COUNTY AFFAIRS

Hokitika Guardian, 25 May 1933, Page 2

COUNTY AFFAIRS

COUNCIL MEETING YESTERDAY.

Tlio' Westland County Council met yesterday afternoon when there were present: Crs W. Jeffries (chairman), R. Chesterman. M. Keenan, J. A. Murdoch, J. Donovan, J. J. McKay, B. Ward, W. Rearle and W. A. Jamieson.

Inward Correspondence. From Treasury, notifying accrued revenue placed to the credit of fhe County Fund' Account. —Received. From Marine Department, regarding payment of salary to Signalman at Okuru, advising no objection to granting of annual salary, providing same is sufficient to cover the outgoing.— The treasurer said he had sent a copy to the Shipping Company.—Received. From Loans Board, forwarding circular memorandum regarding conversion Loans of Local Authorities.—Received. From County Clerk, Tauranga, asking for support of resolution to Government, reduction of interest and costs generally. The Council decided that it accord its support to the resolution. From County Clerk, Manukau, forwarding form for completion with reference to non collection of rates on large numbers of properties in which the Crown is interested either &s mortgagee or owner, which the Government is asked to assist in remedying.—The Council instructed that the information be supplied. From County Clerk, Tirau, with re. gard to ragwort control, asking Council for any suggestions regarding same. —Received. From County Clerk, KawaKawa, forwarding copy of resolution, asking al. Councils to approach respective Mem bers, pressing for complete derating 01 farm lands ior road purposes. ■ The Clerk ;said that .'the principle of derating involved the transfer o,' money lrom tile Highway Board to pa-j interest on loans On the motion of Cr. Ward it was decided that a brief report be furnished, in regard to its effect on the County, .at the, next meeting. From Hospital Board, Hokitika, for warding list of levies payable by tin Council for year ending March 31st 1934.

The Clerk said that this meant a reI duction of £36 to £4O. The letter was received, From Prospecting Association, ask ing for assistance 0 n behalf of T. Nolan, Matainui, for erection of iootbridgi over dangerous portion of track usee by miners on Wataroa River.—Tin. Council was of the opinion that a re Port should be obtained as to whethe' - ' bridges were worth while money being spent on repairs, before grants wen made.

it-way 'stated that‘the Council had already speiit money On bridges foi miners, aild that iii this instance v was expected the Association would meet the expense. Xt was decided that the Aksodatioj < be advised to this effect. From D. McLean Ltd., Greymouth. drawing Council’s attention to necessity of cleaning out drain s on Ferguson,-. Road at Harihari.—Referred to Overseer. From J. H. Stephens, Harihari, asking for work in clearing track at Big Wanganui.— Inquiries to be made. From West Coast Gold Developing Coy, Auckland, with regard to rate on prospecting licenses held by Com pany. Or. Murdoch said that if the r edur tion were granted, the Council woult. receive numerous applications of a sim ilar nature, which would mean tliar the Council’s revenue would be serious ly affected. Cr. Ward said he. hoped that the> would not treat these piecemeal. What ever action was taken with one should apply to others.

It was decided that the Council couk not grant the reduction as requested From J. Condon, Maintain, reporting on extension of ro*d asked by Bruct Bay Syndicate Company; also on roiu access required by H. H. Busch.—Re ceived. From C. E. Sparkes, Koiterangi, ap plying for a grant of half of creek re serve occupied by TV Stopforth.—The application was refused. From J. Fitzgerald, Wainihinihi, a p plying for a renewal of slaughter houst license.—Granted. From G. J. Thompson, Matainui ap plying for renewal of slaughter hous< license.—Granted From Overseer Millner, reportin; that Roadman Dale absent from duti owing to illness.—Received, From District Engineer, Greymouth, submitting a proposal irom the Mai] Highways Board to construct tin Flowery Creek-Kumar a , Junction, am stating the Board would be willing p declare the road a primary highway at the usual rate of County contribuT. ion, and the status of the Arahura-Dill manstown Road would not be affected also inquiring, what contribution the' Council would lie prepared to make to wards the work.—Received.

