WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 15 February 1928, Page 4

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14th., 1928. The Council met at 7.30 p.m. Present—Messrs J. A. Murdoch (County Chairman), \Y. Jeffries, B. AAard,_ E. i A. Wells. L. H. Morel, AY. Senrle, AY. I H. Chinn, J. Donovan, and T. It. Cliestcrman. i Air J. Rvall (Grey County Chairman) was present and sat with the . Chairman throughout the meeting. The I Chairman said lie was sure the Councillors would be pleased to sec Ah- J. Ryall. Chairman of the Grey County Council with them that evening. The minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approved. JNAVARD CORRESPONDENCE. From Treasury, notifying accrued revenue to the credit of the County Fund Account.—Received. From Public Works Department, Wellington, forwarding circular respecting exemption of roads and streets from provisions of Public AA’orks Act, 1928.—Received. From Public Works Department, advising regarding Bruce Bay Inland Road, stating plan for same has not heeii received.—Received. From same respecting culvert at 0. Ferguson's, Knkapotalii, advising same is not on the Main Highway but on a side entrance into Mr Ferguson’s residence.—Received ; copy of letter to be sent to -Mr Ferguson. From same, regarding Richardson Road, advising Department was unable to recommend a grant for culvert.— Received. Air ( liinn reported the settler had met the Minister alien he visited the district and he appeared to he favourably impressed with their views of the position. From same, forwarding copy ol letter received from Engineer-in-Chief regarding Doeherty Road.- Received. From Alinister of Lands, acknowledging resolution urging setting up of a commissioner of experts to report on problem arising from river erosion in Westland district, stating as same affects Public Works Department, matter is being referred to lion, Mr AA illiams.—Received. From Alines Department, regarding assistance towards Prospecting Rimu United Sluicing Coy., advising Department is unable to assist with same.— Received. Air Wells reported that the Inspector bad visited the ground and intimated that be would report tavourably. On tlmt statement the members of the Company bad gone to considerable expense in cutting blocks. _ etc., licit they ollienfjse would not have done. It was resolved to renew the application for assistance. It was also mentioned that' the Council had also assisted hy granting a remission of rates. ~"*j From N.Z. Railways, forwarding particulars of ears railed through Otira tunnel from sth December, D 27 to 14th January. 1928. —Received. From Health Department, forwarding copy of Order-in-Council vesting Reserve 304, Block IX, Gillespie’s Survey District, in trust for cemetery purposes.—Received. From same, advising the appointments of the trustees of the Stafford Cemetery had been revoked, and Lands Department asked to issue an Order-in-' Council vesting Cemetery in Council. —Received ; referred to Overseer to arrange for the services of a sexton. From .Marine Department, acknowledging letter respecting Okuru wharf, asking for report from Council as to what is required to put wharf in serviceable condition, also estimated cost of same.—Received; left to the Clerk to arrange. From Commissioner of Crown Lands, regarding proposed protection work in AVaitangi river, advising channel is only commencing to form and could he blocked for 30s.—Received. From same, forwarding tracing of mad proposed to he closed Block VII Mount Honor S.l). for endorsement by Column. —Received and approved. From Conservator ot l<orests, Hokitika, asking for a return of the summary of trees planted in 1927. Received; a nil return to he supplied. Emm Minister ol Public AYorks, regarding AVaitangi river protection, advising the mutter will he looked into and will also colder with Hon. Minister of Lands on matter. —Received. Emm same, respecting request of Council lor authorisation of vote oi .Cloo appropriated for Ruatapu-Lake Alahinapua road, advising the matter is being looked into and request will receive onrlv consideration.—Received. Erom same, regarding Big Wanganui Track, advising that the Department could not make a grant towards same. —Received. From Hokitika Harbour Board, advising vacancy in County representation hy death ol Clius. J. Nightingale. —Received. Mr E. A. Wells was appointed to fill the vacancy. From A. P. Harper, AYcllington. acknowledging Council’s letter ot appreciation re efforts to do justice to Westland.—Received ; copy of letter to he received to Mr Newman and Air Wigley (Hermitage). Erom James Bark, Hokitika, acknowledging circular regarding roads in Westland County.—Received. j From AV. Jeffries and Coy., Hold- I tika, applying lor renewal of auctioneer’s license, and forwarding fee loi same.—Received and granted. From J. Harvey, Kanieri, asking il Council will clear scrub off track on Tuliiiu block ; also asking permission to erect a gateway across the track.—Received. Overseer to report on first request; public notice of the second to be given. From X. Friend, Okarito, notifying Council that grader had made good job of Okarito road. —Received. Air Donovan paid a high tribute to the splendid work of the CouneiM’s men in I charge of the grader, very fine work : having been done. 1 From A. O. Scott, Karangarua, ask- I iiig ( mined to supply wire for river protection work for Karangarua.—Re- x eeived. '

