WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 10 June 1925, Page 4

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

TUESDAY, JUNE Oth, 192-3,

The. Council met ;it 2 p.tn. Present: .Messrs T. It. ( liesterman (County Chairman), E. A. Wells, I!. Ward, J. A. Murdoch, W. Scarlc, J. Donovan, T. W. Duff and M. Keenan.

An apology was made for the absence ~f .Mr Jcflries (absent in Wellington). The minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approved. From Treasury, notifying accrued revenue.—Deceived.

Krom Mrs Massey, thanking Council or kind message of condolence. - Revived.

Krom Prime Minister, asking lor eoiperation in ajipeal lor luuds tou.nds erection of national memorial to the late Prime .Minister.—Received. The. Chairman moved that the Council approve and co-operate. Seconded by Mr Ward, who suggested that it lie annottulod that subscriptions will lie received at the various post, offices and the Countv office. The motion was agreed

Krom Minister of Public Works, with regard to the completion ol West Coast road linking (Ireymouth and Westport, and stating the matter would have careful consideration. Received. Krom Public Works Department, for-

warding copy of Proclamation proclaiming land as a road and road closed in Clock I, Toaroha S.D.—Received. Krom Same. forwarding copy of Proclamation proclaiming closing a road in fMock V, Kanieri Survey District.—Received.

from Department of Internal Affairs. acknowledging letter suggesting I|,o Ist July as a suitable date for alteration, ol boundaries. Borough of Hokitika, and staling same will rotoivc due consideration. Also re A ablation last, same has been referred to Valuer-Cleneral. Received. Krom Native Trustee, forwarding la j, v of letter from J. Hradley, Arahiira, re protection work to lie done by Council, and asking protection ol north hank f I*oll*. possible damage.— Receded. The Chairman reported having interviewed Mr Hradley and explained the intentions of the ( ouncil and Mr HindIcy had expressed his approval ol the proposed work. .Mr Ward said that Mi llradlev would lie more benefited by Ihe work now completed than any other settler in the locality. Ihe t hairman said a very nice job was being made ,d the proled inn works w hich was a credit to the olticer in charge.

Krom Inspector of Health. Ureymouth, notifying case of inioctious dis-

ease in Westland County. Received. Krom Creymoiith .Motors 1.1i1.. staling arranging to have the Wehr Cruder in Hokitika on 10th June to citable to give demonstration as arranged, and asking Council to arrange lor a man to lie present to work grader.—Received.

Kn.m Secretary Winter Show Committee, Kokatahi, asking for the use of the lorry to carry exhibits from Hokitika Lo Kokatahi on ldth.— Received; rerpiest granted.

Knint Secretary Wataroa-Wailm liranch Runners* Union, re Stuart and Chapnian's tramline extending south of Ross, mid stating remit litis been placed 011 Agenda Paper that the Railway Department take over same, and asking Council views on same.— Received.

Krom N.Z. Karmcrs’ Union suggesting conference at Ross on 19th inst. regarding proposal lor Covcrnmcnt to take over tramline ol Stuart and Chapman Ltd. Received. Krom Secretary Karmcrs’ ITiion, Ngahere. in reference to same subject and suggesting a conference of all parties concerned including Railway Department and Council and suggesting Jane Huh as a suitable date. Krom W. Jeffries at Wellington, as follows:—" Had conference Minister Railways ami Railway Hoard, lit face reports hopeless get Department allow rolling stock on Stuart’s tram line. Hoard submitting scheme that might

as.-.i i situation. but am not imurc P: - '.cl

All Waul said it. appealed that ill" Farmers' Union were under the impression the Council were not doing their utmost to further the interests of the district. It- was a burning question at the Council table. He suggested I line a reply be sent stating a representative uf Lkc Council would bo prcpai cd to attend the Conference tit Ross. On the suggestion of Mr Searle it was rutm! veil that the Chairman. .Messrs Jeffries and Scarlc represent the Council. This suggestion was agreed to and becoming the motion

From Kilnarv Committee, Stafford, forwarding copy of balance sheet.—Received. Froni Secretary Kibrary Committee, Okarito. forwarding balance sheet of libra rv. Received.

