WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 10 September 1927, Page 1

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER. 13th. 1. 1 lie Chairman to move:—“That the accounts presented for the month of August, 1927, ns revised and recommended for payment by the Finance Committee, amounting to £- be passed for payment.” 2. Cr. Donovan to move :—“ That the Council affirm the necessity of opening a route for stock traffic between the Lower Wataroa and Little Wanganui rivers connecting with the "Wataroa, hint roads and Petersen’s Extension road, the route to follow the recently surveyed lino along the flat country behind the Saltwater Lagoon.” 3 Cr. Donovan to move:—“That to provide funds for the commencement of the above undertaking, the Council recommend the transfer of the votes proposed for Wataroa stock track, £l5O, and Wataroa north bank to Wal-

lace’s (new vote) £'2so to the work,

and that an additional' vote of £350 ho applied for on the Supplementary Estimates, to ho applied also to the opening of the stock route in question.” [Note : The opening of the proposed route would be a great boon to drovers and settlers generally, affording a more direct road for driving stock to markets, clear of all motor traffic on the main highway, greatly shortening the length of the drive and providing better grazing facilities and camping conditions in the long distance from Wataroa to Evans Creek.] 4. 'flic Chairman to move:—“That representations bo made (in common with other Coast Counties) to the Hon. Minister in charge of the Forest Service again protesting in reference to the provisions of section 9 of the Forests Amendment Act, 192(5, further depleting the revenues of local bodies concerned in timber royalties from mining reservations, as such loss of

revenue is contrary to the previous declared policy of the Government and to the finding of the Royal Commission which reported to the Government, and also to former expressed promises from the late Prime .Minister and other Ministers that local bodies’ revenue would not be so affected.” [Note: The Royal Commission of 102-1, of which John Strauchan, Esq., was Commissioner, reported, inter alia, that lands embodied in Section 1-18 of the Mining Act, 1903, provided certain rents, royalties and lees deemed to he goldfields revenue, and “ local bodies were entitled to look forward to receiving the whole of the royalties as heretofore.” The Forests Amendment Act. above referred to repeated the provision which the Commission had confirmed.] A-Tile Chairman to move:—‘‘That in view of the volume of pedestrian traffic between the Hokitika town boundary and to the Westland Hospital and vicinity. the authorities lie urged to provide for the safety of the foot traffic either, (a) by forming a footpath for pedestrians only, or (b) by widening the main highway six feet on the inside to afford more room and security for those using the road afoot.” 0. The Chairman to move:—“That the Council express appreciation of the material advance made of late in improving the main highway through South Westland by the erection of bridges over the more troublesome stream crossings, and that in pursuance of that policy for the safety and security of traffic, the Highways Board be urged to provide a substantial sum for tbo widening and improving of the worst corners on Aft. Hercules and lantho Ifill.” I