WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 4 July 1928, Page 4

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

TUESDAY, JULY 3rd. The Council met at 2 p.m. Present: M easts E. A. AVolls (County Chairman), B. Ward. AY. Sea lie," W. H. Chinn. J. Donovan and J. A. Murdoch.

Apologies,for absence were made for Messrs Jeffries Morel and Ciiestermtin.

The minutes wero confirmed and outward correspondence approved. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE. From Treasury, notifying- revenue accrued to credit of County Fund.— Received.

From Minister of Public Works, through Air Seddon AI.P., regarding County’s quota of £6,C00 for current year for road grants, advising unable to grant request for increase.—Received. From Same, forwarding proclamation proclaiming land as a road in Block 1, Poerua S.D.—Received. From Public Works Department, re Busch Road Vote, £l5O, advising' that Overseer Carrol] had inspected tlio alternative route on south side of ALihitabi River, and estimates cost of road by route referred to at £1,500, and recommended that route on north side of river ns laid off by Overseer Alillner be adopted.—Received. From Same, forwarding copy of statement regarding relief of Unemployment, and payment of subsidy on work, as approved.—Received. From Commisioner of Crown Lands, advising that boundaries of area granted Council under Miscellaneous Licenses 2061 is incorrectly defined on License, asking that same be produced to be altered to exclude the area not included, in grant by the. Board.—Re-

ceived. From Inspector of Noxious AVceds, with reference to Noxious AVeeds Nuisance, asking cooperation of Council in clearing growth and request as to localities for attention.—Received. It was resolved that the attention of tho Inspector he drawn to the necessity for the clearing of noxious jveeds from tho frontages of roads. From District Engineer, N.Z. Railways, Christchurch, asking for proposals of road work between Ruatapv and Lake Afaliinapua to obtain Department’s consent to surrender of land before commencing tlio work; also later message approving work subject to head office approval.—Received.

From Town Clerk, Palmerston North, with reference to Hospital Management, asking that Council give matter of increasing expenditure earnest consideration.—Received. From N.Z. Farmers Union Greymouth asking for grant towards entertainment of Otago Farmers to district next month.—Received. The Chairman moved that £5 be voted. Seconded by Air Chinn and carved. From Bank of New Zealand, advising export of gold for mouth from H okl t i k a.—R-eceiv ed. From Butterworth’s ■Wellington, forwarding copy of improved method of issue of N.Z. Statutes, with supply of amendments.—Received. From Shell Coy of Greymouth, forwarding prices of - Shell Alotor Spirit. —Received; overseer to report as to quality of oil. From AY. J. Gutberlct, Chesterfield, drawing Council’s attention to state of road and bridge from Chesterfield Railway Station to Bondi, asking that same be put in reasonable state of repair.- -Received, referred to Overseer

to report. ■- From .J. J. Mulvoney, Alahitahi, acknowledging letter, advising arrangements bad been made for rates to uo towards repairs of Abbey Rocks track work; asking for £2;> lor loss of cattle through sjtato of track.—Received. From AY. 1). Nolan, Okurti, reporting that Road from Arawata to Cascade is in bad repair since Hoods, asking that application be made to Government for vote of £l5O to open up arterial track.—Received; application to be made, for a grant. From Overseer Alillner, reporting on approach culvert off AA’bitcombe Valley ro.qd to give access to site of new residence now being constructed; also ronorting having inspected erosion on Docherty roqd complained of by Gibb Bros, advising road access lias been destroyed for 3 chains in length, cost of repairs £l6, which Gibb Bros will complete for £lo.—Received and approved'.

From Overseer Milluer, advising Adamsop road construction will be completed at end .of month when same will be passed ; reporting repairs completed to R.uatapu road.—Received. From Same, report that A. Nancekivell's Leyland lorry laden with timber broke twelve planks on Murray Creek Bridge, cost of timber for repairs £3 15s.:—Received. From Public Health Department, notifying a clause would appear in the .“Washing-up” Bill relative to the revoking of the reservation over Goldsborough cemetery area.—Received. From same notifying infectious disease case, Kanieri road.—Received. From A. S. Paterson and Coy., Ltd., Wellington, quotations for supply of benzine.—Received. From A. Nnncekivell, explaining damage by lorry to Municipal bridge, and asking to be relieved of cost of ••■'pairs.—Received; claim to be pressed for.

