WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 19 January 1927, Page 1

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

TUESDAY. JANUARY ISth

The Council met at 2 p.m. Present :—-Messrs W. Jeffries (County Chairman), 11. Ward, W. IT. Chinn, L. IT. A Lord, W .Searle, J. Donovan, ■). A. .Murdoch, F. A. Wells, and T. IT. (Tiesterinan.

The minutes of ordinary and special meetings were confirmed and outward correspondence approved. INWARD COR RKSPOX DENY'F.

From Treasury, notifying accrued revenue to the credit of the County Kuml Account. —Received.

From County Clerk, Rawenc, acknowledging circular re assessments of standing timber, stating Council had endorsed action and support, in the matter.—Received. From County Clerk. Dargavillc, re valuation of standing timber, advising that as timber in County was proof m ally all worked out. same would not be affected bv alteration in rating.— Received From Health Officer, forwarding report on infectious case at Dillmaiistown. Received and action taken tipproved. From Chief Surveyor asking consent to closing of unused road reserve, Wailangi Bridge approach road.— Received : and request approved. From Labour Department, forwarding circular enquiring what day had been appointed for the statutory halfholiday.— Received. From Mayor, Brunnerton, thanking Council for kind message of sympathy in connection with Dobson disaster.— Received.

From P. J. II ■ ggins, Kokatahi. asking for copy of agreement re road maintenance payment.—Received. The clerk reported Messrs Parry and Co and the Diggers’ Sawmill Coy had agreed to sign the agreement. Consideration deferred awaiting reply from Mr Higgins. From A. Xaneekivcdl, Hokitika, re complaint of not having reflectors on lorries, stating lorries were fitted with same last November, and tire- still oil. —Received. The Chairman staled that the matter affecting the contents of the letter was in the hands of the County Solicitor and it was resolved to allow it to follow the usual course. From C. A. Robertson, Harihari, asking Council to place pipes in drain fronting residence to give access from Main South Road to residence.- -Received ; referred to Overseer to confer with Overseer Fitzgerald and report. From W. Jeffries and Coy applying for renewal of auctioneer's license. - Received and granted. From Overseer Milliter, reporting on road to Ross Tame Kiln, stating damage caused through an empty petrol tin blocking inlet to the concrete pipe culvert which diverted flood water on to the road way, scouring same for a few (bains on lii 11 cost of repairs C2 IDs; reporting cost of footbridge asked for at Waitaba lagoon would be L’2o. Received. It was resolved that half the eosi of repairs to Limekiln road he granted. The question of a footbridge at Waitaba was deferred lill .after 31 t[ March. From X. Randall, Hokitika, continuing conditions and appointment ol motor lorry driver.—Received. From Mrs C. X. Greenland. Westport. conveying thanks for message of condolence- in respect to death of hoi husband.—Received. From Chitlin County Council forwarding newspaper report, ol interview with .Minister of Lands respecting ratine: on standing timber.—Received. The Chairman referred to the attitude taken bv North Island Counties in support of the altitude taken no by Westland County. It would he necessary to juts’ll on further with the agitation. Councillors approved ol the action raken and agreed that such steps as were considered necessarv should be continued, and if possible a conference of West Coast Comities to lie hold, ft . was further resolved to write to the Prime Minister urging his approval of a recent, proposal hy the lion. Mr .McLeod in 01 ago recently, in connection with n proposal for a subsidy on all timber cut.

From (Cook. Kaihitm. with respect o road drainage and asking lor addiion'al ‘Jo chains to cost about £3o. teeeivcd. It was resolved that Messrs lurdoeh and Ward interview the .Titov.

From Shannon Bros. Koiterangi, asking subsidy of Co for road drain off .Municipal road to relieve flooding in wet weather, —Received, referred to Overseer for inspection and approval. From Diggers Sawmill Coy Ltd. Woodstock, asking permission to lay bush tram on unused portion of Back Creek road.—Received ; request granted. under usual conditions subject to approval ot Overseer. from J. McQuilkin. Kanieri, asking for accommodation ol ( otiiteil lor subsidy to drive prospecting tunnel 700 feet. Belfast Range.—Received ; referred to Minister of Mines for favourable consideration.

From B. Dennohy. Matainui. asking tssistanee in clearing Wataroa south lank track beyond Gorge road.—Re•cived ; Roadman Nolan to report on mihable cost.

I l 'roil] Oversell' Millncr reporting post 0 f across required to AV aitalia Creek will lie C2O ; giving particulars ol road maintenance for past month. Rocoh ed. . From same reporting mi blocking of Pigeon Creek, in B. TTarcoiirt’s section. Whiteoinbe Valley.—Beeeived. From F. third and others, Bilim, asking for repairs to hack track, Back frock!—'Received : repairs to he effected by Bondman. FINANCE COMMITTEE'S BEPOBT. Vour Committee has the honor to report that the accounts presented for the month of December 1926. have keen carefully examined, and beg to recommend that the amount as approved. totalling Cl .362 11s yd. he passed for pavment. \Yitii regard to the Little Wanganui Ferry reserve, final notice for settlement. of the rent account within fourteen days be given, failing ■ which

the matter he placed in the hands of the County Solicitor.

