WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 14 August 1929, Page 2

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

TUESDAY, AUGUST 13th. The Council met at 2 p.m. Present : —Messrs Bernard Ward (Chairman), W. Searle, J. Donovan, T. R. Ohesterman, E. A. Wells, M. Keenan, M. Houston, and J. A. Murdoch. An apology for absence was made by Mr Jeffries. ' , The minutes were, confirmed and outward correspondence approved. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE. - Frorn Treasury, notifying accrued revenue to credit of County ,-Fund. — Received. From Department Lands and Survey Wellington, forwarding copy of proclamation of road closed in Block XV Wataroa S.D.—Received. _

From Minister of Lands, advising preliminaries in respect to offering subdivisions of Education Reserves at Hari Hari are receiving attention by Commissioner Crown Lands Hokitika. —Received.

From Commissioner Crown Lands, forwarding. copy of letter to Highway Board regarding cost of roading Education Reserve Poerua S.D.—Received. Members generally objected to there being any loading of the properties for roading. Settlers alongside on Crown lands were not loaded for roads and a similar course should be followed' with the education reserves. Mr Murdoch moved that the writer of the letter be thanked, but the Council maintained that the proposed loading was wrong, and that the Council upheld its previous contention that no loading should be made for roading purposes. Seconded by Mr Chesterman and carried. From Highways Board, Wellington, forwarding circular regarding annual review of Main Highways.—Received. From same, with referefice to apointment of Traffic Inspectors.—Received;' copy to be sent to Inspector Sloss.

i From Public- Work s Department, acknowledging letter intimating; tho termination of Little Wanganui Protection Works, and advising proposals were submitted to Head* Office for additional work.—Received. Mr Evans reported that while in Wellington he had met the authorities and also the District Engineer. The latter had since been notified that the proposals had been approved, and had agreed for the Public Works Department to take oyer the carrying out of the work, thereby relieving the Council’s bridge overseer. The proposals were approved and the Clerk thanked for his action in the matter.

From same, with reference to Station Road, advising that before recommendation is made to Cabinet it is considered that Westland County should give an undertaking to completely finish the whole road including metalling for that sum and to maintain tin whole road to satisfaction of Department’.—Received; undertaking to be given except for damage done by extraordinary floods. It was further, resolved that the Riding members and Mr Murdoch visit the locality and inspect,- N From same, with regard to road required by W. Scott, Karangarua.—Received. It was resolved on the motion of Messrs Houston and Searle that £lO be voted for the track, to be spent under the supervision of Roadman Carroll. From Engineer, N.Z. Railways, advising that 3 roods 3 perches of railway land is being surrendered at south end of Teremakua Combined road and railway bridge for road purposes, asking for a cheque for same. —Received. From -Mines Department, advising that rents owing by the Mount Greenland Gold Quartz Coy, will be treated as non recoverable.—Received. From Health Officer, advising number of infectious cases in district.— Received. From Postmaster Hokitika, advising that the Engineer instructs that provided the Council pays for the pole at Bouchers Hill Kanieri road, and at D. Roberts, Evans Creek, same will be removed.—Received.

From County Clerk, Collingwood, thanking Council for telegram conveying sympathy on occasion of recent earthquake.—Received. From Shell Coy., Wellington, extending Coy’s, sympathy in recent earthquakes.—Received.

From Park and Murdoch, Hokitika, forwarding application by Kanieri Electric, Ltd., for 100 heads of water out of Lake Kanieri, and asking consent for same.—Received. Mr Keenan moved that consent he given. Seconded by Mr Wells and carried. From R. Moynihan, Kokatabi, drawing attention to the menace.from river encroachment caused by removing beach gravel from the river bed adjacent to White road, and aaking the position be looked into.—Received; referred to Overseer Millner for report and Council to inspect. From Overseer Millner, forwarding report of works on Secondary Highways during previous month. —Received.

From Minister of Defence, forwarding copy of Local Authorities Empowering (Aviation Encouragement) Bill.— Received. Mr Murdoch moved that the Chairman confer with the Commisioner of Crown Lands with a view to' the setting aside as a reserve for the purpose of this Bill, land on the back of the racecourse. Seconded by Mr Wells and carried.

From N ational Bank, return of gold export.—Received.

From H. L. Dimmick and others, Koiterangi, asking attention to branch road from Cropp road to Camelback.— Received. Overseer to report.

From L. S. Robertson, Harihari, asking approach to residence on Robertson road on usual terms. —Received, roadman to attend to.

From Mrs P. J. Walsh, Waitangi, drawing attention to culvert and road near dwelling—Received; referred to Overseer.

From R. Thompson, Karangarua, asking Bruce Bay Landing road be extended on the south side of Mahitahi river.—Received; referred to" Roadman Carroll for report. From Overseer Millner reporting on district works for July, also work on highways; estimating cost of MilltownArahura road at £1,375; supplying return of plant operations for the month. —Received. Mr Wells moved that application be made for a grant on the supplementary estimates. Seconded by Mr Chesterman, and carried. From Fleming and Dimmick, Koiterangi offering gravel pit on. Wall road for £lo—Received; referred to Overseer for report. From Booth McDonald and Co. Christchurch, quoting for grader.—Received.

Mr Keenan moved that the Chairman confer with the Overseer in regard to the purchase of a grader, and if the demonstration proved satisfactory, would be purchased.—Seconded by Mr Wells and carried, Mr Donovan dissenting. i From M. J. Little, asking for increase for services.—Received and increase granted of £1 per month.

FINANCE COMMITTEE’S REPORT.

Your Committee has the honor to report that the - accounts presented for the month of July, 1929, have been examined carefully, and beg to recommend that the amount as approved, totalling £1892 10s 2d be passed for payment.—Received.'

ORDER PAPER. , • The Chairman moved:— “That the Accounts for the month of July. 1929, as revised and recommended for payment by the Finance Committee amounting to £1892 10s 2d, be passed for payment.”—Seconded by Mr Wells and carried. Mr Donovan moved:— “That the Hon Minister of Marine be urged to place a substantial sum on the Estimates this session, for the Okarit-o Harbour Improvement 1 Scheme, in •accordance with the proposals prepared by the Departmental Engineers, and that to make special prevision for the cost of the work involved, it be suggested that a levy of one shilling per 100 feet be made on all timber exported, also that the harbour dues be revised on all goods and material shipped to or from Okarito, with a view to providing additional revenue towards the cost of improving the port and the upkeep of facilities for the increasing shipping which will result thereby.”—Seconded by Mr Murdoch who referred to the promise made in 1906 by the late R. J.kSeddon to have the work carried out under the plans, of the late Mr John Thomson. Supported by the Chairman and carried. Mr Chesterman moved that Harris Creek be inspected with a view to clearing debris.—Seconded by Mr Keenan and carried. Mr Searile asked th&t the Overseer arrange to, have large stones cleared off La Fontaine road recently granted.— Approved. Mr Chesterman asked that Koiterangi road, from the lime kiln 7to Ritchie’s receive attention.—Referred to Overseer for attention. The Council rose at 4.15 p.m..