WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 April 1930, Page 3

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

TUESDAY, APRIL Bth

The Council met at 2 p.m. Present: —Messrs Bernard Ward (Chairman), H. Wells, AY. Searle, M H. Houston, J. Donovan, W. Jeffries, J. A, Murdoch and M. Keenan. Ail apology was made for the absence of Mr diesterman (in North Island). , The minutes were confirmed arid outward correspondence approved.

INWARD CORRESPONDENCE.

From Treasury, notifying amount oi accrued revenue to credit of Countv Fund account. —Received. From Mrs H. L. Michel and family, thanking Council for kind message of sympathy in recent bereavement. — Received.

From Mrs M. Keenan, Rirnu, thanking Chairman and Councillors for kind expression of sympathy in bereavement. --Received.

From Highways Council, forwarding ■circular with regard to annual review of Main Highways.—Received; it was resolved to renew last year’s applications for Wataroa, Big Wanganui arid ]yi miioipal roads to be declared secondary Main Highways.

, From Internal Affairs Department, informing Council arrangements have been made for public inquiry on behalf of town-planning Board, to be held on April 10th at Greyinouth, and asking for appointment of delegates.—Received. The Chairman moved that Air Evans represent the Council. Seconded by Mr Keenan and carried. From New Zealand Counties Association, forwarding circulars regarding Conference, superannuation, etc.—Received.

Frorn Guinness and Kitchingham, Greymoutli, notifying transfer of Gillanits Gaily property from Parker Bros, to J. S. Langford.—Received. Tt was resolved that the purchaser be notified of the terms of easement in connection witli tram line.

From Liquidator Mount Greenland Quartz Mining Coy, asking that a re .’commendation he made to Minister o' Alines that rates on claims be treated as not recoverable.—Received; request granted From T. T. Furlong and others. Kok iitahi, asking for Council’s support in obtaining grant to.open up track b n tween Kokatahi river and th" Ton roll Hot Springs.—Received; referred to Tourist Department to enquire into. From T. Nolan, Matainui, thankin'" Council for having n»tfall drain completed through Me T> ””le’s p’—"""tv ' give drainage facilities to property.— Received.

From Gibb Bros, Waiho, regardin'" protection groin on Dooherty’s road advising 'agreed Ip to erect substantial groin for sum of £l7 10s and will giv°' -necess.arv —attention to -name after •.floods.—Received. Mr Donovan mov-r ed that the offer be accepted, subject to the approval of the Overseer. Seconded bv Air Searle and carried. From W. D. Nolan, Okuru, reporting on district works in locality.— Received.

From same, regarding Waiatoto and Artuvafca ferries, advising Council t3hafas Mr Cowan lives some nineteen miles from the ferries no assistance could be rendered to travellers wishing to cross the ferries, and supporting the matter be left in the hands of the District Committee to arrange for a reduced sum.—Received. The Chairman stated he had carefully read the correspondence and was of the opinion that the matter should l>e left to the Advisory Committee the cost' of the ferry not to exceed £36, the ferry reserve to he offered for lease. He moved to that effect. Seconded by Air Murdoch and carried.

From A. J. Cowan, Olcuru, advising re the Waiatoto and Arawata ferries, stating distance is too great to give attention to people wanting to cross blit will agree to taking over boats and leave same on each side of river for locals to cross.—Received.

From same, advising preparedness to carry on as Ferryman at Waiatoto ferry on same conditions as previous ferrvman.—Received.

From Overseer Millner, reporting upon cost of filling an old gravel pit on Main Highway Reserve at Hari Hari, cost of same £l2 10s.—Received. It was resolved to have the work done, Highways Board to he asked to find half the cost.

From same, reporting on progress of work upon Secondary Highways for month of March.—Received.

From New Zealand Railway Engineer advising that the cost of converting Alahinapua railway bridge into a combined road and rail traffic bridge would he about £2,000, and stating if the Council would pay the cost, the proposal would be submitted to' the Head Office.—Received. Air Murdoch moved that the letter- he referred to Overseer Alillner and that he he asked to report as to the cost of' a trafficbridge over the creek. Seconded by Mr Keenan and carried.

From Chief Commissioner supplying plan of survey of road on the south side of the Big Wai tab a.—Received. It was resolved to apply to the parties affeced for the right to pass through their properties, the Department to be thanked for carrying out the survey of the route.

From Westland Progress League notifying proposed goodwill visit of Canterbury business men, arid asking the Council to appoint representatives to the reception committee and inviting a contribution to the entertainment fund.—Received. The Chairriian, Messrs Houston, Jeffries and Murdoch to represent the Council, a vote of £5 being passed. From Les Stuart, Ivumara, asking

the Oc un il to arrange for repairs to Arab ura l.vtc mill.:, and offering to assist with the work.—Received; no action taken.

