WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 15 June 1927, Page 4

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

TU-'JMY, JIM', lull. The Council met at 2 p.iu. Present: .Messrs J. A. Murdoch (County Chairman), B. Ward, E. A. Wells, W. 11. Chinn, J. Donovan, W. Searle. W. .Jeffries. T. U. Che.sterinan, and L. IT. Morel. The minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approved. MOTION' OK SYMPATHY. The County Chairman referred to the sad loss sustained since last meeting by Cr. Ward and the members of the family of the late Mrs Boyle, a very highly esteemed resident of Ponoghnes oi many years standing. He moved that the Council place on record, and convey to the relatives their deep sympathy in the sad bereavement they have sustained. The motion was carried in silence, members standing.

Mr Ward thanked the Conned for the motion, and stated he would convey the sympathy of the Council to tin* members of the lamilv. who would deeplv appreciate their kindness. PEPITATION. Mr W. J. Higgins waited on the Council in connection with the charges made by the Council for upkeep of the road to his mill at Upper Kokatahi. Mr Higgins submitted a written statement. setting out his views lor consideration ol the Council. Mr Ward asked why ibis was the first time that M.r Higgins had visited the Council, though he had been requested to do so many times in the past 8 or 9 months, and he replied that liis business had prevented him. Mr Jeffries stated that when lie was County Chairman he had made an appointment to meet Mr lliggins at the chambers S or 9 months ago. but Mr Higgins had failed cither to attend or send an aopolgy. The Chairman stated the Council would later consider Mr Higgins’ statement and let him know the result later. At the same time he must point out that it was strange that Mr Higgins had not come to the Council table though requested to do so. until the present moment, when it was public property that the Council was taking legal action on the matter at variance.

The Council later discussed the question briefly, and ultimately left the subject in the hands of the Chairman to take such action as was outlined in the general discussion. INAVAR D COKKESPO.N DKNCK.

From Treasury notifying accrued revenue to the credit of the County Fund Aecoui ll .—l’eceived.

From Minister of Public Works acknowledging" receipt of letter regard ing Okarito Pond, noting Council’s in tention to discussing same on proposed visit to the district.—Keceivcd.

From Mines Department, advising Minister’s approval of subsidy of 250 for purpose of carrying out repairs to Whitcombe ( alley Track beyond Hokitika Gorge.— Received. From Commissioner of Crown Lands, Hokitika, asking if Council has any objection to resolution recommending to have M.r F. Cooke’s proprety at Ivtimara Junction brought under provision of the Bush and Swamp Act.— Received. It was resolved that the Council had no objection.

From County Clerk. Tirau. with regard to amendment to the Counties' Act to provide for ending financial year ending on June 80th instead of March 81st.—Received ; no action taken.

From Acting Town Clerk, Hokitika, with reference to gravel reserves on road to Municipal Endowment, Koßeran gi, advising Council would assist in every possible way.—Received.

From Bunk ol New Zealand, Hokitika, notifying that it has been found necessary to raise rates for best overdrafts ami discounts to 7 per cent.— Received. The Chairman stated that he was not satisfied uilh the letter of the Bank. There was a concealment of the truth in it, in that reference to increased payment to depositors. He pointed out that most of the money on fixed deposit was for two years, and it was only those that renewed deposits after the increase was made that received the increased half per cent. Those who had 28 mouths or less to run received only the old rate of interest. The interest on all overdrafts was risen at once. As a matter I act the hank was scoring heavily between the times that old deposits matured. He thought the Council should protest against the increased charge, especially as the local bodies’ overdrafts wore now absolutely guaranteed by net of Parliament and every Councillor was personally liable if the legal limit was exceeded. The Council decided to enter a strong protest against the increased charge. From British Imperial Oil Coy, Christchurch, acknowledging letter witli reference to installation of pump, advising company’s representative would call and explain agreement form, forwarded.—Received; left to the Chairman to deal with.

From A. Jamieson, Koiterangi, asking for assistance towards cutting a drain about 14 chains in length on west side of Station road, Koiterangi. —Received; Overseer to report.

From Fleming and Dimmick, Ivoitcrnngi, offering Council half aero gravel pit situated on AVall’s road, for sum of £lß.—Received ; referred to Overseer to report. From C'. A. Robertson, Harihari, asking for consideration towards bridge approach to residence. —Received. From J. J. Mulvaney, Mahitalii, asking for assistance to clean out track to Abbey Rock run. Received; ilie Council regretted its inability to assist.

