WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 February 1931, Page 2

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10. The monthly meeting of the Council sat at 2 p.m. Present: Messrs W. Seai'le (County Chrairman), W. Jeffries, B. Ward, J. Donovan, J. A. Murdoch, M. Keenan, R. Chesterman and M. Houston. An apology was received from Mr H. Wells, absent in Christchurch. The minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed.

The outward crorespondence was approved. ■ • . i . INWARD CORRESPONDENCE. From Treasury, no trying accrued. revenue placed to credit of County, fund.—Received. From Public Works Department, advising that after March ,31st it was not intended to provide separate vote on estimates for. items under “Roads on Goldfields”, same bo consolidated into ordinary P.W. Funds Roads vote.—Received. From same, notifying proposals for expenditure on One Mile Road, Arabura, appear satisfactory, but amount cannot be made available before 31st March owing to allocation being considerably overdrawn.—Received, From same, with reference to proposals for Waitangi South Bank Road, advising requisition has been forwarded to Wellington for the necessary authority.—Received. From Fanners’ Union, Harihari, forwarding resolution carried at recent meeting protesting against private road apd asserting the determination to use original route of Petersen Road

—Received. .. From Public Works Department, acknowledging receipt of letter with regard to Petersen Road through Mr Mclntosh’s property, advising that an inspection was made of same alter recent floods, and full consideration ot' the Council should be given to the construction of' the ’legal road -Received and construction of new extension deferred. (See extended report in another column.) From same, reporting on flood damage in the Inter Wanganui district, and outlining proposals to deal with same. Received and £IOO voted to th© Department for expenditure. (See further particulars in another column). From Mines Department, advising that the amount granted towards Roads, Mt. Greenland track, has been passed for payment.—Received. From same, regarding grant of £IOO asked for by Messrs Purcell and Engholt for prospecting track at W«ikukupa Gorge, advising same is being reported on and on receipt of same, will be submitted to the Minister of Mines for consideration.—Received. -From Purcell and Engholt, Waiho, thanking Council for support given in

regard to application for assstanee.— {Received. '.From Mines {Department, regarding 'a.piplication for prospecting assistance .asked for by W. White, asking for particulars regarding same, - with regard to flocality, names of party etc.—Received, to be supplied. . From Inspector of Mines, . Reef ton, regarding above matter, asking for particulars and experience of Mr White as a. miner and prospector.—Received, to{be supplied. .•From Receiver of Gold Revenue, forwarding list of small rents which it is- impossible to collect, asking if Coun.

cil ~would forward same to Minister of. Mines with recommendation that same be treated as not recoverable.— Received and agreed to. From Commissioner of Unemployment, forwarding circular with regard ,to scheme lor placing unemployed workers with local bodies.—Received. From A. E. Jul], Wellington, advising copy of conditions regarding amount of free labour for local authorities being forwarded; asking what .work can be provided.—Received and agreed to. v;The Clerk explained the proceedings at a meeting at Greymouth the previous day, and a list of works for unemployed labour was agreed to. The matter was referred to the Overseer an,d : Clerk to attend to. From N.Z. Counties Association, asking ; gf,. Council, will be requiring any further supplies of “Model By-Law.”— Received. From W. R. Cherrie,- Ross, forwarding ’list of heart of silver pine in all sizes, asking that if Council should re-

quire quantities at any time, would be pleased to supply same.—Received and referred to the Overseer to look into prices. From John Condon, Mahitabi, acknowledging letter re number of crates required for protection work, stating about 24ft of crates would be required, —Received and six nets be supplied. - From D. Dennehy, acknowledging letter re taking charge of wharf and shed at Oknrito, advising cannot state how long lie will be in Okarito, but will take charge of same while there.— Received and offer accepted without remuneration. From W. D. Nolan, re vote for Upper Okuru Road, advising the settlers cannot see their way clear to rontrib.ute towards road drains.—Received. Work to be made available for unem-

ployment. From T. Nolan, asking Council to have drain cleared fronting Section 105. to connect up with Sludge Channel.—Received and referred to the Overseer. From Town Clerk, Kumara, asking Council’s attention to the Chesterfield track as it needs repairing.—Received and to bo attended to. From J. Donovan M.C.C., advising flood rain has scoured the hills on Th r e e Mile Bluff track, asking that a man be put on same for a week to repair damage.—Received and action approved. From E. A. Gibb, Waiho, notifying floods had encroached lower part of Pocherty’s Creek road, same requiring

