WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 December 1944, Page 2

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING

[OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

HOKITIKA, Dec. 15. The Westland County Council met yesterday. The Chairman, Cr. G. Rowley presided. The. following members were present: Crs. H. Clark, M Wallace, J. Donovan, R. Bradley, T’Brown, E. Cook, T. Harcourt. Mr. Wilson, Humphypys, waited on the Council in connection with the deviation of a creek. The Council deferred consideration to next meeting to obtain its solicitor’s opinion. On the suggestion of Cr. Wallace it was decided to refer the matter of an allocation of a crawler tractor not being granted to the West Coast Primary Production Council and ask their support. It was decided to place white posts along the Mahinapua Creek road as a guide when section of road is subm The Chairman moved: “That the Council now call applications throughout New Zealand for the position of Engineer to this Council. Applicants to be the holders of certificates as required by the new Bill iust passed through Parliament. Salary to be £612 per annum. Applications to close January 13. Present staff to carry on in the meantime. , Cr. Clark moved: That repair work at a cost not exceeding £25 be authorised for completion of the Wataroa South Bank Track to the sea coast.—Carried. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE I From District Engineer, GreyI mouth, advising that the total Government expenditure at Maliroy s bridge was £2,665 and not £1220, also stating the two places at Koiterangi where the bull-dozer was desired would be inspected in comioany with the Overseer; also stating there was no possibility of the bulldozers doing the work, as they were urgently required immediately the Koiterangi wall was completed; also stating his department was objecting to the granting of sea claims i near the highway at Bruce Bay, ano suggesting the Council give careful consideration to the granting of claims near the County road to Bruce Bay. Also regarding the bridge to Kmteiangi, urging that urgent repairs be carded out and offering some assistance with bridge carpenters. Meantime he has been instructed to survey a new bridge site. The Council still considered a new bridge a better proposition. From Mr. O’Brien, forwarding a letter from the Minister of Defence, suggesting the closing of the Wataroa Aerodrome, now unnecessary.— Council had no wish to take control. From the Director of National Development, regarding the setting up of a Regional Planning Council, and asking that a representative be appointed.—Chairman and Cr. Wallace to represent Council. From Native Trustee, regarding Greeks’ Creek and adjacent Native land, stating that his department has no power to set aside any strip of land required for drainage purposes; and asking the Council to again consider proceeding under the Public Works Act. From G. H. Honey, Kumara Junction, three letters, also enclosing a petition of -21 interested residents asking for early attention to the road from Kumara Junction to Kapitea, along the old tram-line. —Foreman to inspect and report. . . From Inspector of Stock, advising that future bonus on kea beaks was to be paid at .the rate of 5/-, instead of 2/6 per beak. . From Inspector of Factories, advising that the Scheme 13 men and one casual labourer must now be treated as permanent, and a payment be made as extra covering the last year.—Payment to be made. From District Manpower Officer, advising that the present authority for Scheme 13 subsidy expires on December 25, and asking if an extension of same is desired. —Application for extension for three months approved. From Walter Scott, Karangarua, advising that the £l2 authorised for clearing the track on north bank of the Karangarua River had been spent and reporting that the track was now in good order. From A. R. Weenink, Tetaho, advising that the clearing of the drains was completed, as authorised, for £ 20.—Passed for payment. From T. A. Condon, Jur., Tatare, advising that he expected the lorry to assist with filling the frontage of his section free, and asking for further consideration. —No action taken. From Bruce Bay Timbers, advising that temporary protection with trees had been carried out at the Mahitahi bridge to Bruce Bay and with floods so far had proved satisfactory. Also enclosing account for £2/17/8, being half of the cost as arranged.—Payment approved. . From Deputy-Mining Registrar, enclosing copies of application for sea beach claims at Bruce Bay, asking if the Council had any objection to the grants being made. —No objection. From A. J. Little, Koiterangi, complaining of no attention to drains as promised three months ago.—Referred to Overseer for attention. From eight Koiterangi farmers, a petition requesting that Murray Creek be cleared and straightened.—Refer-, red to Public Works Department for attention. From A. J. Shannon, asking for attention to Hokitika Gorge track, and swing bridge, also complaining of erosion and loss of land which he considers is caused by the Camelback protection wall. —Referred to Overseei\ From F. H. Howard, South Hokitika, drawing the Council’s attention to the erosion on south bank of Hokitika River above the railway bridge. Referred to Public Works Department. „ -r, -x From Mrs. B. Michell, Koiterangi, complaining of drainage and asking for attention to same. —Referred to Overseer. ' . From W. G. Havill, Koiterangi, asking that an endeavour be made to have the bulldozer do the stop-bank work near his property before the machine leaves the district. —Referred to Public Works Department. From N. Harris, Koiterangi, applying to the Council for gelignite to remove trees in the riverbed below the Kokatahi bridge.—Approved. - From R.~ C. Wells, Woodstock, objecting to remarks passed at a recent meeting. He considered a false impression was created to his detriment and it was of no concern to him what the three men thought that he refused to work with. He wished the statement corrected. > From Mr. Semple regarding the Koiterangi River bridge stating he 1 was not in favour of patching up old structures, but under present conditions it would be necessary to repair it sufficiently to last some years and in the meantime a survey would be made and plans prepared for a new structure. . Cr.. Wallace thought the expenditure was too high to compensate for the short life of the bridge. He moved that an estimate be obtained to maintain the present bridge for a further three years. —Carried. From Poerua residents regarding river erosion and necessity to have bulldozer working to clear the river bed. —Nothing can be done until a machine is available.

From W. G. Stephens, Rimu, asking for a gate at old road reserve near Rimu Reserve. —Referred to Overseer for attention.