From J. Stephens. Harihari, applying for lease of ferry reserve at month of Big Wanganui river on the North Bank.—-Received ; tenders to be invited. From C. Passmore, Kmnara, applying for renewal ol slaughter house license. —Received and granted.. From Albert Searle, Tferepo, to same effect. —Received and granted. From John Mundy, Stafford, to same effect.—Received and granted. From C. Autheman, Harihari, forwarding application for slaughter house license, also plan of building.—Received ; request granted. From J. Donovan, M.C.0., Okarito, forwarding contract signed bv AA allace and son, for AYataroa South Bank track, draining and forming.—Received.

From Roadman Nolan, recommending that £7 IDs be paid for work done by Gibb Bros, at AYaiho ; advising arrangements are being made tor restoring wire bridge at Upper AYataroa; start being made with further repairs to Okarito road; advising Richardson road lias been badly scoured, and advising river should be diverted.—Received.

From AA’. D. Nolan, advising Public AA'orks Department has commenced repairs to Turnbull River road; advising minor repairs had been carried out on Okuru dray road.—Received and approved.

From same, acknowledging; telegram re tV. O’Leary’s account for boats to be deducted from McKenzie’s salary, asking that the customary charge at Waitoto and Arawata ferry stand as previously.—" Received. From same, advising A. Cowan’s departure from district on extended holiday, suggesting that Eggeling Bros take charge of Lower Okuru ferry in his absence.—Received and approved.

From District Engineer offering no objection to erection of approach bridge at Harihari; also no objection regarding piping road drain at hall approach, Harihari.—Received.

From Chief Surveyor asking assent to closing of unused road South Hokitika.—Received ami agreed to. From W. J. Guthborlet, Chesterfield, offering to clear blackberries off section of road if given permission to place gates across road reserve.-—Re-

reived; request granted. From Farmers’ Union. Ilnrihari, in respect to gates on Petersen road, drawing attention to inconvenient manner in which gates are hung; also that hulls be not allowed to wander on road.—Received; attention to be called to the complaints. From H. If. Busch, Maintain, asking for grant to maintain road to his property, and also further consideration for permanent roading.—Received ; consideration adjourned. From Overseer Millner reporting estimating cost of road access required hy B. O’Brien, Kokatahi, at ,C2O; flearing Milltown road £10; Milltown track £l2; Styx track £ls; bridge at Mrs Robertson’s, Harihari (without labor) £5 ; supplying general report on road works.—Received, No action taken in reference to the first paragraph : tho Chairman to arrange with Overseer for actual necessities in the next three. The last reference was declined hy the Council, the Chairman to refer the request to the Highways Board. From Roadman Nolan, reporting on works for past month, including eleven days’ work on Okarito road; stating Detour road required gravelling a distance of 15 chains ; Bird road, holes filling. Okarito road, holes filling: Three Mile track in good order.—Re-

ceived. Mr Donovan took exception to the statement that Three Milo track was in good order. The track was not in good order and the approach was in had order. Further discussion on the subject was taken later. From Overseer M.illner, reporting on approach to residence of Mr Kidd. Matainui.—Received. From Mrs Kerry, secretary, Harihari Hall Committee, extending invitation to opening of new hall.—Received and j invitation accepted with thanks. |

From Overseer Millner notifying for month No. 1 motor lorry had carted 878 yards of gravel, 8 other loads, and had graded 9 miles, on 120 gallons; while No. 2 lorry had carted 500 yards ( of gravel and had graded 12 miles of load, on 111 gallons of benzine.—Re-j eeivcil. An application by Mr Morpeth for the use of a strongroom portion of the | building recently demolished, was referred to tiie Clerk to attend to. A AYR IT. The Chairman intimated that the Council had been served with a writ, claiming ,950 damages, by Mr AY. T. N. , Uuiul. of Aruliurn. It was resolved that the matter lie referred to the Countv Solicitor to attend to. i REPORTS. i FINANCE COMMITTEE. ;

Your Committee lias the honor to lvpori that the accounts presented for the month of May. have been carcfuUy examined, and beg to recommend that t the amount as approved, totalling C 1,578 5s Pd, he passed for payment. An account for £2 9s (id to Roadman Nolan for horse hire on AYaiaroa and i Okarito roads is referred to the Council to deal with, the Committee not being satisfied to pass the account on its . own responsibility. The question of replying to the Sawmillers’ Federation in respect to the rating of standing timber has been re- J ferred to the town members for further | consultation and to reply to the statements set out in the letter of the Federation forwarded to the Council through the Taumai mini County Conn- j oil. | Your Committee is glad to he able, to report that the check oil general expenditure is having satisfactory re-' suits, and will enable the County Fund

to recover some of the previous drift. For the three months ended June, Uie following are the comparative figures relating to the expenditure for the past three years:—l92s, 94,718 (is (id ; 192(5. 9(i.8(i0 15s Oil; 1927, 21.158 14s 3d.— Received.

