WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 December 1931, Page 3

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Westland County Council was held at 2 p.m., when there were present: Messrs M. Keenan (Chairman), R. Chesterman, J. A. Murdoch, W. Jetfries, J. Donovan, M. Houston, B. Ward, W. Searle and H. Wells. The minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed and the outward correspondence approved. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE. Froin Treasury, notifying amount of accrued revenue placed to credit of County Fund. —Received. From Mines Department, regretting inability to assist Purceil and Engholt with prospecting assistance, but same will be considered on receipt of fresn application in the New Year.—Received.

From Public Works Department regarding Three Mile Creek Bridge, advising the Minister is agreeable to over-authorising the grant proposed for current year to extent of further £2OO on a £2 for £1 basis.—Received.

From Same, regarding Waiho-Cook Traclc via Gillespies, advising Overseer Carroll reported, same is unsafe for traffic, and cost of repairs would be £75, and as no grants available from Consolidated Fund, Overseer Carroll would supervise the work if Council would arrange necessary expenditure Mr Chesterman said there was no chance of crossing the lagoon except by the bridge. Mr Donovan said the bridge was needed ns mining would shortly be proceeded with.

It was decided to go ahead with the work.

From C. J. P. Sellers on behalf of H. Jones forwarding copy of application for prospecting license over part of scenic reserve at Lake Mahinapua.— Granted.

From Minister of Agriculture, regarding proposed aerodrome at Hokitika, regretting land cannot be vested in Council, but Department prepared to agree to a lease being granted' for period of five years at peppercorn rental. Ci'. Ward: The mail service has come to stay, and it will put Hokitika on the map. He moved that the proposal be accepted. Cr. Murdoch seconded the motion. He was whole-heartedly in support of the proposal which was a step in the right direction, and which would place Hokitika on the map. Cr. Jeffries said that he did not think that the suggestion that Hokitika would ever be made a port of call for the mail service would be consumated. Had not Wanganui been refused recognition ? The Postmaster at Hokitika knew nothing officially. Cr. Jeffries considered it a physical impossibility for he thought that the proposed ground wasitoo small. Where, also, was the Council to find the funds? He wished it to be recorded that he was not opposed to aviation, nor the project before them. If the Council accepted the proposal, he emphati-i cally hoped that the Council would utilise the ground only for that purpose.

Ciy Ward: There is a. note of pessimism about Cr. Jeffries’ remarks. I want to see the site established. Cr. Jeffries: So do it Continuing, Cr. Ward said that expert opinion on the site was favourable. In his opinion it was ideal.

Cr. Donovan said be was aware that the time was ripe for Hokitika to have its own aerodrome, bringing it up to date with other towns. He agreed that it should be kept for flying purposes entirely.

The Chairman also stated he was in favour of the proposal. The motion was carried, it being understood that it was to be used entirely and solely as an aerodrome. From Bank of N.Z. advising rate of interest charged on overdraft has been reduced to 61 per cent, per annum.—Received.

From Town Clerk, Hokitika, advising J. Murdoch, Esq., was appointed representative of Ross Borough Coun cil to act on executive dealing witli unemployments—Received. From West Coast Radio : Society, Greymouth, applying for a donation towards Society’s funds. —Received. From Greymouth Motors Ltd., submitting for Council proposition cover" ing > Hydraulic Tip Truck, asking for Council’s consideration of same. —Received.

From A. R. Elcock, on behalf of H. Hende, applying #o r lease of Ferry Reserve 226, Waitaha, in favour of Mr Hend» at same rental as now paid by Mr Wright.—Granted.

From W. 0. Bierworth, Ross, forwarding for Council’s information time and work done by him- to Mt. Greenland Pack Track; also forwarding account for rates due.—Received. From Farmers’ Union, KoiterangiKokatahi, asking if the Council could make use of some of the unemployed that is offering to open some of the unformed roads in the district. —Left in the hands of the Treasurer and Secretary.

