WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 20 July 1927, Page 4

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

TUESDAY, JULY 19th. The Council met at 2 p.m. Present: —Messrs J. A. Murdoch (County Chairman), IS. A. Senile. L. H. Morel, \V. Searlc. W. H. Chinn, J. Donovan, \V. .Jeffries, and 11. Ward. The minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approved. MOTION OF SYMPATHY. The Chairman moved that the Council convey to Cr Donovan and relatives its deepest sympathy in connection with the death of that sterling pioneer Mr Wm. Patrick. Seconded by Mr Wells and carried in silence. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE. I'roii! Bernard Ward. Aralinra. thanking Council for expression of sympathy.—Received. From Treasury, notifying accrued revenue to the credit of the County Fund Account.—Received. From Minister of Public Works, advising that the matter of a Government contribution for Waitatigi River Erosion will receive careful consideration.—Received ; further particulars to he sent to the Minister. - From Lands and Survey Department, Wellington, forwarding copy of proclamation of land proclaimed as a road in Block VII, Waitalia S.D.—Received. From Commissioner of Crown Lands,

forwarding schedule showing amounts of thirds and halves, for period ended .‘Dili J tine.---Received.

From County Clerk, Westport, with regard to matter of holding conference of representatives regarding river erosion.— Received. Mr Donovan regretted the Government Department had no policy whatever on the important question nl river erosion in Westland. .M.-sm-s Donovan and Chinn also urged the urgent necessity of something being (lone to inevent further damage by river erosion. Mr Jeffries favoured the Government lie informed that in the opinion ot the Council the time had arrived lor the appointment of a i-oiiimissioi) to deal with river erosion in tin- Dominion. Mr Ward supported, feeling, however, that ill spite of all that was done, river erosion will still go on its devas-

tating way. Mr Jell'ries moved that this ( ottncil views with considerable alarm the serious erosion that is taking place in UnCounty. and that the Government he urged to set up a Board ot Enquiry into the question of river erosion in the Dominion, and that the County Councils of the Coast he advised and requested to give support to the proposal. The motion was seconded by Mr Ward and carried. From Bank of New Zealand'advising no variation in the minimum rate for overdrafts is permitted.—Received. From AecViinat isation Society, Hokitika, notifying that Hie Society will contribute £75 to the Council for Dorothy road extension.- Received. From South Island Motor Union, Christchurch, advising Union’s proposal that it should be granted a separate representative on the Highways Board, asking for Council's consideration nt same.- Received. From Inter-Wanganui Dairy Coy, refusing to pay special rates, stating the company receives no supplies I nun the road on which i’oan rate was levied. —- Te< eivod. From J. Fitzgerald, Waihinihiiii. applying for renewal of slaughter house license.—Received and granted. From T. A. Condon, Tntare, a-king lor subsidy towards cost of constructing a turn-out in front of residence. Received ; recommendation of Chairman last September of payment up to .( was agrec-d to. From It. Seoa.se. Karaugarua. applying for assistance to put up wire fence nut ml Karaugartta Cemetery. Receiv'd : referred to Advisory Committee tor report. From Roadman Nolan, with reference to termination of services as ronoiiiiin, thanking members tor support always given, and hoping the economy scheme, being introduced would be sue•essfui.—Received. From same, advising that the boats used for ferry at Wataroa Gorge will be used privately in future.— Received. From 11. Tleveldt, Mntainui, asking for assistance to the upper track of Wataroa which is almost impassable. —Received. From CL Bagiev, asking for payment for work done on Ten I track. -Receiv•d ; referred hack for authority for work. From Overseer Milliter reporting on condition of Mahiiiapun Crock Bridge, also reporting the southern approach to Lower Kakapotalii bridge was being endangered by erosion of bank under and below the bridge abutment, cost Cl 4 It's to protect: forwarding monthly report regarding district works.—Ret eivod. It was resolved to lose Mnliinaptt Creek bridge to vehicle and cattle traffic.

From District Engineer notifying instructions had been issued to Overseer Carroll' to put Upper Oktiru road, £IOO £ for £. in band.— Received. From Native Trustee replying there was qo objection to the Council taking gravel front the Aralinra river provid,‘tl precautions are taken to see that the course of the river was not affected.—Received. From N.Z. Counties’ Association with regard to procedure affecting arbitration awards where employees were involved.—Received. From same conveying remit carried by Motor Union Conference asking that trees or other growth obstructing views •if traffic at corners might be removed to lessen the liability of accident.—Received. From same forwarding printed copy of annual balance sheet, liabilities £7! 12s Oil, assets £2Ol 18s Bd.—Received. From same reporting fees on account of licenses (other than Licensing Act) issued by various local bodies.—Received.

