WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 13 June 1928, Page 4

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

V TUESDAY, JUNE 12th, 1928. The Council met at 2 p.m. Present; Messrs E. A. Wells (County Chairman), B. Ward, W. Searle, W. H. Chinn, J. Donovan, J. A. Murdoch and W.' Jeffries. Apologies were made for the absence of Messrs Morel and Chcsterman. Tiie minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approved. DEPUTATION. A deputation consisting of Messrs Shaffrey and Co. waited on the Council in reference to the supply of a road grader, tractor and scarifier, stating they would he prepared to give a demonstration to the Council at any time desired. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE.

From Treasury notifying- accrued revenue to the credit of tho County Fund Account.—Received. From Treasury Department, forwarding schedule setting out details of goldfields revenue.—Received. From Public Works Department, forwarding notice of proclamation of portion of road in Block VII., Mount Bonai* S.D.—Received. From same, regarding protective works Knkapotahi River, advising inspection and stating it was not advisable to undertake the diverting of the main stream as it may further -complicate the question of the bridge protection. —Received. From same, notifying approval of commencement of work on RuatapuMahinapua road by married unemployed.—Received and action taken ap-

proved. From Highways Council, with reference to Wataroa Detour road, advising the Board inspected same, and the road would he declared a main highway.—Received ns satisfactory. From same, advising Board was unable to declare Sandy’s Hill Rond a main highway.—Received. From Highways Board, with regard to purchase of plant for local bodies, giving particulars of deferred payments.—Received. From Internal Affairs Department, acknowledging letter notifying election of E. A. Wells as Chairman. —Received.

From Native Trustee, forwarding plan and tracing, with consent to taking part of Arahurn Reserve for road through Railway Reserve.—Received. From N.Z. Railways, regarding fencing railway line towards Mannnui, advising Department preferred the Council to ‘ carry out work as there might* be complaints as to cost if work dona by rail way men.—Received. From Tourist Department, regarding hot springs and baths at Waiho -Gorge, advising that a report is being obtained from Graham Bros, on the matter. —Received. From Minister of Public Works through T. E. Y. Seddon, M.P., regarding Black or Collyer Bridge, Okuru, advising that as the bridge is on a County road and cost required is small, the County could reasonably be expected to carry out the work.—Received.

From Public Works Department, advising that the quota for grants for Westland County roads for 1927-28 has been fixed -it £6(100. —Received. From Minister of Public Works, through Mr T. ID. Y. Seddon, M.P., advising regarding request from AVestland County for additional £2,000 for this season’s road works, stating same will bo considered further.—Received. From Commissioner of Crown, through Mr Seddon, asking if Council could assist towards granting any assistance towards erection of river bank protection works near Bruce Bay required by Mrs Thompson.—Received , report to beobtain ; the Department to be asked to act. From County Clerk, AVestport, ad- ' vising that Council agreed to co-oper-ate with other Coast Counties in efforts for a final settlement of claims regarding diverted timber -royalties and request for investigation by n judge of-Supreme Court.—Received. From’Health Department, reporting a case of infectious disease.—Received. From I). A. Roberts, Evans Creek, asking for assistance to Evans road.— Received; report to be obtained. From E. .Jones, Hokitika, applying for permission to occupy cottage at Matainui when same is vacated.—Received ; to be filed. From Mrs P. J. Walsh, Matainui, thanking Council for voting grant towards Waitaiigi protection works, and urging work be started.—Received. From M. Patrick. Tctalio, asking for grant of £.5 for a turn-out in front of residence at Tctalio to serve mail-car. —Received. From Roadman Whitiskie, Ilerepo, asking to be transferred to the Central Riding.—Received. From W. D. Nolan, Okuru, reporting heavy floods in district; Okuru dray road required repairing; also reporting Hapulra- Creek Bridge being partially washed away, recommending the Council to have same replaced; one of the Waiatoto ferry boats was washed away, asking for assistance towards cost of another one.-—Receiv-ed.

From same, advising that when District Engineer visits attention will he drawn to any urgent works in locality; advising £ls for Okuru road repairs will he spent as soon as suitable labour is available. —Receiveil. From Overseer Millner, reporting upon the personnel of the road staff of the Council; notifying Motorman Morris advised the County lorry collided with a motor car on Ross road on Thursday last, the step of the lorry being broken by the impact.—Received. From Bank of New Zealand, forwarding form of authority to operate on County Fund Account.—Received. From Lands and Survey Department forwarding Gazette notice of road

closed in Wanganui S.D.—Received. From Skippers’ Gold Mining Coy. Ltd., thanking Council for prompt attention to Red Jacks track, and asking improvement to extension of track to mining property.—Received. From Thomas Stopforth, Koiterangi, asking attention to blocked road drain fronting property.—Received ; it was resolved to offer a subsidy of £ for £ up to £lB. From L. H. Morel M.C.O. regarding opening road drain, Cropp Road, at Joy’s Swamp.—Received. From H. E‘. Winter applying for proigbess payment on Seddon’s Terrace contract.—Received ; request granted.

