WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 27 May 1931, Page 5

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

WEDNESDAY, MAY 27TH. ORDINARY MEETING. The Council proceeded with the ordinary meeting, Mr M. Keenan, the newly elected Chairman, presiding,' all members being present. The minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approved. INWAR D CORRESPONDENCE.' From Treasury, notifying accrued revenue placed to credit of County Fund.—Received. From Public Works Department, advising Department cannot undertake, any addition work downstream from existing protective works at Little Wanganui River Erosion.—Received. From Overseer Milliter, lor warding report on Little Wanganui River Erosion below lower groin and retaining bank recently completed by Public Works Department.—Received. Mr Chester man said it was up to settlers themselves to do something on their part. He felt that the Council had done a considerable part already. Mr Searle said he appreciated what had been done. ‘ He felt that whatever was done there would be an overflow in flood times, He favoured the wire feiiciiig suggestion of Overseer Milkier. Mr Jeffries gave a wartiirlg to the Council in connection with further assistance, as there wore many similar position In other parts of the County whore the settlers would look for assistance. He suggested the Chairman .should investigate the position with the Overseer, the settlers to be invited to be present, on Friday moral ing and report. Mr Ward liked the suggestion of a wire fencing as a suitable one for assisting in protection by catching the debris.

Mr Donovan supported tile report of the Overseer. He thought the settlers should help themselves in the matter.

The Chairman agreed with the views of members.

The suggestion of Air Jeffries was taken as a motion and agreed to.

From Minister of Alines, regarding application for prospecting assistance by S. Hyndman and Party, advising further report is being obtained in connection with application.—Received. From Same, referring to above matter, advising instructions have been issued to have the matter further investigated and same reconsidered; also enquiring what financial aid Council is prepared to grant by virtue of powers conferred upon it by Section 420 of Alining Act.—Received. From Director of Education, advising Governor-General bad approved of appointment of D. J. Evans, as member of Hokitika High School Board in place of late A. Clifton.—Received

From Jas. CTBrieti, M.P., advising that the Alinister of Public Works had been interviewed respecting authors*, utkm of works, same advising no authority could be given till after the 3l»t March—Received,-

From H. F. Toogood, Wellington, forwarding circular with regard to Economies of Rural Roads, and asking for returns.—Received.

From Westland Hospital Board, forwarding copy of levy struck, at meeting of Board.—Received. From Bank of New South Wales, forwarding amount of gold purchased lotperiod of March, for export.—Received. From Farmers’ Union, Grevmouth, forwarding resolution of meeting that an endeavour be made to obtain a reduction in rates for ensuing year.— Received; a reply to be sent stating the rate had already been reduced by one-third.

From Leslie -Michel, accepting appointment as Assessor on behalf of the Westland County Council under Land Valuation Act. —Received.

From E. H. Hewer, Harihari, forwarding application for slaughter house license for new premises.—Received and approved. From N. Warren, thanking Council for favourable consideration to request for assistance to give access to track u p Arahura. —Received. From E. Herlilhy, Evans Creek, asking for a substantial reduction in rent on Ferry Reserve. —Received; referred to Chairman to report.

From H. C. C. Hende, Waitaha, offering to construct road on South Bank of Waitaha according to plan and specification for the sum of £6 per chain.—Received and filed; in absence of grant, no action could be taken. From John Donovan, applying for subsidy to make entrance to homestead and property at Waiho Gorge.—Received.

From A. J. Cowan, Okuni, respecting closing of Okuru ferry, advising Council he will carry on without subsidy, subject to granting use of reserve under previous conditions.—Received and accepted with thanks.