From Same, advising the Union desires the Council to consider advisability of obtaining • a Government grant to build a bridge over Fergusons Creek on the Poerua New Settlement Road.— Received. From J. H. Cropper, Waitaha, thanking Council for action taken regarding wandering stock nuisance.— Received. PETERSEN ROAD. From Farmers’ Union, Harihari, acknowledging letter re Petersen Road, stating members pleased to note that

when the -Estimates are published the matter will be taken up again. Cr. Searle said this matter had been long enough before the Council, and he moved that the'matter be finalised and the legalised route proceeded with. He suggested that the work could be let in four small contracts. The Council could not afford to wait until the next meeting in February, for if the money was not found, the work would lapse. Cr. Ward: What is* the reason for the delay ? Is it due to any antagonism on the part of the Council? The County Clerk (Mr D. J. Evans): The route has not been settled.

Cr. Searle’s suggestion was put in the form of a motion which was seconded by Cr. Donovan. Mr Wall, a resident in the locality in question, waited on the Council. He retraced the ground covered in previous deliberations on the matter. “There has been continual disputes and squabbles,” he said. “The Council considered the striking of a general rate, and agreed thereon, hut it had not kept its agreement. He had paid the special rate, but had received no benefit. Jt seemed, he said, that the way things were going, that they would he frozen out. Cr. Murdoch: Was it not stated at this table that you had come to the conclusion that it did not matter where the road was put.

Mr Wall: No. The County Clerk: We have a motion before us. Cr. Jeffries: Dear Old Petersen Road. I shall never forget it as long as J. live. I move that the Overseer he instructed to prepare an estimate of the cost of proceeding with the alternative inside route. The time is opportune, labour is cheap, and there is plenty in the district, 'ibis road will he tree from river erosion and should he done cheaper than when first considered. Cr. Donovan: Why the Council should refrain from putting the roaa through the legalised portion, thereby isolating the settlers, 1 do not know. Cr. Jeffries poses as an apostle of economy at this table, yet his proposal will mean a large amount of money to the Council. Members should think the matter over.

Cr. Ward: We are wasting time, ’file Public Works Department will not spend any money except on surveyed routes.

Cr. Chesterman: It is time the road should go through and give access, and it should go through the legalised portion. Or. Murdoch: By all means give them access, but in doing so do not penalise others. Cr. Jeffries’ amendment is worthy of the Council’s consideration and deals with the matter in a comprehensive way. Cr. Jeffries’ amendment was put to the meeting and carried by lice votes to four.

From Same forwarding list of roads urgently required, and asking for (Councils cuns.aeration of same.—received.

From Same, with regard to keeping under control noxious weeds and blackberry on roads along frontages, asking what the Council’s attitude is towards farmers fencing in and having use of road areas and to . within a few yards of metalling portion of road.—Decided Council could give no permission in the matter.

From Mrs P. J. Walsh, thanking Council for grant of £SO towards Wai. tangi River Protection.—Received.

From K. Nolan, Matainui, complaint respecting new water course opened by Council and advising that unless necessary steps he taken to have nuisance remedied, action will be taken to secure an injunction restraining Council in the matter, and for the recovery of .damage.—Received, no action to be taken.

From J. C. Christiansen and Others, Okarito, applying for a track across the Waiho Bluff ridge, giving approach to the upper end of the existing Bluff track', estimated cost about £2OO. Cr Donovan said the proposed track was shorter and safer than the present route.

It was decided to apply for a Government grant.

From H. Friend and Others, Oka.rito. forwarding petition to have a ferryplaced at disposal on the Okarito River.—Granted for .three months. From W. D. Nolan, advising that the Committee recommends that the Council expend a vote of £lO on HaastOkuru” Dray road which would he sufficient to open a rough dray road suitable for present traffic; also notifying that dangerous culvert on Haast-Okuru road has been rebuilt by the Public Works Department.—Received and recommendation adopted. From Overseer Millner, forwarding report upon the progress work on Secondary Highways for month of Novem" ber .Received. It was decided to effect immediate repairs to the house of the roadman at Hari Hari. ACCESS TO HOKITIKA. Mr C. J. P. Sellers, acting on behalf of Mr A. Heveldt and other settlers on the south side of the Hokitika river and the western side of the railway reserve waited on the Council. He informed the members that these settlers had now no > direct road communication to Hokitika as the beach road had been washed away. This road was their only road access, and they desired that a road should be constructed from the present bridge over Mahi napua Creek, along t.he road reserve on the western side of the creek and the eastern side of the golf links thence along the railway reserve to the Shanghai Road.