From Park and .Murdoch, forwarding copy of application for license lor tramwav hy J. (K Watson, and asking for loiiscnl of same. —Received ; n » objer-

Ki'nm John Mmuly. applying fur renewal 111 a sin ugh t er-housc license.— Received. >MI James Fitzgerald, applying for renewal of a slaughter-house license.— Received. From ('. Passmore, applying lor renewal ol slaughter-house lieeiise.— lieeel red. Prom Hank of N'ew Zealand forwarding j'onn lor nverdralt aeeoinniodation for year of completion. -Received. Prom AV. Robinson. forwarding report of cartage done during the month. Received. From Overseer Aldiner monthly report s. Received. From Mines Deparlmenl slating subside to llonev and Cook had nol been nseil and was now withdrawn. - Received. From same asking further particulars regarding proposed operations of iVDristnll and party. Koilerangi.—Tieeeived. From, same approving remission of rents as irreeoverahle. as rceoiniiionded by Council. Received. From Jiiinn l.ihrarv Committee forwarding copy of habitue sheet. —Received. From Okuru l.ihrarv Committee, forwarding halance sheet.—Received. From Overseer .Milliter suggesting fresh notice board he erected at ICokntahi Pound. —Received ; deferred to next meeting, cost of same to he enquired into. From Overseer .Milliter reporting cost of diverting and piping creeks at Waitaha .Settlement would he .C-0, exclusive of pipes.—Roceivid. -Mr Searle moved that the work he carried out. Seconded by .Mr Donovan and carried. Front same asking gravel reserve Ik? obtained from .Municipal area at Ivoiterangi ; and forwarding request, front .Mistress, Kokatalii School, that warning notices to motorists. l>e erected at school approaches.—Received : enquiries to he made in regard to Council reserve, the Automobile Association to be writ ten to. with a suggestion that ■the Woodstock School lie also included. From Roadman Nolan. reporting wondering stock was being removed and repairs to Oka rite road was in hand.-- Received. From same reporting expenditure of grants was completed ; asking for assistance of one man for two weeks to push forward necessary repairs.—Received. From F. J. Andrews, stating since a-: meeting two horses had been trespassing on his property. Lake Kanieri, and asking what compensation would lie given for the cutting of a track on his property.—Received. Air Wardj sai l he could not see that any injury could have been done by the County. rcmduieu iu cutting tjie track. If Air

Andrews suffers any serious damage from his neighbours, then ho trusted that lie would go to another tribunal, not the Council. Mr Wells said Mr Andrews had his remedy if he found horses trespassing on his property. Mr Murdoch urged that all County workmen in the locality he urged to make every endeavour to keep their horses otr Mr Andrews property. Krom Highways Hoard, in regard to the maintenance of roads in No 12 Highwav District. considering the County should assist with the maintenance of the main highways; asking what rate the local authorities are receiving from the properties adjoining the main highways.—Received; leletred to Finance Committee to report. Krom K. A. Batioke aiul others requesting that their homes he protected front danger caused hy the hcaty t-iaf-fie on the Kanieri tramline. —Received. Krom K. Newman, Kanieri, protesting nt incorrect form of notice of motion for that day’s meeting in regard to Kanieri tramline.—Received. Mr Wells said he thought Mr Newman was taking tin the. wrong attitude. II it had not been for the action taken by Mr Stuart so promptly when the sudden erosion took place then the position would have been more serious than at the present time. Mr Murdoch said he had never known any more unreasonable action Ilian that taken up bv the writer of the letter. It was resolved to refer tin- question of damage by heavy traffic to the Overseer to report. A DEPUTATION. Mrs .lames Douglas, Arahura, waited on the Council in reference to the pnvment of motor car tax, one to tlm Council in January and one to the Uo\eminent in April and asked lor a refund of the balance paid to the Council. She wanted to know what right th: (V.uneil had to retain that money, which was taken alter the new law (••line into force. FINANCE COMMITTEE’S REPORT |.—Your Committee has the honni to report that the accounts presenter for the month of May, 1923, have heel carefully examined, 'and bog to recoin mend that the amount as approved totalling .Cl,-IPS ISs fid, he passed I'm pay men t. 2.—Regarding the allocation of tin library vote for the year, the followin: I payments are recommended subject l' balance sheets for past year being pro dined:—Okurti, Rruee Ray, Okarito Watarna. Waitaha. C 3 each; Rimu Stafford. £3 each: total 1'25. ;{... Respecting J. Miuehau's replies for reduction of rent, it is found tha river erosion ol the Kittle \\ angautl ferry reserve is not taking place, am that rental is based mi iinimnrovei value at a reasonable valuation mad by tin independent valuer, there is no occasion to reduce the rental origina.ll fixed bv the Council on a uniform btisi ' with other similar reserves. ■I. —With regard to the request troi j the Hokitika Rorough Council ilepula I lion for further aid to local remoter account, it is recommended for the cut ' rent liiiatn-ial year a vote of £33 b made. Received and adopted. CHAKRMAN’S REPORT.