SECONDARY HICHWAYS REPORT. Sir, I have the honour to report upon the progress of work on Secondary Highways during the month ending May 23rd. LOWER KOKATAHI—McARTHFit ROAD. This road was re-surfaced with the power grader, collecting displaced gravel and crushed metal from the outer sides and bringing the material to the road centre, from Cropp road intersection to Camelback road a distance of slightly more thaji two miles. Motor worn holes were repaired with gravel a distance of one nrle, 13 cubic yards of, gravel being used from roadside dumps. Portions of the road surface, damaged by traffic during the recent wet weather was repaired with river

beach gravel, from the Alain Highway to Kanieri to beyond Lake Kanieri road intersection, 95 .cubic yards o? gravel being used for the purpose. UPPER KOKATAHJ. ROAD. Short sections of encroaching gorse and blackberry were cleared on the northern side a distance of 12 chains, unemployed labour being utilised for the purpose!. LAKE KANIERI ROAD, Alotor worn holes were repaired, where necessary between Lower Kokatahi road and Stoney Creek, a distance " of 2 miles, 12 yards- of gravel being used. Considerable scour has taken place in the bed of Stoney Creek displacing som of the scouring nets on the lower side of. the bridge, and to present the scour from extending and undermining the sills of the bridge, a quantity of stone requires carting and } placing in the creek to form a scouring apron at a cost of about £IU. WILLIAM AITLLNER, j Overseer.

OVERSEER’S REPORT. Sir. I have the honour to report upon the progress of works during the month of May. NORTHERN RIDING. Palmer’s Creek bridge renewal was continued and almost completed under the direction of Bridge Foreman H. Reynolds, On completion this work will be one of the most serviceable in the WeStlaild County. Tins under structure is hardwood, witii rolled steel joisti} end round silver pine lining, the decking traffic planking and hand railing being inner heart of rimu. MAINTENANCE. Very serviceable work was effected principally by unemployed labour in clearing portions of Loopline, KapiteaChesterfield, Big Dam, Duffers, One ante Road, Awatuna and Christchurch Roads. Watertables were cleared on Awatuna Road, Christchurch Road, and Blue Spur-Arahura Roads. Drains, were cleaned in Stafford township, on the Alain Highway at Goldsborough and north of Takutai railway station. An abrupt curve on Awatuna road .widened 8 feet for 150 links| in length. One Aide Road ■ creek was cleared and reopenedl from , the Main Highway , towards One,Aide road for a distance of between ,35 to. 40 chains and a new drain on One Mile road, almost completed for 30 Chains in length* also partial diversion of a. creek on One Mile road a distance of 50 links. Repairs were also effected to the protective work on the northern and southern ■banks of Arahura river! • CENTRAL RIDING.

Arthurstown road widening was completed the specified distance of 35 chains and culverts renewed as.specifid with inner heart of rimu anu.silver pine timber, . maintenance! i Repairs were effected to South Hokitika, Adairs, nhd a portion of the upper end o Arthurstown road at the southern end of Hokitika River bridge to raise the. road to the grade of. the Alain Highways which: was recently elevated at the intersection. Minor .repairs were effected with gravel to portions of Wall and Cropp road's and abutments of bridges on Koiteraugi rplad. 'Whitcombs Valley road was graded with the power grader to repair the recent flood damages to the road surface.

■Unemployed labour assisted in clearing Arthurstown. Upper Kokatahi, Kelly, Blue Spur, Boucher’s Track and Right Hand Branch Track, Blue Spur Creek. Water fables were cleaned on Blue Spur, Hokitika-Hau Hau and Seddon’s Terrace Roads. Drains were cleaned on Blue Spur and Dawson’s Road and an abrupt point dangerous to traffic widened 9 feet in width on Blue Spur Road; also the widening of a narrow portion of the road below the first cutting on Hokitika-Hau Hau Road commenced and completed for 150 links in length. SOUTHERN RIDING.

Three Mile Track. This work was put in hand, and the clearing of the detour and part formation was completed, wet weather interfering with the work.

Waitnngi South Bank, was commenced and 16 chains of metalling and 9 chains of branch roadto the gravel supply from the river completed. Okarito Road Metalling was continued and the wrost portions placed in order, also encroaching growth cleared, water tables and drains cleaned and culverts renewed where necessary, excepting a few depressions on the flat, the road is in fair order. MAINTENANCE.

Repair s were affected to Wataroa Flat Road, the approach to Dr. Bell’s residence completed, portions of detour road dragged, . and bad holes repaired. Roadman Wliitiskje attended to repairs to various roads in Harihari district and completion of culvert renewal on Petersen Road.

Unemployed labour was engaged on Ruatapu Road widening and reducing the grade on Berwick’ s Hill, also on Happy Valley Track repairs and clearing.

The Council adjourned at 1.5 p.m and resumed at 2 p.m.