WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 11 April 1928, Page 4

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

TUESDAY, APRIL 10th. The Council met at 2 p.lll. Present: .Messrs J. A. Murdoch (County Chairman), E. A. Molls, L. Morel, M. Sea lie, M’. 11. Chinn, J. Donovan, M r . Jeffries, and T. R. Chesterman. The minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approved. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE. ' From Treasury notifying accrued revenue to the credit of the County Fund.— Received. From Minister of Public M orks, forwarding circular (regarding licensing of drivers ami motor vehicles. Received ; referred to officers affected in issuing licenses.

From Public Works Department, respecting request for £4OO for McArthur road, stating Under Secretary enquired why recommended provision for free money for metalling has been made.—Received ; reply approved.

From Same. regarding M'aitangi South Bank Extension, advising cannot recommend grant for metalling, as only under exception circumstances Department will issue authority for expenditure in this respect.—Received. It was resolved to ask that the £250 lor .McArthur vote he transferred to Richardson road protection.

From Same, with reference to Richardson Road, asking if the Council are prepared to give £IOO, in addition to the settlers £IOO. towards expenditure of £loo.—Received.

From Health Department, forwarding copy of Order in Council vesting Stafford Cemetery in Westland C'ountv Council.—Received.

From Commissioner of Crown Lands, forwarding plan of portion of Peterson road, for completion hv the. Council, preparatory to have road legalised; also plan of road to he closed at Robertson road, Wanganui S.D.—Received and approved, the necessary action to he taken.

From Minister of Public Works, through Mr Seddon, M.P., with regard to request made at Okarito regarding track to 'frig Station to he cleared, advising the matter is being looked into with view to ascertaining on whom responsibility for maintenance rests.—Recoi v ed.

From Same, through Air Seddon. ALP., advising tint authority for sum of £376 5s for Haast Pass Track was issued to District Engineer on Stli ultimo.—Received.

From .Minister of Agriculture, through Air Seddon, ALP., forwarding copy of letter from Minister of Public regarding construction of road from Ruatapu to Lake Alahinapua.—Received. From Alinister of Public Works, notifying that the grant for RuatapuLako Alahinapua road cannot he authorised at present.—Received.

From Rural Counties Association, Taumaranui, regarding timber levy.—Received.

From County Clerk, Recfton, forwarding report of conference regarding Afaruia Hot Springs, asking Council to confer with Department respecting application for further assistance.— Received and approved. From Alain Highways Board notifying arrival at Hokitika on the 21st. and willingncs to meet local body at 7.:i0 o’clock that evening.—Received ; Council to meet Hoard ns stated. Mr Donovan moved that application fie made for a grant of £2oo for improved facilities at the hot baths at Waiho. Seconded hv Air Searle and carried.

From Farmers’ Union, Wntnron, enquiring who is resnonsihle for Ihe upkeep of stock holding paddock at Lake lanlhe.--Received ; clerk to ask roadman to fake charge.

From R. T. Slewart. asking Unit (lie l-ive Mile truck fie improved and widened lor drav traffic; also line'' .Mile anil Five Mile creeks he spanned by suitable bridges capable of earning weight of four tons.—Received; copy of Overseer Alillner’s report to he forwarded. From .Tames Detmeliy, Alatainui, applying for use of County cottage at Alatainui when vacated by present tenant.—Received ; to he filed lor reference. From G. J. Thompson. Alatainui, forwarding application for slaughter house license. —Received ; consideration deferred.

From AT. Sullivan. Weheka, asking for loot-bridge over Fox river.— Received; Overseer Alillner to report. From A. W. Gibson and Coy, Wellington, notifying that Coy has certain amount of money available for Local Body Loans at sj{ per cent. —Received.

