WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 January 1931, Page 2

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

TUESDAY, 13th JANUARY. Tli© Council met at 2 p.m. Present —Messrs .W. iSearle (County ChairVi|; maJl ') > H- J. A. Murdoch, B. • Ward, M. Houston, J. Donovan, M. Keenan, W. Jeffries and T. It. Chester. y|?r man. \% - The minutes were confirmed and out\?|ward corirespondenoe. approved.. , ' }k" ' . , ... v iPETERSENS ROAD. A deputation consisting of Messrs J. McLean, J. Minehan, J. .J. McKay, and Wall waited on th© Council in con-, nection with Petersen road extension. Mri J. J. Mclntosh was also present. Correspondence was read as follows : • • From District Engineer, with regard ' to Petersen Road through Mclntosh’s Improperly, acknowledging'particulars of. ElTeeent position.—Reeei ved. From Same, regarding same matter, forwarding a copy of letter from A. J. with settlers .on the- ground .—Received. •• . ( ' f ‘ From Harihari Branch of New Zealand Farmers'- Union, as . follows; “I have been instructed to forward to your Council a copy of a resolution carried unanimously. at a public meeting held in Harihari on 6th inst:— "Following is the resolution ;•'"That the .Westland County .Council be in-: formed that this meeting emphatically i proteato against any‘alteration in the route of Petersen road. That Petersen- road is' a properly dedicated road, • and the settlers insist that the original rout© be adhered to, and are agreeable to.'wait for access until grants are available to properly , complete road.” t f This ‘is the consequences of the . of motion given at last meeting of ,the Council.”—Received. • ’ ’

From same, petition signed by 46 residents of Inter-Wanganui distiet, supporting foregoing resolution, and protesting against any change of % route.—Received. The Chairman said they had.'heard the; correspondence read dealing with m the,mgtter, and be would ask the (JoUncil to hear the views of tlje members of the deputation. . Mr J. J. McKay (representing Harihari Farmers’ 1 Union) said the •petition get out in fair and reasonable .terms the reasons for the objections to the prppsoed detour. He was present , at. the conference held on the ground, : at which some of the Councillors were present. In regard to the new; plan placed before them, Mr Wall wap very emphatic in stating that his name should not be on that plan. Mr W a U was quite prepared to wait until the f was available to have the rohd t s u made on the surveyed route. They qb".f" jectedl to the 65 chains of the road b®- , v | ing added to bv the proposed .‘detour ft by 80 chains, making the length 95 chains, Ho urged the request to have the present route an strongly as posaible, "■ ■ ’ .... '

Mr J. Mel.ean said-,he woo ©f the the Council was making a had - v$ in suggesting the phjinging ■ of a dedicated read. Se was spending m considerable suip. of money o%opetf. irig up his property, and they Ranted road access. Public money had been spent in clearing the bush and forming, the road, and he would like to know how much had been spent on it. He would like to know if they had any ,r money available to go on with the ; road. They hiid not had access '■)for r\£j eight years, and they wanted it as soon as possible. '<?A Mr J. Minehan said lie understood ; ;i, the Touto was settled in 1926. He hftd i.v -then shifted his mill, expecting the road to be completed, The shifting of the mill alone cost over £4OO. He • understood that the cost of tho repeated surveys would come out,of the grants made for the road. The propped road would be much longer than the one laid out. Mr Wall said he thought the straight road was the best for the dits!jl 4 trict. He outlined conversations he had with Mr Mclntosh twelve months ago. He objected to the extra length of road involved. Mr J. J. Mclntosh said in reply to [•§}£ a remark by Mr McKay in regard to $$ Mr Wall’s name on the plan, he with Mr Sampson had seen Mr Wall, and the latter had accompanied them across the land to the metalled road. The i proposed route led straight paflt Mr ( Wall’s house, and the latter had said , some time ago that he approved of the | proposal. That was about six months ■ ago. He personally had not anything , to do with Mr Wall’s name appearing ( on the detour road plan. That was a matter the engineer could answer, j He was asking that a piece of heavy farm land !>•» protected by putting the , where he asked it to be .placed, which would provide a far better road f f r;at no cost to the Council. j v Mr Wall, in explanation, Raid that j the plan before the Council last meeting only went to the by-road, and did hot go past his house. r Tile Chairman said there had been j „ spent £740 15s 7d on the road. On the portion Mr Mclntosh proposed to o alter there had been £l5O spent in " clearing end forming. a The Chairman said nothing had been n spent by the Council in surveying these e. routes. The County Clerk stated there was I ~ £126, £ for £, on the Estimatw for b this work, but it was not available at w •i ■ present, and in any event would have to come out of next year’s quota. w It was stated that the Petersen road C extension loan, for which the settlers tl were responsible, was for that portion C lendin" to MoMclntosh’s farm. M Mr Ward said the Council was in a m

