WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 July 1931, Page 2

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

TUESDAY, JULY Tth. Tlie Council met at 2 p.m. Present : Messrs M. Keenan (County Chairman), H. Wells, W. Searle, B. Ward, J. Donovan, W: Jeffries, J. A. Murdoch, R. Chesterman, and M. Houston. The minutes were confirmed and outward' correspondence approved.

MOTION OF SYMPATHY. Mr Murdoch moved tht the Council convey to the widow of the late Mr William Joyce, the deep sympathy of marphers of the Council in the loss, she has"- "sustained, and express its deep regret at the loss of a valued citizen. Mr, Murdoch regetted the loss of a personal friend. He was one whom once met was generally liked. He was a. conscientious and. generous citizen whose death he deeply deplored. The Chairman seconded the motion which was carried in silence members standing. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE.

From Treasury, notifying accrued revenue placed to credit of County Fund.—Received.

' From Minister of Mines, advising Department cannot see is way clear to reduce fees payable in connection with applications' for mining rights.—Re» ceived. Mr (Murdoch moved .that the letter of the Hon. 'Minister of Mines dated 23th May **sl, be received and a reply be sent to the Mihister pointing out that the objection of the Council applied to certain charges now being imposed upon applicants for mining privileges in. respect of the .matter that do not involve any time or expense whatever to the 'Mines Department., Under these circumstances the Minister be asked ito reconsider his decision. Seconded by Mr Chesterman and carried. From same, advising Department has approved of subsidy towards prospecting assistance to S. Hyndman and Party, Rimu, namely £3B 13s 4d.—Be-

e ived. From Internal Affairs Department, acknowledging receipt of letter advising election of chairman for ensuing term.—Received.

From Minister of Public Works, telegraphing regarding Little Wanganui erosion, advising same will he. looked into, regretting that flood damage vote has now lapsed.—Received. v From James Minehan, Mount Hercules, respecting Little Wanganui river erosion.—Received. Mr Houston enquired whether it were a fact that Minehan had stopped Roadman Vitiski6 from following his instructions- to dynamite trees in the riverbed of Little Wanganui, to improve the con1, ditions ill the river there, Mr Donovan stated that the previous day he had ; scefl ‘Ml* iMehbn "at’‘Sanliari tfre 'pie- ■ vioiis day, atld the latter bad stated Ujo had told the Roadman not to carry i out the proposed work. The discussion ■ the speaker had with Mr Minehan was of a most unsatisfactory nature.

From Transport Department, forwarding circular letter with regard to proposed heavy motor vehicle regulations, asking for any T suggestions concerning same. —Received.

.At the request of Mr Jeffries, the ; Chairman’s report on bis visit to the inter-Wanganui riven (already published) was reed. Mr Jewries stated that the report set out the position very clearly, and he, entirely favoured it. On the occasion of, the visit. Mr Alin eh an was invited to almond but he failed to he present. Mr Minehan had taken up an impossible attitude. If Mr Mineham would not assist the other settlers in the matter, to protect his own land then they should allow the proposal to 1 lapse. Mr Ward approved of the Chairman’s report. He thought that every | care should be taken not to involve the ) Council in any liability. ‘ Mr Murdoch urged that every care he taken to prevent the Council being t involved in any unnecessary liability. Mr Soarle said in view of the advice cf Mr Murdoch, he would suggest that the Council take no further action in reference to the breaking up of the large trees brought down by the flood. In any event Minehan’s property would be the first to suffer. Mr Jeffries said there was , a lot of ■valuable property involved in addition to Minehan’s property, while there was Peterson road involved. The Council should take the necessary steps-to prevent further damage to property. Mr Houston objected to the Council instuctions to its -Roadman being Interfered with by any settler; ■ He thought the Council should have their 'instructions carried out. , "

Mr Murdoch suggested ihnt the Council should visit the grourtdljfajwd come to a definite decision. ,

Mr Chesterman knew the position and •was of the opinion that • the trees should be removed. ,■ v t Air Ward hoped the Council would safeguard itself-: by securing a legal opinion on the position of the Council. ITe moved that a legal opinion be obtained on the question of the liability of .the Council. Seconded by Mr Chesterman and carried. From Main, Highways Board, forwarding circular regarding straying stock on Main Highways, asking that same be placed under notice of Council. —Received; referred to Chairman and Overseer for attention, ->

pended, 1 on highways wfithin County boundaries. —Received.

From same, advising 1 unable to approve of reduction of Council’s contribution towards highways* maintenance, and asking for amount necessary to make np usual contribution be paid.—■ Received. From same, advising that a careful analysis has been made of-expenditure on highways, and it was found that the Council contributed 9.4 per cent for 1930, and for year ending 31st March, 1931, 9 per cent of total amount ex-

From Overseer Millner, reporting on above circular. —Received.

