COUNTY COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 13 April 1932, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL

(WESTLAND MONTHLY MEETING The Westland County Council met yesterday afternoon, when there wen presen:, the Chairman ‘(Mr M. Keenan) and Councillors TI. Wells, B. Ward, W. Searle, J. Donovan, W. Jeffries, J. A. Murdoch, T. R. Chesgerman, Al. Houston and the County Clerk (Mr D. J. Evans). The minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed and the outward correspondence. approved. J X \YA I’,D CDRRE3PONDKNOF. From Treasury, notifying amount of accrued revenue, to credit of County Fund.—Received. From internal Affairs forwarding ex tract from N.Z. Gazette containing special order passed hv Council declaring Sections 121 and 131, Counties Act 1920, not to apply to this Council.— Recei\ ed.

From Highways Council, j advising Council's decision to apply for Traffic Inspector for No. 12 Highways District. From Public Works Department, advising that a visit will be made to Three Mile Creek Bridge the first week in April. From Highways Council, with regard to revoking Upper Kokatahi Bond anj declaration of Dorothy Falls Road as Alain Highways, matter will receive consideration when the annual review of Highways takes place.—Received, From Smith Island Motor Union, Christchurch, forwarding recommendations of Kcohomy Commission regarding Motor Taxation and Main Highways Funds, —Received, i From Jas. O’Brien Esq., M-P-, acicnowledging letter regarding votes, advising matter is being referred to Minister of Public Works.—-Received. From Park and Murdoch, forwarding application for renewal of tramway by Stuart and Chapman Ltd.—Received. From Bank of N.Z. with regard to signing of cheques.—Received. | From Atlantic Oil Coy, Christchurch, thanking Council for accepting tender for supply of petrol for further period of six months. —Received. j From Gillespies Beach Gold Coy., forwarding request from Director of Coy. . for improvement of Gillespies Beach brack to the standard of a light traffic road. I The Clerk said that a report was to be presented to the Council on this matter. j From S. M. Honey, Kaihinu, notify- j ing having applied for a prospecting area of 20 acres, the end lines which cross Gillams Gully road.—Received. ’ From Toohjy and Warren, asking 1 exemption frmi rent for mining privil- 1 eges. The Council recommended that ( the rent he remitted. j 1 From Butler Bros., Ruatapu, re ( Milltown Road, advising inspection oi the old and new roads have been car- 1 rjed out, asking if Council be agreeable 1 to pay ten pounds to cover expenses 'J of same.—The Council decided to pay c Js§> "I From W. (). Bionvirtb, with regard I to work pcrlf rim'd on Alt. Greenland t track, asking if Council would in-, struct the Overseer to inspect same.— ;r The Council decided to take no action, a From Farmers’ Union, Harihari, - 1 hanking Council for letter with regard i to road repairs and fencing, also for p publication o. Bo]j Head Road Lease, s —Received. , ii From G. Friend, Okarito, inquiring e

with regard to ferry at Okarito.—The Chairman thought Mr Friend should be empowered to make a small charge. Cr. Donovan said he would not advise the Council to do anything at present, as the men in that locality were assisting e.cli other in ferrying over the river. No action was taken. From Jack Gibb, Tatare, asking for assistance towards a turnout at homestead.—Received. From F. G. Williams and Sons, Wehekn. asking If the Council would consider a redm Con in the rent of Cooks River Reserve.- Held over for a month. From Mrs Whitiskie, Hnrihari, asking if Council would recommend some papering and painting to be done to cottage.—Council’s consent given. j From Roadman Whitiskie, agreeing to £.l being deducted from monthly wages for rent of cottage; aiso report ing ou horse.—Received. From W. D. Nolan, Okuru. asking if Council would increase Mibsicly for Waiatoto Ferry by £'4, Committee would undert-k ' to distal suitable man. —No action taken From Os-e:-cr Milkier, reporting on interview will; -I. Douglas of Arahura, with regard to erection of gate on German Road, is porting same will not interfere with miv ol the property held-