From S. Havill, thanking the Council for grant for drainage, and stating good results were l>eing achieved, and a useless area of land was being brought into use.—Received. Air Keenan said a great job bad been made by Air Havill. It was a. credit to him. From H. H. Afonk, Koiterangi, asking that a collapsed culvert be renewed arid the creek cleared for drainage purposes.—Received ; referred to Overseer for attention.

From Airs I. Bassett, appeal for a donation to Obstetrical Chair fund.— Received. Air Altirdoeh moved that £2 2s be voted. Seconded by Air Jeffries and carried. From Chairman Alain Highways Board advising visit to AVestknul on Tjliursday, April 24.—Received. it was resolved to meet the Board at 7.30 o’clock that evening. From Secretary Westland Hospital Board forwarding particulars of receipt and expenditure for the past year and estimated levy for the ensuing year, showing a small reduction on last year.—Received. From Dr Baird offering Austin car in first class order for sale at £2lO. Received.

From George Afansliip, H&rihari, asking for assistance in draining work to prevent flooding of his. land; also from AV. Berry supporting the proposal.—Received-; referred to Overseer Alillner to report.

FINANCE COMMITTEE’S REPORT

1. Your Committee has the honour to report that tile accounts presented for the month, of March, 1930, have been examined calrefully, and beg to recommend, that the amount as approved, totalliiiig £1442 9s Od be passed for payment. 2. Regarding the enquiry from the Public Works Department for co-op-eration with regard to finding work for unemployment your Committee recoin mends that, u4OO be offered, payment to spread over four months. 3. Your Committee has considered the increases of salaries recommended by the Treasurer, and begs to approve f the following increases; W. Aliliner £4O; J. Bernhard £24; J. Peake £2O, J. Ross £2O.

4. Generally your Committee approves of the financial proposal! ■> cm titined in the Treasurer’s report.Received. The 'Chairman moved the adoption of the report. Seconded by Ah’ Kee..

Air Jeffries objected to any increase in * salaries at cue present time in view of the troublous times ahead, if the Council hail a surplus they should give the ratepayers the advantage thereof by making a reduction in the general rate. Mr .Murdoch moved an amendment that the Treasurer report at tiAxl meeting on the scale of salaries paid by similar Councils throughout New Zealand id Seconded bv Mr • Donovan, win thought, no matter how deserving the present time was the wrong onto move for an increase:

The Chairman was surprised at the pessimistic strain of the speakers. The Treasurer's statement to-day wa tho most encouraging statement of the past twenty years. Air Houston supported the motion. The increases recommended were fulljustified. The Treasurer’s report showed a very favourable position. Air Searle supported the amendment- am Mr Wells the motion. Air Keenan said he would support the hold inover amendment.

The amendment was then carried and the motion for the reception as amended was agreed to.

ORDER PAPER

Tho Chairman moved :—“That the accounts for the month of March, 1930. as revised and recommended for payment by tho Finance Committee, amounting to £1142 9s Od, be passed for payment.” Seconded by Air Keenan 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 ££,500. such overdraft -to be secured by revenue oustanding and uncollected at the 31st Alarch, 1931.” Seconded by’lMr Alurdoch arid carried. The Chairman moved:—“That the list of proposed '• new works for application for Government gjrants be approved, and application he made for tho inclusion of same in the Public Works Estimates, 1930-31.’’ —Seconded by Air Jeffries and carried.

The Chairman moved“ That the annual report of the Treasurer on the proposed allocation of estimated revenue for the current financial year, be now considered and adopted.”—Seconded by Air Alurdoch and carried.

The Chairman moved:—“That in respect to the .foregoing report, the following ,be authorised - (a) “That Ka.kapotahi Bridge loan fate be not levied this year, - and the Treasurer be authorised to provide for the paying off of the full loan in February, 1931.” ■ fb) “That offers be called for, returnable at next meeting, for a car for County service, cost about £250.” i (el “That the annual general rate for the year be fixed at six farthings, (capital value), subject to rebate of 5 per cent for payment within the statutory time.” (d) “That the levy of halfpenny per 100 feet of sawn timber in terms of the provisions of The Finance Act, 1927, No. 2, be imposed as heretofore.”

i (e) “That consideration be given to the suggestion to procure a light

truck for special work mainly in the Southern and Nm t hern Ridings, at a cost of about £4 0.” Seconded by Air Houston. Clause t.b) was referred to the Chairman and the Overseer to deal with and Clause (e) was deferred for a month. The motion was thou agreed tp. Air Murdoch moved that £5 be spent in. improving Kawhaka track. Seconded by the Chairman and carried.

Transfer of a . slaughter house license from Searle Bros, to J. il. Diedricli was agreed to, The Council rose at 4.40 phri.