* > From R, Williams, Matainui, renewIS ug application to rent County cottage s * ben shortly vacated.—Received; to 7 ’••■> rented at 10s per week with montli--0 'y tenancy. 7 From John Stewart and C. Passmore n applying for renewal of slaughterh house licenses.—Received and approvcd. From Overseer Millncr notifying ho e was engaged supervising Kakapotnhi 1 bridge protection work; extension of Evans road to serve D. Roberts was ’ estimated to cost £SO ; supplying pars' ticulars of operations by lorrips during ' the past month.—Received. It was re- * solved to apply for a grant £ for £. 1 From J. Dennehy, Matainui, in re- ' gard to rent for cottage.—Received. * From A. Dale, thanking Council for ! appreciative motion to road staff pass- ' ed at last meeting.—Received. ' From M. Carroll, reporting on conditions of Weheka to Gillespie’s Creek bridge and iwad.—Received. From Overseer Milluer reporting on attention--necessary to Two Mile road, at a cost of £6 iOs.—Received. Work to ho effected. From same, reporting on pile driving proposals at Kakapotahi bridge protection works.—Received and loft in Overseer’s hands. FINANCE COMMITTEE’S REPORT. 1— Your Committee has the honor to report that the. accounts presented for the month of June, 1928, have been carefully examined, and beg to recommend that the amount as approved, totalling £1631 8s lid, bo passed for payment. 2 Your Committee begs to recommend that in view of the Overseer’s extended district, and extra travelling involved, Mr Millner’s salary be increased £5 per month as from the Ist. inst.—Received and adopted, a tribute being paid to Overseer Millner for the excellent services rendered over a long period, by the Chairman, Messrs Ward, Donovan and Chinn. COUNTY CHAIRMAN’S REPORT. Gpptfemen,—l beg to report that on the ,16th June a visit of inspection was made to Lake Kanieri road and contiguous ro.ads. Rfiuieri road is now a 'main highway and it is necessary to improve its general condition. On the fvhgle t}ie road was found in fair order, Soma general, attention

was required in tho way of patching and tho Overseer was instructed to have the work attended to. The hill at Coal Creek .will be improved by the day labour man as opportunity permits, so as to make the turn safer for traffic. The bottom of Butcher’s Hill also requires improving for the safety of traffic. Both works can be earned out at small cost, and for general safety will be done ns soon as circumstances permit. Surface work will be attended to right through tlio road as time permits, and it is intended when the plant is available to have the rqad graded over its full length.

The new road under construction towards Dorothy Falls was inspected. Satisfaction must bo expressed with tho progress made. There is still considerable amount to be done and it is hoped the expenditure will be maintained. To afford vehicle access along the new road, the crock crossing from Tulnin needs attention. It appears something of a problem, and a deviation of the road upstream will probably he the best course. Over-hanging trees on the steep sidelings along tlm road widening should be removed to avoid serious slips in the future when the road will be probably in the charge of tile Council.

Alilltown road was inspected anil needs clearing and metalling as soon as tho work can be done. Very little metalling will suffice when the road is cleared and trimmed up. AA’ard road bad recent attention, but some further work was required and this was ordered. The road is in regular use and the millowners contribute towards the cost of upkeep. On t.lto 18tli June in company with Cr. AYard (additional Councillors not being available) the operation of the tractor-grader in the Grey County wan viewed along tho stretch of main roa<; to Teremakau. Air J. Higgins, Grey County Engineer, kindly ..rrungpd the experiment, which consisted of the combined tractor-grader operating and pulling also a large Austin grader. During the forenoon the two machines