ei's on either side of the road which is practically unused.—Received. . From same, reporting on progress 01 works on Secondary Highways for ! month of March.—Received. 1.1 From District Engineer, enquiring B if immediate provision were made for j rebuilding La- Fontaine Creek bridge, | the Council would agree to the amount I being a first charge against this year’s , allocation.—A reply in the affirmative has been sent. J From same, notifying that the vote f for Westland ferries would he continued this year on a basis of £75, [ £2 ■ for £l. —Received | From Commissioner of Transport, I forwarding copy of Heavy Motor- ; Vehicle regulations, and drawing attention to the necessity of erecting signs to indicate the classification of roads.—Received. „ | From Now Zealand Institute of Surveyors, circular, regarding laying down a standard traverse along rural roads on which subdivision of property is likely to extend.—Received. Font Rimu Goldfield* Jubilee Committee, inviting the Chairman and Members to the celebrations at Rimu on May 4th.,and asking for a donation to the jubilee funds. Mr Murdoch said lie would like to see all the Councillors present. Rimu was the last rush in the district. Conditions were different to-dfly than when Kttmara held its jubilee and received the large grant of £2OO. I Tile Chairman thought the Cotlncil might vote £5 and moved in that direction. j Cr. Wells seconded the motion ■which wus carried. , From A. J, Cropper, Koiterangi, offering to construct Cropper road, off Municipal road, a distance of nine chains, for £25 cash, and the balance of the Overseer’s estimate, £22 15s, to be set against rate account.—Decided to reply that the Council had no funds | available. | From M Wallace, Chairman Toaroha i Springs Committee, reporting on track , work, oil which approximately £4O had been spent, and asking for an additional vote of £2O, which would ; enable half the distance to the Springs to be done on horse back.—Decided to grant £lO. From M. Boyle, Mikonui, notifying purchase of Mrs Thiele’s interest in Mikonui Ferry Reserve, and asking for a lease for a definite term, the applicant to undertake the duties of ferryman when required.—Lease granted at £5 for fourteen years. From Harihari Branch Farmers’ Union, (1) urging new bridge at La Fontaine Creek, (2) regarding rebate on rates, (3) requesting application for urgent vote to complete Petersen’s road, (4) suggesting unemployed labDur be used to open road drains along area occupied by G. Mansliip, Wan- | ganui Flat road The Clerk said that the first clause iad already been dealt with, while le would attend to the second request, rhere was no report before the Council >n Petersen’s road. He considered tile ast clause to be sound and important, t was decided that it be given, effect Q: From District Committee, Okufu, ecommending expenditure £3 to give ccess to homestead of Eggeling Bros. -Approved. From Hospital Board enclosing proosed estimates, and copy of financial tatement. There would he a slight ncreasc in the Council’s levy for the inning year.—Received. Mr Reynolds reported that the Five file bridge was in need of repair, nd useless for horse traffic. His reort was supported bv Cr. Donovan. The Clerk said that the Council was nable to pay the whole cost, and it ns decided that an endeavour he lade to secure a grant or a subsidy. Mr J. Searle, Mnnanui, waited on ic Council in connection with the jad to Mananui. The Council’s promt intention to take the road as far 5 Mr Atkinson’s was useless, and he mi de-red the road should be taken ght through to Mananui. Cr. Houston said that it was desired int the road be taken through the lilwny reserve. The Clerk said that permission would ive to be secured from the Railway epartment. It was decided that permission be jplied for. The Finance Committee recommended iat accounts totalling £1724 12s 10d, ? passed for payment. With regard to nploving men under So.’ 5 Scheme on urns, it had been ascertained that ,ere was a difficulty about accident >ver under the Council’s policy. It as recommended that until the seters took out accident cover for such

