WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 22 September 1926, Page 4

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21st. | The Council met at 2 p.m. Present: leasts \V. Jeffries (County Chairman), i 0. A. Weirs,".L. Morel, W. H. Chinn, ; ( i. Donovan, j. A. Murdoch, B. Ward, j 11. Chestennan. An apology was made for the absence if .Mr W. Searle. I The minutes were confirmed and out- j vard correspondence approved. 1 Mr Murdoch moved a vote of svmlatlry with the family or the late Y . tenyoii, ex-Mayor of Kurnara. lho Jhairman seconded. Carried. ATr Cullen waited on the Council ,vith reference to cleaning the Yhi to road drains. The matter was left to the Overseer to report. j INWARD CORRESPONDENCE, j Prom Treasury, notifying accrued revenue to the credit of t'ue County Fund Account.—Received. From Minister of Mines, asknowledg j ing letter received conveying opinion of the Council in regard to lees re-j cently prescribed under the mining regulations, and asking which lees have the effect of discouraging the individual miner in attempting foi- j low up alluvial gold mining.—Recoilod. From same, asknowledging further letter forwarding a table .showing the , increases made in' the lees, to aliieli exception was taken, stating same "ill bo carefully considered by the Minister when the Regulations are. beiflg re- . vised.—Received. From Public Works Dept., advising that there is no objection to black Hinau piles' being used tor bridges in cases of emergency, provided suitable sticks can be obtained.—Received. I From same, with reference to Cron’s Road, stating it was agreed to delete the item from the Estimates. —Rcceived. | From same with regard to Petersen i Road alterations, asking for the reason for the increase in price of work.—Rc- j reived and Overseer Mdiner's explan-I ation sent on. ; From Overseer Millner, reporting re-j garding Petersen’s Road Extension.— Received and considered satisfactory. From Public Works, forwarding c-opy of Alain Highways Estimates. — Rcceiv-

> 0(1. Krom same, enclosing instrument of appointment as member to the No. 12 • District Highways Council. —Received. ' From same, forwarding circular re- , • reived from tlio Chairman of the Mam I ■ Highways Board re boundary signs. 1 • asking wlmt action the Council was t taking in the matter.—Received. I From same, re works commenced by > local bodies for which provisional ap-; - proval only of plans and specifications 3 has been obtained, no application fori formal authority to permit the works. 4 being put in band having been forwarcto ed to Head Office, asking if any works - have been commenced by local authori-. v tics in district for which authority has t not been obtained.—Received. i e From same forwarding extracts from il re classification of main highways, o namely Tercmakau to Ross, second f class; Ross to Wniho: Kuinnra. to r Arthur’s Pass, third .class.—Received. II A further letter in reply to a protest i. against the classification stated that it a was not possible to accede to the re's Sliest, even if done so it would involve the County in further expense. Mr i- Cliinn stated the fixing of the road as i- a third class road meant paralysing south trade. He thought the road y would stand heavier traffic. He moved j- that ’the Council wait on the Chairman il of the Highways Hoard when in the k district. Seconded hv Mr Donovan, who did not think the heavy traffic it for Wniho bridge material had injured i- the road. Air Ward thought the Council i- should move warily in the matter as he l- was of opinion that the limit should v- not he raised till the road was widened. :o The motion was agreed to. X' From same, forwarding reply from >]■ Chairman -Main Highways Hoard stat'd i:ig the Board are unable to approve ;e any funds for tile widening of Slienni-.-e- doali Creek Bridge and road cuttings it at Selby’s Hill.—Received, ic From Valuer-General, with reference ■’u to letter objecting to certain alteraxl tions'in th.c Valuations rolls.—Receivlt ed. •d From Commissioner of. Crown Lands, v- stating instructions have been issued v- to undertake the survey of the p'ropos'le cd deviation, of .Main South Road.—Rett- e.ived. n- From W. J. Butler. Wellington, adul vising that the Council take steps to ic have the Forestry Bill reviewed, with a ■>n view to amendment.—-Received, c'o From Minister in Charge, Valuation t_ Department, re valuation of land, statre ing hill of amendment to provide for v- County Councils collecting rates on ? c standing timber for current year was Ls passed bv Committee, and the matter n- would he looked into further.—Received. From County Chairman, advising Clerk to interview the member for the district in connection with the Forest ST- Amendment.—Received. ;T From Coir j Clerk, advising Minisos tor had given assurance that revenue j t | was unaffected other than ten per cent., n and the possibility of the Bill being c | dropped.—Received. e . From Grey County Council, with ren- gard to .Motor Lorry Regulations.—Rc1C ceived. il* From County Clerk. Westport, ask’s ing to advise the date the engineer has so information prepared for conference at Reefton re river erosion.—Received ; b- action of Clerk in replying, confirmed, rs From Station master, Hokitika, ack- knowlcdging letter regarding tree ie caught in the Hokitika Bridge, stating [n it had been forwarded to’ the District to Engi necr.—Received. rs From T. P. O’Xcill, Tvokatalii. forx- warding letter re state of pound at ig TCokatnhi, and asking that repairs he ly carried out to same.—Received; icto solved the Overseer effect necessary re--1 pairs to pound, estimated cost .MO. a From ,T. Murdoch. Ross,.re grant of ly £4O asked for to complete road authoris ised from Ross township to Ross kiln, >g asking if the Council would spend an '> other £2o Mi the road.—Received. Tt M whs resolved to make a. final grant of \ v Cl2 10s for the work. ’ s From Stuart and Chapman Ltd., 10 Ross, regarding trucks left on line on I,c Bold Head road blocking track for 111 horsemen, stating that steps will be M taken that no further cause for complaint will he given.—Received. 10 From M. A. McKay, Harihari, adrs vising that a complaint had been lodgc" cd with the roadman concerning wandering stock on the road frontage.— Received. ■From Wataroa Public Hall Committee, thanking Council for assistance in making approaches to new hall site.— Received. I_ From R. Gunn, Matainni. on behalf of the Wataroa Branch of the Farmers' . Union, drawing Council’s attention to the state of the footbridges on the County roads leading to the school.— j Received ; Overseer to report. v From Motorolan Robinson, forwarding explanation why tlio lorry was not e out on fith inst.—Received. , s From Overseer Milkier. reporting • e upon the progress of works during the _ , month of August.—Received. j ; s From same reporting having inspect(l cd drain on the western side of Murray | s Road, complained of by W. Graham, v advising the cost would he £l6 to place in order; also reporting that Duck Creek Bridges require some faulty s planks renewing for ordinary traffic; 5- having inspected with the Grey County d Engineer, the Teremakau Bridge, which requires repairing.—Received.

