WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 May 1930, Page 5

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

annual, aieetjng

ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

WEDNESDAY, MAY 28th

The Council met at noon. Present Messrs B. Ward (County Chairman) J .A. Murdoch, T. R. Chesterman, H Wells, J. Donovan, M. Keenan, W Searle, W. Jeffries and M. H. HouS'

Mr Ward said, twelve months ago they did li.ni the honor of electing him

o the chair. He wished to thank all for their co-operation and kind assistance during the year. He wished to specially thank Mr Evans for his wonderful assistance. He complimented the Council on having Air Evans as their officer. The year had been an historical one. They had the June upheaval which fortunately had not done much damage in Westland. He mentioned that Byrd had reached the South Pole but he took no credit for that. He wished to thank Mr Evans, Air Peake and Aliss Ross on the faithful loyal services rendered during the year. In vacating the chair he was pleased to know his successor would have an easy term. He thanked members for their loyal co-operation during the year. He left the chair with the best of good feelings towards members. He asked Air Evans to take the chair. The Clerk (Mr D. J. Evans) took the Chair and invited nominations for the position of Chairman for the ensuing year.

Air Murdoch nominated Mr Searle Seconded by Mr Houston.

Air Keenan nominated Air Jeffries. Seconded by Air Wells. The voting was as follows: For Air Searle—Ayes: Alessrs Searle. Houston, Donovan, Chesterman, Murdoch and Ward. Noes: Alessrs AVells, Keenan and Jeffries.—6—3. For ATr Jeffries—Ayes: Alessrs Wells, Keenan and Jeffries. Noes: Alessrs Searle, Houston, Donovan, Chesterman, Murdoch and Ward.— 3—6.

Air Searle was declared Chairman for- tlie year and took the Chair. Air Jeffries took the first opportunity of congratulating the new Chairman on his election. Though he had stood against him lie had only done so at the request of fellow members. It was due to Air Searle to be elected Chairman, and he congratulated him on his election and promised his personal assistance. Mr Searle thanked members for his election, and specially the generous references made by Air Jeffries ill his congratulations. He knew he would have a hard time following such a popular Chairman. Naturally lie felt a little bit nervous, but he felt doubly honored as he was the first far South *>estland resident elected to the position,

Air Ward congratulated the Chairman. He had promised a year ago .

give his vote to Air Searle. In voting against Mr Jeffries, he did so reluctantly as he was a good member. Air Searle was a resident of South Westland and he felt sure he would worn whole-heartedly for South Westland and the rest of Westland g

erallv. ile promised his personal assistance and trusted his term of office would be an easy and successful one. Mr Murdoch moved that a hearty vote of thanks be passed to the retiring County Chairman, and also to the County Clerk, and the Council’s employees. Of the retiring County Chairman, he could not speak too highly. He joined in all Mr Ward had said of Mi; Evans and the rest of the staff. It was merited and deserved. Referring to Mr 'Searle he congratulated Him on his election, and promised assistance in carrying on the work of the Council during the year. Mr Houston seconded the motion. He heartily supported the references made by Mr Murdoch.

Mr Chesterman joined in support of the motion, and also congratulated Mr Searle on his election.

Mr Keenan congratulated the Chairman on his election, though he had proposed Mr Jeffries. He paid a tribute to the work of Mr Ward in the last year.

Mr Wells congratulated the new chairman on his election and promised every assistance. * Mr Donovan also joined in the good wishes. The coming year promised to be a bright one, the finances being in good order. The Chairman supported the motion heartily and the motion was agreed to. Mr Ward said he had not expected such a vote of thanks, Pie felt lie had done very 'little. He would look on the past year with pleasure and no regrets. During his twenty odd years on the Council lie had' always tried to do lus duty.

Mr Evans thanked members for the vote of thanks to the staff, and assured the Council that the other members were very capable and painstak-

SPECIAL MEETING

Jt was resolved to open tenders for Cron’s Road work clearing and gravelli»g-

W. Martin and Party £l4B R. Adamson and Party 163 J. Anderson 175 A. J. Wall 108 The tender of W. Martin and Partv

was accepted. OTHER BUSINESS

Overseer Millner reported the cost of providing temporary access to Mananui residents by deviation of Beach Road at golf links at a cost oi £l2.—Received. It was resolved that the work he caned out. The Commissioner of Crown Lands notified that the estimate of royalty

involved in exchange of road reserves for scenic area in Ross Road, by exchange with Messrs Butler Bros, was £B7l 10s. —Received. Mr Keenan differed with a statement by the Commissioner that where standing Irtish lines a road it improves it—instanced Kokatahi road which showed marked improvement since the bush had been cleared. Mr Chesterman supported this view.