unique position in regard to the proposal. The settlers had submitted to the. loan rate for Petersen’s road. Their position was, therefore, a very sound one. These gentlemen had the right to have a -say, and lie had been glad to see them present and explain thedr views. Tlie Chairman said there were certain settlers down the Little Wanganui river who were sending in cream, and they had to rise the river bed. There was no Government grant available, and the settlers guaranteed the interest on the loan to enable the work to be pushed on. * Mr J. J. Mclntosh said there were four settlers affected—Mr McLean, Mr McArthur, Ferguson family and McIntosh, who had guaranteed the loan, and he had purchased portion of the Ferguson estate. The interest on the loan was paid for over nine years till the Council paid the loan.

: Mr Jeffries moved that the deputation be thanked for their attendance, and that the Council proceed with the order paper.—Seconded by Mr Houston and carried. The Chairman thanked the deputation for their attendance, and promised to give their representations every con alteration.

Mr McKay thanked the Council for the hearing given the deputation, stating the Question was a verv burning one and that all the settlers asked for was a fair deal. The deputation then withdrew. ' DECISION OF COUNCIL. Later when dealing with the order paper, the Council discussed the subject, Mr Houston moved:—“That any and all resolutions standing on the books of the Council, affecting the completion, of Petersen Road through Section 2829 (occupied by John J. McIntosh) ■ Block IV. Wanganui S.D., be and hereby are, now rescinded.” • Mr-Houston said the reason of the "motion was to ca'ncel the proposed present route. They had looked into the' niatter and had seen for themselves the injury, that would involve to Mr. McIntosh if the dedicated road were carried out." He could not say he was impressed by the statements made by the deputation. There was no question of a ! precedent as ,the road had already been deviated on three occasions. The .objectorsJiud stated they wanted access in'one breath, and in the next stating they were prepared to wait till grants were made, perhaps for years, while here by accepting Mr Mclntosh’s application they would have access in three months. He had much pleasure in moving the motion. Mr Jeffries seconded the motion. Mr Donovan said he regretted the action of Mr Houston in moving this ’motion. The resolution on the books; was moved by the speaker before Mr Houston'had entered the Council and he had seen nothing yet to alter that decision, If it had not been for the opposition of Mr- Mclntosh he had no doubt that Mr Wall would have had access before this, They should then have access to the stock track, . \ • Mr Jeffries—What stock track are you referring to. Mr Dopovan—The stock track from Wanganui to Wateron. ■ ; Mp Jeffries—rYou will be among the Angels before that is through , Mr Donovan—l don’t think so. The track, will he through sooner than you expect. . Mr Donovan said if . they accepted Mr Mclntosh’s offer the land would not belong to the Council, and they would only be able to use the road on sufferance, Mr Jeffries said he had listened to the deputation and to the speakers for and against. As far as he was con- : cerned, he had as much principle as ' any other member. One speaker j chided Cr. Houston with moving the resolution, and the fact that he was a new member. Several attacks were made on the motion but he was not convinced. Mr Donovan—Wait till the stock track is through. Mr Jeffries—And I will be convinced then; and you’ll be in heaven. Continuing Mr Jeffries said there were only 4 settlers affected in the 46 signatories. Mr Minehan was on the other side of the river and he was wanting access and by carrying the resolution he would get access within three months. It was stated that the would not use their new road, Did you ever hear such childish talk, rhe offer of Mr Mclntosh was a gen. irous one. He was going to give access ’ree of cost to the Council. It was the jounden duty of the Council to accept Hr Mclntosh’s offer. It was not going ,o close the dedicated road and it ■onkl be used later if it was required. Mr Wells thought Mr MoTntosh had men very fair and his offer was a ;ood one. He saw no reason why the equest should not he granted. Mr Keenan did not believe in interering with a good paddock. He saw o re"son why they should not accept Ir Mclntosh’s offer. There was no uestion of the position of the Council s it would not cost much to have the aad properly dedicated to the Council. [e would support the motion. Mr Chesterman said 1 he had made an ffe r to Mr MoTntosh when the speaker ps County Chairman, that if he would llow the road to go w’ - ere it was ow proposed to be made, he would remunend it to the Council, hut then [r Mclntosh would not agree to it. , was good hard country and was the 'St place to make it. Then they ould get quick access. The Chairman sai<l lie quite agreed ith Mr Donovan. He was surprised at r. Houston moving much a motion, ie first- term he had sat at fke mnoil table. He had thought that r Jeffries ought to have moved the otion himself. The Harihari settlers

