WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 March 1930, Page 2

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

TUESDAY, MARCH 11

The Council met-at 2 p.m.- Present: Messrs AB. Ward (County Chairman),'M. Houston, Harry Wells, 31. Keenan, W. , Searle, J. .Donovan, T. R. Chester man and W. Jeffries.

An apology for absence was made for Air Muridoch owing to the indisposition of Air Park/ A Tho aninutes werp confirmed and, outward approved.

AKHTONS OF SYAIPATHY

The Chairman moved:—“That the Council placet on record its high sense of appreciation of the public services rendered bythe Jute ,: HoTiyF H. L. Afichel, Meiiiber. of the' Council, to/illis- 'district iu!/particular and the coni minify at iarge, and in deploring;,thejjeffth of one who tor over half ris? century identified himself most intimately with the fortunes of AVesfclancl, desires to extend to Airs Afichel and family heartfelt sympathy and expressions of deepest condolence in theii* s:td bemmnicnt, ” Air,‘Ward made further feeling reference to the deceased, and the motion was carried in silence, members standing. The Chairman referred to the death of Airs Stephens, sister of/ a Councillor’s wife (All’s AI. Keenan). He would move that a letter of, condolence be forwarded to the bereaved husband, family, and relatives expressing the deep sympathy of the Council. The motion was carried in silence, members standing.

IXAYARD CORKESPOXDTXCE

From Returning Officer, advising election of Harry Wells, of AYoodstock, for Central Riding.—Received. The Chairman took the opportunity

of congratulating Air Harry Wells on his election to fill tho vacancy caused by the lamented death of his lather. They had many very vivid recollections of the work of his late father, who had sat at the Council table fur so many years and rendered , such valuable 'service He wished Air Harry Wells a long and prosperous services as a Councillor. He felt Llio ratepayers would have no cause to regret his election. Messrs Searle. Donovan. ’ Houston, Cliesterman, Keenan ’ and Jeffries joined in extending'a hearty welcome and endorsing the remarks ■of the Chairman.

In acknowledging the welcome Air Wells said lie deeply appreciated the welcome extended iby the Chairman and members. He would do his best to advance .'the best interests of the district. He felt that if he served those interests half as well as his late father had done, then there would be no room to complain at his actions. He thanked them again for their welcome to the Council table.

From Tre'i&iiry? l ivotifyiilg atnbuht df accrued revenue fa credit 1 of County Fund.—Received. • From family ■ of late Elizabeth’Daly, thanking Council fdr kind expression of sympathy.—Received. From Wells family, acknowledging expression of sympathy.—Received. ••

From Minister of Public Works, accepting invitation' to visit Westland Countv at end of March.—Received.

From Minister of Lands, to same effect.—R eceived. From Jas. O’Brien, M.P.. Greymouth, advising that an endeavour will be made to arrange a date for Minister’s visit to Westland County in March.—Received.

From Mines Department, forwarding extract containing amended regulations respecting assistance to prospectors, subsidy -for rock driving and sinking bedog increased twenty per cent.—Received.

From Public Works Dept., regarding relief works to the unemployed during winter, and asking for,, proposals on which a subsidy of £ for £ would bo given.—Received. The Chairman moved that the Overseer report on the most important works to be carried out and that the Council consider same at next meeting. Seconded b v Mr Houston and carried.

From Minister 'of Labour, forwarding Gazette relative to statutory halfholiday on Wednesdays. —Received.

From Health .Inspector, notifying case of infectious disease in district.— Received.

From President Aero Club, Ikamatua, with regard to a suitable land ground on West Coast, and asking if the Council would be represented at a conference.—Received. The Chairman moved that the Upuhcil support the proposed confeijenee. . Seconded by Mr Ivconan and carried. The Chairman and Clerk were appointed to represent the Council. From J.as. Mcßride, Matainui, consenting to the road drain being opened connecting with private property.Received. From tV. I). Nolan, Okuru, regarding Okuru road vote, advising as the settlers concerned are heavy ratepayers they objected to contributing towards upkeep of load; also strongly advising Council to maintain WartotoArawatu ferries as both rivers are dangerous; and regarding Mr Cowan’s request for ferry lease, advising Council to retain same as necesssarv for ferryman.—Received. A discussion took place on the objection of Hie settlers to find i’2s out of £IOO. for a drainage work. Councillors felt generally that the offer made by the Council was a very fair one. it was pointed ont by Mr Jeffries that last year over double of the amount of rates collected was spent in the (Okuru district. . It was generally voiced that a - very fair deal- was Icing given to the particular district.

Mr Donovan moved that the terms of the Council in regard to the drain

be adhered to. Seconded l>y’ Air Houston and carried. Air Donovan moved that it be suggested to the Committee that the work of the Arawata-Waitoto ferry be offered to Air Cowan at the ieduced price of £3O, with the right to use the ferry reserve;. Seconded by Air Houston and Carried.

