WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 10 February 1926, Page 4

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9tb. -MONTHLY MEETING. The regular meeting of the Council met at 2 p.m. Present: NLessrs T. It. Chestermnn (Chairman), E. A. Wells, J. Donovan, T. W. Duff, B. Ward, W. Searle.

Apologies were received for the absence of Messrs M. Keenan and W. Jeffries. The minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed. The outward correspondence was approved. DEPUTATIONS. Mr W. .Johnston, Kokatahi, waited on the Council in regard to the condition of White road, giving particulars of requirements for local traffic. Mr Ward moved that the Kokatahi Sawmilling Company he requested to carry out the terms of the agreement with the Council. Mr Wells seconded. Carried. Or Teichelmann, Messrs FI. M. Coul

son and C. Gaylor. representing the Automobile Association waited on tho Council to urge the construction of a road to Mahinapua. Petitions were presented from 30 residents at Mann-, ntii, and from 58 residents at Ruatapu. also urging the necessity for road connection. The members of the deputation strongly stressed the need for road access, and Dr Teichelmann intimated that the Automobile Association would contribute towards the cost as far as its funds would permit. -Mr Ward moved that the Council apply to the Public Works and Tourist Depart-

ments for a grant of £SOO for the road. Mr Donovan seconded, stating that the access road would he appreciated b stock drovers. The motion was carried. INWARD GO HR KPPONDFNCF-. From .Mrs J. D. Gillies acknowledging message of condolence.—Received. From Treasurer notifying revenue aeerned to County Fund account.—Received. From Prime Minister noting with pleasure tho Council’s expression of-ap-preciation of Mr Morpeth’s services as

Commissioner of Crown Lands.—Rc- I coived. ; From Minister of Lands expressing ! special pleasure on tile appreciation of : the services of the Commissioner of Crown Lauds and stating special enquires would lx- made regarding the proposal for settlement at Jackson Hay.—Received. From. Under-Secretary Public Works, notifying proclamation of land for road

purposes in the Wataroa District.—Received . From same stating the District Engineer would be able to visit and inspect the Jackson Bay proposition in .March and arrangements are in band with other Departments concerned to join in that time.—Received. From District Engineer, Greymontli, stating lie would investigate proposed deviation of Petersen Hoad at an early date, and in the event of deviation it would be necessary to provide the cost of the dedication.—Received. In <’ course of discussion Mr Donovan stated the road would he useful in affording access To the Saltwater and Lower Want ion, a tract of country six miles in length, at present isolated. Thousands of acres would be rendered available for .settlement. The road would bring valuable land within 12 miles of the Ilarihari dairy factory, wheras liv the present road a distance of 35 miles had to lie traversed. Not only was

there good land, but good timber country. including silver pine. The stockmen were desirous of a stock route by way of Petersen road and there was a larger question than any local deviation involved, lie was not in favour of any river bed deviation. Mr Ward thought that. Mr Mclntosh who asked for the devitaion should pay the cost of the survey if necessary. Other councillors concurred. Further consideration was deferred till after the visit of tho District Engineer. From same with reference in the expenditure of the Robertson-Haddock road vote.—Received, work now arranged for. From same declining to approve of Kokatahi liver protection as the greater portion of the work covered private property, and suggesting a wire crate groyne would be sufficient in the present instance. —Received and referred to the Chairman to see that work done already was protected from destruction by further erosion. From same promising to look into the Little Wanganui River erosion on next trip south.—Received. '

From Minister of Mines agreeing to treat as ant-recoverable certain mining rents in the Central and Northern Hidings.—Received. From Department of Internal Affairs forwarding particulars of repayment scheme affecting advances for workers dwellings.—Received. From Receiver of Cold Revenue, Hokitika, advising position regarding rent payment on claim of Keoch and party, Hack Creek.— Received. From New Zealand Counties’ Association forwarding circular affecting the

collection and disposal of heavy traffic license lees.—Received. From. County Solicitor advising Adamson Road had now been duly declared.—Received, old road to ha vested -Mr Adamson. From Commissioner of Crown Lands thanking the Council for complimentary motion passed in regard to his work in the district.—Received. From National Rank, supplying return of gold purchased for period ondof January, produced in Westland.— Received.

From C. ,T. Nightingale, thanking Council for action in reference to Maliimipua Creek road across.—Received. From C. Cook. Kaihinu. asking subsidy to re-open road drain at Three Mile, Avahura.—Received. It was resolved to vote £5 on a £ for C basis for clearing the drain ; also £3. £ for £. In IV. M. Rond, for similar work in same locality. From A. Mathias, Okarito Forks, urging that McDonald’s track to the waterfall he reopened.—-Received. Roadman Nolan to report on the matter. From Fric James. Oleum, replying to complaint with regard to fence blocking terry approach.—Received. Tt was stated the Southern members had waited on the Commissioner of Lands, who promised to look into the matter when on the ground next month. Copies of correspondence hearing on the matter were rend and consideration deferred to await (he C'ommissioner’3 later report. From same, with reference to complaint in reference to wandering stock. —Received and referred to Advisory Committee.