From Inspector of Noxious Meeds, Hokitika, with regard to noxious weeds, advising matter will be looked into, and an improvement made where possible.—Received. ' Mr Warn agreed with Mr Jeffries that it was the duty of the settlers to keep their frontages clear. Mr Jeffries stated that it was the clear duty of the property holder to keep his frontage clear and he personally objected strongly to any expenditure by the Council on clearing front-

agos From N.Z. Counties Association forwarding minutes of Executive meet ing held at Wellington recently.—Received. From James O’Brien, M.P.. acknowledging letter forwarding Estimates for 1931-32, advising best will be clone to have whole of the amount voted by Parliament. —Received. From School Committee, Hokitika, asking for contribution towards ex-, penses fol' Rental Clinic. ; —-Received. Mr Searle moved that the letter bereceived only. Sortie twelve months ago the Cotillcil voted £5, but the County had hot received any benefit. The Hdxihari School Ccminittee had asked the Hokitika School Commuted to send down the Rental nurse, offering to pay her fare and keep, but the offer had been declined, If it had not been fer the application of Mr O’Brien M.P., the Harihari district would not have had the services of a dental officer. The latter had declared the mouths of the children of that district were' the worst he had seen in New Zealand. No action was taken. From Park and Murdoch, on behalf of C. H.Gutbrey, asking for consent to grant by Warden of ordinary prospecting license over 100 acres in Block, Kanieri S.R., which included portion of an unformed road known ?s German Road.—Rceived ; no objection. From same, on behalf of B. Bennehy. to consent to grant of application for claim, residence site and water race.— Received. From R. A. Harcourt, Koiterangi, asking for access to run situated on Whitcombe river above Frew’s Creek.— —•Received. From F. Raymond, Koiterangi, asking for assistance towards giving access at Frew’s Creek, for mining purposes. —-Received. From S. Hyndman and Party, thanking Council for assistance towards prospecting.—Received. From W. Wallace, Totara, notifying Council of state of culverts on Totara track, and reporting accident to son through collapsed culvert. Received ; Overseer to report. j&eriihy^..Evans Crp.ejc, with to I‘eductioh itt ferry reserve petit strongly protesting at decision of Council.—Oßeoeived. The Council decided to take no action, but to convoy to the writer its strong disapproval cf the tone of his letter. From W. Wells and W. Culverlionse, Oemeroa, asking for assistance in clearing out old track from main road at Oemeroa for distance of 3 three miles along north bank of river towards the mouth.—Received. From J. Stewart and others, applying for renewal of slaughter house licenses. —Received. From County Chairman, reporting on result of visit to Little Wanganui river erosion; also in respect to erosion complained of by E. Herlihv, advising that the Council would be justified in giving same any reasonable consideration in. matter of payment of rent and rates. —Received. From Newmans Ltd., supplying certificate of character of H. McMullan, being a capable and careful driver. — Received. It was decided to grant a license as desired. From Mines Department granting subsidy of £25, £ for £ for improving back country tracks for mining.—Received. From Hokitika Harbour Board asking that Mr W. Millner be allowed to report regarding river diversion at the east town boundary.—Received. Mr Houston explained the position of the river. Mr Chesterman then moved that the request be acceded to. Seconded by j.ur Jeffries, supported by Mr Ward and carried. From D. W, McNicol offering to keep Woolhcuse road,. Totara, in repair for £3O per annum.—Received. From Overseer Millner monthly report oil road work.—Received. From C. Atkinson, Mananui, 'Stating the sea was again encroaching on the sea beach road and stopping road access.—Received ; referred to Overseer for report. From J. J. Mclntosh asking assistance to prevent river erosion at" Little Wanganui, being prepared to carry out the work if the Council would supply wire crates.—Received and offer accepted. FINANCE COMMITTEE’S REPORT. Your Committee has .the honour to report that the accounts presented for the month of June, 1931, have been : examined carefully/ and beg to recoinj mend that the amount as approved, ! totalling £IB6B 17s 7d, be' passed for 1 payment. 2. Your Committee recommend that the County Solicitor be consulted with regard to the enforcing the by-law relating to hawkers operating in the County. .3. Your Committee fur!her recommends that the Government be urged to formulate a scheme for utilising unemployed labour in improving Crown Lands by clearing and draining approved areas for permanent settlement for occupation, by those desiring to settle on the land permanently under liberal and adopted.