From Ross Borough Council inviting co-operation in repairing Mt. Greenland track on which £2O would be spent at the Borough end.—Received. From N.Z. Farmers’ Union. Auckland. asking support to a policy whereby the government give relief in the matter of production by a gradual reduction of the protective customs taxation on British goods.—Received. Front Mark Wallace. Jvokatahi, inviting members to a farewell social to t L. If. Morel on the 21st inst.—Reeeiv-1 ed and accepted. From Rimu United Sluicing Coy. asking consideration regarding Mines Department road subsidy in respect to further mining operations ot the Company.—Received ; referred to Mines Department. From M. Keenan asking permission to erect skids on Municipal road reserve.—Received ; request granted subject to approval of Overseer. From A. Nancekivell with regard to prosecutions pending against liis drivers in regard to exceeding the load limit on La Fontaine road.—Received. From S. Holley and J. Crowley, Smith Spit, asking attention to road drain, which required deepening.—Received ; Overseer to report. From J. Taylor, Kokatahi. drawing attention to the urgency of repairs to ; Lawson road.—Received: already authorised . J From R. If. Mehrton, Koiterangi. : asking for drain connection on McArthur road.—Received : Overseer to re-

port . From D. Deimehy, Mntainui. with reference to road works affecting flax milling operations and asking conces-sions.—-Received. From Overseer Millner asking leave for N. Randall : notifying heavy cartage on Municipal road: reporting gravel reserve Wall’ road; L'lo required tor Ross-Kokatnhi track repairs and general' report.—Received ; leave granted. From Thos. Walsh. Welieka, asking for road approach to his holding.— Received. No tenders were received for ferry reserve at Inter-Wanganui. It, was resolved to oiler the reserve to Mr Stephens at 22 per year. FI NANCE COMMITTEE’S R EBORT. Your Committee lias the honour to report that the aeeounts presented for the month of June. 1927, have been carefully examined, and beg to recommend that the amount as approved, totalling £ 1742 Us 2d he passed for payment. The annual rate is being struck today. and it would he of great help to the Council if the ratepayers would pay promptly in an effort to keep down overhead charges and so assist in the matter of general economy. In connection with rates overdue and outstanding more than one year, it is recommended the amount owing be sued Tor alter I I days from to-day’s notice, as it is imperative to recover the revenue promptly if the Council is to do its Inst for the County as a whole.--Re reived and adopted. ORDER PAPER. The Chairman moved:—'‘That the accounts for the month of June, 1927, as revised and recommended for payment by the Finance Committee, amounting to C 17.22 2s 2d, he passed | for payment.” Seconded by Mr JetI fries and carried. 'I lie Chairman moved:—"That the Council make and levy pursuant to the provisions of Sections IS-55 ot the Rating Ail. 1908. and its amendments, and sections 1211-121 of the Counties’ Act 192 u, a General Rale as follows: (a) —Six farthings in the £ on the capital value of all rateable property ill the .Northern Riding of che County of Westi’and. (b) —Six Farthings in the t' on the • capital value of all rateable property in the Central Riding of the County of Westland. dO- Six farthings in the C tut the capital value of nil rateable property in Hie Southern Riding of the County of Westland. Such genera! rate to be for the period commenced on the Ist day of April, 1927, and ending on the .'fist day of .March, 1925, and to become due and payable in one sum on the 19th day of July, 1927, at the office of the Westland County Council. Hokitika.” Seconded by Mr Jeffries and carried. The Chairman moved:-—"That the Council make and levy pursuant to the provisions of sections 48-55 of the Rating Act, 1908, and its amendments and the provision of the Local Bodies’ Loans Act, 1918, and its amendments, special rates as follows: (a) —A special rate of one penny and live-fourteenths of a penny in the £ (annually recurring) for the special Inter-Wanganui Rating District affecting the loan of £750 for Petersen’s Road Extension.

(b) —A special rate of one penny and sevanteen-tweiity-firsts of a penny in the £ (ammaVly recurring) for the special Inter-Wanganui Rating District, affecting the loan of £l5O for Petersen’s Road Further Extension.

(e) —A special rate of six-seventeentlis of a penny in the £ (annually recurring) for the special Inter-Wanganui Rating District, affecting the loan ot £-105 for La Fontaine creek clearing.

(d) —A special rate of six-tliirty-seconds of a penny in the £ (annually recurring) for the special Southern Rating District affecting the loan ot £1,500 for Kakapotalii Bridge erection. Such special rates to be for the period commenced on the Ist-day of April. 1927, and ending on the 21st day of March, 1928, and to become due ami payable, in one sum. on the 19th July. 1927. at the office of the Westland County Council. Hokitika.” Seconded h.v Mr Jeffries and carried. Mr Donovan moved:—“That Overseer Mii’lnevbe instructed to have Three Mile Bluff track repaired at a cost not exceeding £lo.”—Seconded by Mr Jeffries and carried.

The next meeting was fixed for August 16th. 'l’lie Council rose at 1 p.m.