Mr C. Atkinson of Mananui also wrote with reference to the same matter.

Cr. Jeffries said the work could be carried out much more cheaply to-dav than when the matter was considered before owing to the reduced cost of labour. He wholeheartedly .supported the petition in view of the hardship now imposed on the settlers.

, - - .. j ■ ■ 1 Cr.*- Chesterman said - he- fully realised the position. They liad considered the proposal before but nothing had been done, and he would now like to see some .move made in this direction. , Cr. Ward said the Council had anvays done what it could for the settlers, the real enemy being the sea which had washed away the roads. He would be sorry to see a road put through the golf links, which had magnanimously offered land for a road since washed away. Mr Evans : It would only affect one green. However, said Cr. Ward, I would not like to see the Golf Club affected. It was stated that it was not likely that the position could he remedied without infringing on the goif links, although only one green would be affected. Cr. Houston said he did not, think it would affect the Club seriously. The main item would be the fencing on the eastern boundary. His idea was that the road should be pu,t down on the eastern boundary. His idea was that tile road should be put down on the eastern side of Mafiiiiapua Creek. He would like to see the matter settled definitely as it had come before the Council for some years. If some arrangements could be made concerning the fencing he did not think the Club would raise any objection. Cr. Donovan said he was in favour of access being given the settlers and suggested that the Chairman should get in touch with the Golf Club officials. The Chairman said that if some arrangements could be reached, the work could be undertaken by the unemployed. Cr. Murdoch outlined the Council’s

activities in connection with the matter. “It is my opinion,’’ he' said “that the West Coast line lias subsided since the big earthquake, and I also believe that the erosion will be permanien.t. Cr. Murdoch said it was a matter more of assisting the settlers than the Golf Club, and he would firmly support, their claim whereas he would not support the spending of one penny on the Golf Club. He moved that the Council Immediately proceed with the work as requested by the settlers. The motion was seconded by Cr. Searle and carried. A letter was received from the l Westland Hospital Board advising that Messrs W. Jeffries and G. Davidson had resigned and asking the Council to appoint two representatives to fill the vacancies. Cr. Jeffries explained that he and Mr Davidson had resigned owing to a technical breach of the’ regulations. Ho referred to the excellent work Mr Davidson had done, and said lie hoped the latter woui’d be re-elected.

Members complimented Cr. Jeffries on the manner in which he had fostered the County’s interest on the Board, Cr. Ward remarking that the retiring member was a credit to the Council.

The Council re-appointed Cr. Jeffries and 'Mr Davidson to represent that body on the Board.

order paper. ORDINAItY MEETING. The Chairman moved.—-‘That the accounts for the month of October, as revised and passed for payment by tlwe Finance 'Committee, amounting to £1296 Is 4d, be approved and agreed to.”—Carried. The Chairman moved.— “That the accounts for the month of November, as revised and recommended for payment by the Finance Committee, amounting to £lßl6 8s 6d, be passed for payment.”—Carried. The Chairman moved.—“ That public notice be given that ten ' per centum interest will be added to all rates remaining unpaid after 25th. January, 19.32.”—Carried. The Chairman moved.—“ That Councillors Chesterrnan, Houston, Murdoch, Jeffries, and the mover, be appointed to represent the Council on the Central Executive of the Unemployed Conference.” —.Carried.

SPECIAL MEETING. The Chairman moved.—“ That the Council do now proceed by special order, pursuant to the provisions of tli e . Counties Act Amendment, 1931, to declare that in respect to section 2 (1), sections 121 and 131 of the Counties Act, 1920, shall not apply to the Westland County Council as from the close of the current financial year.”—Carried. [Note. The effect of the foregoing will be to close the separate riding accounts appearing in the annual statement of accounts pursuant to section. 131, and in corporating in the General Account of the County Fund, the balances of such separate accounts. Thereafter, general rates will be levied over the whole County instead of separately for such Riding.] • The Chairman moved.—“ That the foregoing resolution be confirmed at a subsequent meeting of. the Council to be held on Tuesday, 9th. day of February, 1932.'.’—Carried.