From Overseer Alillner, reporting having inspected line of drain required hy-S. Ilavill, cost of same £54 for D chains of drain necessary,—Received. Air Keenan moved the work lire carried out, subject to S. fjfavill finding half the cost. Seconded by Air Chosterman and carried.

Frpm same, reporting upon progress if work on Secondary Highways for .11011th of February; also report of n-dinary maintenance works for Februm\—Received.

From Public AVorks Department, Rating, action will bo taken to obviate oile risk to children (due to speed vehicle traffic) by the provision of side rails to Kanieri bridge.—Received. From same stating corner near Araliura bridge had been cleared of overgrowth, and that further improvements would be made to widen the road at Toker’s corner.—Received. Air Houston stated this work had been done and was vci-y satisfactory. From same outlining the itinerary of the Alain Highways Board to tour Westland after Easter, travelling as far a.s AVeheka. —Received.

From J. C. Alalfroy and Co. Ltd, Butler Bros, Kanieri-Hokitika Sawmills Ltd,, West-land Gold Prospecting Syndicate, Periy and Coy., Diggers Sawmill Coy., Stuart and Chapman Ltd., sawmillers, asking the Council in view of the shipping in the timber trade to discontinue the levy of one half penny per 100 ft on sawn timber. —Received. The Chairman moved that consideration be held over till next meeting. .Tt seemed to him hardly reasonable to make the request. He did not think the sa.wmiller was hard hit by the levy of one halfpenny. Seconded, by Air Donovan and carried.

Air J. Scbroeder waited on the Council to enquire the attitude in rog.ird to heavy traffic on Wall road to take out timib'-r from a proposed mill at Doughboy. Alter discussion consideration was deferred pending a definite offer being received from applicant. From C. E. Atkinson, Afnnnmii, again strongly demanding road access to bis property.—Received. It was resolved to ask Railway Department for a reply to previous request. From Jamieson Bros., Koiterangi, asking for immediate repairs to Happy Ynlley track where an L.I.P. bolding bad been taken up.—Received. It '••■as resolved to authorise £lO towards the work. '

From Overseer Alillner reporting favourably as to quality of gum trees offered to the Council, hilt stating the timber was not required at present; stating that Kokntnhi Pound gravel P s t was not more unsightly than other nits ; estimating the drains at Loan Block settlement would cost £ll to clear;, protection to. Docherty’s creek road £2O: giving particulars of operations of road machinery. —Received. Dr' ins to be carried oof.

From W. Morris, Kokatahi. applynw for w'"k with horse and dray. —Received. To he filed for reference. FINANCE COMMITTEE'S REPORT. 1. Your Committee has the honour to report that tlm amounts as approved. totalling £2C3) Is 6d, be j>n.sscd for payment. 2. Y T "-ur Committee recommends that ste-us be taken, to eolleet outstanding rates, the financial year closing at the end of the present month.—Received and adopted. Mr Searle asked that the Roadman at Harihari be requested to cut the ragwort in the County gravel pit there.

Mr Jeffries inr.v"d iimf, the attention of the Noxious YVeeds Inspector be drawn to the prevalence of ragwort in thp district. -Seconded by Mr Donovan and carried.

TENDERS. PETERSEN R-O YD.

£ s d A. L. Robertson ... ... 316 0 0 A. J. Wall and party ... 336 0 0 P. J. Minehan and party 386 0 0 J. Adamson “ SCO 0 0 Tlie tender of A. L. Robertson was accepted. FERGUSON ROAD.

£ s d H. H’. Adamson and party 155 0 0 J. Adamson 160 0 0 No tender accepted, being above the estimate.

ORDER P'PER. The Chairman moved:—“That the accounts for thp month of February 1030, as revised and recommended for payment by the Finance Comniittee> amounting to £2035 3s 6d, be nassed for payment. Seconded by Mr Chesterman and carried. Tho Chairman moved:—“That the Treasurer prepare the annual statement of the apportionment of. the gross income fas estimated for the financial year commencing on Ist. April next) and the proposed allocation of the surplus revenue over the several .Ridings. as required by the Counties’ Act.” Seconded bv Mr Jeffries and carried. The Chairman moved:—“That the Overseer prepare a list of work's for application for Government grants for the'year, 1930-31.” -Seconded by Mr Keenan, and carricsd. The Chairman moved-—“ That Councillor YY'plls he appointed to the vacancy on the, Finance Committee.” Seconded bv Mr Searle and carried. The Chairman moved:—“That Councillor YY'ells be appointed to the vacancy in the County representation on the Westland Hospital Board for the remainder of the present term of appointment.” Seconded by Mr Searle and carried. The Council rose at 3.50 p.m.