From W. D. Nolan, Okurn, re E. James request for grant to clear out Earn Bay road, advising that the imount asked for would not be sufficient to do the work, and recommend hat the money be not granted. Reeivcd. From Bank of New Zealand reporting purchase of gold for period.—Received. From Commissioner of Crown Lands with reference to exchange of gravel sites, Christchurch Road.—Received; referred to Highways Board. From Highways Council declining to entertain payment for timber account, Mikonui Bridge.— Received ; consideration deferred. ( From Highways Board, ciculars with respect to heavy traffic regulations, etc. —Received. From Public Works Department with respect to certificate in regard to the taking of land.—Received. From E. Herlihy notifying payment of rent of Big Wanganui ferry reserve. —Received. From 0. J. Nightingale enquiring position with regard to starting the load contract, Mahinapua Creek reserve.—Received. It was resolved to have a. report submitted by next meeting of the whole cost of the fencing and reading necessary. From Stafford Library Committee, thanking the County Council for grant to funds which would he utilised in procuring books.—Received. From Overseer Millner explaining the difference in regard to road estimate for Petersen road.—Received. From same estimating repairs to Kokatahi Pound at CIO. —Received. From same estimating cost of repairs to Collyer’s Creek bridge, Okurn, nt ;C(il); bridge Turnbull River overflow £25, less £5 contribution promised.—Received. From Roadman Nolan reporting on road grading works in Wataroa district, whore good work was:being done. —Received. From A. R. Eleoek. on behalf of W. |<\ Bond, claiming £59 for damages lone to his property, Arahurn, in connection with repairs to drain.—Received : no action taken. From R. Moynihan. Secretary, Farmers’ Union, Kokatahi, asking that the deposit of empty petrol tins be prohibited. as they interfere, with the drains. Received. Mr Morel moved that a warning bo given against tbo deposit of empty tins on the County drains. Seconded by Mr Cliesternian and carried. From W. A. Jamieson asking for three pipe drains across the road near his property. He was prepared to do the work if the pipes were provided.— Received and approved. From I). Rennehy asking if Bird road could be metalled at an early date.—Received ; the Roadman to attend to. From W. Robinson, niotorman. report for month.-—Received. REPUTATION. A deputation consisting of Messrs F. Howard and W. Houston waited on the Council, complaining of the condition of Arthurstown road. The Chairman stated the work was one that was to he put in hand at once. FERRY RESERVES. Mr E. Herlihy waited on the Council in reference to the rental on the Hondo's ferry reserve, asking for a reduction in the annual rental. The Chairman *»..ied at last meeting the Council had made a demand for payment of outstanding rent and rates and this had been paid by Mr Herlihy. Mr Ward said the rental was fixed on a. valuation made by a responsible Government officer. The only way t J review it was to obtain a new valuation. .Ur Murdoch was .of opinion that, the values of the laiul in South AVostlaml were far t >;> high. He favoured giving the applicant immediate relief. Air Donovan agreed that the rent charged on this reserve was far too high, lie moved that the rent he reduced from C!5 to £25 per year, for five years. Mr Chinn seconded, considering that even CTS would he sufficient. Tiie motion was carried. In connection with the notice sent to J. Miuehan. to which, no notice was taken, it was resolved to give final notice for payment before October 12th. FINANCE COMMITTEE'S REPORT, j Your Committee lias the honor to rci port that the accounts presented for : the month of September, 1920. have been carefully examined, and beg to recommend that the accounts as approved. totalling C 1520 Ss 10d. be passed for payment. | Your Committee recommend that a I grant of £5 5s he voted to the Griramond Memorial at- Ross, j Received and adopted. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT. ! In moving the reception of the report j .'published yesterday) Afr Chinn congratfilated the Chairman oil the very comprehensive report that he had .submitted. Having had the company of ( the Overseer there will he milch valuable information for the future. He also recognised the value of the eouni try committee's work. AT.r Donovan joined in recognising the report. ATr Chestennan also complimented the Chairman on the valuable report submitted. The Council was doing its best for the south district. but what was wanted was new blood there. Messrs Wells and Morel also congratulated the Chairman on the report submitted. The report was adopted and the recommendations referred to the Chairman, Overseer and Clerk for attention at next meeting. CHAIRMAN'S SPECIAL REPORT. Tn furtherance of a, resolution at the last meeting of the Council, m conference was held on the evening of the 28th August, at which Overseer Millner, Motorman Robinson, the Treasurer and 'County Chairman attended. The business set out was the question of where the lorries should ha stationed and housed in order to give the best results as to work and efficiency. ' At- the outset it will be remembered that the Council by resolution soipc three years previously, delegated to the Overseer t.ho control of all motor lorry work, hut as the result of differences arising from time to time, this authority lias not been strictly enforced. The question has also cropped up at the Council table in the course of its deliberations. At'present the new lorry is housed at Hokitika and on Motorman Robinson’s admission, its running cost- is .as follows:—Loaded Dd per mile ■ empty 6d per mile."' As the greatest necessity for the j lorry services during the past two years has been in the Kokatahi, Koilorangi, Blue Spur, Arahura districts, which comprise the most road mileage in the County, it was agreed that oho lorry should be permanently housed at Kauieri to meet the requirements of the districts mentioned. Bv this decision the running cost between Hokitika and Kanieri will be savinl to the Council, and the Overseer will have direct control over the lorry and its work which, lie cannot at present exercise. * The second lorry is at present occupied in the Southern district 1 mid will he for some weeks to come. When both lorries are in their home district, tjhe Overseer is of opinion (and I 'agree with him) that they should be housed at Kanieri. The erection of a shed for the lorries can be done at the site where the roller shed now stands

