory C'ov at Herepo, I beg to advise that to date the amount levied

has been £196 Os lOd, whereof the ] settlers paid £9B, and the Dairy Fac- 1 tory Coy £9B Os lOd. The loans have 1 a. currency for another eleven years. 1 over which period a total of £3/0 14s i will be payable in interest, divided as , follows: Settlers ... £lB5 i 0 Factory 185 / 0 Total 370 If 0 ! The Council repays the principal of the loans. I The rate for interest payments is | secured on the land of specified sections, and the Dairy Factory Coy, • which joined with the settlers in pressing for the works, agreed to pay one- : half of the amount due annually. It was in these circumstances that theloans were negotiated. j There does not appear to bo any ; way whereby the Hairy Factory Cloy | can be relieved of its liability in the matter. 1

REGULATIONS AS TO USE OF MOTOR-LORRIES. The regulations as to the use oi Mo-tor-lorries came into force on the Ist just. Application forms lor users of motor-lorries are available at the County Office, and licenses will he issued in due course. The onus ol applying loi licenses is on the user, and lailurc 4° do so renders such persons liable for a penalty. The following is the classification under the regulation :

No person shall operate any motor lorry exceeding 6 tons, or combined weight of vehicle and load exceeding 10 tons. No motor lorry tire shall he ol less width than 3 indies, and of spec ified width and thickness for specified loads. The height of loads is H feet above the sunvfce of the road: and the width. 8 feet: articles carried shall not proje.t ill width horizontally beyond the foot hoard of the motor lorry. Roads mav he classified for the use of [Motor lorries, recording to weight carried on vohii les.

AH motor lorries shall carry a reflector or periscope to indicate in the ihivcr the apf roach of overtaking tralThe annual license fee payable for motor lorries engaged only ill tl"’ carriage of passengers shall he as undci 1. For each motor lorry licenced to curry not more thin twenty passengers', £1 10s per passenger. 2. For each motor lorry licensed to carry more than twenty, hut not more tluiii thirty passengers, £2 per pas-

senger. 3. For each motor lorry licensed to carrv more than thirty passeugets, -fi-

ll;.; per passenger. (The driver is to he included as a pas se tiger.) The license lees for any class . o motor lorry fitted with pneumatic tires ,„l all wheels, shall he 15 per ten Hun Ic-.s than the fees above set out. Th" lit Ouse fee for vehicles w ith metal tires shall he 25 per cent more than the lees above set out.

less rebate 0.009 16 1 Harbour Hoard rates collected 098 10 8 Subsidy and interest on rates 058 1 0 Goldfields revenue •J -1 Fees, lines, penalties 41 17 0 Publicans’ licenses 11 0 Pouts and refunds 112 10 0 Workers’ Compensation Act 11 10 0 .Motor, slaughter licenses, etc 117 1 9 Thirds, land fund :m 11 11 1 lal ves. rovalt ies fund ... 3.094 3 1 Contractors’ deposit 35 0 0 .Miscellaneous refunds .... 185 :2 1 liatenavers’ contributions 40 10 ft Clerical assistance 02 0 (1 Hale of Pipes 188 1 0 11 Motor running fees 033 ft £15,428 15 7

Hopavmont on loans fiOi 0 0 [ntcrest on loans dOo () Interest on bank overdraft - u £1.035 0 G Tho ovnendituro tlio previous year under tin- above headings was £1.1 >■> 15s -Id. , , r . (I,)— Contributions under 1 arums Acts:— Cliaritahle Aid Act - 4: ’0 > (> ■> Harbour 1 • »ard rates collooted r,f) S 10 H leohnlic l.iquors Act ... Ill 1 Winkers’ Compensation Act ....; l) Subsidy to Literary Inslitutos ” Rating Act l !l ‘ 11 Kleetoral Act ■ j ’/ Miscellaneous Acts « ; j4 11 " Hokitika Cemetery .Mamtana nee - 0 0 Contractors’ deposit ae0 count 10 0 £3.3110 1 i _ —. In tire previous year £3.817 Is Gd we r e spent under the abov-e lioac.mgs. (c)._-C'ounties Act. Ad mini.strution 0 Cilia irma n and members Ido ■> tlfiice salaries ,!4 0 0 Office charges 13(> 0) ' Printing, advertising and stationery p *p Tra^hire 10 0 £1.013 . 2 —. The previous year’s expenditure or the above was £l..i-1 7s *hi. (d)—Main Roads:— Purchase of road pbuii • l-d:.o 0 Traplnre ' Printing, advertising ami stationery $ Railwav bridges 13’-' 13 Telephone guarantee 1 Motor lorry in count ,tS! ’ ° - Road inainlenance and strdf salaries •1.3’JR 18 i Kxccss on grants etc. expenditure i..;.)3 t £8.198 16 0

ihdint; MONTH LY AVKKAOF.S. Killing Avnilnlilo AcLiial. Nortlii'm .. ■II 10 0 31 7 8 ( ;.’iitr:il SI 0 8 70 7 10 Sontlurii ... 107 11 8 115 10 11

Not. Licenso Class Exceeds Exceeds Fee Speed. tons tons £ miles A o -i G 20 B ._> i ;j 0 IS 0 3 3.V 12 IS 1) 3‘ 4 10 10 ]•; 1 4} 20 10 F o 21 10 CJ 5 O 2 28 11 i 1 (i 32 14 1 0 GJ 30 14 .) O', 7 40 1 1 •- 7» 45 .12 I, 8* 50 12 .M S 8 55 12 .N <) GO .12 () >) 5)1 (>5 12 P 0.1 10 75 12