I beg leave to report having accompanied Mr Watkinson, District Engineer, on a visit, to Dorothy Falls track and landing at Lake Kanieri edge. The landing requires a portion of the understructure and the whole of the decking renewing. The track leading from the lake to Dorothy Falls requires cleaning, but tins is only a small matter, requiring a small expenditure. Tiio deviation round the creek requires metalling and a foot bridge erecting over Dorothy creek about 2 chains below the falls. All these matters were carefully examined by Hie Kngiiicer who [ am sure, will recommend a vote lor repairs and construction. Returning front the l.akc. inspection was made tit the outlet drain on Kowcr Kokatahi road where it: was proposed to widen the present strttcI (tiro from 12 feet to 23 feet and construct a new pile bridge where the rill\ ei'l. lies exists. Mr \\ all\!ic-oii pointed out the danger of increasing and deepening the waterway and allowing an increase ol water through the channel, which would in ioiir.se of tinto allow a larger portion ol the Kanieri river to tlow through the I channel thus causing damage to the [property below the re-id. I lie Engineer expressed the opinion that any work of the nature proposed would he inviting trouble. Kanieri tram read protection was also inspected, Mr Watkinson expressing approval of the means in w hich the throated danger of the roadway had been averted. I.ater in the afternoon, in company with the Overseer, a visit was paid to Arahura Valley to inspect, the protection work now In course ot construction. A very good job lias boon made of it. I bad an interview with Afr J. Hradley le bis objection to the stop-hank being erected in connection with the expenditure of Hie grant of !£2(K>. for Arahura River 'Protection above Mall'my's bridge. Tn discussing the matter Mr Hradley agreed to offer no objection, provided the Council attended to the protection of any erosion on the north hank ol the river. On Monday. June Hi. accompanied by tiie Overseer. I proceeded to 11 a cilia ri and met Mr Morpeth, Crown I,anils Commissioner, when an inspection was made of Ka Fontaine Creek (louring above and below Petersen's i-i.-ad. covering a distance of more than two and a hall miles. I am satisfied that good value has been received for the expenditure incurred and proof ol the increased width and depth which allows the flood water to subside more rapidly than formoiy. is very noticeable. Wanganui river erosion at i’ 11 inside's was inspected, also reported erosion on the west bank of Johnny Walker’s Creek, 'the latter erosion was only slight, hut below Burnside's a considerable quantity of work would be necessary to control the erosion. However these matters are being reported on by Mr Morpeth.

Adrantago was taken during my visit to inspect Petersen's road, AAanganui Flat road, and Robinson's road, also site of proposed concrete pipe culvert, which I suggest, should ho held in abeyance until the high flood level is decided on, when it will he seen whether the water-way will tC—quire increasing above the proposed width.

K van.s' road drain recently constructed was inspected and found C: be good work beneficial alike to the road and adjoining property. Portions of the formation of Kraus’ road beyond the metalling are cut up badly and dangerous to stock traffic. 1 authorised the sum of A 6 to he expended iu improving some soft spots, hut this i; only temporary work as it will he necessary to metal the formation 30 chains in length to carry stock traffic during next factory season. Kaknpotahi bridge approaches and protection works were also inspected and proved to he very good work, both in appearance and construction. Tn conclusion T wish to thank Mr Waikinsou and Air Afmpetli for their courteous attention to all matters brought under their notice. —Received. Ti e Chairman verbally reported bavin. r gone to a tonfereiicD of local bodies at (irevtuouth on Friday m.ght in tcgard to heavy traffic law. It was resolved to bring the heavy traffic law into force at once and to meet in six months again. The collection of the fees Will be put m feand f»t one© and

tile amount will be held for six months when it will bo distributed to the .several local bodies on a quota to be arranged. In connection with the repairs to the overflow culvert on Kokatahi road, the Chairman moved that CLo he voted for urgent repairs to the present structmc. Seconded hy Mr Wells and earned. OVERSEER’S REPORT. I have the honor to report upon the progress of works during the month of .May. NORTHERN RTDTNO. Kumara to Kapiton, £2Co—This work is progressing steadily, and so far the complete formation is constructed in a credible manner. Arahura River Protection, £2oo— protection of the river bank lias been completed the specified distance of Goo links and the wire net and stone retaining wall across the overflow channel, will he completed on Monday, June Bth. The whole ot Hie work has met with the approval of the Tnspeoting Officer of the Public Works Department. Boundary Rond Construction. County vote of £3O is progressing in a satisfactory manner and will he completed the second week in June. MAINTENANCE. Portions of Spencer Road were cleaned and laid holes repaired with gravel. Arahura-Browning l’ass Track was cleaned where necessary, soil places corduroyed, and the surface generally rendered (it for horse traffic from Humphreys to the (forge. Watertables that were completely blocked were cleaned at the lower end of Awntun Hoad, and the whole length ol road treated hy the large road grader. work being confined to Ihe removal of the growth from the oilier edge of metalled road stirlaee. Deleetne culverts were repaired, and trees removed from Kapitea-Chesterfield i Track. CENTRAL RIDTND. Hlno Spur Creek Bridge £IOO 1 giant.—Work was continued under the direction of Bridge foreman Ko\- ; lm lds. nearly all the principal work brine- completed. Kokatahi Bridge Protection CRH ’ grant was continued, and completed a '] total distance of 390 links, in a very creditable maimer. McArthur Road Const met ion £29 1 ' ,0 for £ grant. The (.'on I factor made good progress and has completed the , whole ei' the (leafing, several chains i of formation and three concrete pipe j culverts. I Flood Damage Kake Kanieri Read. j The removal ill the slip at A 1 <K \ - , ( reek was continued and the rciaint ing wall removed and rebuilt a disi- tanco of lilH links. „ MAINTENANCE. Portions of hake Kanier Read acre , graded with the large road grader. . holes patched, and the road rolled c from McKays Creek to hake Kanieri. - The worst portions of Kowcr Kokae lliai Road were repaired with gravel between Kanieri and Kang Road and from above Dawsons to the Kokatahi iSaleyards.

