WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 June 1940, Page 4

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING.,

[OUB OWN COBRESPONDENT.]

HOKITIKA, June 12. At the Westland "County Council’s monthly meeting, the new chairman (Cr. J. Donovan) presided’ over the following members: —Crs. P. J. McLean, G. Rowley, W. A. Jamieson, A. Dale, J< A. Murdoch, W. Searle, H. Ward and T. P. O’Neill. Instructions given to - road foremen to keep down expenses as much as possible were discussed,_ several members expressing the opinion that road's should not be allowed to deteriorate unduly, for the sake of a little attention. Attention was drawn by Cr. Seaile to the menace of wandering stock on County roads in the Waitaha Valley-— It was decided to take action against offenders as information was received. On the motion of Cr. Searle, it was ‘ decided that the mechanic furnish a report at each meeting of repairs car r ried out. „ Applications for the position of roadman in the Far South were extended for one month. CORRESPONDENCE. From Local Government Loans Board, approving protection works loan for Little Wanganui (Poerua) River protection works, £550. . _ From Highways Council, notifying maintenance grants would be on a reduced scale; that renewals o bridges should not be more than normal; and that no new works be undertaken without specific instructions from the Highways Board. From the District Engineer, replying regarding Arahura River erosion, and stating a limited amount °^,^ e original authority was still available; and referring to work adjacent to Agnew’s corner, estimated to cost £BOO. From same stating . that the subsidy available for Malfroy s bridge was £ for £ up to £llOO. These two letters were referred to the chairman and clerk to urge matteis with the authorities, and if necessary proceed to Wellington to interview the Minister personally. From same, regarding Waitangi Bridge, to the effect that the Enginer-in-Chief considers there is little prospect of further Government assistance. From Highways Board, regretting extra money was not likely to be available for Forks-Okarito road. From District Engineer, submitting legalisation plans for Gillespie’s road for approval and the necessary resolution.—Crs. Donovan and Murdoch to same, respecting future attention to the Hokitika aerodiome ; where Public Works operations are now almost ' completed.—Deferred pending reply from the Department. From Government Court, N-Z. Exhibition, offering the model of Karangarua suspension bridge for sale. To enquire price. From Wallace County Council, asking support for re-instatement of 48-hour-week, and 50 per cent. reduction in holidays, and overtime at ordinary rates. ~ From Hokitika Borough Council agreeing to the request that the Public Works Department should continue the control of the aerodrome during the war. . From Royal Humane Society, Christchurch, acknowleding donation of £l/1/-. From Westland Co-operative Dairy Co., supporting request for road extension Toaroha district to open up a timber and farming - area. —Deferred. From Hokitika Aero Club, asking support to opening of proposed Kindergarten in Hokitika— Approved. From Alfred Richards, Arahura, thanking Council for prompt attention to request for access road, and remarking on the way the men worked, adding if all the men worked similarly “there tvould be few complaints from the ever-complaining farmer.”—Appreciation expressed at the assistance ) given by Mr Richards and his two ; sons.

From F. Wall, Koiterangi, expressing thanks for Cropp Road 1 drain being cleared, a very good job .being made. From E. Herlihy, Evans Creek, drawing attention to river erosion to ferry reserve, and suggesting the use of the bulldozer to build up protection again.—Action of chairman approved. From Diedrichs and Fanning, asking permission to transfer the Wataroa gravel contract to James Dennehy. From Walsh and Curtain, reporting flood damage to Loan Block settlement by the overow of the Waitangi River damaging Richardson Road and flooding homesteads. —Awaiting reply. -From John Stewart, Kumara; G. P. Rea, Totara; James Fitzgerald, Wainihinihi; Ronald C. Adamson, Harihari; George J. Thomson, Wataroa; Walter- Scott, Karangarua; William S. Connor, Mahitahi; applying for renewal of slaughterhouse licenses. —All approved. From W. D. Nolan, Okuru, complaining of mis-use of ferry-boat at Waiatoto by a Public Works employee, which caused considerable inconvenience and! danger.—Letter to be sent to Department. From .District. Engineer Public Works Department regarding river erosion at Koiterangi.—To be attended to when bulldozer is available. From the Valuation Department, Christchurch, regarding rolls.—Referred to clerk.

From Provincial Secretary of the Farmers’ Union, thanking the Council for use of Chambers for conference and other assistance.

From M. G. Bergman, Ferguson’s, inquiring if attention would be given to -flooding of Waitaha River. —Engineer to report. From Thomas Nolan, regarding approaches and bridge.—Referred to Engineer. From T. Harris, complaining of the state of Upper Arahura Valley Road. —Referred' to Engineer.

‘ From Health Officer notifying 22 inspections during month. ' Work on river protections near Mehrtens (Koiterangi) was authorised up to £3O. The Engineer was instructed to inspect and report on the possibility of diverting Combined Creek into Diedrichs Creek. OF MOTION. 1. The chairman moved that the accounts for the month of May, as revised and recommended for payment by the Finance Committee, amounting to £2831/16/8, be passed for payment.) —Carried. I 2. The chairman moved that all existing committees be discharged and the following appointed:— (a) Finance Committee: -All members of the Council. (b) Public Wdrks Committee:, Crs.

Ward (chairman), O’Neil, McLean and! Rowley. . . (c) Councillors to sign cheques. Any two councillors, with the treasurer.—Carried. (3) The chairman moved that pursuant to the provisions of the Rating Act and its amendments, public notice be given of the intention of the Council to make and levy on Tuesday, 9th day of July, 1940, a general rate of three farthings in the £ on the capital value of rateable property in the Northern, Central and Southern Ridings, respectively, of the County of Westland; such rate to be for the period! commenced on the Ist day of April, 1940, and ending on the 31st day of March, 1941, and to be payable in one instalment on the 31st day of July.—Carried. 4. The chairman moved that the annual recurring special rates for Koiterangi protection; Arahura protection and Little Wanganui (Poerua) protection, be struck at the respective rates per pound of capital value; namely, Koiterangi, one farthing; Arahura five-eighths of a penny; Poerua, eleven-thirty-seconds of one penny. — Carried. 5. Cr. Jamieson moved’ that, in view of war conditions and the need for economy, the resolution of the Council j on May 24, 1939, fixing monthly meet-1 ings of the Council, be rescinded, and after the Council meeting in July next, the Council revert to regular meetings every other month; accounts in the interim to be dealt with by the Finance Committee, for the duration of the war only.—Motion lost. Crs. Jamieson, Ward and Murdoch' voted’ for, and Crs. Rowley, Searle, Dale, McLean O’Neill and Donovan against.