COUNTY COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 26 May 1932, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL

[WESTLAND MONTHLY MEETING.

|F UTU R E M E ETIN GS 81-MONTHLY.

Subsequent to tile annual meeting, of the Westland County Council at noon yesterday, the Council held its ordinary meeting commencing at 2 p.m. when there were present the County Chairman (Mr J. A. Murdoch;, and Councillors T. It. Chesterman, M. Keenan, W. Jeffries, J. Dononvan, J. J. McKay, B. Ward, W. Searle, W. A. Jamieson and the County Clerk (Mr D. J. Events).

|hward Correspondence.

From Mrs Sloss and Family, Greymouth, thankng Council for kind exof sympathy in recent ber eavem'o nt;. —Receive d. From Treasury, notifying accrued revenue to the credit of the County Fund Account.—Received. From Minister of Mines, advising that rents owing by Messrs Toohcy and War- j ren shall be treated as irrecoverable. — Received. Highways Board, Wellington, asking for nomination for representative on Highways Council. On the motion of Cr. Jeffries, Mr D. J. Evans was re-appointed to represent the Council, Front same, notifying that the increased subsidy On maintenance of Main Highways will he continued from Ist April, £3 for £.—Received, and considered satisfactory. - From Highways Council, Greymouth, with regard to the issue of licenses under the Transport Licensing Act, 1931, advising the Board is agreeable to its own Transport Inspectors supervising licensed transport services within their respective territories.—Decided to reply approving continuance of existing conditions. • From same, drawing Council’s attention to Heavy Motor Vehicles regulations, which replace the Motor Lorry Regulations, 1927.—Received; The Chairman thought that each member should have a copy of the regulations, and it was decided to do

From Public Works Department, asking if the Cpunci! is prepared to carry out the work of Petersen Road on the present legalised route. Or. Senrle moved that, when a .grant is available the work be let in small contracts.

The, Clerk advised that a reply had been sent in the affirmative,.'.. .

The action c'f forwarding the reply was approved, Or. Jeffries . asking that his dissent be recorded, he not being in favour of the route. .

From same,, forwarding blue print showing route of Waitaha South Road, together with the owners of the various sections.—Received. ; The, matter was taken in committee, the Council later announcing that it had decided to to the various, owners suggesting that each should reply in writing. From Public l .Works, Wellington,. re road adjoining Railway Reserve, M.aJiinapua S,D. advising question of the legalisation of the road will be. recommended to provided width

of tbe road is increased to at- least 50

links, and cost of land paid for.—Received, and tbe Council to notify the Department that the road in question was on a railway and road reserve.

From J. O’Brien, Esq., M.P., acknowledging letter forwarding the Estimates for ensuing year, notifying same will be placed before the Minister of Public Works, with support of same. —Received. \

From Commissioner of Crown Lands, on behalf of 13. C. Giles, regarding accumulation of water on land caused by blockage of a. creek on adjoining property which is the natural outlet, asking if same could be cleaned cut.—The

Council went into committee to consider this letter, it later being reported that the Council had decided to maintain its foniier attitude, From Bank of N.Z. forwarding 1 ‘"Resolution to Borrow" form for attention in due course. —Received. From Butler Bros. Ltd., advising matter of Milltcwn Road has been considered and agreed to in the terms mentioned in Council’s letter and forward plans sealed and signed.—Received.

J From Kate Nolan, Mataimii, regardI ing concrete pipe placed • on Detour Rond, asking for a reply as to the position of same.—The Council decided to [ take no action in the meantime. ' From W. Bienvirtb, Ross, thanking Council for grant for Greenlees track, advising work will he put in hand as soon n:s possible.—Received. ! From S. R. Heyward, Matninui, asking for - assistance towards approach and turnout to sections at Waiho Gorge.—The application was supported by Or. Jeffries, and it was decided to refer tile matter to the Overseer. From Graham Bros., Waiho, drawing Council’s . attention to the matter of opening up the old prospecting track np the Callery to the Spencer Glacier from Wailio Gorge, tile estimated ccst being £2OO. Or. Chestennan was surprised that so much was being asked. He outlined the work that would he needed. . The Chairman said he had been told that this was not the main track to the Callary. On the motion of Or. Searle it was decided to apply to the Tourist Do-

partment for a grant. From John Condon, Mahitalii, regarding election matters, notifying .tliat the members of the Advisory Committee decided to carry on, as usual Received. , From W. D. Nolan, Okuni, with reference to meeting of ratepayers .far appointment of District Advisory Committee, recommending 23th inst for meeting,' date fixed, Saturday, June 4th.—Received. From;A: J. Cowan, Okuru, accepting. Council’s offer of £6 per annum- for ferry.—Received. From J. Cron, accepting reduction of Haast River' ferry.—Received. From Overseer Milkier, reporting on road to M. Purcell’s holding at Matainui, cost of filling in and gravelling to raise road surface, £40.--The matter was held oyer. From same, reporting on cost of fencing Manama Road along the frontage to Golf Links. —Received, From Department of Unemployment, pointing out that labour under N-\ 5 Scheme .should not be granted to own.

ers of private property where the settlers are considered able to pay for it, or contribute some moiety towards the cost. —deceived.

From Receiver-General regarding the payment of interest on local body debentures under the National Expenditure Adjustment Act, 1932; also supplying Gazette notice.—Received. From Frank Egan, Christchurch, ■stating that the promised enlargement of the late Mr R. J. Sodden was in hand, and would be forwarded shortly. —Received with thanks.,

From John Stewart, Kumara, application for renewal of slaughter house license at Reach Road. —Granted. From R. J. Bradley, Aralmra, asking for extension of Spencer Road 20 chains to give access to a holding.—On the motion of Cr. Ward ite was decided that the Overseer report with a view to having the work done by unemployed labour.

