WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 April 1929, Page 6

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

TUESDAY, APRIL 9th. The monthly meeting of the Council was held at 2 p.m. Present: .Messrs E. A. Wells (County Chairman), U. .»ard. W. Soarle. IV. H. Chinn. J. Donovan, .J. A. .Murdoch, II . Jeffries, T. R. Chesterman.

The minutes were confirmed and the outward correspondence approved.

INIVARI) COR RESPONDENCE

From Treasury, notifying accrued revenue to credit- of County Fund Accon nt. —R ece i ved.

From Public Works Department, advising that the question of certain turn-outs near Fergusons, requiring widening, will he considered'in connection with estimates for the coming yea r.—Received.

From same, notifying that proposals for Kumara-Kapitea road have been approved and application been made for necessary authority.—deceived.

From same, with regard to Collyer’s Creek bridge renewal, advising that County should undertake the work in question.—Received. From Main Highways Board, Wellington, forwarding hire-purchase agreement with regard to purchase of tractor.—Received; chairman and Mr Ward to sign on behalf of Council. From same, with reference to improved access to Oknrito track, asking for report on estimate of same.—Received.

From Overseer Millner, reporting on cost of improving Oknrito Three Mile track. —•Received. It was stated Overseer Millner had gone south to put the work, in hand at a cost of £290. ’Phis was considerd quite satisfactory. From Health Department, reporting cases of infection. —Received.

From County Clerk, Ash burton, forwarding report of conference of South island Counties recently held.—Received.

From Greymouth Motors Ltd., acknowledging letter regarding Ford ear, and quoting prices for model Ford truck—Received.

From R. Mattinglcy, Koiterangi, thanking Council for prompt attention to grading Cropo and Wall road.—Received.

From A. J. Wall, Harihari, asking for assistance towards putting Petersen road extension in order for horse and dray traffic.—Received; request granted uj) to £3. From J. Mulvaney, Mahitahi, asking for payment in regard to cattle lost. —Received; to he notified that the Council had no liability, as previously advised, payment of rates to be pressed for.

From Secretary, Library Committee, Okarito, forwarding balance sheet of Okarito Public Library.—Received.

From IV. D. Nolan, Okuru, asking that mooring piles be put in at Okuru ; also Jacksons Bay port road requires renovating, nothing less than £IOO re-: quired, as same is great convenience to settlement.—Received; mooring piles to he erected; the Council to apply for a grant for £lO9 for road. From -Overseer, forwarding particulars of account- for repairs to White Road, damaged by Lambton and Coy’s t ia flic.-—-Received.

From same, forwarding report of progress of works during the past month, also report on highways, and on operations of road plant.—Received.

From Hon. Minister of Internal Affairs, circular from Director of Town Planning regarding sub-divisions in Con n t ies ; :—-R eeei ved.

From the District Engineer regarding permission to erect petrol pump at Air inch’s, Kaihinu.—Received ; no objection by Council. From same with regard to undertaking survey if required for road to Three Mile, Okaritn. Received.

From Westland Hospital Board notifying the Council was entitled to elect six members to the Board at the 'lortheoming election.—Received. Ft- m M. Baird, Upper lvokatahi, re-

gal'd ; • su.i.-uly to clean and keep friau.-.ge clear of blackberry growth, which obstructed a clear view for wnel tr-T.r. Received.

Fn :n Overseer Aliliner reporting on district mads and works carried out during the month ; estimating cost o! clearing track to Arahura via Milltown at. £25; reporting on operations of road plant for past month.—Received. The Chairman moved that £lO he authorised. subject to the approval of the Overseer.— Seconded by Air Jeffries and carried.

The Chairman reported that the application of H. AlcMillan for a slaugh-ter-house license, adjourned Irom last meeting had not yet .been put in order. Resolved that the attention of the Stock Inspector be drawn to the matter, it being reported that the killing of stock was taking place without a license.

From Janies S. Friend, Matainui, asking for repars to road to his residence.— Received : alireed to.

From Commissioner of Crown Lands asking for permission to close unused mail. Upper lvokatahi. Received and request granted. From District Engineer, Grey mouth, granting authority to have work done at Hapuka Creek on subsidy of £2 for £l. Received with thanks. From Three Mile-Okarito G.D. Coy. applying for permission to erect a telephone line from Okarito to Three Mile Beach.- Received and request granted .

From Westland Hospital Board, notifying proposed levy lor the year, the share of the Council being £IBOB os 8d as against £1519 (is 9d last year, an increase of £258 18s 1 Id.—Received.