at a very small cost and we recommend this be done. The question of expenses, to motormen when away from home was fully eon© into, and as the terms of their appointments do not provide for such payment, it was agreed that their claims could not be entertained by the Council. In exceptional cases, however, where ip would be to the Council’s advantage to allow the lorry to remain away at night, the question of expense or allowance was left to the Overseer to finally decide. With regard to the setting out of work for the lorries from day to day, it was decided that the schedule of same should be prepared by the. Overseer. and motor drivers must earnout bis instructions implicitly. COUNTY OVERSEER’S REPORT. I have the honour to report having inspected the following bridges during mv trip to South Westland. ' COLLYER’S CREEK BRIDGE. This bridge was reported unsound and was thoroughly examined by Mi W. D. Nolan, and myself. Repair: may bo required during the ncxi j twelve months at tho earliest, whci I the following timber will require re

newinK:—14x10, 1/19 feet stringers in the second stream span, 14x10, 3/6 feet corbels in the second stream pier; 12x12, 1/13 feet cap in the first stream pier. This pier was originally the western abutment but the river eroded the billing behind the lining and a new span was constructed across the washout. 1-Ixlo, 4/6 feet corbels will also bo required on the first stieam pier, at present the stringers ale butted over the cap. I can guarantee th ( , structure safe for three ton loads for twelve months, when approximately 1,000 superficial feet ol timber will be required for repairs which will cost £OO. TUIINIiI'I.L RLVER OVERFLOW. A footbridge crossing the overflow was partly destroyed, and the Chairman of the Advisory Committee advised me that he would like to have it restored, or a suspension bridge