had come out from Grey County boundary to the Teremakau—a distance of seven miles—and returned as far as Paroa in tlio/ afternoon. The result and effect of the work was to he seen, and it was very satisfactory. Two men wero employed and eight gallons of benzine consumed, the total cash cost for the day being £3 15s (exclusive of the use of plant) grade practically eleven miles, of road. Mr Higgins attended and very kindly gave all information asked, and a demonstration was given also of disconnecting the tractor from the grader. The uses of the tractor for other road purposes were also explained, including a variation whereby a grader followed by a heavy road drag could also be used to advantage. The whole demonstration was interesting and instructive, as to the utility of the plant for the purpose intended. The result was tho reconditioning of tho road in a very satisfactory planner. —Received. OVERSEER. AIILLNER’S REPORT. I have tlio honour to report upon the progress of works during tho month of June. NORTHERN RIDING. Maintenance.—Repairs were effected to portions of Arahura A’alley and One Aide Roads, No. 1 lorry being engaged on this work for three days. Portions of the roads are badly worn into large boles and the two lorries will be engaged on July 3rd and 4th in carting gravel for repairs to tlio worst portions between the main highway and Alalfroy’s tram crossing, Aiiilmin Valley road. The roadman attended to clearing gorsc and blackberry and minor repairs to Arahura A'allcv road and to clearing and repairing a portion of Brownings Pass track, Arahura river. Defective and broken planks were removed and renewed with Bx 4 docking on tho twelve culvert at Bond’s Cornel, One Mile road. Bridge Foreman Reynolds attended to the removal and renewal of one twenty-sevon feet stringer and defective decking on AVaiiiiea Creek bridge, Awatuna road. CENTRAL RIDING. McArthur Road Aletnlling.—The contractors have laid the trainway and have their plant* du the ground in readiness to start reforming on the 2nd inst. R.uatapu-Mahinapua Road. — Ihe contractors for No. 1 section have all the clearing, and 11 chains of iornmtion completed in a creditable manner.

The contractors for No. 2 section have completed twelve chains oi clearing and seven chains of formation, their work showing an improvement during the last week. The contractors for No. 3 section have roughly cleared nineteen chains and partly formed six chains which will require dressing before completion. Highway Ro;ul, Kanieri to McArthur

R-oad-wiis: repaired by - filling motor worn holes with gravel; ruts, and depressions were levelled over a distance of eight miles, pnd supply dumps replenished over a distance of nine niiles. Encroaching gorse and blackberry growth were cleared from the roadside over a distance of ten chains. Repairs absorbed from 390 -to 400 cubic yards of gravel. Broken decking was renewed on Heslan’s creek and Kokatahi river bridges. Bridge Foreman Reynolds removed the defective Bx 3 decking from Dimmick Creek bridge, 25 feet span, replacing it with Bx 4 heart of rimu. The standards and handrailing were also removed and replaced. Highway Road, Lake Kanieri Road, motor-worn holes depressions, etc., were repaired' with gravel over a distance of four miles; defective decking replaced on Left Hand Branch and Stripland Creek Bridges. Encroaching gorse, blackberry and other growth wore cleared from the roadside over a distance of 40 chains, and water-tables clean for 30 chains in length. -Approximately 420 cubic yards of gravel were used in repairs. COUNTY CONTRACTS.

Kokatahi Road Drainage (F. Vrob - lesfki, contractor). —This work has progressed beyond the 40 chain peg, illness compelling the contractor to remain idle for 10 or 11 days, has retarded progress. So far a clean, creditable job has been made of the whole of the completed work.

Seddon’s Terrace Track Widening.— The contractor has completed the section of 25 chains in length in a fairly reasonable manner, and if not subjected to heavy traffic during the winter months should he fairly hard for the summer.

