COUNTY COUNCIL JAUNT

Hokitika Guardian, 7 May 1925, Page 1

COUNTY COUNCIL JAUNT

TO DECIDE LAKE KAXIKRI DISPUTE. The Westland County Council at its hist' meeting heard for the third or fourth time, deputations in connection with an application for the formation ol a track at the north eastern end of Lake Kaniori to give aveess to Kokalahi Valley settlers to the shores of the Lake, with the ultimate view of continuing the track on to Dorothy Falls. At the meeting there were representatives of the settlers and ol the owners of land in. the locality affected; one party in favor, and l he other against the track. The Council nfler a lengthy hearing decided to defer consideration until the next melting. and in the meantime a visit ot inspection to he made to obtain personal impressions of the position. Yesterday was the day fixed for the visit, anil the party, which included the Chairman. Messrs Duff. Jeffries. Choßlcrnnin. Ward and Keenan, the County Clerk and Overseer, were favored with it glorious day for what: proved a very enjoyable outing. Leaving by motor car, an inspection was first made of the by-wash culvert near Whiley’s mill where extensive alterations are proposed in the near future if satisfactory arrangements can he made with the adjacent property holders. and which includes the suggested raising of a low portion of the road which suffers inundation when heavy llnorls take place.

Thence the party moved on to the end of the Upper Kokalahi road above O'Reilly’s, where a more stable, il heavier running, horse and dray "as utilised for crossing a number of rough river bed streams, ibo party proceeding on foot, along Ihe St'x tiatk a distance of about ‘three miles. Kn route parties of Kokalahi residents oil horseback joined up wifli the party until when the lasi rough river bed crossing was reached there was a <avalcade of 21. of which about ion were holy residents of the district. Onwards went the fairly lor a lunhei couple of miles, the first mile being a gentle ascent and the latter level going. until the clearing of Mr F. .1. Andrew-’ freehold was reached. Here the pariy foregathered and the matter in dispute was discussed it! length. l’iifort nnaloly in spite of the plans available, the actual boundary of the freehold properly could not lie delinitely defined and a decision could not be come 10. and it will lie necessary to call in the aid of a surveyor |„ decide the actual, position, which will probably coine up for discussion at the next meeting of the Council. The actual business of the visit having been disposed of as far as possible, a move was made fnriher along the freehold, when' at a. convenient sunny spol. adjacent to a st ream of running water I lie ladies had arranged an al fresco lunch. This at the time (1.30 p.m.t proved very welcome indeed, all Die more as it was unexpected, and much appreciation was expressed at llie'vi-rv dainty viands spread out fot Dm-e present, full ins! ice being done f,y i,„e and all. Over the welcome cup „f uni i he object of the visit was again di-eii.-sed. and this time it was a number of tlm fair lio.~ies.xrs who made every endeavour to win over the members of the Council to their viewpoint. which was clearly and forcibly voiced, every consideration being P>o-mi-ed when the Council was coming to

;| derisillli. Time was living, and about II pm. ■Die parly made their way to the hike -Imre some qitarier of a mile away, where I hey embarked on the moinr launch on (heir way hue!-, lo the Ollier end of tlm Lake. I’rinr lo leaving Die Chairman expressed appreciation ~f the kind hospitality extended, and at his call hearty cheers "ere given. A number of -nap -hots ol Ihe gal he ring were taken and they had a hear!' send-off - a- the launch moved on |js journey, the riding part.' 11 ■ Diming to Kokalahi by the mute pmvitnivlv iaki-M. Tin* Lake \va> like a inilWpoinl nun Ihe run across in the warm sunshine proved very enjoyable. A stoppage was made ai Dorothy Falls landing to enable an inspection of the track to |*. iiKiile. some repairs being I'oumi necessary in Die upper portion. "'ln-re a new line of track had been made some time since. The lauding was reached about four o'clock ami after a short slay the car was ulilised tor the homeward journey, town being mm-hed al A p.m.