Mr Alurdorh moved that the levy lve objected. to on the grounds of the heavy increase and that the Board be asked to give an explanation at next meeting....

Mr Jeffries said the Westland Board was the only one in the Dominion that had not shown an increase in the amount of its levy for the last three years. He emphasised that the work of the Hospital Board would stand any criticism, and every expenditure had been carefully checked and watched in the interests of the institution and the contributing bodies. Mjr Wsurd eulogised the work of Messrs Jeffries and Hells, members of the Council on the Board, in whom he had every confidence. After further discussion Mr Jeffries seconded Mr Murdoch’s motion, which was agreed to.

FINANCE COMMITTEE’S REPORT

Your Committee lias the honor to report that the accounts presented for the month ol March, 1929. have been examined carefully and beg to recommend that the. amount as approved, totalling £2053 13s 9d, he passed for payment.—Received and approved. 'I he Treasurer's report was received. |'ir Murdoch referred to the very satisfactory position recorded. He specially referred to the result of the agitation for payment of timber royalties, which tile figures of the past year fully bore out.

Mi' Hard said it was deeply gratifying to find they were in the' happy position of the Council having a credit balance. He congratulated the Treasurer on the very happy result of the year’s transactions. There were many valuable suggestions in the report. One of these was the proposal to pay off portion of the special loans, which he heartily approved of. He moved the adoption of the report. Jhe Chairman seconded the motion, lie felt very happy at the result of the year’s trading. It was gratifying to find that they had a credit balance. I hanks were due to the Treasurer and to members of the Council wife had assisted at all times. Special credit was due. to Overseer Millner for liis very careful attention to the business of the Council. He was at all times doing bis best for the general welfare. Air Jeffries endorsed the approval of the excellent report and suggested holding oyer the adoption till next meeting, so as to give the Council time for further consideration to that portion which refers to the payment of the special loans. Mr Hard referred to the item £4503 16s l(kl, goldfields revenue and timber royalties and said these increased figures were due to a great extent to the special work of Mr Murdoch.

Air Alurdich drew attention to the fact that in the month of January the oiriee staff made 23 payments into the Bank. This showed the able conduct of the Council’s officers, and was iii keeping with the general conduct of the Council’s affairs.

Air Donovan was glad indeed to find the financial position of the Council was better than it ever had been Ih>l'ore. The improvement in the affairs of the Council bad commenced during the term of office of Air Jeffries as Chairman, which was continued by Mr .Murdoch and completed bv the present Chairman. A tribute was paid to the worn of Air Evans as Clerk, and also to Overseer Aliliner.

It was resolved to defer the adoption of the report to next meeting.

OVERSEER'S REPORT

1 have the honour to report upon the progress of work during the month of Alarcli.

CENTRAL RJDING

Murray Creek Bridge. Tins work was put in Jiand under the direction of J. Campbell, and the old bridge dismantled, live hardwood piles driven in the eastern abutment and stream piers; the roadway excavated behind abutments seven teet in depth and eighteen feet across the roadway in readiness for lining the piers. A temporary traffic bridge was also constructed across the waterway and approaches metalled to allow heavy traffic to cross temporary structure in safety.

.Station Hoad Extension. The construction of the concrete pipe culvert was completed and the drainage outlet on Johnson Hoad 1700 links in length should be finished during the present month.

Ruatapu-Mahinapua Hoad Metalling was completed ten chains in length, and an increased pit area stripped of overburden in readiness for the remov a I of further gravel for the road. .MAINTENANCE

Minor repairs were effected to worn places on Seddons Terrace Hoad, and encroaching gorse and blackberry growth were cleared from Han Hau. Ilokitika-Hau Hau. Blue Spur and ---rthurstowii Hoads. Blue Spur Road was graded and partly rolled with the ten ton roller, and a short portion of Camelbaek Road repaired with crushed metal and roughly graded beyond Mr Be Eillipi’s residence. A portion of McArthur's and Municipal Roads were repaired with crushed metal, *l2 cubic yards being used for the purpose. Middle Branch Track was cleared and repaired over a distance of three l miles, and drainage on Dawson Hoad. Huatapu Hoad was cleared of all I cose j rough metal, and motor worn holes repaired on South Hokitika road. Watertnblos and drains were cleaned on Ilokitika-Hau Man and Blue Spur roads, and defective decking removed and replaced on two planked culverts on Adair’s and Seddun’s Terrace roads. Wind blown trees were removed and tin* upper end of Seddon Terrace Track repaired where necessary. CONCRETE PIPES.