were opposed to the proposal. He would be very sorry if the Council rescinded the resolution on the books. There was absolutely no hardship on Mr Mclntosh whatever. The only portion that had been cleared is that which was cleared for the road. Mr Mclntosh was beaten when ill' Watkinson was there. It was only stubbornness; on Mr Mclntosh’s part that had caused the present position.

Mr Ward was sorry to see the southern members divided on the question. There was a decided weakness in that one settler was asking for a deviation, and all the other settlers were opposed. Interest had been’ raised and that day they had the other settlers all opposed to the request that had been made. Much, had been made of the statement that the new road would not cost the Council anything. There would be no saving in the question of grass lands by the new route. It seem, ed that they were asked to turn down rhe request of 46 settlers at the request of one. The settler most effected ' by the deviation is Wall and he is opposed to it. He was sorry that he could not support the motion. Mr Murdoch said he was glad to hear the expressions of opinion. He thought it was an unprecedented offer that had been made, There was only one paragraph that he did not approve and that referred to the Council recognising the right of Mr Mclntosh to the dedicated road. Mr Mclntosh was so impressed with the damage that would he done to his land by the making of the road through! the area between the two creeks, that he was prepared to provide and make at his own cost, a road through another route, It was, he thought an unprecedented offer to provide a road at his own cost. In ordfer to leave the Council untrarnmoiled, they should take up the negr ative attitude. The Chairman asked Overseer Millner to express an opinion in the question. Overseer Millner did not think it was fair to ask him that question. Mr Houston objected to the Overseer expressing his opinion. It was a question for flip Council to decide. After a short discussion the Chairman said he would not press the point. Mr Ward said after hearing the full discussion lie was of opinion that Mr Mclntosh, could have gone on his own and made the road and left it to the settlers to us L . it. ,Mr Murdoch urged that the. last eight lines bo deleted of the second motion and this was agreed to. The motion was then put- and carried. Ayes—Messrs Wells, Keenan, Houston, Jeffries, Murdoch and Cliesterman. Noes—Messrs Ward, Donovan and Chairman. Mr Houston moved:—“That the Council accept the offer of John J. Mclntosh of Hokitika to complete j Petersen Hoad at his own cost and I without charge to Government grant or Council funds, from a point at the I end of the newly made road in front |of his dwelling by a direct line ns shown on the blue print plan before the Council, to the boundary road between . two sections 2829 and 2880, Block iy. Wanganui 6.D. j and thence by tho boundary road to the point of Intersection with the surveyed Jine of Petersen Hoad in Section 2880 on which construction has been proceeding} that til 6 work of construction be carried out in accordance with specification prepared by Overseer Millner and completed to his satisfaction within three months from the date of signing the agreement to bo prepared, —Seconded by Mr Jeffries and oarried in the same voting as the previous

motion. Mr Houston moved: —“That the Council use every expediton in completing Petersen’s Road within

section 2830, so as to give Mr Wall access to the new road to he constructed a« soon as the latter road i 9 available for traffic.”—.Seconded by Mr Jeffries and carried,

ANOTHER DEPUTATION. Mr IV. Graham (Kokatahi) waited on the Council asking that Crougb’s road he opened to give him excess, enabling a considerable saving in time to him. From J .Monk, Kokatahi, regarding W. Graham’s request to open Crough’s Road, protesting against the opening of same.—Received. It was stated in Overseer Milner’s report at last meeting that the cost would be £7 ss. A suggestion that the Council find one half of the amount was agreed to by Mr Graham. Mr W. Diedrichs also objected to the road being opened. Mr Chesterman then moved that the access asked for he provided subject to Mr Graham finding one half of the cost. Seconded by Mr Keenan and carried.

