WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 11 January 1928, Page 1

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

TUESDAY, JANUARY 10th. The Council met at 2 p.m. Present: Messrs J. A. Murdoch (County Chairman), W. Jeffries, B. Ward, J. Donovan, 11. Sonrle, L. H. Morel, E. A. Wells, and AY. H. Chinn. An apology was made for the absence of Air Chcsterman. The minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approved. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE. From Treasury, notifying accrued revenue to the credit of the County Fmid Account.—Received.

From Public Works Department, advising subsidies for flood damage were not available unless extent of damage is over £SO, and regretting subsidy could not be given for Richardson rpad repairs.—Received. From Highways Council, with reference to a meeting of the Highways Council to he called regarding the question of additional highways to he considered.—Received ; list of roads to be applied was approved as follows: Additional Main Highways.—- (1) Kokatahi-Koitorangi road, from Knnieri township to junction with Camelhack road (Koitcrangi), 12 miles. Secondary Alain Highways (being heavy traffic roads, hearing timber and other produce for export by rail). — • l Lake Kanieri road, from junction with Kokatahi road to Lake Kanieri, G : : ; miles. (2) Artluirstown Road, from main highway (Kanieri Bridge) to Hokitika railway bridge, 2;| miles. <_3) Upper Kokatahi road, from Graham’s Hotel corner to junction with ALeharry road, leading to Higgins’ sawmill, 4 miles. (4) Upper Kokatahi road from Camelfiack road junction to Doughboy road junction, 5 miles. (5) Blue Spur road, from Bine Spur Creek bridge to Hokitika Borough boundary, -Ij miles. —Received.

From same, forwarding circular in reference to distribution of petrol tax. —Received.

From Labour Department, forwarding circular for completion regarding statutory half-holiday.—Received. From Commissioner of Crown Lands, in regard to the old strongroom.— Rc<eived ; referred to Clerk to report at next meeting. From Minister of Lands, through Mr Seddon, M.P., advising that a sum has been appropriated for the purpose of conducting experiments on the La Fontaine swamp in flax-growing; also in connection with various mixtures of grasses.-—Received. Front T. E. Y. Seddon, M.P., notifying that the Minister of Public Works had promised to have request regarding Wanganui track reconsidered. —Received. From Conservator of Forests, Hokitika, advising that request for quarterly timber returns will receive consideration.—Received. From Rural Counties’ Association, Taumarunui, with regard to timber rating and collection of timber levy.— Bercvied ; it was resolved that the Council considered the proposed charge for collection, 12.5 per cent., was excessive; and that 5 per cent was a sufficient charge. Left to the Clerk i reply to. From J. O’Kane, Wainihiuihi. advls-j iug that some samples of stouo from Seven -Alile, Taipo, had lieen posted, and asking for analysis of same.— Received.

From Titos. Walsh, AVeheka. agreeing to undertake construction of Walsh road at estimated cost as a co-operative contract.—Received and approved. From A. Cowan, Okuru, notifying by telegram that a boat had been secured and commencing duties on ferry on Ist January.—Received.

From W. D. Nolan. Okuru, advising that Harris Bros, required a £lO grant lor clearing Upper Okuru run track, £ for C subsidy.—Received ; the Council regretted they could not give effect to the recommendation of the Committee.

From J. Taylor, Ivokatahi, requesting repairs to Dawson road. —Received : referred to Overseer for attention.

From J. Cloher, Matainui, asking assistance' with regard to road drainage affecting his section.—Received ; Overseer to report as to liability. From Overseer Millner reporting the cost of the foregoing drainage work wa s £ 12.—R ece ived.

From same recommending a grant of £25 for the approach to Sullivan Bros hostelry now being erected at Weheka, the completed approach to which will cost over £loo.—Received and gram approved.

From same monthly report on road works in the three ridings.—Received. From Rimu Sluicing Coy. Ltd. applying for a further prospecting grant of £loo.—Received ; to be recommended. From X. MeXicol, Mikonui, complaining of state of Redman’s road, and asking for attention.—Received ; Overseer to report. From Norman Brown, Matainui. notifying the settlers are prepared to provide £IOO towards the cost, £4OO, of river protection work at Waitangi river.—Received. Mr Chinn said the work involved the Council in £IOO, but he considered the Government should pay the whole amount. The damage done, in his opinion, was caused solely by the protective works at Waitangi bridge, erected by the Public Works Department. Mr Senile was of the opinion that the whole work should he carried out by the Government, as the erection of protective work at the bridge site caused the river to change its course and move from the bluff across to the south bank.

