WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 13 December 1927, Page 4

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

.MONDAY, DECEMBER 12th. The Council met at 3 p.m. Present: Messrs .1. A. .Murdoch (County Chairman). B. Ward, E. A. Wells, L. H. -Morel. W. 11. CFTinn. J. Donovan, T. R. Cliestormnn, W. Searle. The minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approved. From Treasury, notifying accrued revenue to the credit of the County Fund Account.— Received. From .Marine Department, enquiring if Okuru Wharf is still in existence as a new Order in Council will require to be issued.—Received. From .Minister of Public Works, advising that the matter regarding stock track between Lower Wataroa and Little AVnngamii rivers will again lie considered by the Department.—Received.

From Same, notifying that the Department could not undertake the work’ i>f Rig Wanganui track.—Received. From Public "Works Department, forwarding circular with regard to Draft Regulations under Motor Vehicles Act. 192-I.—Received. From Same, advising Department lias no objection to the making of proposed turn-out at Foster’s.—Received. From Same, advising limit of loading on Hokitika River bridge, is fi tons.—Received. From Same, notifvip" that the plans for three bridges in Alain Highways District have been approved, and stating the district had been well served ill tile matter of new bridges. Received.

Emm Same, regarding Richardson Road advising same has been inspected but nothing serious has occurred, estimating cost of repairs ClO.—Received.

From Same, forwarding copy of letter from Kngiueer-in-Chiof regarding grant for Station Road, pointing out that the local bodies should find half cost of metalling.— Received ; answer sent approved.

Erom A. E. dull. Wellington, advising by telegram that Motor Spirit Taxation Act provides for eight per cent tax being paid Boroughs, percentage probably Is- increased, suggesting Council advise Member tor district urging opposition any furthei encroachment on road fund.—Received. Air Chinn reported on work referred to him at Loan Block and recommended £(> lie spent in removing small culvert and making an open crossing.— Approved. He also reported on matter at R. J. Graham’s holding and the” moved that application be made to the Lands Department lor assistance in the work involved.—Approved. From T. E. V. Seddon. Esq.. ALL’., advising attendance deputation re Motor Spirits Tax, stating Minister advised that allocation to Counties and small Boroughs would not he altered “from provisions of Bill.—Received. From Same, that Native Reserve No 30 (\rahura) was excluded from fishing rights.—Received. From Same, notifying that £lO9. £ for £. had been placed on Supplementary Estimates for AYaitalia river bridge; also £IOO for Waitangi erosion, "fit for €3; and later advising Lands Department would find an additional Cloo. —Received; AYaitalia river bridge question was referred t ’ southern members.

From Same, advising that Finance Rill proposes that County Council may make levy on timber produced in County one penny per hundred feet, subsequently reduced to hall-penny per 100 feet. Received. From Public Works Department, per Air Seddon Al.L’.. with regard to several road works in district. —Received. From Westland Acclimatisation Sis , i t ,ty. suggesting that the vehicle road connecting South Hokitika road willi the railway bridge crossing ALiliinapu.u. Creek be placed in order for motor car traffic, and enquiring eslimated cost. Received; report to he obtained. From Duller Progress League, asking Council to co-operate in urging that the Government he requested to reduce the rental charge of telephones. Received. From O’Kane and Cox, Waiiiihinihi. advising conimeiu enient of a prospecting at Taipo on 17th lilt.—Received. Emm T. Mcßride. Matainui, ad-, visiic that County Cottage will he (riveiMip about 31st Alarcli and tlianKing Council for consideration given. Received.

From 11. Williams, with regard to rental of County Cottage at Matninui.—Received. From Sullivan Bros. Wehelca. asking for assistance towards filling and gravelling in front of residence at Wolieka.—Received. From J. Cowan. Mahitahi, thanking Council for consideration on matter of reserves and terry at Okuru, stating a boat has been constructed suitable for the work, and same would be shipped first cliance.—Received. From Overseer Millncr, reporting on proposed road required by H. Busch at Afahitahi ; advising Duck Creek bridge would be available for foot and light -traffic on 3rd. inst.—Received.

From R- Williams. Matainui, renewing application to rent County residence. —Received. From J. Condon, Maintain, asking material for fencing Karangarua cemetery be forwarded first boat.—Received. From \V. D. Nolan, Okuru, with reference to boat for lower ferry and matters relating to cleaning ferry reserve, protesting against Council’s ac-tion.—-Received.