MJLLTOWN TRACK DEVIATION. Mr Harvey waited on the Council in connection with access to his land on Milltown-Arahura track, The County Clerk reported that Mr J C. Macfarlane stated the cost of survey to dedicate the road would be £4-5 per mile and as the length of road was over two miles the cost would be about £IOO. Mr Ward stated that the cost of the road would he £IOO. The Northern riding would have to find £IOO, while that day the riding had a deficit of £SO, the first time in its history. Mr Murdoch referred to the position of the northern riding at some length and then moved that the survey of the road be put in hand. Seconded hv Mr Chesterman. Supported by Mr Donovan and carried. From Treasury, notifying accrued revenue placed to credit of County Fund.—Received. From Mines Department, with reference to assistance towards prospecting

for Honey and Party, advising there is an unexpended balance which is not required, and lias been cancelled by Minister of Mines.—Received.

From Labour Department, forwarding circular asking which day Council decided shall be the statutory halfholiday in district.—Received. From Public Works Department, re Busch Road, advising Overseer 1 reports owing to Alahitahi River changing its course nothing can be done in improvements which would make present access satisfactory, suggesting Council should consider matter when preparing next year’s Estimates.—Received. From Same, regarding Arthurstown Road, advising that as the allocation for County under Public Works Fund has been already exceeded, regrets application for same cannot be-approved. —deceived. From Lands Department, with reference to Graham’s Road, advising plan of road was sent to State Advances Boai'd for consent as mortgagee, and on receipt of same completion of legal formalities will receive immediate attention.—Received. From Same, regarding gravel reserve I 912, Wataroa S.D. suggested to be set apart for purpose of resting travelling stock, ndvising District Engineer cannot agree to a change in status of the reserve.—Receded, From Same, re Reserve 695, Wntnroa, advising that same has never been formally set aside as a school site nnd its status is therefore ordinary Crown Land available for disposal by Department.—Received. From Health Officer, notifying infectious diseases in district.—Received ; Mr Jeffries stated that there were three eases of typhoid in Matninni district, Pi*. Telford (Health Officer) thp local Medical officer and the Chairman of the Westland Hospital, Board hat] the matter ip hand and were taking necessary steps in the matter. | From County Clerk, Te Kuiti, forwarding circular with regard to burden of Highway taxation, nsking for Council’s support in the matter to sej cure a reduction.—Received. I From Jas. O’Brien M.P., Wellington, telegraphing enquiring if Council is prepared to go ahead with Kapitea- | Kumara junction road if money on Estimates authorised.—Received. From same, advising Minister of Pubilc Works will not return from Dunedin until 20th December, hut will gut some works authorised.—Received. From ltcv. H. J. W. Knights, Hold- j tilca, advising that on the occasion of | I the visit of the Governor-General to j j Hokitika, that a service will be held at 11 a.m. on the Sunday, Ist February, asking if members of the Council will attend in official capacity.—Received and accepted. From H, Linklater, Waitaha, re- ' garding proposed road on south bank of Waitaha River, agreeing to amount of share of loan, and asking if time could be extended thereby lightening annual payments.—Received. From J. Trembath, Waitaha, ndvising willingness to pay amount of loan, nnd hoping to see road put through at earhest convenience.—. Received, From Geo. Linklater, Waitaha, acknowledging letter regarding partiom lars of loan proposal, advising the per* iod of 15 years over which repayment would he spread, would he more suitable tlmn 10 years.—Received. From J. Douglas, Waitaha, asking Council’s permission to cross Waitaha Settlement Road with an electric wire. —Received; referred to Power Bonrn, From R, Williams, Matninni, asking name of person who hnd reported to Council he had been going late to work, ns he would like to clear himself on the matter.—Received, From A. Purcell nnd Others, Waiho Gorge, applying for grant pf £IOO to complete track from main road to Upper Waikukupa Gorge.—Received ; application to be made for a grant, From M. Carroll, respecting pros pecting application made by A. Pui cell, recommending that same b granted.—Received. From J. Condon, Mahitnhi, asking if Council would recommend some wire crates to protect road from eros ion by the creek that leads to Mul vaney's residence.—Received. From Overseer Millner, reporting or progress of work on Secondary Highways during month of December, " 1920.—Received. From District Engineer, asking consideration of offer by D. F. Dennehy to give land required from section 2669 to straighten proposed line of road down Waitangi South bank route. —Received. From Overseer Millner, reporting adversely on the suggested change of route, as the new route though about 20 chains shorter, will be more costly for construction and maintenance.—Received ; copy to he sent to District Engineer. From W. Ritchie, Koiterangi, asking that the Overseer report on the j possibility of turning Diedrich’s Creek into an old channel below Hokitika Gorge, as a means to save erosion by the Hokitika river.—Received ; Overseer to report. From W. White, Hokitika, asking recommendation in respect to prospecting aid for work above Hokitika Gorge.—Received; to he recommended. From Overseer Millner, monthly report on district works return of work carried out by plant: reporting dual accident to No. 1 and 2 lorries on 7th inst.—Received. It was resolved to request the drivers in future when following another lorry to maintain a distance of at least a chain away. From Town Clerk Hokitika, notifying an official visit of the GovernorGeneral and inviting the Council to take part therein.—Received and agreed to, the Chairman to mate the necessary arrangements. FINANCE COMMITTEE’S REPORT. 1. Your Committee has the honour to report that the accounts presented