Mr Ward did not think the Council should rush into the scheme. He sympathised with the views of southern members, hut he had his doubts as to the wisdom of the proposed work. Mr Jeffries'said the whole question was one for the Government of the day to take action. The time has arrived when the Government should he urged to set up a commission to enquire into river erosion in the Dominion. The West Coast was vitally interested in the question. He urged the Council to pass a motion on these lines.

The Chairman endorsed the attitude taken up by Mr Jeffries. He doubted if the Council had the power to grant £IOO for this work, where no public road was involved. He urged the matter he brought before the Minister of Lands on his proposed approaching visit to Westland. Mr Jeffries moved that the river erosion on this Coast is of such a serious nature that this Council urges the Government to set up a commission to report on the question of river erosion throughout the Dominion. Seconded by Air Chinn. Supported by Air Ward, who said he had no hope of much good coming from it. The motion was agreed to. Air Searie moved that the Minister of Lands be requested to meet the settlers affected on the ground on the occasion of his approaching visit, and discuss the position.

Seconded by Air Chinn and carried. FINANCE COMMITTEE’S REPORT. 1. A’our Committee lias the honor to report that the accounts presented for the month of December, 1927. have been examined carefully, and hogs to recommend that the accounts as approved, totalling £1294 15s Sd, be passed for payment. 2. The Audit Office li aving approved the payment in terms of section 5, sub-

section 1 (h) of the Counties Amendment Act, 1927, your Committee recommends a retaining fee of £SO ho paid Jas. Park, Esq., County Solicitor, the payment to be in accordance with the conditions laid down in the letter from the Controller and Auditor-Gen-eral, dated 22nd December, 1927. —Received and adopted.

AL - Ward moved that the Council sincerely thank Air Park for the valued services he had rendered the Council in the past, free of charge. Seconded by All- AA’ells and carried. It was resolved to ask Overseer Millner to report as to the improvement of a sharp corner on Lake Kanieri road between 1 and 2 mile pegs from the lake.

It was resolved to draw the attention of the Postal Department to • leetivc culvert in ‘front of the Post Office at Fergusons. ft was resolved that Overseer Afillner report as to time sheet of a roadman during holidays. ORDER PAPER.

The Chairman moved: “That the accounts for the month of December, 1927, as revised and recommended for payment by the Finance Committee, amounting to £1294 15s Sd, he passed l°r payment.” Seconded by Air AVells and carried.

'The Chairman moved: “'That A. Cl it ton. Esq., he re-appointed representative of the Council on the Hokitika High School Board of Governors for the ensuing term.” Seconded by Mr Wells and carried.

The Chairman moved: “ That pub lie notice he given of the intention o the Council to add ten per cent to al rates outstanding after the 2nd Fcbru ary next.’’Seconded by Air Jeffries anil carried.

The Chairman moved: “'That the hst ol proposed secondary main highways as now before the Council be adopted and recommended to the Highways Council for consideration and presentation to the Alain Highways Board.” Seconded by Air Jeffries and carried.

Air Donovan moved: “That Overseer Afillner he authorised to employ the necessary labour for clearing and repairing Okarito-Forks road, cost up to £15.” Seconded by Air Senile anef carried.

'The Chairman moved’: “ That the ( ouncil noted with pleasure the action ol Mr A. P. Harper, who accompanied the Hon. Amcry on his tour, in correcting the erroneous statements made hi connection with the state of the main south road, and that a letter of thanks he forwarded thanking Air Harper lor his action.” Seconded by Mr Wells and earned. -Ur Chinn reported that owing to a misunderstanding the meeting of settlers at ASaitaha did not eventuate. -After discussion it was resolved that the Southern members meet the settlers at Waitaha factorv at 9 o’clock on the next meetTiig day of the Council and that the Council sit at 7.30 p.m. on that day. Leave of absence was granted for ten days to the Clerk. SPECIAL MEETING. The Chairman moved: “That Wednesday afternoon of each week he declared the weekly half-holiday for the County ol AVestlaml for the current year.” Seconded by Air Wells and carried. The Council rose at 4.30 p.m.