A PROTEST. Mr Jeffries referred to a recent report appearing in a recent interview published in a Christchurch paper presumably written by Mr Kimbell, under-Secretary for Mines, which were of a very derogatory nature to the W«t Coast. He took a strong objection to these incorrect remarks which had received wide circulation. Mr Jeffries referred to mining operations throughout the district, stating there was a distinct possibility oi a gold revival throughout the district. There was an urgent call for gold. Mr Murdoch agreed with Mr Jeffries remarks. He thought it deplorable that a gentleman occupying the position oi under-Secretary oi Mines should publ'sh such incorrect statements which were a distinct reflection on the West Coast, and he should be called upon to retract his remarks. He thought they should ask the Minister of Mines if Mr KimbCl had made the remarks, and if so why he had done so, and if so then he should be called upon to withdraw same as publicly as he had made them. He knew of the claims referred to by Mi Jeffries an* 1 could endorse the value of the gold being won. He was satisfies that Mr Kimbell had not known what he was talking about. H was a dis-' tinct slur on the district. 1 Mr .Ward said he was a firm believer that there was still much more gold left in Westland than had been won, | lout it was much harder to get than it used to be. He illustrated the winning of half a million pounds of gold iil ten years bn the south side of the rivdr. nhero Was gold ttyere [that required capital to work it alid it will he won iff the future. It seemed hard' indeed when an officer.of the,Mines Department made such a statement that he had done, There was more prospecting being done at present than had been done for years and .the Mines Department should offer every assistance instead of retarding the industry. Mr Chesterman endorsed the protest

of other members. Mr Donovan took th» strongest objection to Mr Kimbelhs published statement, because it was not true. Goldmining in the Okarito district at present was looking very promising indeed. He supported the bringing of the attention of ihe Minister to the remarks of Mr Kimbell. Mr Jeffries moved that this Council

regrets the publication recently made covering a reported interview with the under-Secretary of Mines wherein he states that there is no likelihood of any great development in the mining district on the West Coast. That as far as the province of AA 1 estland is concerned this .Council resents the statement which is contradicted by the fact

that gold is now being won in increasing quantities and that the Minister ‘ot Mines be asked if he is a party to .such

report.' Seconded by y vlr Chjjstwrman and carried.

ORDER PAPER. The Chairman moved; “That the accounts for the month of June, IS3I, as*, revised and recommended for payment by the Finance Committee, amounting to fi!B6B tts Bd, bo passed for payment, Seconded by Mr Seftrlo and carried. Tho chairman moved: “Th#j£ the Council make and levy pursuant to the provisions of Sections 48-55 of the Rating Act, 1908, and its amendments, and Sections 120-121 of the Counties Act, 1920, a general rate as follows: (a) Four farthings in the £ on the capital value of all ratable property in the Northern Riding of the County of Westland. (b) Four farthings in the £ on the capital value of all rateable property in the Central Riding of the County ot Westland.

(c) Four farthings in the £ on the capital value of all rateable property in the Southern Riding of the County ol AVestland.

Such general rate to be for the period commenced on the Ist clay of April, 1931, and ending on the 31st day of March, 1932, and to become due and payable in one sum on the 10th day of July, 1931, at the office of the AVestland County Council, Hokitika. Seconded by Mr ‘Ward and carried.

The Chairman moved: “That pursuant to the provisions of the Rating Act and its amendments, a rebate of five per centum be allowed on the foregoing rates paid by the 10th day of August, 1931, but not later, and public notice be given accordingly.” Seconded by Air Ward and carried.

Air Donovan moved : ‘‘That the attention of the Government be drawn to the serious danger of the AVaitangi River cutting in towards the main south road on the south side of the river where the stream has cut behind the protective groyne, and is in danger of eroding a valuable settlement area and the local reading, and a request b e made for additional protective works to secure the position at the danger point.” Seconded by Air Searle and carried. •Air Donovan moved; “That a sum not exceeding £6, be expended in repairs urgently required on Five Milo Bluff track.” Seconded by Air Searle and carried. Air Donovan moved : “That in the interests of furthering gold mining in the Southern Riding, the Chairman qnd Councillors visit the dredging operations and beach workings in the Okar-ito-Fivo. Mile district, and report as fc o suggestions for revising the mining regulations and fees chargeable, with a view to attracting greater public interest in the" industry; and that the Inspector of Mines for the district bo. invited to accompany the Council and confer in regard to promoting and developing gold mining in AVestland generally.”

The Council rose at 4.50 p.m.

Seconded by Mr Searle, . supported by .Mr Murdoch, and carried. The County Clerk (Mr Evans) was granted ten days leave of absence.

It was resolved that the next meeting of the Council be on Tuesday, September Bth.