constructed in one 100 feet span, at a cost of £26. Mention was made that .Messrs Eggeling would contribute £5 -towards the work. OVERSEER MILLXER’S REPORT. I have'the honour to report having inspected La Fontaine Creek Bridge, l.a Fontaine Road, Horepo, during my visit to South Westland. As far us could bo ascertained all the timber in the bridge is sound being inner heart of totara, and should carry all but heavy lorry traffic in safety. Traffic plunking of 9x2 timber placed longitudinally on ithe present _ horizontal decking would remove the jar of wheel traffic, and render the structure more rigid. Several of the deck planks require renewing being fractured In traffic. An uprooted tree lying in the creek bed above the eastern abutment and partly silted up, requires removing and this will be attended to within the next fortnight when the County lorry is in tho district. The bridge is supported by trestles placed on the creek bottom, and these wil be examined for scour before the 24th inst., as there appears to bo tin increased depth of water at two stream pier trestles. The cost of placing traffic planking approximately 1,009 superficial feet will •amount to £lB 10s, £ls of which will Po absorbed ill tho purchase of sawn

timber. CLEARAVATER. CREEK BRIDLE.. The remains of this bridge was inspected. the. centre portion of GO feet being carried by the accumulation of drift timber during flood. The renewal requiring piles to 'be driven, two new spalls constructing, and the rcmaini„,r portion of old structure overhauled? and defective timber removed and rep’hcetl. Jit a cost ot 01 * The bridge is on the line of one, or UlO tracks, on the north, bank of Cooks River, and appears seldom used. A good many bridges in tbc far soiu.i were also examined and found to be in passable order. Received and adopted. TENDERS. KOK AT AHI DRAIN. £ s. d. MoyniFnu and Jensen ... 139 0 0 P. ’Mitchell ami party ... 144 15 0 McQuilkin and O’Brien ... 146 10 0 J. Fnrsvlh and party ... Kw 0 n E. Morris 214 2 6 The tender of P. Mitchell and party was accepted, that of Moyniban and Jensen being invalid, being more than p,O per cent, below the estimate. LAKE? ROAD. C s. <l. .Moyniban and Jensen ... 3'9 0 0 • las. Oriflin and party ... 391 10 0 J. Forsyth and party ... 388 0 0 McQuilkin and O’Brien ... 399 10 I! F. Mavill 415 0 0 J. Coyle Ml 0 0 The tender of Moyniban and Jensen was accepted. ORDER PAPER. The Chairman moved T’’at the accounts presented for the month of August, 192 G. as revised and re-

commended fox- payment by the Finance | Committee, amounting to £lo2S 8s 10d, bo passed for payment.” Seconded by 111- Chesterman and earned. The Chairman moved :—“ That pursuant to the provisions of the regulation as to the use. of motor lorries, Alfred John Sloss he appointed an In- , spector under the said regulations for the district of the County of Westland.” Seconded by Mr Wells and carried. The Chairman moved “ That I George Morris, County motonnan John Frederick Pcthig, of Moss, be appointed additional examiners of motor drivers for the County of Westland and interior Boroughs of Hokitika and Moss, as from the Ist Sept. 1926.” Seconded by Mr Morel and carried. The Chairman moved: —“ That the Overseer he- instructed to prepare plans and specifications for the expenditure of Government grants from tho Public Works Fund as soon ns convenient, and when same mrc approved. tenders he called for the works, without delay.” Seconded hv Mr Wells and carried. \ The Chairman mow’d“ That » cordial invitation he extended to Their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of York, to include in tho Dominion tour while in Yew Zealand, a visit to South Westland, to view the scenic wonders of the district, including tho Wailio Glacier and other outstanding features of the southern motor trip.” Seconded by Mr Wells and am carried. The* ( haii-man mentioned a letter re reived that day from John Miuehnn ii reference to necessary road work Woolhouse Mosul, nnd.it was referrei to the Highways Board for eonsidera tiou. The Chairman moved in eonnoctioi with Potter’s Creek erosion, that th engineer of the Public Works Depart ment he asked to eolifer with the resi dents in connection with tlie taking o necessary steps to prevent further on: sion. Seconded by Mr Dou'ovan an carried. / | At the request of Mr Morel the Overseer was asked to report in connection with the putting in repair of Wall wnd extension. The Council rose at 0.10 p.m.