Received and adopted. COUNTY CHAIR MAN'S RKPORT. Gentlemen, — [ have the honor to report that owing to a prior engagement it was not convenient lor me to attend the .Jubilee celebrations of the Grey County Council as I desired to no. The Council, however, was well represented by Crs. Chesterinan and Donovan and the clerk, and thanks are due for their attention to the matter. I had the honor of being asked to assist at the opening of the Kokatahilvoiterangi Winter Show. The promoters are to be congratulated heartily on the display, which was a surprise and delight to the large attendance of patrons. The exhibition should give the people faith in the resources of the district and encourage the settlers rn the fullest cultivation of their holding to ensure greater production and so contribute to the welfare of the them-

selves and the district at large. The South trip to assist at the opening of the splendid bridge erected i>y the Government over the Wniho River was a very pleasant one. The weather was all that could he desired, and the whole proceedings passed off most pleasantly. The district is to he congratulated on the new structure, which is a great boon to the far south traffic. To the member for the distreit and all who assisted to provide so fine and serviceable a bridge, the thanks of the community are due. While south there was also the pleasurable opportunity of assisting the Wataroa people in~the opening of their fine new hall—a credit to any district. The people are to he congratulated on their enterprise in this matter, indicating as it does tlieii faith in the future of the district. While in the southern district 1 had to refuse several requests which were made to me for special grants for local works owing to the state of the County finance, lint in each instance I referred the applicant to the resident menr her for the riding so that the matters can he brought up and considered by the Council as a whole. In onry one instance, after conferring with the riding member, an expenditure of £3 was granted for a work at the Wniho. owing to the rough and dangerous state of the road, which served four families. At Hariliari where a new hall fs being erected, after consulting the resident Councillor, consent was given to assistance in making the necessary approach. Pipes were supplied by the Council, and the service of the roadman granted for two days to assist the ! settlers with the work in hand. Received and adopted. ORDER PAPER. The Chairman moved:—“That the accounts for the month of May, 1927, as revised and recommended for payment by the Finance Committee, amounting to £1573 5s 9d, he passed for payment.” Seconded by Mr Wells and carried. The Chairman moved:—“That nilj existing Committees he discharged and the Council proceed to appoint fresh Committees a.s follows: | (a) Finance Committee:—Crs. Jet-| fries (Chairman), Wells, Morel and ! Donovan. j (b) Public Works Committee: —Crs. ■ Chesterman (Chairman), Chinn. Searle j and Ward. j (e) Mining Committee: —Crs. Donovan (Chairman), Wells, Chesterman and Ward. l

(d) Councillors to Sign Cheques: — Tho Chairman, Crs. Jeffries, AA ells, Morel and Donovan, with the Treasurer.” Seconed by Mr AA’ells and carried.

Tho Chairman moved: —“ That AA'illiam Millner County Overseer, be appointed an examiner of motor drivers for the County ol AVestlaiul and interior Boroughs of Hokitika and Ross.” Seconded hy Mr Chesternuin and carried.

Mr Searle moved: —“That a vote of £5 be authorised for urgent repairs to tho unformed portion of Doeherty Road for access purposes. Seconded hy Mr Donovan and carried. The Council then resolved into Committee to consider a clause in the Finance Committee’s report and matters affecting the South AVestland rooclmnn’s district. On resuming from Committee it \\«ts reported that the account of Roadman Nolan referred to in the report ol the Finance Committee was passed for payment. It was reported also that the following resolution had been reached m Committee That with a view to economising in the administration ol the Southern Riding the services of Roadman Nolan he dispensed with at the end of July, 1927, and that in future the works in the AA’ataroa-AVniho district he carried out under the direction of the tneinher for the Riding, and the supervision ol the County Overseer, who shall make at least monthly visits j of inspection Lo the district ; and that six months’ trial ho given of the economy scheme herein proposed.” The actions in Committee were ap- ; proved by the Council unanimously, and the meeting concluded at 5.15 p.m.