WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 14 March 1928, Page 4

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

TUESDAY, .MARCH 13th. Ihe Council met at 2 p.m. Present: Messrs J. A. .Murdoch (County Chairman), B. Ward, E. A. Weils, AY. H. Chinn, ,J. Donovan, L. H. -Morel, AV. Searle, T. R. Chcsierman, and AA’. Jeffries. The minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approved. IXAVARD CORRESPONDENCE. Erom Treasury and Public AVorks Departments, notifying remittance to tlie credit of the County Fund Account. —Received. Erom Minister of Public AA'orks further regarding the proposed stock trackbet ween Lower Wataroa and Little Wanganui rivers, stating lie was unable to depart from tho previous decision communicated in October.-—Received. Front same, replying that the Government does not feel justified in setting up a commission regarding river erosion, hut if there is any special river on which alarming erosion is taking place a report will be obtained from an officer of the Department.—Received and to he filed for future reference. Erom -Mines Department asking for S lithe of the locality proposed to be prospected by G. Pialilert and F. llavill.—Received and supplied. Erom Internal Affairs Department, intimating that the question of title of the present County Office had been referred to the Lands Department.—Received. from New Zealand Railways suggesting that with regard to the dedication of certain land at Arahura for road purposes, the plan to save expenses be put through the Public AA'orks Depart-ment.-—Received ; request acceded to. Erom T. E. Y. Seddon, M.P., forwarding letter from Minister in charge of State Forests to the effect the Department could not contribute towards [ the cost of the road to Schroder’s mill, but the matter had been referred to the Public AVorks Department .--Received. From Mount Cook Motors Ltd. expressing willingness to co-operate in pushing tourist, traffic east and west as outlined in Mr A. P. Harper’s letter. Received. From T. Mcßride, Matainui, asking that a new tank be placed in County dwelling at present under rental.-—Re-ceived ; new tank to be supplied. From H. Busch, Maintain, disapproving of the route laid off for Busch road, and asking the grant he allowed him to provide access on the south side to the hay.—Received ; referred to new District Engineer to inspect on his coming visit and to confer with ATr Busch. From Bruce Bay Advisory Committed recommending vote of £o to improve road to Mulvanev’s to permit ol transfer of building material.—Received; authority for work given. From Overseer Millner reporting AV. AVallaco had not provided a boat at Lower Wataroa. ferry, and suggesting the subsidy he discontinued ; stating N. Eriend had made a good job ol fencing Okarito beach cemetery; pointing out the. "difficulty about expending the Government. grant for AA'aitangi South road ; stating repairs necessary to Richardson road were caused Ivy floods, which would bo recurring till protection put in; recommending repairs, etc. to Okurito wharf and sited £6 t!s and to Roto bridge CIO.— Received; ferry subsidy to be discontinued.

1 1! view (if tlie- position tli.ll ill avoirs ;it Okarito wluiri were driftin in mid no revenue being collected it w:i decided to take no action in cnusiii repairs to lie elleeted. It was resolve to have Roto bridge repairs elleeted. From Roadman Olderog asking for month’s h ave of absence owing to fair ily liereavoment. — Received ; replies grunted, without, puy. From I’nlllic - Works Department ad vising tlia| in future all road rnetallinj proposals in excess of £250 towards tin (■list of which the Government is eon tribiuing, must lie accompanied liy : resoliKion agreeing on behalf of tin Council that the road will he efficient I.t maintained in future.— Received am agreed to. From Labour Department notifying gazette of weekly half holiday foi Coast.—Received. From Health Department advising adoption of health regulations in order that the Council may obtain lines obtained in lieu of making by-laws.—Ro-ceived. From Rimti United Sluicing Coy. explanatory letter regarding prospecting subsidy.—Received and approved. From C. Atkinson and seven other South Hokitika settlors, offering to construct 14 loot road on Mnhinapun Creek (west side) to Hie satisfaction of the County Overseer for £Bo.—Received ; consideration deferred ; meantime the writers lo bo asked what they proposed to do in the provision of fencing, as required by the Railway Department. From W. Lloyd, settler, asking for improved access from Mannnui railway station.—Received; referred to .Overseer for report. From Mrs N. A. Corcoran, Matainui, asking attention to open crossings on Wataroa Flat road.—Received ; consideration deferred. From -Mrs M. Walsh, Mntainui, urging repairs to Richardson road for the safety of traffic.—Received. After discussion it was: 1 that in view of the fact that any expenditure would he wasted after the first flood, until proper river protection was effected, letters he sent to the Resident Engineer for his information. I From Overseer Millner explaining position of flooding at Mrs My croft’s, Woodstock ; recommending £l2 for repairs Knkapotnhi protection; stating traffic bridge at Waitalia Settlement (Douglas Road) would cost £l,o()0 and that the Department would not approve foot-bridge as proposed to cost £'7oo.—Received ; £l2 repairs' authorised ; copies of Waitalia correspondence to be forwarded to the settlers affected. From same reporting on damage done to Whitconibe road by transporting heavy logs by lorries and recommending the traffic lie stopped or loads reduced one half, and in any case to cease after rain : also stating repairs in hand.—Received. In this connection Mr Perry waited on the Council and discussed matters, offering to continue to assist in the repairs necessary and stating if the weather broke he would at once stop traffic. The offer of Mr Perry was accepted, the Council recognising that Mr Perry was meeting them very fairly. From same recommending £7 10s for Brownings Pass track repairs; £lO for Minehan’s Mill road; £0 to clear blackberry at County cottage. Matainui, and reporting on Wataroa stock track.—Received. From same general report on County roads for month of February.—Received ; Brownings Pass track repairs deferred; £lO to be spent on Minehan’s road. From F. Denneliy and others, Mntainui, asking that early attention he given to expenditure of grant for extension of the south bank of Waitangi road.—Received; referred to the District Engineer for bis information, with the addition that the Council was of opinion that the proposal for extension should be carried out. and not the gravelling of the present formed portion of the road. From Traffic Inspector forwarding report of weights of lorries used by Mr Perry.—Received. From Public Works Department, forwarding copies of the Motor Regulations Act.—Received]

From C. J. P. Sellers asking Council’s. assent to a transfer of property.— Received and approved. From R. Moynihnn, secretary of Kokatahi Farmers’ Union, asking that the overloading of small lorries be prohibited ; that a grant of £IOOO bo asked for Station Road and the extension of AVn 11 Road.—Received. The request of J. R. Harvey for a gate across Milltown track was agreed to. FINANCE COMMITTEE’S REPORT. Your Committee lias the honour to report that the accounts presented for the month of February. 1928, have been examined carefully and begs to recommend that amount as approved, totalling £9lO 11s (id he passed for payment. —Received and approved. ORDER PAPER. The Chairman moved:—“That, the accounts for the month of February, 1928, as revised and recommended Repayment by the Finance Committee, amounting to £BIO 1 Is (id, Im' passed for payment.” Seconded by Mr AA’ard and carried. The Chairman moved:—“That the Treasurer prepare the annual statement of the apportionment of the gross income (as estimated for the year commencing on Ist April next) and the proposed allocation of the surplus revenue over the several Ridings; as required by the Counties’ Act.” Secondoil by Air Wells and carried. The Chairman moved: —"That the Overseer prepare a list of works for application for Government grants for the year 1928-1929.” Seconded hv Air Wells and carried. The next meeting was fixed for Tuesday, April 10th. The Council rose at 4 p.m.