Seddon’s Terrace Road Deviation.— This work is almost completed, and should he ready for inspection by July 4 th. MAINTENANCE. Repairs were effectod to portions of Artliurstown, Hokitika Flat and Blue Spur roads, the latter road being in a very bad condition, being worn out and unfit to carry heavy traffic especially during the winter months. Repairs should be continued after the 4th of the month, otherwise traffic will find it difficult to negotiate the portion between Blue Spur Creek bridge and the hall. A short distance on this section requires a thick coating of heavy material before being fit lor traffic. Bridge Foreman Reynolds attended to the construction of a planked culvert over the road drain on ths frontage to the section formerly the property of R. Hoiceurt, Whitcombs Valley Road, where a now building is being erected. The present owner of the property will construct the approach road. Damaged Bx 3 decking was removed from Murray Bridge, Municipal Road, and replaced with 8 x 3 heart of rimu planking. Repairs were effected to Ruatnpu road, and broken decking renewed on South Creek bridge nild a planked culvert twenty-five chains beyond the bridge; a collapsed box culvert midway between the bridge and planked culvert "’as removed and renewed with 9 inch diameter concrete pipes. CONCRETE PIPES. Concrete pipe construction was continued under tfio direction of F. Selby at Kanieri, there being a steady demand for 12 inch and 18 inch diameter pipes. SOUTHERN RIDTNCL

Kakapotahi Bridge Protection. Work has boon confined to procuring scrub and trees in readiness for haulage by the steam winch which should he available for use by. July 3rd. Adamson Road Forming and Mctal|i„;r. —This work was almost completed on the 20th of the month, and should fie completed for inspection by July 2ml. MAINTENANCE. The Roadman attended to repairs on Petersen, Wanganui Flat, Hadcock, and La Fontaine roads. Repairs were affected to Richardson, Adamson, Wataroa Flat and Scally Roads, also Happy Valley track side drains, Waitnha Settlement road, and approach track to Donnelly’s Creek footbridge. —Received. ORDER PAPER.

Tlie Chairman moved :— 1 "That the accounts tor the month of June, 1925, as revised and recommended for payment by th? Finance Committee, amounting to £lO3l 8s lid, be passed for payment.”—Seconded by Mr "Ward and carried. The Chairman moved:—‘‘That the Council make and levy pursuant to the provisions of Sections 18-55 of the Hating Act, 1908. and its amendments, and sections 120-121 of the Counties’ Act 1920, a General Hate as follows: (a) —Six farthings in the £ on the capital value of all rateable property in the Northern Hiding of the County of Westland-

,(b) —Six farthings in the £ on the capital value of all rateable property In the Central Riding of the County o.' Westland.

(c)- —Six farthings iit the £ on the capital value of all rateable property in the Southern Riding of the County of Westland.

Such general rate to be for the period commenced on the Ist day of April, 1928, and ending on the 31st day of March, 1929, and to become due and payable in one sum on the 3rd day of July, 1925, at the office of the Westland County Council, Hokitika.”—Seconded py Mr Searie and carried. .. The Chairman moved:—“That the Council make and levy pursuant to the provisions of sections 48-55 of the Rating Act, 1908/ and its amendments, and the provisions of the Local Bodies’ Loans Act, 1913, and its amendments, special rates as follow :

(a) —A special rate of one penny end of a penny in ’'the £

'annually recurring) for the special Inter-Wanganui Rating District affecting the loan of £750 for Petersen’s Road Extension.

(b) —A special rate of one penny and seventeen-twenty-firsts cf a penny in the £ (annually recurring) for the special inter-Wanganui Rating District, affecting the loan of £750 for Petersen’s Road Further Extension.

( c ) —A special rate of six-seventeenths of a penny in the £ (annually recurring) for the special Inter-Wanganui Bating District affecting the loan of £405 for La Fontaine creek clearing.

(d) —A special rate of six-thirty seconds of a penny in the £ (annually recurring) for the special Southern Rating District affecting the loan ol £1,500 for Kakapotahi Bridge erection.

Such special rates to bo for the period commenced on the Ist day of April, 1928, and ending on the 31st day of March, 1929, and to become due and payable, in one sum, oil itlie 3rd July, 1928, at the office of the Westland County Council, Hokitika.”—Seconded by Air Scarle and carried. The Chairman moved : “That pursuant to the provisions of the Rating Act and its amendments, a rebate of five per cent be allowed on the foregoing rates paid by 2nd August, 1928, hut not later, and public notice he given accordingly.”—Seconded by Mr Donovaii and carried.

Mr Donovan moved-that repairs he effected to Teal Duck Creek track, Gillespies, at a cost not to exceed £ls. Seconded by Air Scarle and carried. Tlie Council rose at 4.5 p.m.