In reference to the County buildings the unused portion adjoining is a menace to the main building, and the Department be asked to have the portion complained of demolished. In connection with this matter it is recommended also that a letter ol thanks be forwarded to the Hokitika hire Brigade for the prompt efforts in suppressing the late tiro in the buildings. Regarding the fence at Okuru river ford, further and final notice be given to remove same, failing which the Advisory Committee be authorised to have the work done.— Received and adopted. OVERSEER MTLEXER'S REPORT.

I have the honour to report upon the progress of work during the month of December. NORTHERN RIDING Kumara to Kapiton. Steady progress is being maintained by the Contractor Tor this-work, and the completion should he looked for at the end of February. MAINTENANCE. Tito old portion of TTokitika-Knmara road was cleared of gorso and blackberry. between the Main Highway and the sea beach, and encroaching growth cleared front the southern portion of Aralmra to Awatuna road between Viaduct Creek and the Main Highway. The Roadman attended to clearing and repairs to Aralmra Valley road, (Tearing on Humphreys, clearing tables and clearing on Blue Spur to Aralmra. and repairs anti clearing on the old Christchurch road. CENTRAL RIDING.

Luke Tvanieri Road Widening. The Contractors have completed the upper section near Lake Tvanieri, and will complete the lower section beyond Striplaml Creek bridge not later than “T7th January. | Lower Kokatahi Road Drainage. The hal'nneo remaining from the contract, lias been partly expended in constructing a new drain on the souther'll side of Lower Kokatahi road. between Lang’s Outlet, and T.ang road. MAINTENANCE. Repairs were effected to Lake Kanieri roatl, where possible hy the use of the road grader, other portions v ere repaired with crushed metal and pit gravel, and partly rolled with the ten ton roller. Walertables were cleaned in various places and a road drain reopened on the southern side of the road beyond Boucher’s Creek bridge. Lower Kokatahi road was repaired with broken metal and beach gravel, ami partly rolled with the ten ton roller. Road drains wore cleared and reopened on Whiteoinbe Valley, and Hokitika Flat roads on a subsidy nasi-. Portions of Municipal road were guided to remove the outer ridge of growth before being repaired with gravel. The stone crusher was operated for a short period, and a quantity of metal crushed in readiness for repairs to Lake Tvanieri. and Lower Kokatahi roads. Defective decking was replaced in Kokatahi River and Duck Creek bridges, and portions of Sunny Right road improved hy repairing some of the worst depressions. * SOUTHERN RIDING.

Cowhide Creek bridge. This work has advanced steadily under the direction of Bridge Foreman H. Reynolds ami to date the whole of the timber work excepting the' handrailing and wheel guards are in position, also JO wire net, and stone protective crates along the too of the southern approach and behind the abutment piles to lake Ihe place of hack lining. The greater portion ol the southern approach to the bridge is also eoiiijT'etecl. Petersen’s Road Extension. This work was completed hy the Contractors in a fairly creditable manner and will serve the purpose for which it was constructed. MAINTENANCE.

The Roadman attended to repairs on 'Robertson and Petersen’s road, during tin- first, week in December ; later he was transferred i.o assist in the construction of the protective work at Cowhide Creek bridge. ORDER PAPER.

The Chairman moved:—“That the accounts for the month of December, j(|.j(j, as revised and recommended by the Finance Committee, amounting to c|;{;(■) ijs.td. he passed for payment. Seconded hy Mr Chesterniaii and carried. The Chairman moved That A. (Tilton. Esq., bo re-appointed representative for the Council on the Hokitika High School Board of Governors tor tin" ensuing Lorm.” Seconded hv Mr Wells and carried. The Chariman moved: —“ I hat Wednesday afternoon of each week he declared the weekly half-holiday for the Countv of Westland, for the current vt .ar.”' Seconded by Mr Morel and

carried. The Chairman moved “ 1 hat public notice he given of the intention of the. Council to add ten per all rates outstanding after the 2,th January.” Seconded by Air fhestermaii and carried. t An aj,plication by Messrs Gibb Bros for a grant towards a track cut on their rm, at Green’s Creek was received. no action being taken.

A request for clearing out of Barn Pay track was mentioned by the C husrm'ati. the work being .recommended hy Mr Nolan of the Okuru Advisory Board. It was resolved that the work he authorised up to £ls. The Overseer was authorised to inspect the reported damage on sections at Stafford in Waniiea Greek and earnout repair work if considered necessary. The Council rose at I p.m.