From R. T. Stewart, Dunedin, in respect to facilities for transport of plant at Okarito, asking attention to track for a wheel sledge.—Received; report to he obtained as to cost. From West Coast Sawmills Ltd., asking attention, to Blue Spur road repairs.—Received. From Overseer Millner reporting on works, including repairs to Kokatahi

Protection, £27 10s Od and operations of road machinery for the month.—Received ; work authorised. Discussing the Overseer’s report, Mr Ward referred to the work done for river, protection. He considered that the wire crate system had not proved a success, and he thought that the time had come when they should consider the possibility of obtaining some more suitable system of preventing river erosion. Mr Chinn endorsed the attitude taken up by Mr, Ward and suggested piling, with scrub formation behind. Mr Millner snid that be recognised the expense of crates, which were i)ot

suitable for-river protection. He favoured piling with a scrub backing and instanced tho success of the work at Kokatalii bridge. Mr Ward moved that the Overseer report at next meeting as to the best way of continuing the protection of river frontages. Seconded by Air Chinn.

Mr Murdoch instanced the different requirements of the different localities.

Mr Jeffries complimented members on the discussion. There was ah urgent necessity for some protective work to ho done at Kakopotahi river bridge to save that structure from complete destruction. Generous offers had been made by Stuart and Chapman and others. After considerable discussion the motion was agreed to and it was resolved to authorise some piles to lie driven in connection with the protection works. Mr Chinn moved a vote of thanks to the staff of the Council for their work during the past year. Seconded by the Chairman and carried. In connection with the vote for the election of a members of the Westland Land Board, the Council decided to cast its vote in favour of the sitting member.

FINANCE COMMFI’TEE’S REPORT. Your Committee lias the honour to report Hint- the accounts presented for the month of May, 1928, have been examined carefully, and beg to recommend that the amount as approved totalling £1384 18s Id, be passed for payment.

■ Your Committee hogs to recommend that in view of the lengthy service ol the County Clerk, now extending since 1891, tho salary of Mr Evans be increased by £25 per annum. The report was received and agree • to. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT. I have the honour to report that at the request of some members of the Farmers’ Union a visit was paid t"Koiternngi for the purpose of looking into the further extension of Station Road. The new road as far as constructed is an excellent piece of work. Tho road when carried through finally will serve to connect the upper portion of tlie district about Municipal Endowment, with the Whitcombe road near Mr Hareourt’s. This will supply a very useful connection, permitting the quicker collection of cream, a bet ter rural mail service, and greater about. The Council has applied for a grant ample to put the connection through, roughly 127 chains, and it i desired that the completion of the work as speedily ns possible should he urged This 1 would approve being done s I hat the district might have the bene fit of tlie through connection with til least possible delay.

Tenders wore called for the clearin' of a main highway drain on the Koka talii road. Five tenders were received and the lowest, F. Vroblfeski, £35 os was accepted and the work put ii hand.

The expenditure of the £4OO voti for Ruatapu-Mahinapun road, clearin' and forming, was authorised by the Public Works Department for uncin ployed married men residing in Hold tika. Three parties applied and three sections were balloted to the parties. A start was made with the last week Overseer Millner is giving tlie work close attention.

Following the report from the Dis trict Engineer, Mr Johnston, regard ing Kaknpotahi river protection, a visi was paid to the locality on June 3r<’ iii company with Mr Jeffries. Mr GH. Chapman, of Stuart and Chapman, Ltd., and Mr J. ’ Manera met us on the ground. Mr Chapman offered the free use of the bush hauler and plant and all timber and scrub on the ground. Mr Manera stated he would contribute £5, and Jeffries and Coy. £lO. Overseer Milliter advised the break being filled with the large trees, including branches, available as a foundation, with stone piled on top. This was approved and the work will be put in band as «oon as the hauler is available. It appeared that it was tlie most effective way to secure the position which is serious unless promptly dealt with. The material will he(assembled now piul the work started without delay. Regarding the purchase of a road tractor to relieve tho lorries of grading and give move attention to the main highways, 1 propso to inspect at some suitable opportunity the operation of the tractor in tlie Grey County where the County Engineer, Mr Higgins, speaks highly of the work done under n scheme involving the dual use of a drag and grader drawn by the tractor. When the plant is adjacent to Greymouth shortly Air Higgins is to advise and I will be glad if any councillors can accompany me to inspect the plant in operation. It now is possible to acquire plant on easy terms if the machinery can be used to advantage, and on inspection the result will be in due course communicated to the Council.

ORDER PAPER. The Chairman moved: “That the accounts presented for the month of -May, 1928, as revised and recommended for payment by the Finance Committee, amounting to £1384 18s Id, be passed for payment.” Seconded by Mr Murdoch ami carried. The Chairman moved: “ That all existing committees be discharged, and the Council proceed to appoint committees as follow: (a) Finance Committee: Crs. Murdoch (Chairman), Donovan, Ward and Searle. (b) Public Works Committee: Crs. Jeffries (Chairman), Chesterman, Chinn, and Morel. (c) Councillors to sign cheques: The Chairman, Crs. Murdoch, Jeffries, Donovan, Ward and Searle. Seconded by Mr Murdoch and carried. Mr. Murdoch moved: “That in view of the complaints made by settlers regarding the growth of noxious weeds on main district roads, the attention of the Inspector of Noxious Weeds he drawn to the matter with a view to notices being served on offenders to keep their frontages clear of the noxious growth.” Seconded by Mr Searle and carried. Sir Donovan moved: "That Over-j seer Millner be authorised to employ j the necessary labour to improve and I repair Wataroa Flat Roads and clear the gorse off Whale Road.” Seconded by Mr Chinn and carried.

Mr Donovan moved: “That the track Troni the main road to Donnelly’s Creek footbridge, near Ross, be repaired; cost not to exceed £3.” Seconded by Mr Jeffries and carried. The Council rose at 4.30 p.m.