early attention, asking if Council will pay half cost of same.—Received and grant made. From John Douglas, Waitaha, forwarding letter from Westland Power Ltd., notifying that Company has no objection to erection of proposed line. —Received Council having no übection. From A. Clifton, Rimu, thanking Council for appointment on High School Board. —Received. From Butler Bros., confirming verbal agreement to survey of new lino of route for Milltown-Arahura Road, noting plans of new road will be submitted for approval.—Received. From County Clerk, Oamaru, forwarding circular conveying resolution carried at recent meeting of Council that the Executive of N.Z. Counties Association he asked to call a conference of County Representatives to discuss such matters as de-rating, legislation re maximum speed limits, etc., asking Council to give full consideration to the resolution.—Received. From County Chairman, Seddon, forwarding resolution of the Awatere County, in view of serious economic conditions, asking for the support of the resolution.—Received. From County Clerk, Marton, acknowledging circular advocating reduction in honoraria of Cabinet Ministers and Members of Parliament.—Received. From County Clerk, Reefton, advising that Council is in accord with representations tnade therein eicept in so fat* as it relates to the hoiloraria of Members of Parliament.—Received. From County Clerk, Murchison, ratifying Council decided to unanimously Support proposals contained in circular letter of the 17th ult. regarding salaries of Members of Parliament etc.

—Received. . From County Clerk, Mosgiel, regarding circular in connection with present economic outlook in Dominion, advising Council is in sympathy with terms of resolution forwarded.—Received. From Minister of Lands, acknowledging letter regarding resolution adopted urging certain economies in matter of State expenditure, advising same will be referred for consideration of Right Hon. Prime Minister.—Reeived. From County Clerk, Fairlie, advising Council decided to support resolution of this Council regarding present economic conditions of the Dominion.—Received.

1 From County Clerk, Timaru, endorsing resolution regarding economic condition in the Dominion.—Received. From County Clerk, Oamaru, advising Council resolved to support resolution contained in Circular letter cf the 17th ult.—Received. From County Clerk, Waimate, supporting resolution regarding above matter.—Received. From County Clerk, Kimbolton, to same effect.—Received. From County Clerk. Queenstown, supporting above resolution.—Received.

From Sanitary Inspector, notifying defective drainage at premises situate Harihari, asking that owner be notifleld to have defects 'repaired,—Received and notices' to be pent to owner and occupier, • From Health Inspector, notifying cases of infectious diseases in district. —-Reecived. From G. H. Ferguson, Fergusons, with reference to Waitaha Road, asking for certain details, and when same received, attitude to proposal submitted will be given.—Received, copy to be sent to Mr Linklater and position explained to Mr Ferguson. From H. Linklater, Waitaha, in connection with Waitaha Road, advising' settlers favour the fifteen years per-1 iod for repayment of loan.—Received, j

From Overseer Millner, reporting having inspected Doughboy Creek erosion, advising if £25 spent would prevent further erosion.—Received. As road was in danger the vote was granted.

From same, notifying the western approach to Municipal Bridge was damaged by flood, cost of repairs with stone and manuka scrub £lo.—Received, attended to. From same, reporting recent heavy flood eroded portion of Kokatahi Bridge Protection, damaging 300 links, same requiring repairs immediately, at cost of £IOO Received, protection in hand, highway being affected. From same, reporting upon progress of work on Secondarv Highways for j month of January, 1931.—Received. From Rt. Hon. Prime Minister, ack- J nowledging circular regarding econom-1 ies' in State expenditure, and stating Cabinet had set up a Committee to go | into the matter.—Received.

From Mines Department notifying cancellation of vote of £2O for Red Jack’s track.—Received and approved. From Commissioner of Crown Lands regarding proposed cattle resting place near Waitangi, suggesting the Council confer with the Public Works Department on the matter.—Received with thanks, conference to be held. From Kanieri Electric Ltd. stating it would be necessary to cross Lake Kanieri Road with a water race for the new hydro-electric scheme, offering to construct a culvert in accordance with draft plan submitted, and asking approval accordingly; a teinpor. ary detour road would be made meantime for traffic.—Received and referred to Overseer.