From F. Folev and party, Wniho, agreeing to undertake Dochorty road work as a co-operate contract at tliej Overseer’s estimate.—Received and offer accepted. From Overseer Millner reporting damage to Browning Pass track, £3; unsatisfactory working of half holiday owing to broken time for casual employees, and stating ordinary conditions would lie resumed for the future : reporting works necessary in AA ataroa district, including attention to Detour road, for which he recommended grading, etc. ; giving cost of filling at Sullivan’s. Weheka. at £7O; improving Browning’s Pass upper track £9.—Received. Roadman Olderog to carry out Browning’s Pass repairs with an assistant. It was resolved that as the report on overtime was not satisfactory to revert to the S hours’ day. It was resolved to ask for particulars from Mr Millner in regard to amount involved on road reserve at Sullivan’s. Mr Jeffries took his sent.

From AY. J. Hansbury, Ross, asking permission to cross AA oolhouse road with electric power line. —Roeevied ; referred to Power Board. From Commissioner of Crown Lands, in reference to strong room adjoining Council Chambers.—Received ; referred to Chairman for attention. FINANCE COMMITTEE'S REPORT. Your Committee lias the honor to report fTiat the accounts presented for the month of November. 1927. have been carefully examined, and beg to recommend that the amount as approved. totalling £I2S-3 lGs 8d be passed for payment.—Received and adopted. The Chairman reported on the result of the action by Mr Bond against the Council, which was won by the Council ; th'at. in connection with the vesting of Aralnira river with the natives, the rights of Malfrov’s bridge had been secured to the Council; the Hon. Amery’s visit had taken place that day

and Mr Amery had stated that the road from AVailio was in perfect order. During the month legislation had been passed granting the- Council one-half-penny per 100 ft. of timber cut.—Received as satisfactory. OVERSEER’S MONTHLY REPORT. ] have the honor to report upon the progress of work during the month of November 1927. NORTHERN RIDING. AIA INTENANCE. Kuninrn Road was dragged and had holes repaired with gravel, and watertables cleaned on the bills, between Kumara Borough and the southern bank of the Kapitea Creek. Watertables were cleaned and gor.se cleared from the Kumara Beach Road. Callaghans Road was cleared of growth, and decking renewed on a bridge on Spencer Road. A defective box culvert on Spencer road near J. Bradley’s was renewed with 12-inch diameter pipes. The new culvert and approaches to replace the defective small culvert recently destroyed by flood on Arahura Valley road above Two Aide Hall, was completed in a satisfactory manner, and is a great improvement on the old structure.

CENTRAL RIDING. Duck Creek Bridge renewal £ for £ grant.—Tile dismantling and erection of this bridge was continued under the direction of Bridge Foreman Reynolds, 12 hardwood piles being driven, caps and corbels placed in position, lining of abutments, also 12 2-1-foot by 1-3xß stringers, and the whole of the docking, approaches constructed with stone and gravel, and netted on the upper side of the eastern, and the lower side of the western abutment, with solidly built stone, enclosed within No. 8 wire nets. The whole of the work was sufficiently advanced to allow traffic to cross on the evening of December otli, a smart and creditable piece of worlc lor all concerned in the erection of the structure. No. 2 lorry was engaged driving the piles, also m dismantling, hauling and lifting the new timber in position. Station Road construction £lO.l grant. —The contractors for this work have made rapid progress and have completed the clearing of 2-1 chains ol formation, and 21 chains oi formation partly completed to date, 10th of Decomber. ’I lie use ol a motor tractoi, plough and ditcher, has assisted in the speedy completion of the work mentinned. i Lake Kanieri road widening, £3OO grant. \\’ork was commenced oil December Ist. and 2(1 chains ol clearing and I) chains of formation had boon completed by December Kltll. .MAINTENANCE. Portions of Lower Kokatalii, Koiterangi. Cropps and Lake Kanieri road were repaired with metal and gravel, defective decking renewed on several bridges and culverts m the Kokatnlii district. A defective culvert on Koiterangi road near Mr Houliston’s residence was renewed with .ib-inch diameter concrete pipes. Portions o! Arthurstown road and South Hokitika road were repaired by patching the worst holes with gravel. The drain on the upper side ol Spoor’s track "as widened and deepened between the creek outlet and South Hokitika road and the outlet drain from Mr S. Holley’s holding to Aluhinapun Creek, deepened, and an 18-inch diameter pipe culvert constructed under the rfladwny to give improved drainage. Lang Road drain and Lang’s drain were both cleared ol growth and slips betevcon Rower Kokatnlii road and the river. A culvert was repaired on Hokitika- | Bui Han road, and watertables cleaned on Lake Kanieri road. SOUTHERN RIDING. The Roadman attended to repairs on Haddock, La Fontaine. AVnnganui Flat and Petersen road. A portion of Detour road, scoured by flood was repaired. and also bad motor-worn holes on Wataroa Flat road. .MOTOR ROAD TRUCK'S. No. I lorry. N. Randall driver, worked 24 days during the month ; under repair one day (25th November) ; carted three loads'of timber Irom Kanieri to Duck Creek Bridge; I load oi concrete pipes; grading and dragging Kumara road three days. Nov. 3(ltb taken to Gre.vnioutli and re-tired on two front wheels; various roads in the Northern and Central Ridings. Used 135 gallons of Imperial transport; 3 gallons of lubricating oil; 2 gallons ol gear oil. NO. 2 LORRY. No. 2 lorry, G. Morris driver, work-J ed 2(i days during the month; carted l timber from Kanieri to Duck ( reel bridge G loads; carted concrete pipes to Lake Kanieri road 1 day ; worked i

