WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 11 March 1927, Page 4

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

—. . 1 THURSDAY, MARCH 10. The Council met at 2 p.m. Present: Messrs W. Jeffries (County Chairman), B. Ward, J. .Donovan, T. R. Chcsterniau. AY. IT. Chinn, AV. Searle, L. It. Morel and E. A. Wells. An apology was made for the absence of -Air Murdoch. The minutes were con tinned and outward correspondence approved. INWARD CORRESPONDEXCE.

From Treasury, notifying accrued revenue to the credit of the County Fund Account.—Received. From .Minister of Lands, acknowledging letter with reference to river erosion at ivoilerangi, stating the matter was being looked into in eonjunc- ' tion with the Public Works Department.—Received. From same, with reference to letter from Mrs Walsh, re liver erosion at Waitangi, advising the matter was being looked into.—Received. From Minister of Public Works, with regard to the above, notifying that the position was being gone into and would receive consideration. Received. From same, with regard to the erosion at Koiterangi, advising the Department’s officers were arranging for the position to ho looked into.—Received. From x.IC. Y. Seddon, Esq., .M.P.. advising, that he would communicate with the .Minister of Public Works and Lands with reference to river erosion at (Waitangi and Koiterangi.—Pei erred. From .Minister of Public Works, in reply to Mr Seddon acknowledging letter with regard to river erosion at Kmterangi. advising that enquiries would be made into the matter.- Received. From Public Works Department, advising that the Chief Surveyor had been instructed to have a survey mado of Bruce Bay Inland Road when in that district.—Received. From Commissioner of Crown T,anils, regarding proposed crossing Waitaha Lagoon, advising proposals very satisfactory, provided the pipe will he sufficiently large to carry the water.—Received. From same, witli reference to areas of land at Arawata and Waialoto river for lease by ferryman, advising same had consideration at recent meeting, when it was resolved to grant Council a, year to year license over the areas at an annual rental of Cl.— Received; and accepted as very satisfactory. From District Traffic Manager of Railways, asking if flic Council would do anything towards providing conveniences at Lake Mahinapua.—Received; referred to Overseer to report and the Tourist Department to he approached for a subsidy. From Health Department, asking il the Council would make provision on annual Estimates for a larger levy towards services of the Health Inspector. —Received. Mr Ward moved that a reply be sent stating the -financial, position of tlie Council prevented an increase being granted. Seconded hv Mr Wells and carried. From same, forwarding notices in reference to infectious case at Kumara. —Received. From Mines Department, advising approval of subsidy to J: McQuilkin. for driving a prospecting tunnel at Belfast Terrace.—Received. From New /calami Counties’ Association, with regard to the matter of Dominion Federated Drivers’ I'niou dispute.—Received. From Kaniori Electric Ltd., applying for permission In erect a low tension transmission line across the road at southern extremity of Hokitika Bridge, to supply resident with electrical energy.— Received ; request granted. From same, thanking Council for granting application to cross road reserve, ami noting remarks regarding same, which will bo given attention. —Received. From National Bank reporting purchase of gold for period.—Received. From Bank of New Zealand with regard to same.—Received. From Pine Timber Ltd., asking permission to cart timber in restricted loads by motor lorry to Hokitika from side of Cameibaek road. Received. The action of flie Chairman in refusing the application was approved. From Overseer Millnor. reporting he- ' fore constant carting is in progress , bridges on Koiterangi roads require i

lie overhauling, and suggesting 0 toi ‘a limit put on loading.—Received. 1 1" From Rural Counties’ Assoc-iatio Taunuirunui, re timber rating, ndvi ing that a suggestion was made that o_ conference of representatives of Sat at millers’ Federation and Counties nit 'n be able to effect a compromise by will drawnl of opposition to a pro teeth duty on imported timber, asking win , e Council’s attitude would lie in the nut so ter.— Received ; the proposal was a] ■n proved by the Council, tlir- Clerk to at U vise accordingly. l '~ From P. J. Higgins, Kokntnhi, ac 'j vising lie was not- prepared to sign an agreement with regard to road mail temmee payment.— Received. Afte discussion the Chairman moved tlia the Council consider its contents ver unsatisfactory and that immediate in struetions be given to the solicitor ti take steps at once to stop the henv; motor traffic from this mill. Secondet by Mr Chinn. g From Imperial Timber Coy., Christ e church, regarding signing of agree ._ ment with regard to road maintenance stating as office is now in Christchurcr if agreement were forwarded same would he attended to.—Received ; n telegram to lie sent asking for an imj mediate reply before the Council takes action. j From J. MoQuilkin, Ivanieii. advis- , ing acceptance of prospecting subsidy ) on terms mentioned by Mines Depnrtt ment.—Received. From Tinipson and Lyes, Hokitika, applying for subsidy towards prospecting country in Totnrn district.—Received; to lie recommended to Mines Department. From Diggers’ Sawmill Cov., regarding milling right for tramway, advising Messrs Park and Murdoch have matter in hand.—Received. From R. T. Stewart, Dunedin, asking if Council would improve track on Five Aide Beach at Oknrito.—Received ; resolved Roadman Nolan he instructed to carry out repairs for a week. From Gibb Bros, AVailio (Jorge, applying for a graded track over Green Bluff at AVailio Gorge.—Received; referred to Southern members to meet tlie writer. Front Eric Janies, Oknru, respecting fence at Oknru, stating lie was going to use the road and river reserve when travelling, which is at present enclosed in Nolan Bros fence fronting the adjoining block.—Received. From Overseer Afillner monthly and detailed report on County works for February.—Received. From District Engineer enquiring estimated cost of repairing flood damage to Richardson road.—Received ; to be supplied. From Minister of Labour, copy ot Gazette notice giving. particulars of half holiday observed throughout tlie Dominion.—Received. From Canterbury College asking that any outflows of natural gas and helium might he reported.—Received. From Bailer County Council expressing thanks for entertainment accorded Afessrs Powell and Alelntyre on tlie j occasion of tlie Westland County, ■ jubilee.—Received.. From John Bradley, Arahura, dra#-j’