From Walter Neame, Wainihinihi, asking for a subsidy for river protection work where farm land was jeopardised.—Received, a subsidy of £lO being granted and one week’s work by Roadman Olderog. From W. Stewart and J. Pamment, Kumara, drawing attention to the state of Lamplough track and asking for repairs.—Received, to be attended to.

From R. G. Brnddon and party, Hokitika, asking for prospecting subsidy to drive a tunnel of 500 feet at the head of Blue Spur creek. —Received and recommended. From W. Wallace, To tiara, asking

for urgent attention to Totai’a track —Received and referred to Chairman

From E. A. Gibb, Waiho Gorge, reporting further damage to Docherty creek groyne and asking the Overseer visit and advise best action to take. —Received, Overseer to visit. From M’aniototo, Eyre, Vincent, Bruce, Waimairi, Tawera, Takaka, Oxford County Councils, agreeing to support representations to the Government regarding State economies.—Received.

From Ashburton Qoun.ty Cou',licit advising circular in regard to State economies would be considered at next Council meeting on the 6th inst.—Received. From Foreman Reynolds, reporting on progress of work at Alfred bridge, and stating the temporary white pine bridge at La Foutaine would soon require renewiug.—Reeeived. From Overseer Milliter reporting that the cost of the suggested diversion of Diedriehs Creek at Upper Koitorangi would be £35 to £4o. Received, Mr W. Ritchie addressed the Council, £lO £ to £ agreed to. From same supplying monthly report on district works and operations oi County plant for January.—Received. From R. Douglas regarding contribution to Waitatia South Bank road. —Received and referred to Mr Linklater to confer with other settlers.

From M. A, Routhan drawing attention to defective drain at. Goldaborotiglt —Received, and referred to the Overseed foi* attibhi

From Wi McNicol offering suitable timber for a culvert on Redman’s Road,-—Received, and referred to the Overseer for report, From H. H. Busch, reporting on need for improved access at Maintain.— Received, and £lO voted for work proposed at approaches to the river. The Chairman stated that he hoped to visit the South district shortly. From W. F. Richards offering to supply cheque forms at the c-ost of outside supplies.—Received and agreed to.

FINANCE REPORT. The Finance Committee recommended the payment of the January ac- | counts amounting to £1615 7s lOd. j Included in the amount was £7OO for j the redemption of Ivakepotalii Bridge j loan. The report was received and I adopted, nntmbers expressing gratifi-

j cation that it was possible to redeem the loan. It was stated also that 80 per cent of the 1930-31 rate had been collected. The uncollected amounts were being referred to the County Solicitor for attention. I Regarding erosion at Kanieri mentioned by Mr Chesterman, the Overseer was authorised to- act up to £lO in remedial work. ORDER PAPER. Tile Chairman moved :—“That the accounts for the month of January 1931, as received and recommended for payment by the Finance Committee, amounting to £1615 7s 10, be passed fo rpaynielit.” Mr Murdoch seconded, —Carried. The Chairman moved:—“That fresh tenders be called for the supply of benzine at the County depot at Kanieri, for alternative periods of six months and one year.” Mr Donovan seconded.—Carried. Mr Donovan moved: —That the Waiho River Track from the sea beach to Fords he cleared of slips, fallen trees and overgrowth at a cost not exceeding £B.” Mr Murdoch seconded, carried, the resident member to sup-

ervise. Mr Murdoch moved:—"That the sum of £IOO be passed for payment as a preliminary contribution by this Council and inhabitants of the County of Westland to the fund now being inaugurated throughout the Dominion of New Zealand and other portions of our Empire for the relieving of distress in the affected Napier, Hastings and adjoining districts owing to the recent calamitous earthquake and resulting damage.” Mr Ward seconded.-—Car-ried. Mr Murdoch moved :—“That this I Council in the interests of ratepayers and owners of mining properties and intending mining applicants within the County enters its strong protest against the imposition of further fees and charges upon applications to the Warden for mining rights as indicated by the circular issued by the Commissioner of Crown Lands dated the 6th. February, 1931.” Jn moving the motion, Mr Murdoch stated that under the old scale, application for a claim, etc., cost, 19/-. The new scale was £7 15/- and the latest addition brought it to a minimum of at least £9. Mr Ward seconded.—Carried. The Council rose at 4.50 p.m.