From Overseer Millner dissenting from groyne proposal at Kokatahi hy District Engineer, and suggesting senth protection.—Received and expenditure of £2O authorised subject to settlers assisting. t rom same, reporting a part of the road roller had been stolen, and requesting the police he notified.—Received. From Roadman Nolan, reporting Adamson Rond was in hand; hut the

Buster Track would not be started till the weather was more suitable.—Received.

From District Engineer, Public Works, stating Head Office was unable to assist with Kokatahi protection work.—Received. From T. E. \ r . Seddon, M.P., forwarding letter from Minister of Public Works, stating it was for the local body to legalise the route for Wataroa North Bank Track.—Received. Mr

Donovan pointed out the proposed route would save driving stock a long distance, four miles instead of 20. The route was through a forestry reservation which he understood did not need dedication. It was resolved to bring the matter again under the notice of Ministers. From Grey County Council suggesting conference at Grovmouth on the Kith inst. relative to motor lorry regulations and the apportionment of fees collected.—Received. The Chairman and Clerk were deputed to attend the conference, the suggestion ol the Highways Board as to the allocation of fees to he pressed for, namely half on valu-

ation and half on mileage of roads. From Automobile Association complaining of the fencing of road reserve at Diedrich’s creek, Hokitika Gorge, and notifying a deputation would wait j on the Council regarding Ruatapu , road.—Received and referred to the Overseer to investigate. ! From John Minehan, Totarn, calling attention to the state of main road drain fronting his property and asking | assistance to clear same.—Received. . From Overseer Millner reporting cost 'of clearing drain referred to by J. Minehan was £3o.—Received and ap-

plicant referred to Highways Council, the work being on the main road. Front same notifying arrangement with J. Coyle to deliver gravel on Awatuna, road at 4s Gil per cubic yard.—Received and approved. From same, monthly report oil district works.—Received. From same estimating cost of access road for settlers near Mahinapua at £SO. with additional £2O to remove and re-erect fence. —Received. After discussion, the work which will he on tlie route of the Ruatapu road pressed for

by the Automobile Association, was authorised on the motion of Mr Wells, seconded by the Chairman, subject to all parties affected being satisfied. Tt was resolved to advise the Railway Department accordingly. From Roadman Nolan reporting on disirict works at Wataroa.—Received. Fimn Muiornian Robinson report of work performed by motor .lorry for past month.—Received. The Chair-

in:ui fu foil lor with the'Overseer in respect to tin 1 use. of tlie motor lorry nt Pa liner’s Creek llridge filling to save limning costs. I , ’mm Kokatalii Timber Company, suggesting that to satisfy all parties as to the maintenance of White Road, lit* Council perform the work and levy on Ibo timber hauled over the road.— Received and referred to the Chairman to report. From .T. J. Rooney, Artlmrstown, complaining of blocked rnod drain flooding seeiion.— Received and referred to tin- Overseer to attend to. From W. Vfillner. Overseer, reporting on culverts damaged by motor lorry on ICumara Reach road.—Received. Repairs. Cl 7 10s, authorised. The Finance Committee reported:— Vour Committee has the honor to report that the accounts presented for tlie month of .January. 1020, have been examined carefully, and begs to recommend Hint tin* amount as approved,

totalling .C1.27J (is 7tl, be passed lor payment.. Ucceived and adopted. 11t*j!orls from Overseer .Millncr, already published. were received. TEXBF.HS. Harris Creek Bridge. One tender was received, Young and Fleming, C2>">. This was declined, the price being much above the estimate. Taminelli Creek Bridge. No tender received. It was resolved both works be carried out by the County bridge staff. I lie Overseer to order the necessary material, ami Hie work to lie carried out as soon as the staff was available. NOTICES OF MOTION. The Chairman moved: “That the accounts presented for the month of January, 1020, as revised and recommended for payment hy the Finance Committee, amounted to C 1.271 Os 7d he passed for payment.” Mr Ware seconded. Carried. -Mr Searle for Mr Jeffries moved:— ■ That the Council agree to pay the cost C for £of erecting of small bridges or .tTain South Bond over Granite. Camerons and Cowhide Creeks, subject tr

mo mgnways non 111 proceeding expeditiously with the proposed works.” Mr Donovan seconded. Carried. Mr Duff moved :— •* That a vote of £ls be authorised for improving Stafford Comelcry road." .Mr Ward seconded. Carried. Mr Duff moved : ” That £ls be authorised for repairs to Duffers’ road." Mr Ward seconded. Carried. By leave Mr Donovan moved that Overseer Millner inspect and report on the bridge and culverts on Okarito Fork's road and indicate the safety load for the structures. He indicated heavy loading, including machinery, would probably be using the road shortly, and the report would bo valuable. Mr Sea lie seconded. Carried. The Council rose at 4 p.m.