COUNTY COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 16 November 1932, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL

IWESTLAND 81-MONTHLY MEETING

BUSINESS DONE YESTERDAY

The Westland County Council met yesterday afternoon. Present: Mr J. Murdoch (chairman), and C rs . ML Jamieson, W. 'Searle, B. Ward, J. McKay, J. Donov n, M. Keenan, W. (Jeffries and R. Ones term an.

From Treasury notifying accrued revenue to the credit of the County Fund .Account.—Received.

From Receiver- of Band Revenue, notifying revenue 'for “Thirds” and “Halves” placed to Council’s credit. —Received.- LLv - . From and Survey Department Council’s attentin Gazette closing a rorid in Block TV Mahinapu a O.D. and forwarding copy of game.—The Countjy Clerk .said the road in question wars unused.

From Commissioned of Unemployment, notifying Board has approved unemployed labour being utilised in contraction of a track to provide prospectors with access to gold-bearing areas near Matainui.

From Mines Department, with Tegard to above matter, asking if the Council is prepared to carry out the work under rules and conditions governing Scheme No. 5. The Overseer said there were no local unemployed men flhere.

It wa ß stated that a plan was in project and that the 'Council was awaiting a reply. From Public Works Department, re Petersen Road, and alterations suggested. - Regarding the gravelling of t-hi*' route, Or. McKay said that Mr A. J. 'Wall had offered free of cost- to the contractors a'll the necessary gravel from his section. It was decided that he be thanked for his offer. The Overseer considered that one contract for the completion of Petersen road extension would be more advantageous than three- contracts, and, on the motion of Cr. Jeffries it was decided that the work be let in one contract.

From same, re road up Waiatoto River to give access to Eggeling Bros., advising a subsidy of £IOO £2 for £l has been approved for reconstruction and improvement of same. V . . Or. Jeffries said Eggeling Bros.’ offer of £SO had since been modified to £SO worth of labour.

It was decided tlhat a reply -be sent stating that the Council would undertake the maintenance of the road provided Egge-ling Bros, pay £SO cash out of the £l5O required. From same, with regard to restoration of Ferries at Waiatoto and Arawata Rivers, asking that any representations piade for the re-opening of the ferries should receive favourable consideration.

Cr'. Donovan said it was considerate of th* P.W.D., but there were other places beside Waiatoto and . Arawata. However, he thought they should request the P.W.D. to have the subsidy increased from £75 to £175 a year enabling the Oounoil to pay' more attention to all ferries. It was decided that representations for the re-opening, of ferries could not bo considered unless th e subsidy was increased by £IOO, , The chairman said that jf they got the extra £IOO, the Council could give the sam e facilities to other places as to the places referred to. >. From Commissioner of Crown Lands, on behalf of F. Woodham, asking for labour under No., 5 Scheme; From F. R. Woodham, Evans Creek, asking that two men working on Evans Road, be transferred to working on land under No. 5 Scheme, same unable to give any monetary assistance. The chairman said that the Council had already decided that tfhere a man was not prepared to pay half a crown a day they would not consider tihe application. He was of the opinion that applicant was in the iposition to offer 'something. Several members supported the application. Cr. ’ .McKay was of the opinion that the farm in question should be investigated. They did not want it to be a 'ease of throwing good money after bod.

Cr. Jeffries said that it opened up a principle and ’he did not think tJhey could agree to the Commissioner’s 'request. Od the vote being taken it was decided that the labour be given when available

From S.I. Motor U::ion, drawing attention to the estimates for roading for current year, asking that endeavours be made to see that the claims of the S.I. are not overlooked.—lt was decided to reply endorsing the attitude expres-ed. From H. Hunter, Kurnara, reporting injury to T. McAllister while working Jn land under No. 5 Scheme.—Received. \J From G. E. Morris, Kanieri, asking that Council clean out drains on Kokatahi Road adjoining property.—Decided to reply consenting to the work being done by unemployed labour. From Overseer Millncr reporting on same, advising unemployed labour will be available after Dawson Road drainage is completed. From W. 0. Bierwirth, Rosa, with regard to expenditure on Mt. 04reenUnd Track, stating that he would hold the Council responsible for any accident —lt was decided that no further’ repairs be entertained. From J. J. Mclntosh, applying for permission to erect two swing-gates across Petersen Road at lower end of property.—Two objections to the erection of gates 'were received, and the Council decided to ask Mr Mclntosh to comply with the regulations, i.e., to

advertise his intention, after which the Council would review' the question. From D. F. Dennehy, Matainui, notifying that paragraph with regard to water supply at camp has been adopted.—Received,

From M. Sullivan, Weheka, reporting a collapsed culvert on track leading to Gillespies Beach, asking for cost of work.—The action of the chairman in granting £2 was approved.