From Manawatu County Council inquiring if the Council favoured a remii to the Counties’ Conference asking for a reduction in the scale of charges by the Audit Department. The chairman said he thought the Council could support the proposal with a genuine desire to see a reduction brought about. The Council decided to support the remit. From N.Z. Counties’ Association notifying a conference will he held at Wellington on July 26. and asking for names and addresses of delegates; also forwarding minutes of April executive meeting. The chairman was appointed to ati.etid the conference if possible.

From John . Stewart, Kumara, and John Mundy, Kumara, applying for renewal of slaughterhouse license. —Approved. From R. A. Harcourt, Koiterangi, stating conditions on which proposed alteration to drain at Station Road would he made.—The Council decided that no action be taken. '

From James Minehan offering to pur Ferguson Road in order to his requirements at 15/- per chain, with 4/6 per cubic yard for gravel supply.—Referred to the Overseer ior report. From Overseer Millner reporting cusfof repairs to Styx river wire bridge, timber £l/8/-, labour £4/10/-. —Re coived, repairs to be carried out. The late chairman, Mr Murdoch’s report as published yesterday, was read and adopted, for which he was aceouled a vote of thanks.

In connection with the report it was decided 'that the pole on the road near the Koiterangi School be removed, owing t° its attendant danger to traffic Drainage at Mr Little’s place to be urn dertaken when labour is available. Cr. McKay drew attention to. the deplorable condition of the Upper Waitahi road

The chairman said he was disappointed with some of the residents there regarding rates. Some could not pay. others would not. However he would be visiting the locality and would go into the matter.

Government Grants.

Applications fol‘ Government grants, 1933-1934. were made as follows

Northern Riding.—Malfroy’s bridge and protection, £250, £ for £. Central Riding.—Lime-Kiln Roact, £3OO, £2 for £l. Southern Riding.—Left hand Branch bridge, Poorua Settlement road, with approaches and protection, £250. This bridge was left in abeyance when the road was constructedI>rv Creek bridge, Poerua Settlement road, with approaches, protection and ’tone Avail, £330. This bridge also left :n abeyance when road constructed. Poerua Settlement road extension, to complete access* co settler, £75 La Fontaine road drains, 120 chains, to clear and reopen, £6O. La Fontaine road exteUsion j 115 chains to First Creek bridge, end of the swamp formation, £I,OOO. Note : It is suggested that- La Fon-

tame Toacting and draining would be a I suitable work on which to establish a, n unemployment camp. The road is necessary and will be used as soon as available. Three Mile Creek ibridge approach (Okarito) north side, £IOO. Five Mile Creek bridge, south of Okarito ; renewal £2OO, £1 for £l. 'Gillespies Beach roading (on. account) i £1,000.' Note; Thi s would be suitable ' also ifor an unemployment camp. Busch road (Mahitahi) ; £l5O. Hapuka- bridge, ,(Okuru). Upper iOkuru road, £2OO, £1 for £l. The P.W.D. engineer advised that in r.onnection with the estimates, no cagn allocations would be made thi s year. The contractor for gravelling on Petersen 'Road advised that there was insufficient gravel in the pit to complete his contract, 1 and he was awaiting the Council’s instructions. He desired that the Council help in the cost of providing access to ,a fresh source.— The matter was left in the hands of th e J town member s of the Council.