Concrete pipe construction was eontinned at Kaneiri. a quai< l 'ty mf pipes being on order for the Public Works Department.

TRACTOR. The tractor and grader were busily employed grading on the Secondary Highways, Camelbaek, Blue Spur, Arahura Valley, One Mile, Spencer,

Humphreys, and Kumara roads, 15 miles and a-lialf being graded and cleared of grass growth, exclusive of Secondary Highways, which were heavily graded for one mile in length and lightly dressed for 9 miles in length.

ROAD ROLLER, The road roller was engaged rolling the Secondary Highway from Koiterangi to Kanieri, and from Hokitika to Blue Spur, being idle for 7 days (the driver being sick) and the machine under repairs for three days. STONE CRUSHER.

The stone crusher was engaged crushing for several days while the lorry was available lor metal haulage, horses and drays being used for haulage over the shorter distances when other transport was not available. A good stock of quarried stone is on hand to continue operations. NORTHERN RIDING.

Malfroy’s Bridge Repairs.—The balance of the grant was expended in renewing two 32 feet by lb x 10 stringers, and a quantity of decking in the northern approach spans.

Taipo Track' Improvement.—This work was completed the specified distance, the clearing, culvert and crossing constructed; also corduroying and metalling being very satisfactory and of good workmanship.

MAINTENANCE. Arahura Valley, One Mile, Humphreys, and Spencer roads'were heavily graded after being cleared of berry and gorse. Kumara road wa« graded, all loose metal being grade : off the first three hills, the flats being cleaned and motor-worn holes filled in between the Alain Highways and Sandv’s Hill. A portion of Chesterfield road was cleared of gorse and blackberry, and ruts dressed between the railway and Lumplough. A portion of the Stafford drainage outlet was cleared of grass and other encroaching growth. SOUTHERN RIDING.

Totara Road and Track Improvement—This work has progressed very well and is almost completed, the clearing and water-tables cleaning throughout being well attended to. The surface of the road has been repaired wherever practicable and defective culverts removed. Petersen Road Extension.—The contractors have commenced the work clearing and draining, but not sufficient work has been completed to w.r rant a progress payment being made

MAINTENANCE. A portion of Redman’s and Waitaha Beach Roads were cleared of encroaching scrub and gorse. The roadman attended to repairs on Wanganui Elat, portions of Robertson’s, and La Bontaine roads. Detour road was repaiied with gravel over a distance of two miles. The road drain along Air Miley’s frontage to prevent Mint Creekoverflow from flooding the road, was completed 900 links in length, and disconnected portions of the road drains along- Mr Butler’s frontage connected to relieve drainage and prevent scouring of the road surface. Three Aide track was chained, pegged and grades taken and proposals submitted for the expenditure of the vote of £2OO. A section of Docherty road was also prepared, and proposals submitted for the, expenditure of £l5O by the PubM Works Department. ORDER PAPER.

The Chairman moved:—“That the accounts for the month of March, 1929, as revised and recommended for payment hv the Finance Committee, amounting to £2053 13s 9d be passed for payment.—Seconded by Air Ward and carried.

The Chairman moved:—“That the necessary resolution he adopted empowering the Council to borrow by way of bank overdraft from the Bank of New Zealand, a sum not exceeding £3,000. such overdraft to be secured by revenue outstanding and uncollected at 31st. March, 1930.”—Seconded by Mr -Murdoch and carried. The Chairman moved:—“That the list of proposed new works for application for Government grants be approved and application made for the inclusion of same in the Public Works estimates. l.vM)-30.”—Seconded by Mi' Ward and carried.

The Chairman moved :—“That the Council communicate with the Rt. Hon. the Prime Minister and Hon. Minister of Internal Affairs and point out that the late legislation in respect to travelling expenses for members attending Council meetings is not in conformity with the allowance to members of other local bodies, and in view of tho larger responsibilities thrown on County representatives the Government be asked to introduce an amendment providing for an allowance per meeting to all members and travelling expenses including a reasonable mileage allowance when attending Council meetings.’’ —Seconded by Mr Searle and carried. The Chairman moved: —“That the annual report of the Treasurer on tho proposed allocation of estimated revenue for the current financial year, be. now considered and adopted.” Deferred to next meeting.

Cr. Donovan moved:—“That tho Waitangi-Wataroa track he repaired ; cost not to exceed £s.”—Seconded by Mr Chinn and carried.

The next meeting was fixed for 'Wednesday, May Ist. The Council rose at 4.5 p.m.