days at Duck Creek Bridge renewal, driving piles dismantling, and hauling timber; carted 220 cubic yards of stone and gravel. Used 123) gallons of Imperial Transport; -I gallons ol lubricating oil ; 2 gallons of gear oil. County Car.—Used 88 gallons of ben.'tino ; 4 gallons of Shell oil.

SPECIAL REPORT REGARDING ROADS CENTRAL BIDING. Your Committee of the members ol tho Central Riding accompanied by yourself and Crs Wards and Jeffries, visited Koitcrangi on Saturday, November 19th, to inspect the roads used ; for heavy traffic in that locality. Camel-hack Road. This road was inspected first, Air R. AVTiilcy who was engaged lately in transporting flax over the road being present to confer as to the measure of damage for which he should pay. A conference failed to reach any agreement, a suggestion that Air AVhiley might pay £lO being refused by him. Later, your Committee agreed that Air AVhiley should he called on to place the road in satisfactory order to tho approval of (he Overseer, and lading that the Council carry out tho work at his risk ami expense. AVhitcomibe Valley Road. The Koiterangi Sawmilling Coy proposes to transport logs from the upper portion of this road to the mill at Koitcrangi,. The restrictions suggested by the Overseer should be enforced, namely that heavy traffic should not bo permitted on wet days, or any day alter wet weather, and that the attention of applicants lie called to the limit of loading for this road, namely lour tons. It is further recommended that the Overseer closely watch the effect of the traffic, and in the event of excessive wear and tear, same be stopped. or the users called on to carry out repairs to the Overseer's satisfaction.

Municipal Road. This road was traversed tor its full length. It lias been damaged considerably by heavy traffic from Al. Keenan’s sawmill, which it is promised now to move to the top end of the road. Alotor lorries should be prohibited using the section of the road involved, which is limited to 2J- tons only. Damage in heavy transport either by timber or flax loading should be watched closely by the Overseer, and reported at once. Air Keenan should be called upon to place Alunieipal road from Spence’s corner to the mill in repair forthwith.

General. Heavy transport traffic in the district should he watched closely by the Overseer. It is manifest tho heavy traffic fees and the levy on timber carried will not recoup the Council for the extra cost in maintenance to carry the traffic. The position requires to he watched closely, and should be reviewed as soon as it is known what benefit the Council will derive from the petrol tax.

Most, of the by-roads ■ used for the heavy timber traffic'were not built for the loads transported, and as it is manifestly unfair to place the cost on the ratepayers and do the work of upkeep out of the ordinary revenue of the Riding, those proposing to place mil Is off main roads should take into consideration the question of transporting by tramway or consulting the local body in advance on what conditions, if any, the heavy traffic can be permitted. It seems clear unless some definite stand ol this nature is taken, extra rates must he imposed if the roads are to he kept up in passable condition for ordinary traffic.

