WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 28 May 1931, Page 5

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

WEDNESDAY, MAY 27TH.

AFTERNOON SITTING.

From J. Sweeney,AVniho, asking for

assistance towards clearing out track

lie in mouth of Blue River, for inspecting purposes.—Reee.veU ; re.erred to Mines Department.

From T. Gill, Mahitahi, asking for grant of £5 towards clearing track and slip to Bullock Creek. Received ; referred to Mines Department. From J. Condon, on behalf of J. Sweeney and Party, asking for assistance for clearing Blue River Horse track to enable the paitv to pack their provision through to the beach.—Received. From Same, in reference to estimate cost to clear Blue River Track, advising £lO would do to clear same.—Received.

From W. D .Nolan, regarding AVaiatoto Ferry maintenance, hoping Council will give matter reconsideration, and call for tenders at increased subsidy.—Received. Mr Donovan moved that tlie Advisory Committee be asked t ocarry on under present conditions for the ensuing twelve months. Sec* onded by Mr Jeffries and carried . From Same, oh behalf of. Hindi's Bros, applying for assistance towards clearing Upper Okuru run truck, suggest ug £3 on a.£ for: £ basis. ceived ; no action taken, From J. A.. Murdoch M.C.C. forwarding report oil visit to prospecting tunnel now driven by S. Hyndman and Party, Rinui'.—Received;, Air Jeffries moved that £ls be voted. Seconded by Mr Wells and carried. From Overseer Afillner, reporting on erosion of north bank of Arahura Riv, er as requested by Cr. Ward, advising cost of protection would be £125; also inspected erosion at Fox’s Creek, cost, of scrub, wire nets and material would be £ls.—Received ; deferred till funds . are available.

From Same, forwarding report upon progress of works .during month o) April.—Received. . From Same, reporting on progress, of work on Secondary Highways for month,of April.—Received., . ... From District Engineer;, Greymouth, advising that from June Ist, Dorothy Fall Road at Lake"Kanieri, would he under the charge of.the Council. —lie-, ceived. '

From Same, similar advice in respect to Poerua Road, Little Wanganui River.—Received. From Bank of New South Wales further ' advice of purchase of gold.— Received.

From J. Harvey pointing out that repairs were necessary to Brownings Pass track on the northern end of his property,—Received ; four days* workauthorised. From Overseer Milliner. monthly report; on roads and secondnry highways, with particulars of operations of HU d machinery,-—Received, FINANCE COMMITTEE'S REPORT, 1. A'our Commiteee has the honour to report that the accounts presented for the month of April were examined by the Special Committee on the sth inst., and the amount passed for payment was £1,177 10s 6d. 2. The accounts presented for the month of May to-day totalling £1,466 3s Ll, were examined to-day hv your Committee, and are recommended for payment.

3. As it is necessary to lay up two of the lorries protein, it is recommended that one driver be dspensed with and notice be given accordingly. 4. Regarding wages for casual labourers, it is recommended that the amount be fixed at the same rate as that paid by the Public Works Department, namely 12s fid per day, to take effect from Ist June.

5. In respect to the claim by T. Nolan for fencing etc., of reserve at Wataroa, it is recommended that be offered in settlement without prejudice to the Council’s legal position. fi. The Council is recommended to vote £lO under the Public Revenue Act (una'uthorised expenditure) towards the expense incurred in connection with the public presentation on the occasion of the launching of the Ritnu Dredge N'.y. 2. —Received and adopted. Mr Donovan speaking to the motion for the adoption of the report, said he felt that the reduction to I~s fid was unnvoidable. He said that he had been advised that the reduction had been accepted better in the south than in the north, whereas . if there was any place where the cost of living would he higher it would he in tiie south. He also expressed the hope that extra care would he taken that the full eight hours were worked.

After discussion Air Donovan moved that instructions be given to see that the full eight hours were worked: Seconded bv Air Jeffries and carried.

ORDER PAPER, The Chairman moved.—“ That the accounts for the month of April, 1931, as revised and recommended for payment !>v the Special Committee of the Council, amounting to £1177 10s fid, be passed for payment.—Seconded by Air Jeffries and carried. The Chairman moved, —“That the account for the month of May, 1931, as revised and recommended for payment by the Finance Com mi tee amount ing to £1.4(16 3s Id, he passed for payment.'’—Seconded hv Air Jeffries and carried.

‘Tihe Chairman moved;—“That all existing Committees be discharged and the Council proceed to appoint committees as follows:

“(a) Finance Committee: Crs Searle (Chairman), Jeffries, Wells, Donovan and Cnesterman.” “(b) Public Works Committee: —Crs, Ward (Chairman) Searle, Murdochand Houstoii.”

“(c) Councillors to sign cheques:—• The Chairman. Crs. Searle, JefTrres, Hons Con, Murdoch. Donovan ,j ana Wells.”

Seconded by Mr Jeffries and carried

Tlie Chairman moved.—“ That public notice he given of the intention to strike tbe annual general rate of one penny in the £, capital value, on the 7th. day of July, 1931, same to no payable, on or after the 10th. day of July, 1931, and that a rebate of ]ffve per cent, be granted on all payments made in full by the 10th August. 15931, . hut not later.”—Seconded by Air Wells and carried. [ -,-r Jeffries mentioned the fact that in many instances where the unemployed had been engaged in clearing the roads des of blackberries and other noxious weeds that the adjoining property holders had not done their part. He thought some action should be taken by the Council in the matter. Air Ward said he would oppose any drastic measures. At the present time"? that would cast an additional burden on the poor unfortunate settler who was hard put enough at the present time without any further espouse being added. Alv Senrle mentioned ; a dangerous corner in Barihan district (that required the high blackberries cutting down. Air Cbesterman said, there were some settlers who made no effort whatever to clear their premises and these should be made to make some effort. Air Jeffries said with all due respect to -dr AVard .it was an obligation on the settlers, where tlie Council was clearing the frontages that they should clear their properties inside their fences. It was resolved to- draw the attention of the Inspector of Noxious \\ r eeds to the matter.-. - ’ i ■

The Council-rose at 3.10 p.m