1 for tho month of December, 1930, have been examined carefully, and beg to recommend that the amount as approved, totalling £1342, 3s 7d, be passed for payment. 2. With regard to Government grants carrying Council subsidies, your Committee recommends* that in future the subsidy be payable out of the General Account, instead ctf being a charge against the Hiding Accounts, as the expenditure is generally for permanent work, and involves considerably more than maintenance for which the income of the Killing accounts is appreciated. —deceived and adopted. OKPER PAPER. The Chairman moved.—“ That the accounts for the month of Deeemthe accounts for the month of December, 1930, as revised and recommended for payment by Finance Committee, amounting to £1342 3s 7d, be pass_ ed for payment. —Seconded by Mr Ward and carried. T lie Chairman moved.—“ That Arthur Clifton Esq., of Rimu be appointed Council’s representative on Hokitika High School Hoard, for the ensuing term. —Seconded by Mr Keenan and carried. The Chairman moved.—“ That public notice be given that ten per cent interest will be added to all rates remaining unpaid after sth February next. —Seconded by Mr Ware' and carried. Mr Donovan moved.—“ That £5 be expendi d in giving urgent attention and necessary repairs to the uinespies Cemetery,—Seconded by the Chairman and carried. Mr Jeffries, by Icftvf, moved: — “That the present economic eondit* 1 ipp (if the Popunion demands the im« I mediate attention of the Government j of the day and that a respectful memorandum be sent to the Prime Minister urging Cabinet to:— 1. Seriously consider tile necessity of reducing the Honararia of all Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament and Civil Servants whose salaries exceed £350 per annum. 2. That special attention lie directed to the ever increasing cost of Government and that a genuine attempt be . made to curtail the departmental expenditure now going on in the Dominion. That all County Councils throughout the Dominion be asked to support the above resolutions. Seconded by the Chairman. Mr Donovan supported the motion and suggested that it be added .that Auctioneers charges should not be a3ilmved to exceed 2.J per cent. Mr Murdoch supported tho motion very strongly and it was carried. Mr Murdoch moved that a vote of £3 be passed for clearing a drain at the back oif Mundny’s, Stafford.—Seconded by .Mr Ward and carried. Leave of absence was granted tlie County Clerk for about a fortnight from 20tli inst, SPECIAL MEETING. 'lhe Chairman moved.—“ That Wednesday afternoon of each week be fixed as the statutory half-holiday for the County of Westland for the ensuring year,—Seconded by Mr Ward and carried. The Council rose at 5.20 p.m.