Overhanging scrub, principally gorse and blacker ry. was cleared from Kellys Road, motor worn holes repaired with gravel on Koiteraugi Road between (frahams Hotel and Kokatahi Bridge. Watcrtablos were cleaned on Blue-Spur Arahura, Road. Kowcr Kokatahi, and hake Kanieri Roads, defective decking replaced on culverts on Adairs, Kowcr Kokatahi. hake Kanieri and Koiterungi Roads. Detective covering was removed and replaced and trees removed from Track from Milltown to Arahura River was cleared of growth, culverts repaired and placed in order for horse traffic. Concrete pipe const ruction was continued under tile direction of F. Selby, at the County yard KanSOI.THERN RIDINti. Kakaputahi Bridge Protect imi £2o'». Tflis work v.as completed according |n pirili aitqi during the •c""") week in the month. Kakapotahi Bridge Approach. A distance of 373 links was formed four feet in height and sixteen leci in width and metalled twelve inches in height and twelve feet in width also a sport approach iormed at the northern end to give improved temporary nress to Waitaha Beach Road. MAINTENANCE. The Roadman attended to repairs on Robertson. Wanganui Flat, Had- ; dock and Petersons Road opposite to ATr .7. AlcKay’s re-id,Mice. Received. ORDER PAPER. The Chairman moved -“ Ihnt the accounts presented tor the mouth of May, 1923. as revised and rceom-inemh-d tor payment: hy tile K imniee ('ointnitlee amounting to LJ-I9S ISs lid lie passed for payment."-—Seconded by Air Ward and carried. The (.hairman moved: "That all existing ('oininitteoK be discharged and 11io Council proceed to appoint fresh commit tees as follows: A. Finaine Committee: Crs Wells (Chairman). Jelfries. Murdoch, and I lonova n. B. Public Work- ( ominittee: Crs Dull' l( hairman). Searle. Keenan and Ward. ('. Mining ('ominittee : Crs Searle Chairman), Wells. Dull' and Donovan. I). Councillors to sign Cheques: The ( utility Chairman, Crs Wells. Jeffries. .Murdoch, Donovan and Dull." Seconded by Air Ward and carried. The Chairman moved: “Thai public notice he given of the intention of the Council to make and levy on the 1 11h- July a general rate separately in each Riding of the County ol Westland, of six farthings in the £ on the capital value of all rateable property in accordance with sections 720 and 121 of the Comities Act, siu-h rate to no payable within fourteen days alter bef ing struck." Seconded by Air Murdoch and carried. The Chairman moved:—"That as a further concession to the County ratepayers and pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Rating Act Amendment Act, 1022, the Council now resolves by resolution to allow to every ratepayer a rebate of 3 per cent of so much of the amount of rates payable bv him as is paid before the expiration of thirty days after the due date thereof, namely on or bcofro 13th August, 1923.” Seconded by Mr Donovan and carried. Mr Donovan moved That the sum of £lB he authorised to effect urgent repairs to the AVaiho Bluff track.” Seconded by Mr Searle and carried. Mr Donovan moved :—" That Tie sum of £lO lie expended in repairing the Rotokino road between Dry Creel: and Mount Hercules.” Seconded by M: Searle and carried. The Chairman moved :—" That the Council proceed to take under the Public Works Act so muck of Sections No 182.3 and 1826 Kanieri Survey District rs shall be found on survey to be necessary for the purposes of public traffic over the Kanieri Tramway Rond, this resumption having been found tie essary. owing to the serious encroachment and erosion of the Hokitika River upon its northern hank.” i'ho ( cairman outlined the position earned hv the snddeii erosion. Had it not been for the prompt action taken hv Air Stuart who had stopped the enri -11 bv the denosit of a huge quantity of stone, the cre-ion would have gone right into the sections and would lia-e swept away Newman’s house, A general discussion took place. .Mr Ward then seconded the mot'm Wf i, ii was agreed to. The Chairman was authorised to