From National Bank, Hokitika, forwarding amount of gold purchased lor .January, 1928.—Received. From \V. Nolan. Okuru, reporting on condition ot Okuru wharf.Received, it was resolved that a vote of if) he passed for the work. From Overseer .Miliner, reporting on construction wf proposed suspension bridge to cross Waitaha river, advising cost of same would he £7OO ; also advising County car was damaged in collision on .Mount Hercules road when returning from Okarito on January 18th; advising Council vote a small amount for Redman’s Road complained of by Air AlcNicol, which requires clearing and tables opening on the hills; reporting subsidence through scour ol one chain length of upper end of net and stone protective work above Kakal>otahi bridge, cost to repair £IS 10s. —Received. Mr Chinn reported that with Air j Searte and Overseer Alillner he lmd met the settlers at Waitaha that

morning in reference to a proposed bridge over the Waitaha river. He gathered that instead of the proposed suspension bridge that they would prefer a light traffic bridge. This would cost Upwards of £2OOO. They did not favour a road in the south side as it would not serve the district and would make the distance much longer, while it would he liable to damage from Hoods. Some of the settlers were prepared to be specially rated for the purpose of raising a loan. He suggested that the Overseer he instructed to report on the cost of the larger bridge and also on the cost of a road. Mr Searie endorsed the remarks of Mr Chinn hut was of the opinion that

the Government would not approve of the light bridge suggested. The Chairman said the Council was not binding itself to any extent. The proposal of Air Chinn for a report to be obtained was agreed to. From T. E. Y. Seddon, ALP., asking that to meet the wishes ol the AVaitaha Settlers the unused Roadman’s hilt might be granted for use for postal purposes.—Received. I From AVollington City Council sugI gesting a local list be opened for the | Alonerieff-Hood fund to assist the dependants of the lost aviators.—Received. ' From Commissioner of Lands sugi gesting position of Government reserve at rear of County buildings be set I aside as a tennis court.—Received ; Air Jeffries moved that the Council regrets that in all the circumstances it cannot agree to the request. Seconded hv Mr Wells and carried, j From J. O'Katie, Seven Mile, stating his prospecting partner was Allen 1 .Jackson since 18th January.—Received. From A. K. AlcCallum. AVaitaha. asking that the use of the County hut at AA’aftaha he granted for the pur)lose of a post office. —Received. It was resolved to lease the hilt to the settlers at os per annum with the right to removal to a position on the road reserve. Air Chinn drew attention to the tie ecssitv of repairs being effected to AVaitaha road. It was resolved that Roadman AYhitiskie he employed in carrying out repairs for two weeks. From (i. Plahlert and F. liavill asking approval of prospecting proposal covering an area between Lett-hand branch and Humphreys Gully.—Received; referred to Alines Department for consideration. From Janies Minchun, -AH. Hercules, asking that road access to Education Reserve 122 he repaired.— Received; Overseer to report. From Overseer M Miner reporting proposed line for Milltown extension to Arahurn river would cost £1080; supplying particulars ol a lire "which threatejied ATalfryy’s bridge; reporting re AYatnroa drainage, ami reticulation line along. Old'Christchurch Road ; also reporting road; also inspecting Alunieipnl and other road repairs; and general report on district mails. —Received., Air Ward said the Council was to he congratulated on the saving oi the bridge. .Men and women residents did splendid work with a bucket brigade. Their efforts saved the bridge which was blazing fiercely when the alarm was given, and it was got under just in time. The Chairman expressed pleasure at the good work done and moved that the thanks of the Council he conveyed to those who had so promptly rendered such efficient service. Seconded by Mr Jeffries and carried. AA’ntaroa drainage work to be effected at a cost, not to exceed £!>. Il was resolved to approve, of the report in regard to the erection of electric pole line on Christchurch, Arahurn and other roads, the Overseer being instructed to take every care to safeguard the public in the mattei. From Charles Mills, Kanieri Forks, drawing attention to state ol Boucher's Gully track.—Received ; referred to Overseer. From v nairman Highways Hoard l notifying visit of Board to Westland on loth Alaroh. —Received. From Advisory Committee, Okuru, asking for grant of £3 for repairs to ferryman's boat.—Received and granted. From AY. 11. Chinn, enclosing request for repairs to I liree .Mile bluff track. Received ; no action taken. Accounts amounting to £118(1 13s (id were passed for payment. .Mr Donovan moved lliaL Overseer Alillner give attention to some small repairs on Wataroa road. Seconded hv Air Chinn and carried. On the suggestion ol Mr Wells it uas resolved to enquire lioin the Telegraph Department what steps were being taken in connection with the falling of seruh along Kanieri Lake road, to prevent destruction of the hush from fire. ORDER RARER. The Chairman moved‘‘That the accounts for thi“ month ot January, T 28, as revised and recommended for payment b,v the Finance Committee, amounting to £llBO 13s (id he passed for payment.” Seconded hy Air Wells and carried. The Chairman moved:—"That pursuant to file provisions of Section 28 ol the Finance Act, 1927, (No. 2) the Council fix the levy on timber produced in the County of Westland as irom the Ist April, 1927, at one half-penny per hundred feet hoards measure, and that all millers within the County he called upon to give returns of timber cutover quarterly periods since the date above stipulated, on (he form as now before the Council, and that such returns lie furnished within fourteen days, and the levy imposed hy the section become due and payable at the expiry of the said fourteen days, at tne County Office. Seconded by Mi Ward and carried. The Council rose at 9.25 p.m.