WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 November 1928, Page 3

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

TUESDAY, NOV. 13th. Tlio Council met at 2.30 p.m. Pres-ent:—-Messrs E. A. Wells (County Chairman), T. R. Chesterman, B. Ward, W. Jeffries, W. H. Chinn, W. Searle and J. A. Murdoch. The minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approved. Prom Treasury, notifying amount of accrued revenue for County Fund for past period.—Received. Mr Murdoch moved that a further request he made to the Treasury (for particulars of the royalties of which the amounts were made up. Seconded by Mr Jeffries and carried. ‘ From National Provident Fund, forwarding circular regarding Superannuation system for employees of locaL a.u th or i ties.—R ece i ved. From Public Works Department, Wellington, acknowledging circular memorandum with reference to heavy traffic regulations. Received; the clerk to reply, objecting to any reduction except in the event of the Government safeguarding the interests of the Council. From Highways Council, Greymouth, with regard to increase in subsidies payable on maintenance and I) r i dges.—R ecei ved. From same, regarding main highway maintenance, wear of metal, and asking for report.—Received. From same, forwarding copy of a quotation received from the Precision Engineering Coy., regarding main highway traffic signs.—Received. From Public Works Department, Wellington, advising that a grant of ••£4OO has bene made for Teremafcau brid go.—R ecei v ed. From Mines Department, with reference to application from P. McQuilkin and party 'for subsidy, advising same has been referred to Inspector of Mines for a report. From Minister of Mines, with regard to application for grant of £250 to assist in placing the Three Mile Track, Okarito, in passable order, notifying that same will cost at least £I2OO to improve track sufficiently to enable any vehicle to transport material, application cannot be granted, but asking for a detailed survey of the route. — Received. From Mines Department, advistfiß that Department has approved of £2O being granted to Red Jack’s Track, Northern Arahura. —Received. From .Health Department, notifying temporary absence of the Inspectoi (Mr Rettel) and stating the Westport Inspector was acting in the event of emerge ncy.—Reeei ved. From Vincent County Council agreeing to co-operate in regard to the Westland-Otago road.—Received. From Otago Expansion League to same effect. —Received.

From Bank of New Zealand, in regard to cheque form olf indemnity.— Received ; no objection. From Hokitika Borough Council asking for an casement in respect to the pumping station on the Council s section.—Received; From Mt. Greenland Quartz Mining Coy. Ltd., Wellington, asking that overdue rents be treated as non-recov-erable in pursuance to the Mining Act. —Received ; agreed to. From Ashburton County Council regarding hospital levies and suggesting conference in March next to which a representative was invited.—Received. From G. W. Atmore, Christchurch, quoting for Fordson and McCormickDeering tractors—Received. From International Harvester Coy., agreeing to give a demonstration on the 13th November of a McCormickDeering tractor. —Received. From John Chambers and Sons, also agreeing to give a demonstration at Hokitika of a Case tractor.—Received. From Honey Bros., applying for a prospecting subsidy to drive a tunnel at Shamrock Terrace, a distance of 500 feet.—Received; to be recommended. From Chairman, Advisory Committee, Okuru, advising a satisfactory arrangement bad been made regarding tlio ArawataUWaiatoto ferry.—Received and approved. From Overseer Millner reporting on district works.—Received. From Public Works Department advising that the reclassification of Westland County roads * had now been gazel ted .—Received. From same in respect to Little Wanganui river protection, setting out particulars of the grant and the pro-posal.-Reeei ved. Mr Searle said the River Board bad no funds, but the set,tiers would be prepared to pay interest on the cost of the necessary work. Mr Murdoch said the danger was grave and imminent. If the Council made a grant they would be doing very well. Mr Searle said lie would call a meeting when lie went back. Mr Chinn said if the settlers gave a guarantee then the Council should take the necessary action. Mr Ward said the Council was only interested in the question ol the retes available. The Council could not spend their (funds in the protection of private land. He thought the Government offer of £750 was a very fair one. Mr Jeffries said there was a very serious probability that on tlio next old man flood that the river would go down La Fontaine Creek. He thought the Council contribution was a very fair one, and that for the settlers was only a moderate one that should be forthcoming immediately. The position was most serious, and should be attended to at once, as soon as the settlers’ quota was provided. He thought the Government had done remarkably well in offering £750. The chairman said there should be no trouble for the River Board to raise the money, and the sooner it was raised the better for all.

From J. Donovan, M.C.C., apologising for absence and hoping arrangements would be made for the survey of Three Mile track, Okarito.—Received. From D. J. Hutchison, Kanieri, asking for permission to erect a gate on by-road near residence. —Received ; referred to Overseer. From Julia M. Tulloch, asking permission to erect temporary premises for sale of soft drinks on gravel pit reserve near Lake Kanieri. —Received; no objection. From W. Ilavill, Koiterangi, asking attention to Hokitika Ford road.—Received ; referred to Overseer. From D. Dennehy. Matainui, asking that Whale and Bird roads lie improved.—Received; Overseer to report. From W. D. Nolan, Okuru, reporting on local committee matters.—Received. From Overseer Millner, reporting on work done by the road plant; monthly report on district works; reporting on wear and tear and wastage in respect to road maintenance.—Received. From R. Wilson and others, Arahura, asking for extension of Arahura road towards Tuhua block.—Received. Mr Ward said all that was needed was repairs to Drowning Pass track. A road would cost an enormous amount. A vote of £l5O to £2OO would suit these people for a number of years. He moved that £IOO be asked for improvement of Rriwning Pass track. Seconded by Mr Chesterman, supported by the Chairman, and carried. FINANCE COMMITTEE’S REPORT. Your Committee has the honor to report that the accounts presented for the month of October, 1928. have been examined carefully, and bog to recommend that the amount as approved totalling £1974 8s be passed for payment. Your Committee had before it some objections to the closing oif the Karangarua ferry at the end ol the year. It is recommended that the matter lie referred back to the Advisory Committee at Bruce Bay, and meantime the matter of closing the ferry be suspended. The report was received and adopted.

ORDER PAPER. The Chairman moved: —“That the accounts for the month of October, 1928, as revised and recommended !<••• payment by the Finance Committee, amounting to £1974 Bs, be passed for payment.” Seconded by Mr Chesterman and carried. The Chairman moved: —“That John Peake be appointed Valuer of mining property within the County of Westland for the ensuing year in accordance with the provisions oi the Rating Act and its amendments.” Seconded by Mr Chesterman and carried. The Chairman moved:—“That the Overseer report as to the cost of re-opening Styx-Browning’s Pass track for general access.” Seconded by Mr Chesterman and carried. M.r Murdoch moved:—“That to assist the Southern Riding with the improvements necessary to the Three Mile track to further important gold-mining developments, the Northern and Central Riding representatives offer to co-operate in providing reasonable finance from the Riding funds with a view to assisting the mining enterprise.” Seconded by Mr Ward. Mr Jeffries suggested the. motion be not pressed to-day, as he felt that; the Southern Riding would be able to finance the necessary amount required from the Council. Mr Murdoch accepted the suggestion of Mr Jeffries and the motion was held over till next meeting. The Council resolved by four votes (Messrs Chinn, Ward, Chesterman and the Chairman) to three (Messrs Murdoch, Searle and Jeffries) to purchase a MeCormiok-Deering road tractor. Overseer Millner 'recommended the purchase after witnessing a trial by the two machines submitted for inspection. The Council rose at 5 p.m.