softherx roads. Mr W. Mill nor. County Overseer, reported as follows to the Council today : I have the honour to report having inspected A\ ataroa f lat and Relour Roads as instructed. Detour road has been somewhat scoured by the heavy flood between the main South road and Mr Mi ley’s holding, but the worst portions have been repaired by filling scours and motor worn holes with gravel. Storm water crosses the roadway, damaging it in the low portion opposite T. Nolan’s holding. This frequently occurs during heavy Hood, and it is apparent that an outlet culvert should he constructed to take the drainage across the road way and prevent water laying on the road after the flood has subsided. A small culvert below AY. Gunn’s also requires renewing with 18 inch diameter pipes. The greater portion of this road is too narrow and being through old river bed country with gravel to the surface, could ho cheaply widened by the use of the grader and heavy road drag drawn by one of the lorries, horse power being insufficient for this class of work, which when completed should give the beneficial results anil reduce the cost of future maintenance. Practically all the roads in this district are ton low, and require crowning to shed the water more quickly and keep the road surface dry. The cost of improvements outlined, exclusive of culverts would amount to £SO, half of which would he returned by subsidy from Highways Board. AVataroa. Flat Road is rough in a good many places with very little I gravel available unless carted by horse ; and dray or motor lorry, some por- ! [ions can he repaired and the necessary gravel placed on the road with harrows. A good many open crossings exists between the factory and the flax mill and arc practically scoured i by Hood water during very heavy rain j rendering the crossings rough lor cycle or car I raffle. Repairs generally c. nsist in filling in the scoured pur- . tion with gravel which is satisfactory i until I be following flood causes lurj tlier scour which requires the same atI ten lion as before, it would be advisable to pipe each small crossing I with 18-inch diameter pipes and raise ! the roadway above water level as ciieu instances permit, tins work would | be effective in preventing recurring i damage at each crossing, and be more ! satisfactory to all class of traffic usin.r the mails. Between the factory „nd the Main Highway at Butler’s 1 corner, material requires carting tor ' repairs to depressions and motor worn hides, also the road drag and grader 1 could be beneficially used in reducing the outer sides, this work would oc--1 copy the lorry and cue man exclusive cl' the driver, for four (lays, also three ' days below the factory. This would he' exclusive of the cost of piping and gravelling crossings. ! \f We helm I had the opportunity ! of" inspecting the site <>f the proposed | approach to the new building now he- : ing erected by Sullivan Boos, at the J bend of the road above and on the j opposite side to their present resi- > deni es. The frontage to the now | building is approximately 120 feet m I length along the roadway, and some ' distance back from the edge of the ' present road, and running from a I font in depth at the upper end to three feet at the lower and will aJi■’sorb between oil'.) and GOO cubic yards j of filling, principally rough gravel, in j (he construction. As all the matci--1 ial requires carting in drays fronton very rough pit, the cost will he £7O. or thereabouts. north frx roads. ' Browning’s Pass Track. Arahuia [fiver, was also inspected from Humphreys Gully to beyond .Johnston’s

Creek, approximately ten miles in length. Portions of the track are overgrown and out of order for horse traffic. The worst portion can he diverted from during fine weather and at this point traffic uses the river bed for some distance. A great improvement could he effected by dealing the n’"-t overgrown portions that will interfere with pack loads carried by horses. Some of the settlers intend packing wire for fencing in a lew weeks’ time and ask to have some attention given to allow belter access. The cost of potting the track in lair order would amount to £3o or £‘JO, but improved access can be given Tor the expenditure of £9.

ORDKR PAPER. The Chairman moved:—“That the accounts; presented ter the month of November. 1927, as revised and recommended for payment by the 3' inanee Committee, amounting to £1285 Ids Bd. lie passed for payment.” Seconded by Air Wells and carried. The Chairman moved:—"That the Finance Committee prepare conditions under which the special levy authorised by the Finance (Xo. 2) Act, 1927. tor the year ending 31st March next, be payable to the Council.” Seconded by Mr Cliestcrmau and carried. TENDERS. r Jeffries referred to an unusual position in regard to Petersen Road. If the Public Works Department say it is not logical to carry out the work proposed by ALr Donovan at last mooting, while in regard to Petersen road it appeared not logical, as il the road were not carried out to a continuation it would be of no use. li the road was not going to be continued it would be of no use. I here were some holdings hut there were no settlers. Mr ftearle said there was no question of the extension of the AVataroa till a ■.. hep Petersen road proposals were agnail to. He moved tenders be ip i red. Seconded by Mr Donovan col cat riotl.

Tenders for Petersen Road contract were received from: — J. Adamson ami party ... £275 0 ' V. Black £285 10 0 Petersen and party £305 12 G E. Newman and party ... £320 0 1 The tender of J. Adamson and party was accepted. STATUTORY M EETTXG. From Auditor-General, forwarding balance sheet for the year ended 31st March, 1927. with a tag in oonnoeV-m with the amount of overdraft at 31st March.—Received. The Chairman moved:—“ That the Council now consider the balance sheet and statement of accounts for the year ended March, 1927, as now before the Council ami upon same being duly settled arrangements he made for the publication of same.” Seconded by MiWells and carried. The Council rose at 5.10 p.m.