Mr Murdoch moved that the Chairman be empowered to confer with the Commissioner as to the arrangements to be made, to conserve the interests of the Council, and re-oup the Council tor the loss they would otherwise sus-

tain. Mr Ward seconded the motion. The question was whether the conservation ot the scenic attraction was worth the amount involved to the Council. Supported by members and agreed to, the Chairman stating lie would carefully conserve the interests of' the Council. 'lhe Chief Postmaster, Greymouth, wrote stating it was suggested to change the name of Waiho Gorge post and telephone office to Franz Josef, and asking ior an expression of opinion.—Received. Mr Jeffries moved the Council offers no objection to the desire of the settlers to change the name.—Seconded by Mr Keenan and after discuss on was agreed to. It was reported that Mr W. Wright would not aonsent to the proposed road on the south hank of the Waitaha river, as it would pass through his property. Mr Ward moved that the Chairman interview Mr Wright and report to the next meeting of the Council. Seconded by Mr Donovan, who urged every consideration be given to the requirements of the settlers. The motion was agreed to. A circular from the Highways Board in reference to wages for casual labour was received.. Consideration was deferred. A letter was read from Mr A. J. Wall, Petersen’s Road, in reference to statements made at last Council meeting in regard to Petersen Road extension.—Received. The County Clerk reported that the actual vote available for Petersen’s Road was being expended, the tender having been accepted in March, while the actual authority had only come to hand tihr;s month'. In reference to the survey of a deviation route, he had been advised by a Public Works officer before last meeting that a survey of alternate routes was being made for the information of the Minister. The Council had not moved in the matter. All that the office knew was whfA the Pul<io Works officer had stated, and he had mentioned that the settlers had agreed to the proposed survey. In any event the proposal dealt with at last meeting was only a report as to the cost, of completing the road on which it had been suggested the Council might make a contribution. That was held in abeyance until the route was determined. The Kuniara-Rapitea grant had nothing to do with Petersen Road grant, the two works being independent. Mr Jeffries said the position was as stated. When the Council was informed of the position it was decided to defer consideration. As a matter, of fact the Council could not find both £4OO for Kumara Road and £2OO for Peterson’s Road in one year. The Chairman said that the position appeared to he that the Council voted for a grant for Kumara against Petersen Road, but that was not the case. Pie was satisfied the Council would vote for assistance to struggling settlers getting access in preference to the northern road. Mr Ward said as far as he saw the position it was that when they were informed of there being a further survey made it was deemed advisable to defer consideration till the route was definitely settled. Mr Donovan said at last meeting when informed that a survey of a new route was being made he had considered ,the settlers (had altered their mind, but he had found on enquiry that such was not the case. Further discussion took place, and the matter was tlien allowed to drop, it being agreed that all present available moneys had been spent, and the Clerk to advise Mr Wall of the position. The Council rose at 1.10 p.m.

.ROLL OF COUNTY CHAIRMEN. 1876 1877 .... 1878 .... 1879 .... 1880 ... , R. J. Serfdom 1881 .... 1862 .... 1883 .... P. Dungan 1884 .... 1885 .... 1S86 .... J. M. McGoldriek 1887 McL. W. Jack 1888 .... ... J. M. McGoldriek 1889 A. Camming 1S90 .... John McWbirter 1891 .... John McWliirter 1892 .... Thos Daly 1893 .... John Staines 1894 J. Grimmond ' 1895 .... Jns F. Byrne 1896 .... John Staines 1897 A. Cumming 1898 1899 Jas. F. Byrne 1900 L. Northcroft 1901 T. V. Byrne 1902 ..... A. Clifton 1903 T. Grimmond 1904 T. Y7. Duff 1905 T. J. McGuigan 1906 .... 1907 .... T. W. Bruce 1908 1909 1910 T. W. Duff 1911 T. W. Bnux?. 1912