From Bank of New Zealand, advising amount of gold purchased during month.—Received. From Inter Wanganui River Board, Hari TTari. asking the amount Council would charge to collect the Board’s ratos.—Received and action of Chair-

man approved. From W. D. Nolan, Okuru, with reference to Okuru wharf.—Received. From Overseer Millner, reporting large slip in Diedric-hs Creek, same being attended; to reporting on drain complained of hv Mrs Yrohilefskie, of Arthurstown, advising cost of construction would be £6O; also inspected site of proposed gate required by W. Lloyd, Mnnnnui, which would be on a railway reserve on line of fencing and not give access to a dedicated road.—Received. It was resolved that owing to the cost that no action lie taken in regard to Arthurstown drain. In regard to gate at Alananui it was resolved that as access was wanted on to private property the applicant he referred to the Railway Department. From Same recommending a road tractor be procured for more economical methods of grading and repairing district roads.—Received. Mr Jeffries expressed his surprise at the report of the Overseer in view of bis former report of two years ago that the tractor would not he suitable. What was going to he done with the two lorries and all the other machinery that they had and what was the cost of running the present machinery? Mr Searle said he had supported a tractor being procured before the second lorry was obtained but now having two lorries he would not support a j tractor being obtained unless one of the lorries was disposed of. M," Chesterman said when he went with Mr Millner to Christchurch they found that the tractor was not suitable for hauling out of the gravel pits. Mr Wells was of opinion a tractor was not as suitable for County work as the lorries. The motor tractor was all right for grading roads. He diet not think they could do without the lorries which had earned their cost. Air Chinn was greatly in favour of n tractor, which did fine work for the Public Works Department. Air Millner was quite within his rights in alteiing his opinion after the experience ho had had. The Chairman moved that the matter be referred to tbe Clerk to report fully at next meeting as to the cost involved ; and further of the personnel ; ,nd running cost of a tractor. Seconded by Mr Donovan and carried. Air Jeffries moved that the Treasurer supply a report n't next, meeting as to the cost involved of running the motor lorries since their inauguration. Seconded by Ah- Sea rle and carried. From Public Works Department notifying amendments to Afotor Lo T rv Regulations were being forwarded ami regretting there had been some delay in the issue.—Received.

From Westland Hospital Hoard.:notifying a levy of £23o] 19s lei on the local bodies, the County contribution to he £lsOl 18s 9d, a reduction on that of last year.—Received and accepted with satisfaction, a vote of appreciation being passed to the County representatives on the Board.

From D. Stock and Cov., Christchurch, intimating flax developments in tho Rotokino district, and asking for road access, including repairs to Rotokino road and two new - road.across swamp land.—Received. From Overseer Millner reporting or difficulty of improving Three Mile track near Okarito for vehicle traffic: also difficulties in the way of bridge building, and stating the cost of the road without the bridge would he in tlie region of £4,000. Overseer Alillner reported that tin County horse at Harihari had gout lame and recommended another hors* lie procured.—Received. Air Searh offered the Council the use of a man of his own free of use, so as to give tlie horse a rest and if suitable tin Overseer could make a deal.—The offei was accepted with pleasure. From J. Schroder, ALinager. Frosty Creek Sawmilling Coy., drawing atten tiou to dangerous corner on Seddon Terrace road and need completing the extension of the road to the mill.—Received ; referred to Overseer for atten tion.

From J. Harvey, Kanieri, reporting damage done to Alilltown track.—Rerevcid ; referred to Overseer to report. FINANCE COAIAHTTEE’S REPORT. Your Committee has the honour to report that the accounts presented for the month of March, 1928, have been examined carefully, anil beg to recommend that the amount as approved, totalling £1164 (is (id. lie passed for payment.

Regarding the collection of heavy traffic fees through the Grey County Council, the Committee recommends that as the cost appears excessive, the Council reconsider the matter with a view to collecting the lees locally, or alternatively arranging for a reduction of the charges. —Received and adopted. OVERSEER’S REPORT.

1 have the honour to report upon the progress ol works during the month of Alareh, 1928. NORTHERN -RIDING.

Alalfroy's Bridge Protection, was put in hand during the month, hut broken weather prevented the foundation nets from being completed. AIAI NTH NANCE. Portions of Spencer, Bradley’s, and Christchurch Roads, were cleared ol encroaching blackberry, and gorse growth. Defective decking was removed and replaced on Alalfroy’s Bridge, and the first bridge on the southern approach to Alalfroy’s Bridge. A road sign was erected a', the junction of One Mile Road and Alain Highways, and the outlet to a culvert cleared of obstructions on Ktimnra Road. CENTRAL RIDING.

