HOKITIKA NOTES

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 February 1938, Page 14

HOKITIKA NOTES

[OTJB OWN COBBESPONDENT.] Mrs Harry Newman, of Gisborne, who has been visiting her mother, Mrs A. Cowie, returned home by air on Tuesday. Mrs A. Cowie left Hokitika last ■evening, en route to Durban, South Africa, w’here she will visit her sister, Mrs R. Watson. Among the visitors to Hokitika is Mr R. W. Salmon, of Wellington. The death occurred at the Westland Hospital on Tuesday, of Bridget Ahern, late of Goldsborough. Deceased who was a native of County. Cork, and 71. years of age, had been over 50 vears in. New Zealand. She is survived by two brothers Michael (Goldsborough), and Daniel (New York), and a. sister, Miss Ahern, of Ireland. Mr T. Harris, of Humphreys, returned on Tuesday, from a visit to Great Britain. WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

The Westland County Council met on Tuesday. Present: Cr. W. A. Jamieson (Chairman), Councillors J. A. Murdoch, A. Dale, B. Ward, P. J. McLean, J. Donovan. N. Brown and T. R. CheS'terman. An apology was received from Cr. McKay at Hanmer. and leave of absence was granted. The Treasury forwarded remittances to the credit of the County Fund Account. —The County Clerk and County Solicitor were requested to look into the disposal by. the Warden’s Court of certain mining rents arising from land made freehold, and to examine the time when titles came into existence, the matter also to be taken up with other local bodies interested' in goldfields revenue. From the Commissioner of Transport forwarding Ministerial approval of the classification of Flowery Creek road deviation. From the Public Works Engineer. Greymouth, acknowledging decision of Borough Council and County Council in respect to turnout on railway bridge: regretting the vote could not be transferred to Mahinapua road.

From same explaining position respecting authority for Happy Valley road w’ork. —Received; matter being attended to.

From same stating the estimate for Ferguson road, Harihari, was £28.30. and enquiring .if the Council would provide £943 towards the cost. The opinion was expressed that the Government should provide the whole of the funds for this special work. From Employment Bureau. Greymouth. drawing attention to condition of Rangitoto track via Waitaha. —The Chairman said the work was attended to.

The New Zealand Counties Association wrote enquiring as to the expenditure on State Highways considered extravagant.—Referred to Clerk to reply.

From G. E. Graham, Hari Hari. recognising the exchange of gravel site at Petersen road, and acknowledging the ownership of the Council. —Approved. From L. H. Jackson, ferryman, Okarito, stating 66 persons had been ferried during the December quarter. From Harris Bros.. Huhuka. urging attention to the further metalling of Turnbull road. —Matter to be brought before Mr Semple.

From County Engineer reporting on flood damage at five points,, and estimating the cost of repairs at £lO5O. From Highways Department considering the question of concrete bridge on Kokatahi (Upper) road he gone into by the Engineer before deciding on repairs to the damaged structure. —The Engineer stated repairs in timber would cost about £3OO, and a new concrete structure about £l5OO. It was decided to ask the Highways Engineer'to inspect and confer with the Engineer.

From Kanieri Gold Dredging Ltd., asking that agreement in respect to Tucker Flat road working be eased in certain conditions. —It was resolved to adhere to the terms of the agreement submitted.

From the Hokitika Aero Club suggesting a. Board to control the. aerodrome. —Members preferred matters continue as at present, but resolved to .advise the Public Works Department of the proposal for expression of opinion. From J. Stewart, Kumara Beach road, applying for leave to carry on a hides business. —Referred to the Health Department for comment.

From E. M. Best, on behalf of the Kanieri Beautifying Society, regarding improvement of proposed grounds adjacent to the Public Hall. —Matter to be discussed when Ministers are on the ground.

From Hari Hari Box Factory, asking for consideration in respect to trees destroyed, for road making for gravel purposes at. lower La Fontaine. —Resolved to offer £5, without prejudice to the Council’s legal position.

From J. F. Andrews, in respect to access beyond Dorothy Falls; Lake Kanieri, declining vote of £25, but asking £l5 for repair work done. — Decided to wait on Minister in respect to a grant for the work. In the discussion on the Engeneer’s report it was resolved to call tenders for the supply of 500 yards of gravel for the Kokatahi-Koiterangi highway.

The Clerk was authorised to write the Public Works Department respecting the drainage of the State Highway at Wataroa.

The lease for ferry reserve to H Hende was approved and signed.

The accounts for December were approved to the amount of £2006 9/-.

The Chairman referred to the felling of trees: near Mt. Camelback affecting the protection of the Hokitika. river bank, and said the matter was a grave offence against public interests. It was resolved to take steps to have the liability for the action investigated, the Engineer to report fully.

In view of complaints by ratepayers, it was resolved the. practice of employees carting home firewood at the end of the day’s work be discontinued, and the Engineer take steps accordingly, to deal with the matter.

It was intimated Hon. R. Semple, Minister o£ Public Works would be in the district about the 23rd inst., and it was decided to invite the Minister to meet a Council deputation. It was decided also to notify the Kanieri Beautifying Society in the event of an official opening of the Kanieri bridge being decided on. NOTICES OF MOTION. The Chairman moved: “That the accounts for the month of December, 1937, as revised and recommended by the Finance Committee, amounting to £2006/9/-, be passed for payment." —Cr. McLean seconded. Carried.

The Chairman moved: “That the accounts for the month of January, 1938, as revised and recommended for payment, by the Finance Committee amounting to £2045/14/10, be now passed.”—Cr. Dale seconded. Carried.

The Chairman moved: “That David John Evans be and hereby is appointed Returning Officer for the County of Westland.” —Seconded by Cr. Brown and carried.

The Chairman moved: “That tenders be invited for printing the County Electoral Rolls, and. Cr. Murdock and the mover be authorised to deal with same.” —Seconded by Cr McLean and carried.

The Chairman moved: “That the Council approve of the change of purpose of so much of Reserve No. 725, town of Hokitika, as is required for Fire Brigade building purposes, plan to be prepared accordingly, and the Hokitika Borough Council be authorised to proceed under the Public Reserves, Domains, ami National Parks Act, 1925. to have the required area altered to municipal purposes.’’ —Cr. Murdoch seconded and carried. The Chairman moved: “That while acknowledging and appreciating the marked advance being made with the Great South reading schemes, and thanking the Government accordingly for the consideration and support given to the national undertaking, the Council urge the Minister of Public Works and his Department to concentrate to. the fullest on the extension of the highway as far as possible by 1940, in order that in connection with the Centennial celebrations the route may be opened and dedicated the Centennial Highway of New Zealand, as a national memorial of the first one hundred years of the country’s history.”—Cr. Murdoch seconded. Carried. Cr. Donovan moved: “That Road-

BIG clean up at the Jeanette Closingdown Sale. Much more than half off. Dresses, Coats, Ladies’ Stockings, Cardigans, Furnishing and hundreds of other lines all to be cleared regardless of price.