■labour, ,a ml deposit the policy with

> the Council, no ’further committments be made on behalf of the Council in this respect. The Committee recom- ' mended a salaries cut on the lines of the Government proposals, in connection with all salaries and wages paid by the Council. This would be a saving of £212 17s 6d on the regular salaries, and in respect to casual labour, wages would be reduced from 12s 6d to 11s lOd per day. The new scale to date from Ist -May. It was recommended, in view of the. valuable services rendered by the recipient, that a small vote be made to the Breeze testimonial fund. The Committee further recommends that /the applications for Govern, nient grants this year be restricted to the completion of works already in hand, and that no new works be applied for, excepting of great urgency. 'Tlie Committee also recommended that steps be taken to rigidly enforce the by-law relating to hawkers, and that unlicensed people, be prosecuted. On the motion of Cts. Searle and Jeffries the report was adopted. Cr. Ward said he must compliment bile treasurer '(Mr D. J. Evans) on the. careful manner in which he had gone into the question of finance and the work involved in the report. It wa: satisfactory to know that the Council was in a comparaltivelv enviable position compared with other councils in New ■Zealand. The Council was still solveilt, and had no debts of any magnitude, while the interest bill was only £lO. He doubted whether any other council could say that. The report was so comprehensive thab the council need not spend much time discussing it. The work had been well carried out, the finances have been husbanded, and the ratepayers have got off with a very low rate, the lowest in Westland. He had heard no complaints, and was phased to see r.he Council in such a good financial position at the end of its term of office. The treasurer was deserving of every thanks for h:s able report, and his untiring services to the County-, despite the fact nhat lie had been in failing health. His remarks were endorsed by Cr. Donovan.

OVERSEER’S MONTHLY REPORT

northern RIDING

Unemployed labour was engaged in cleaning water tables, clearing growth from Kumara Road, Kapitea Lamplough Track, cleaning drains on the Main Highway, draining land at Kumara Juno-ion, renewing defective timber o’l Kapitea Bridge, clearing slips and repairing Awatuna Hoad, clearing and cleaning Stafford and the Maori cemetery at Arahnra. Clearing growth from Arahura Valley Road and One Mile Road drains, clearing and cleaning large road drains on the Main 'Highway at Arahura, clearing and opening drains on Humphreys Road, and widening narrow points on Blue ’Spur-Arahura Road, filling gravel for Arahura Valley Road repairs aiid tarring upper chords and main struts in Malfroy’s Bridge.

CENTRAL RIDING. Casual labour attended to slight repairs on Back Creek and bye-road at Woodstock ; also clearing and repairing Toaroha Springs Track, absorbing the vote of £l9 voted for the purpose. Bladier’s Road was cleaned and graded throughout, unemployed labour assisting casual labour with the work.

Ivokatahi bridge repairs were continued and completed under the direction of Bridge Foreman, H. Reynolds, early in the month. Unemployed labour was usefully engaged in clearing ragwort from roadsides and reserves; clearing growth from Upper and Lower Ivokatahi Roads, filling gravel for repairs to Whites, McArthur, Station and Lower Ivokatahi, ■McArthur Roads clearing, and cleaning watertables on Blue Spur. Hokitika, Hau Hau and Lake Ivanieri Roads, widening a short section on Lake Kanieri Road near Coal Creek Bridge, cleaning drains on Ivokatahi, Cropps and Municipal Roads, and clearing growth from Hokitika Flat- Road, assisting in levelling and cleaning up the aeroplane landing, draining South Hokitika Rond, and clearing Mahinaptia-Mnnanui Road, renewing decking on a culvert on Adair’s Road.

SOUTHERN RIDING. Casual labour and unemployed labour assisted the resident roadman at Harihari to repair Wanganui Flat. Petersen's and La Fontaine 1 Roads. Casual labour attended to repairs to ,scours on Richardson Road, and constructing two pipe culvert on Okarito Road replacing two defective box culverts. Unemployed labour was engaged repairing bad portions of Three 'Mile. Track.