Station Road Extension. 'This work was continued and completed to peg 38 chains, leaving seven chains of metalling to complete the whole ol the work.

Lake Kanieri Road Widening. Tho formation and metalling was almost completed, and the culverts will he completed by April ]2tli.

ATnhinapun Creek Bridge. Pile driving was commenced and nine pilot driven. No. 2 loiry beng used for the work. MAINTENANCE.

Repairs to Whifrombe road consisting of a coal of roegli gravel was completed excepting a short portion at the upper eiiil, which will require one day to complete. All stone was broken and the whole length of new gravel graded and well rolled with the fen lon roller, resulting in a fairly smooth road for motor trallie. AVatertahles were (leaned on Lake Kanieri, ITokitika-Hnu IT an. and

growth cleaned from Hokitika-TTau Ifau and Blue Spur and Knnieri tram roads. Defective decking was removed and replaced on TCokntahi River Bridge; one culvert on ABAl'tliur. and two culverts on Hokitika Flat roads attended to. Repairs were effected to Lower Municipal road by breaking stone on one very rough stretch of road ; repairs to Upper Alunicipal Road were put in hand, and a quantity of gravel placed on the road between Municipal Creole and Cunningham Creek. Urgent repairs were effected to portions of Lake Kanieri, and Lower Kokalalii road, and the main load dressed with a coating of fine gravel from Kanieri Street to Camp Street. SOUTHERN RIDING.

Petersen Road Extension. This work lias progressed fairly well, the draining, clearing and part of Hie surface formation being completed. Tho erection of the bridge, 25 feet span, will he completed by the 14th April.

Okarito Road Bridges. A quantity of timber lias been cut and delivered at the bridges in readiness for repairs to bo effected ns soon as possible. Walsh Road Extension. The contractors have completed this work in a creditable manner. AUINTENANCE. Repairs were effected tfi Kakapotalii Bridge protection by laying a scrub apron and rebuilding the lower foundation net. Roadman AVhitiskie with the County horse and dray elfeeted repairs to AVaitalia Settlement road. Haddock and Petersen roads Repairs were effected to AValnron Flat, Detour and Richardson roads by casual labour. ORDER PAPER.

The Chairman moved“ That the accounts for the month of Afarch. L92S. as revised and recommended for payment by the Finance Committee, amounting to £14(34 (is Gd. he passed for payment.” Seconded by Afr AYells and carried.

Tho Chairman moved:—“That the necessary resolution he adopted empowering the Council to borrow by way of overdraft from the Bank of : New Zealand a sum not exceeding £4,500, such overdraft to be secured by revenue outstanding and uncollected as at 31st March. 1929.” Seconded by Air Jeffries and carried. The Chairman moved:—“That the list of proposed new works for application for Government grants be approved, ami application made for inclusion of the works in the Public Works Estimates, 1928-1929.” Seconded by Air Chesterman and carried. The Chairman moved That pur sunnt to the provisions of the regulations under the Afotor Vehicles Act, 1924. William Alillner. County Overseer, he appointed a Traffic Inspector for the County of Westland.’ Seconded by Afr Morel and carried. Mr Donovan moved:—-“ That concrete pipes be placed in position | where required on the AVataroa Flat road in accordance with the Overseer’s report.” Seconded by Air Searie ami carried.

Air Donovan moved:—“That overgrowth lie cleared off the track, and urgent repairs tie effected to a culvert on the Three Alile bluff track at a cost not exceeding £B.” Seconded by Afr Jeffries and carried. Air Chinn's motion:—“.That tho Overseer report in regard to the flagging or otherwise defining the ford at To tarn Lagoon,” was withdrawn. Air Jeffries moved:—“'That the Council communicate with the Prime Alinister and point out that the recent legislation in respect to travelling expenses for members attending meetings is not

in conformity with the allowances to members of other local bodies, and that an amendment I>e : introduced providing for an allowance per day to members and travelling expenses on a mileage basis when engaged on Council business.” Seconded by Mr Wells and carried.' The Council rose'at 4.15 p.m.