From Boyd and Party, Rimu, applying for subsidy to drive a drainage tunnel Got) feet at Garibaldi Gully, Rinat. Cr. Keenan said that the Under-Sec-rotary of Mines (Mr A. H. Kimball) had said there was little chance of assistance. However, it was decided to toward recommendation to the Mines Department.

From Sim and Houlihan, Ross, asking attention to McLeod’s roach Mikonui.—Authority was given for two days’ work oil the road.

From C. J. Sellers, solicitor, forwarding copy of application for a prospecting license at Duffers’ by James Sunderland, the area including part of a load reserve.—Application approved, subject to usual conditions.

From same on behalf of H. Jones and others forwarding copies of app’ication* for prospecting license and water race, Han Hau, part of Cement Lead track, being included in the area. —Granted, subject to the same conditions.

From W. D. Nolan, Chairman Okuru District Committee, asking that Arawata ferry and reserve ho placed undercontrol of District Committee ; also accepting Okuru ferry at reduced scab* of subsidy.—Cr. Donovan said that there were otlic-*" ferries receiving no aid from the-Council. He thought the Council should take no action.

Cr. Jeffries said ho was apposed to the control being handed over to another body, and was in agreement with Cr .Donovan.

Cr. Ward also thought the Council should retain control. It was decided that the letter be received.

From Overseer Millner reporting on district roads and secondary highways, and 'record of plant operations.—Received and approved. The Overseer’s report on roads and work during the mouth as published were adopted. ’■ M. Karnback and J. G. Webster wrote asking for assistance in repairing track up the Styx Valley whore they were packing.—Tf was decided that the work be done under the unemployment scheme,■ at no expense to the Council. •

The Chairman said that they could not give assistance from its funds, and refuse others.

Finance Committee.

The Finance Committee reported

that the accounts’as approved, totalling £IOB4/12/7, be passed for payment, and that it had authorised the Treasurer to open aii' - imprest account for tho payment of weekly wages to unemployed. The committee also approved of a reduction in the price for concrete pipes supplied to the Main Highways Board. The report was adopted.

ORDER PAPER

' The Chairman moved; “That the accounts for the month of April. 1932, as passed for payment by the Finance Committee, amounting to •£129l Its 10d, he now approved.”-^, Approved. The Chairman moved: "That the accounts for the ‘month of May.' 1932, as recommended by the Finance Committee, amounting to £1384 12- >7dbo now passed for payment.”—Approved. The Chairman moved: . “That the Council make and levy on Juh 12th next, pursuant to the provisions of’Sections 48-55, of the Rating Act. 1908, and its amendments, and Sections 120-21, of the Counties Act, 1920, a general rate as .allows:— “A. four farthings in the £ on the capital value of all rateable 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 Ridilig of the County of Westlalid, “C, lour farthings in the £ on the capital value of all rateable property in the Southern Riding of the CoUnty of Westland.” "Such general rate to be for the period commenced on the Ist day or April, 1932, and ending on the 31st day of March, 1933, and to become due and payable in one sum on the 16th July, 1332, at the office of the Westland County Council, Hokitika.”—Seconded hv Cr. Chesterman and carried. The Chairman moved: ‘‘That pursuant, to the provisions of the Rating Act and its Amendments, a rebate of'five per centum he allowed on the foregoing rates paid by the 16th day of August, 1932, but not later.” Seconded by Cr. Se-rle and carried. The Chairman J moved: "That any existing Committees be discharged, and the Council proceed to appoint Committees as follows : j "(a) Finance Committee: Crs. Keenan (Chairman), Donovan, Jamieson, JefTn’es and ' Soarle. “(h) Public Works Committee: Crs. Searle (Chairman), McKay, Chester- | man and Ward. j “(c) Councillors to sign cheques:! The Chairman, Crs Jeffries, Donovan, Jamieson, ■ and Che-terman.’’—Carried. I The Chairman moved- ‘‘That I pursuant to the provisions of the re- 1 cent enactment, the Council authorises I the 20 per cent, reduction in rents col- j lectable by the Council.”—Seconded by' Cr. Jamieson and carried. Cr. Donovan moved : “That Purcell Road, Matainui, be improved in accordance with the Overseer’s report

and estimates.”—Matter deferred. Or. Jeffries moved: “Tlia’t the honorarium, to be paid the County Chairman he reduced from £75 per nn, to £69.—Seconded by chairman and carried.

Cr. Jeffr'es moved; , “Ti’iat with a view to further economies in the County’s administration the Council meet every second month thereby reducing the cost of travelling expenses. —Seconded by Cr-. Ward and carried. Note.—As now constituted the annual amount required to meet the expenses of monthly meetings is approximately £26o’i

Cr. .Jeffries moved : '“That a special committee consisting of C'rs. Murdoch, Chesterman, Keenan, Searle and the mover, be appointed to deal with emergency or urgent matters that may arise between meeting?, and that this committee report back to the Council.—. Seconded by Cr. W. A. Jamie&on and carried. On the motion of the chairman it was decided that Mr D. J. Evans, who has not enjoyed the best health of late, be granted four weeks’ leave of absence, Councillor? Ward and Donovan speaking to the motion. Tf was the earnest, wish of the Council that Mr Evans should be restored to good health again

Mr Evans advised that, during his absence, Mr E. Stoop, of Woodstock, would assist in his duties.

In repiy to Cr. Jeffrie-, the Overseer was instructed to report on the work required to clear the track at Pukekura, on which a party of prospectors were working, and on whose behalf the application was made, Cr. Jamieson referred to the dangerous condition of the Kokatahi road,

which had been widened, the telegraph poles being in dangerous position. Such conditions were more noticeable in tike winter and spring when the road wrs shrouded in '