ing attention to the spreading of ragwort holdings in the valley.—Received; referred to Noxious Weed Inspector: also that the attention of the Minister be drawn to the alarming increase of ragwort in the district and that he he asked to instruct his officers to take action. From H. A. Finch and 17 others, Arahura, asking for a subsidy of £3 towards cost of erecting a footbridge over Arahura lagoon.— Received; consideration deferred to next financial vcai

From Harilmri Farmers’ Union asking for a joint inspection of river erosion by District Engineer and County authorities, the menace to the Elat being .considered serious.—Received : —r AVatkinson. Public Works Engineer, advised that there was no immediate danger. Letter referred to River Hoard. From same, a siting that a further grant lie provided for Petersen’s road extension and that no gates be allowed over portion open for ti'iiTlie; also enquiring wifcli, regard to transport over the tramway of Stuart and Chapman, Ltd.—Received. From AVataroa Hall Trustees, asking assistance in metalling approach to the new hall, and offering to assist.—Received. From AY. J. AA’allace, Matainui, asking for Overseer’s report regarding access track to section on the south side of AVataroa river, near the Coast. —Received; Oversere to inspect and Lake action. From Overseer Millner reporting £l2 subsidy was required for drainage on Hokitika Flat road asked for by AV. Jamieson; the culvert on Station road would cost CiM ; that M. Keenan's Joitv with excessive load had broken a bridge on Adair’s road ; that culvert renewals on Waitaha Settlement mail will cost CSI. that Detour road, AA'ataroa, requires attention and Okarito road metalling over (irst couple of miles from main road pit : that the County ear was caught in Dry Creek on 1:711 1 ult. and somewhat damaged, repairs being effected now under insurance policy, to cost about C do. —Received ; Jamieson’s drainage offer was accepted ,C for £. From same reporting the new lorry covered 700 miles during the month on a consumption of 17! eases of petrol; the work included carting scrub for protection work ; gravel for road repairs and widening, and timber and pipes for general works ; the old lorry covered oiiO miles for the month on a lonsumption of 1? eases of petrol, in addition to general transport work of plant and mateiial, the machine was used .for pile driving, and also brought the damaged motor ear up for repairs. Received. From same, monthly report on works performed.— Received. From same estimating cost of stopbank at by-stream South Hokitika at £2OO. a crate wall to be erected.-—Re-ceived. From Roadman Nolan reporting a wooden groyne was to be put in at the AA'aitangi river overflow hy the Govern* nieiii which should meet the present (roil hies.—Received. From Advisory Committee, Okurn, advising works carried out, removal of E. James’s fonre near ford crossing; recommending applications ho called for a ferryman at AVnitoto and Arawatn. subsidy £52 per annum with free occupation of reservations attached to the ferries.—Received. From Post, and Telegraph Department, re petrol (auks under footpaths. Received: Connell no! affected. FINANCE COMMITTEE'S- REPORT. Your Committee has the honor to report flail the accounts presented for Die month of February have been carefully examined, and hog to recommend that the amount as approved, totalling LJO.’il 17s ]d. he passed for payment. —Received and approved. ORDER PAPER. Tin* Chairman moved:—“That the accounts for the month of February. 1927, as revised and recommended for payment by the Finance Committee, amounting to £lO3l 17s Id, he passed for payment.” Seconded hy Mr Cliextorman and carried. Tile Chairman moved:—“ That the Treasurer prepare for the information of Councillors at next monthly meeting, the annual statement of the apportionment of the gross income (as estimated for the year commencing on the Ist April) and the proposed allocation of the surplus revenue over the several Ridings as

• required by the Counties Act.” Sec- ’ ended by Air Ward and earned, j Tlie ("naiiman moved:—-“That the Overseer prepare, a list of works for application for Government "rants.” Seconded by Air Ward and carried. 1 The Chairman moved:—“That the Council express pleasure and gratification to the Ut. [Ton the Prime , Alinister on the eomplotilm of the I AVaiho l iver bridge, and congratulate I the Public Works Department on the j erection of so fine a. type of bridge for , puhlie traffic.” Seconded by All j .Morel and carried, j Air Donovan moved: , plication he made for a grunt of £230, i £ for £, to the Public Works Department lor ihe uietalling and regrad ill" of Okarito road and the strengthening of I lie bridges on the route, the matter to he urged as one for special attention at the earliest moment.” Seconded by Air Wells and carried. -or Wells moved:— “That the Overseer report on the repairs necessary to Upper Hokitika Gorge track and the condition of the c-age crossing the, river, for the special use of prospectors.” Seconded by AD- Chcstcrmiin and carried. ft was resolved to make application for a grant for metalling the road near Walsh’s, Wehckn. from Ryan’s to tlie new homestead. ft was resolved to urge tlie Tourist Department to expend the vote of £73 on the track at Welcome Flat on the Copeland Tragk. It was resolved that the Overseer re-

port on work necessary for clearing out drain near Harris’s farm. Arahura Valley. Necessary repairs on Rotokino road were referred to the Roadman for at-

tention. The Council rose at 4.40 n.m