WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 June 1944, Page 3

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

ANNUAL & MONTHLY MEETING

[OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

HOKITIKA, June 15. The Westland County Council, met yesterday. The Chairman (Cr o. Rowley, re-elected) presided over the tollowing members:—Crs. P. J. McLean, T. Harcourt, E. Cook, I. Brown, R. Bradley, J. Donovan, M. Wallace, A. Clark. The swearingof the Council and the election of Chairman took place at noon and me general meeting at 2 p.m. The general rate was fixed at zu in the £ on the capital value. On the motion of Cr. Donovan, it was decided to expend £25 on necessary repairs to Calory and Glaciei tracks at Waiho. . ' Inward correspondence inciuaec.. From the Minister of Supply, advising that the crawler tractor was not available for allocation to this County, as the same was urgently required for timber milling industry. Exception was taken that the urgent land protection work the Council wished to do was not considered sufficiently essential. Authorities to be again approached on the matter From Highways Board, asking that Ihe Council make an appointment to No. 12 District Highways Council. — Overseer C. Stoop re-appointed. From District Engineer, advising that he had recommended the grant for river protection at Turnbull River above Buchanans. From same, relative to old South Road from Karangarua to Manakaiua, stating that the Department was having same made sale lor light traffic, and stating that it was the intention to then hand the road back to the County Council after the Overseer had inspected same. From Minister' of Works and from Mr O'Brien, acknowledging this Council's request for rhe extension of the railway below Ross, and stating the matter will be duly considered in the programme of postwar works. —Council to press for extension of railway as soon as possible. • m 1 From Counties’ Association, Wellington, various circulars in connection with Local Bodies’ election, and new law passed. The last circular asking all County Clerks to answer five questions in an endeavour to have any doubtful points cleared up. —Clerk’s reply approved. Members strongly opposed the system of voting by cross, also the practice of block-voting. They considered voting for fewer than the required number of candidates should be as informal as voting for* more. From Registrar Native Land Court, notice of a sitting of the Court at Hokitika on 13th inst. to deal with making the-roads at Arahura through Native Reserve 30 on a legal tooting, and bom Natives Trustee stating his Department would pay half the cost of plan up to £2/12/6. From Inspector of Mines, pointing out that the work of repairing Drillers' Road lor the transport of pipes was considered of national importance, and asking that this Council give the matter early and J'avourable consideration. —Declined. It was stated that the road was of no use whatever to the Council and should be a charge against the War Expenses Account. .

From District Mmipowcr Officer enquiring regaidmg the renewal auLiioi'ity for No. Hi Scheme.-—Aiii nority for five inert io be asf.ed jor. From J. Condon and .Son;:, iviobitulii, enquiring regarding :t wittieslop on Busch's Road to their pro-perty-—No action taken. From Arnold and Party, Wataroa, asking for a grant towards clearing the track from Haast Track to Lake Moeraki for the use of whitebait fishermen. —Referred to Overseer with authority up to .£lO. From A. R. Thompson, Bruce Bay, pointing out the danger threatening the bridge across the Mahitahi River. —Referred to Lite Chairman, Overseer, and Public Works. Engineer. , From T. Rochford, Jacobs’ River, asking for assistance with approach road to his property.—Referred to Overseer.

From N. Friend, Okarito, asking that in the event of James Thompson leaving' the district he be given priority in renting portion of the Cemetery reserve.—To be filed for reference. F’’om Harihari Branch of the Farmers’ Union, asking that consideration be given to the matter of a foopath from the Post Office to the hotel at Harihari township for the safety of pedestrians.—Overseer to report. Cr. McLean considered the Public Works Department should assist.

From District Engineer regarding grant tor repairing flood damage to Peterson Road, 'stating that Head Office considers the Ccnmcil should attend to the work without Gm t rumen t assistance.

From R. IT. Mehrtens, Koiterangi, requesting attention to protection works on riverbed and drain bn Me-Arthui-Station Road.—Heferred to

Overseer for report. From West land Power, Ltd., asking' for attention to Duffers’ Road, to enable iron pipes to be carteci out from old pipe line, and stating the company was prepared to pay £75 towards the cost of making the road. —This was declined, being considered a charge on the War Expenses Fund.

From Inspector of Health forwarding report of 32 visits paid in County. From V. W. ivi. Bonar, complaining of state of Camelback Road. From V. H„ Wall, Koiterangi, asking consideration to metalling portion of extension of Station Road made by him, also attention to drains on same road.—Approved. From Vv. Arnott, contractor, staling that Waitangi bridge extension was completed, and asking for second payment.—Agreed. From Mrs B. Michell, Koiterangi, requpsling consideration of raising Vine Creek bridge.—Council to lift the bridge three feet and call tenders the approaches.