MEETINGS

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 April 1933, Page 8

MEETINGS

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL. [our own correspondent.] HOKITIKA, April 12. The meeting of the Westland County Council was held yesterday afternoon. Present: CrS. J. A. Murdoch (chairman), J. Donovan, W. Searle, J. J. McKay, W. Jamieson, W. Jeffries, T. R. Chesterman, M. Keenan, and B. Ward. Cr. W. Jamieson introduced a deputation (Mr F. Andrews), who complained that his land was being flooded as the result of the Kanieri Electric Ltd. raising the level of the lake. Cr. Ward understood that Mr Andrews would be satisfied if the company lifted the flood gates in the time of floods. Mr Andrews said he would be satisfied if the gates were lifted before a flood. ' The Minister of Marine wrote with reference to the Okarito cemetery, advising the Department has instructed the Engineer to meet Mi’ Souter on the ground to discuss details fully. J. Donovan wrote; advising the Okarito River was encroaching towards the cemetery.—Cr. Donovan suggested the removal to some distance of coffins in danger and the reburial of some exposed. Ten have been removed to date.

Mr R. Whiley waited on the Council requesting attention to Ward Road.— Crs. Jamieson and Keenan reported on their visit to the road concerned, and Cr. Chesterman considered the excessive speed of the cream lorries was responsible for much damage. The Chairman stated that this road was on the list for early attention. The Public Works Department wrote with reference to the Hokitika Gorge suspension bridge, advising that as the plan did not show enough detail to check proposals survey of site has been made and fresh drawings forwarded for Council’s approval. The Commissioner of Crown Lands forwarded tracings showing portions of old road proposed to be closed, Block VI., Kanieri S.D., asking for Council’s consent on the matter. — Approved. * The Railways Department, Christchurch, wrote regarding flood damage to the Hokitika railway bridge, and suggesting to obtain expert advice on same, advising the Engineer inspected same and is quite conversant with the position, again suggesting Council obtain expert opinion outside the Railways Department.— Cr. Jeffries said the Council has done its duty in warning the Department. Cr. Ward considered it useless to go to the expense of getting expert opinion. The Diggers Sawmill Company applied for permission to construct and maintain a tramway along the Hokitika River road, in Block IX., Kanieri S.D.—Approved. H. Linklater, Waitaha, wrote with regard to Waitaha protection works, suggesting the settlers concerned be communicated with in regard to what contribution can be made. —Resolved to write to the settlers concerned. W. J. Hewer, Harihari, wrote, . thanking the Council for settling ; dispute regarding the La Fontaine Road; also asking for consideration . as to approaches to gates on section; j also regarding overdue rates, asking - if it be possible to obtain work on j swamp road from bridge to Black r Creek, so that rates could be paid out A of same.—Left to C. Donovan to attend r to. v

W. McCluggage, Okarito, wrote advising bad state of ferry boats; also offering to superintend pile driving at Three Mile bridge for sum of £6. — Left to Cr. Donovan to attend to. H. H. Busch, Mahitahi, wrote asking that the matter of road access be brought to the notice of the Council. Referred to the Bruce Bay Advisory Committee for report. J. McKinnon, Fergusons, wrote applying for remission of rent on sea beach claim.—Deferred till June meeting. Bruce Bay Pine Syndicate applied for permission to extend Bruce Bay Bluff road along hillside in westerly direction for about ten chains; also requesting permission to construct tramway along the said road. W. D. Nolan, Okuru, wrote reporting small culvert on Turnbull Road

collapsed, advising repairs to same carried out. — £lO granted for repairs. Also, regarding repairs to the Okuru bar by erecting groin, advising too big undertaking for few setters resident there. —Received. J. O’Brien, M.P., wrote stating he was urging the further extension of the Great South Road, and the bridging of the Fox, Cook and Karangarua rivers. A. S. L. Robertson, contractoi’ for Petersen Road, wrote asking assistance in opening new gravel pit on side of road. J. Henham, Matainui, wrote asking approval to new premises on Wataroa Road junction.—Agreed to pay half the cost of filling in water-hole in front of building. Overser Millner wrote, supplying monthly reports on works, estimating cost of raising the Kokatahi Road at £l5O. —Resolved that a request be made for a grant for the work. The Finance Committee’s report was read. —Cr. Jeffries remarked on the amount of rates in arrears and said that something must be done to get all or some of it in.—Cr. Donovan supported Cr. Jeffries and expressed surprise at the amount outstanding. Cr. Ward said that the ratepayers who could pay and would not pay, should be made to pay. Cr. Jamieson said that a man who could run a motor car for pleasure should pay his rates first. Cr. Searle said some of the dilatory ratepayers had been in arrears for some years. Cr. Murdoch said the majority of ratepayers were very reasonable, but others would have to be drastically dealt, with.—The report was adopted. In dealing with the County Chairman’s report, Cr. Murdoch spoke at length on the La Fontaine Road and

suggested a single men’s unemployment camp be established there and the road be made right down to the sea. (Hear! Hear, from South Westland members). He also mentioned that several Government officers and Departments had been approached for assistance in restoring graves in the Okarito cemetery. They had no money to spend on looking after the last remains of the old pioneers, but shifted the whole responsibility on this Council. Regarding the suggestion of an unemployment camp at La Fontaine, Cr. Donovan agreed that this road would develop the swamp land and the whole district. Cr. Ward said that if not completed the money already spent will have been wasted. He also complimented Cr. Donovan on his work. The report was adopted. Cr. Jeffries wrote eulogising the

active work of Cr. Donovan, and moved' that the Council pass a resolution thanking Cr. Donovan for his j* work in connection with the OkSrito cemetery.—Carried unanimously. The Chairman moved that the Coun- ’ cil borrow by way of overdraft from 1 the Bank of New Zealand a sum not exceeding £2,500, such overdraft to be 1 secured by revenues outstanding and uncollected at March 31, 1934.—Car--1 ried. ’ The Chairman moved that the an- ! nual report of the Treasurer on the ’ past year’s finance on the proposed allocation of estimated revenue and expenditure for the current financial year be now considered and subject to | discussion.—Carried. Th© Chairman moved: (a) That in respect of the foregoing report that the annual general rate for the year 1933-34 be fixed at four farthings in the*£, capital value.—Carried. (b) That Council meetings be curtailed where possible to alternative month.— Carried. The Chairman moved that the Overseer prepare a list of urgent works for application for Government grants for the current financial year. Cr. Donovan moved that Overseer,, Millner be instructed to examine and'! report on the condition of road from J Ross Borough boundary to Cedar'! Creek Reefs and estimate the cost off! necessary repairs.—Carried. i * Cr. Donovan moved that the Wata-I! roa Flat Road from Matainui to Boat 1 f

House, Lower Wataroa Gorge, be repaired and graded without delay.— Carried.