The Overseer’s reports as published vesterday were adopted. v FINANCE COMMITTEE. The Fin'aftce Committee reported tjiat i'’counts for 'April, amounting to £l4Ol 3s 3d liad been passed for .payment. Accounts for .May amounting to £787 '-Vs Id were recommended to be passed for payment. The committee recommended that a driver’s (license for passenger vehicles >e granted to J. D. Keenan. ,It further recommended that, with respect to the letter from the Main Highways Board, the Council contribute £SO towards the ’nitial cost of the Flowery Creek-Kumara function road, and agre e to contribute £lO per mile for . future maintenance when the section referred to is completed and gazetted a main highway. It was recommended that the Council ourchase another light truck subject to the disposal of the heavy lorry, and a committee be set up to deal with the matter. In connection with Flowery C>’eekKumara Junction road. Cr, -Murdoch said t'Sat he had noticed in the press that the Council was divdied in opinion concerning the advisability of continuing the construction of the deviation. These comments should have no influe n ce on members. As far as he was aware tney were not divided, but Councillors were taking an intelligent view of the facilities which would be given to the general public by the construction of the road. Any suggestion to put the blame on the Council for delaying the construction should -he deprecated. He moved that, having regard to the fact that the memo of the P.W.D. engineer dated May 20, 1933, ha s ac j_ vised this Council that the declaration of the Ivnmara Junction to Flowery Creek deviation, when completed as a highway, will not be deemed at any time hereafter as a reason for cancell-

ing the existing proclamation of tile credent Dillman’g to FloAverv Creeii road as a highway, the Council agrees as follows:—(a) To contribute £SO toward the construction of the said neiv* deviation ; (b) after completion «*» - ontribute £lO per mile per annum for tile maintenance thereof.

The chairma.n rsaid he thought that the Council should b e in accord with Qr_ Murdoch’s motion. Or. Ward said C r . Murdoch had beeii 'very generous to the G T ey County. Any ■oadmakiug the Council had done o.u that route had been carried out in the interests of tip, 'settlers. The Grey people were very anxious that, this road should be m a.nc.l they should be fov

ever grateful to Cr. -Murdoch, and realise that Westland is, perhaps, their best friend. Cr. Jamieson said that once they made a, start with the road, it would be finished sooner than they expected. It would assist Westland as well as Greymouth: Cr. Ohesterman second the motion which was carried. The finance committee’s report; was adopted.

TENDERS. Tenders were received .for the Little Wanginui track, that of E. E. Hewer (£69) was accepted. Tenders were received for petrol,, that of Texaco Oil C°. Ltd., being accepted. NOTICES OF MOTION.

The Chairman moved : “ That pursuant to the provisions of the Rating Act, public notice be given of the intention of the Council to make and levy on the 11th. July next, a general rate of four farthings in the £, on the capital value of all rateable property in the Ridings, respectively, namely, Northern, Central and Southern, of the County of Westland; such general rate to be for the period commenced on the Ist. day of April, 1933, and ending on the 31.st. day cf March, 1934, and to become payablq in one instalment on the 12th. day of July, 1933; and that notice be given of a rebate being allowed on the foregoing rates paid .within the statutary period.”—partied. The Chairman, moved;— “ That any and all existing Committees or the Council be discharged, and the ■jmeeting proceed to appoint 'Com- j mittees as follows: i

“(a) Finance Committee, Crs. Murdoch, (Chairman), Keenan, Jeffries, Jamieson and Ohesterman. 7

“(b) Public Works Committee, Crs. Keenan '(Chairman), Searlc, Jamieson, and Ohesterman.”

“(\c) iCounciUbrs- to sign cheques, The Chairman, Ci'fi. -Murdoch, jamies°n, Jeffries, Ward, Iveenan and Chesterman.”

j Cr. fiearle moved : “ That the j Overseer be authorised to spend up £l9 in repairs to Mount Greenland track; land that (any available unemployed be utilised to assist with the work,”—Carried, Cr. Murdoch dissenting on the ground that the Council’s first attention in spending ratepayers’ money should be in assisting settlers who were long standing ratepayers, I) idee Mr. 'Walter Wallace up the Totara River, who, at present, could hardly be s a id to .have .--y access at all. Cr. Donovan moved : on completion of the Three Mile j Greek bridge, the ferry service he j transferred to. Okarito river, and that the' necessary arrangements be made ! to establish the ferry at Okarito.” —j Carried.