RECORD OF LORRIES. No. 1 lorry worked 25 days, under repairs 1 day, idle 2 days. Carted 587 cubic yards of gravel, 6 loads timber. 2 loads pipes to Kumara, 1 load pipes tn Wataroa. 1 load pipes to Okarito, used 187 gallons bony,me, 5 gallons oil and 1 gallon gear oil No. 2 worked 22 days, under repairs 3 days, idle 2 days. Carted 533 cable yards gravel, 2 loads timber. 1 load ol v:im s, graded 8 miles ; used 169 gallons benzine, 6 gallons oil, 2 gallons gear oil.

No. 3 worked 23 days; under repairs 3 days, idle 2 days. (Jarted 'l7O cubic y i ids gravel. ~ I aids pipes, grilled 1J miles. Used 87 gal!o"s benzine, 2 gallon- 1 oil, I gallon gear oil. County ear used 88 gallons benzine, 3 gallons oil. 1 gallon gear nil, mileage truveilel 2.273 mill's. Power Grader graded 12 miles of load, using 16 gallons Irutzmo.

YMTVj'' OF VOTH'N. The < 'h.iirmnn moved " That the aeeouuLs for I lie month of January, I.BBSL and approve-d by the FiuiSuce (Jfommittee, amounting to

! £1570 11s 4d, be passed for payment.” —Seconded by Cr. Searle and carried. The Chairman moved :—■“That the account® for the month of Lebrun ry, 1932, as revised and recommended for payment by the Finance Committee, he now approved and passed for payment.”—Carried. The Chairman moved :—“That the Council borrow by way of overdraft from the Bank of New Zealand. a sum not exceeding £2,50U: such overdraft to he secured by revenues outstanding and uncollected at 31, t. -March, 193d.”—Canned. Tbo Chairman moved :—“That the annual report of the Treasurer, on the past year’s finance and on the proposed allocation of estimated revenue and expenditure for the current financial year, be now considered, and subject to discussion, adopted."— 'Seconded by Cr. Ward and carried. The Chairman moved :—"That in respect to the foregoing report, the following be authorised : “(a) That the annual general rate for the year 1932 1933, be fixed at four farthings in the £, capital value. —Carried. “(h) That- Council meetings be curtailed where possible to alternate

month.—Carried. On the motion of Cr. Donovan it. was decided that the two ferries at Okuiu be retained. The Chairman moved : “ That the Overseer prepare a list of urgent Works for application for Government grants for the current financial year.” —Carried. Cr. Donovan moved i—“ That the wire bridge, Upper Wataroa Gorge, be repaired and made safe for traffic, at a cost of £ls,” —Carried. Cr. Donovan moved:—“That Overseer Millner inspect and report on the best method of diverting water from overflowing and damaging Purcell road.”—Carried. The Chairman moved :—-“That a further grant of £lO be made for the completion of the Toaroha Springs Track, Koiterangi.’’—-Seconded by Cr. Chesterman and carried. The Chairman moved :—“That the Council places on record its appreciation of the manner in which the Into ’traffic •Inspector, Mr Sloss, carried out his duties in this district, and desires to extend to his widow and family, the sincere regret and heartfelt sympathy of the Council in the late sad and sudden bereavement which has belrllen the family.” The motion was carried, members standing in silence. The Chairman moved :—‘‘That the Council expresses to Cr. Houston the great regre-t. felt at his recent serious accident, and hopes for h : s speedy and complete recovery, together with also the other persons involved in the accident.” —Seconded by Cr. Chester man

and carried. The Chairman moved:—“That the Council agrees to complete the dedication, in respect to the deviated route of the Waitaha 'South Bank road, and accepts the responsibility for the compensation involved in the taking of the necessary land.’’--Seconded by Cr. Ward and carried. The Chairman, congratulating the treasurer on his report, 'thanked him for hi® assistance as County Clerk. He expressed pleasure at the harmonious relations among members during the term of the Council.