From J. Moynihan, regarding title to ferry reserve, and rent adjustment.— Decided t© advise iMr Moynihan to apply to Valuer-General. Regarding the title, the Council reiterated .it® promise to give him tih©. best title it could under the statute.

.From G. J. Jones, Nelson, applying (for position of Assistant Clerk.—Received.

From F. H. Lindop, Koiterangi, application for position of Assistant Clerk. —Received.

From Roadman Whitiskie, reporting on unmanageable -state of horse at Harihari.—The matter was referred to the -Overseer.

From Overseer Millner, forwarding report upon progress .of work for month of October.—Rceived. From same, reporting on progress of work on Secondary Highways for past month. From Okarito Five Mile Beach Coy., Tegarding Three Mile Creek bridge, advising Company agreeable to pay its own contribution of £IOO, immediately and also agreeable to advancing £2OO to the Council for a term not exceeding two years, free of interest if the work 1b nut in hand without delay. The. Chairman said that this was not practicable, as it would be “illegal borrowing.” Be suggested that they take the £2OO, and, provided it was not on a road reserve, build the bridge, and buy it back at the end of the term. The Chairman was instructed to write to the Company to this efliect. From F. R, Woodham, Evan’s Creek, protesting, against gales being put .across Petersen’s Road.—Received, From Department of Health, asking if the Council would accept the function of appointing and removing trustees of the Harihari, Wataroa and Okarito Cemeteries.—The Council favoured the suggestion.

From Public Works Department, inviting Members of Council to function at Waiho on the 26th inst for purpose of farewelling Overseer Carroll who retired.—Tlie- Council decided to make a- donation of £1 lis, and to place-on record its appreciation, of Mr Carroll’s 'services. - v '

From W. P. Boyd and party, Pinu., asking permission to cross Back Creek Road with tramway.—Granted subject to usual conditions.

From Ohas. Mills, Kanieri Forks, applying for permission to erect a gate on Rudkin Read, Kanieri Forks,—Referred to Mr Rudkin, 'and permission to be granted if no objection offered. From Muir Bros., ripping for men for farm land under No. 5 Scheme.— Granted provided 2s 6di ft day paid. From R. Drummond, Kanieri, also applying for two unemployed men to carry out cultivating work at Kanieri. —Granted provided 2s 6d a day paid. From K. Nolan, drawing Council’s attention to overflow across Detour Road on to property. Mr T. Nolan appeared in support of the letter, and said the position would be eased if th© pipes put in by the Council were blocked or removed.

The request was supported by Or, •Searle,

The Chairman having heard Mr Nolan’s evidence, some, of which, members stated, had been heard for the first time dfiring the year the position had been under consideration, promisled a written reply to Mr Nolan.

It was decided that the Overseer inspect the .position, 'and submit a comprehensive report. Mr Nolan also requested attention to the Wataroa bridge giving access to prospectors. The matter was left to the Overseer.

From R. Green, Tatare, applying for £6 grant for clearing and levelling road frontage to house at Slatey Creek. —Sum of ±;3 granted.

From A. Richards, Arahuia, drawing, attention to dangerous state of two bridges on the road that formerly crossed the old traffic bridge across Arahura River.—Referred to Overseer for report. A proposal was before the Council for the transference of the control of W'aiho-Weheka road from th'e P.W.D. to the Highways Board. The Council decided that its financial position did not permit of its making provision for this at present, and the matter was deferred until the next finanoial ve'ar for consideration.

From E. W. Heenan, re payment of unemployed.—Decided that Messrs Stoop and Millner do the work this week. It was deckled that tenders be called for the 'principal supplies for the Council for six months. Or. Jeffries said that it was a principle which should be adopted by all public bodies.

NOTICES OF MOTION,

I, —The Chairman moved: “That the accounts for the month of September, 1932, as passed fo r pavment bv the Finance Committee, amounting to £1665 17b 4d, be now approved.”— Carried.

2.—The Chairman moved 1 : “That the accounts for the month of October 1932,. as recommended by the Finance Committee amounting to £l4Ol 11s 2d, 1 be . now passed, for payment.”—Carried. ~-j3. —Or. Donovan moved: “That the Wataroa River track to beach (south side) be cleared and repaired at a cost of not ecxeeding £7 10s.” Seconded by Cr. Jeffries and carried. On behalf of Mr Harvey, Cr. Chesterman asked if the Council could do something in. conneutitm with the Milltown road.

A deputation was appointed to wait on Mr Cooper and Mr Harvey.