WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 September 1945, Page 3

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING [OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] HOKITIKA, September 14. z The Westland County Council met yesterday, Cr. R. Bradley presiding over the following:—Crs. H. F. Clark, M. Wallace, P. J. McLean, J. Donovan, G .Rowley, E. Cook, T. Harcourt. The Mayor of Hokitika, Mr A. R. Elcock, and Mr W .H. Nicol waited on the Council to discuss the County’s commitments for patriotic purposes, and asked members to stir up the local committees in the district with a view to raising their quotas. Cr. McLean supported the deputation.—Cr. Bradley was appointed the Council’s representative on the Westland Provincial Patriotic Council. It was decided that each member contact local committees in. his district. The Council passed the following resolution: “That the provision of national patriotic funds should be raised by an increase in the national levy instead of by voluntary contribution, and it is its considered opinion that such method is unfair and inequitable.” It was decided that a remit be sent to the South Island Local Bodies’ Association supporting the principle of nationalising of hospitals in preference to the system of levying local bodies. Another remit on the matter of the manufacture of butter-boxes locally is to be sent. It was decided that Cr. Wallace accompany Cr. Rowley to the South Island Local Bodies’ conference at Dunedin.

CORRESPONDENCE From the District Engineer, Public Works Department, asking consent of Council to the taking of land for a gravel reserve, in' the Wataroa S.D. —Referred to the Engineer, with power to act. From the Board’s representative, District Highways Council, setting out that the Highways Board is not responsible for the construction and maintenance of footpaths and other works on State highways as put forward by Mr Higgins of the Grey County.—Council to protest, as it considers pedestrians are entitled to equal consideration as motorists. From the District Engineer, asking the consent of the Council to the taking of land at Mt. Doughboy for a quarry site. —Approved. From Under-Secretary of Mines Department, advising that outstanding rent on alluvial claim owned by S. M. Honey has been treated as irrecoverable. From South Island Local Bodies’ Association, Christchurch, notice of annual conference in October. —Cr. Rowley to attend. From Hannan and Seddon, Greymouth, acknowledging Council’s consent to the dredging of road reserves by the Taramakau Gold Dredging Company, and asking if the agreement in relation thereto could be completed by the Council.—Approved. From M. A. Patterson, Lower Kokatahi, asking for some gravel to be spread on his approach road.—Left to Engineer for attention.

From J. McGrath, Dillmanstown, objecting to the amount of rates demanded from him.—Clerk’s reply approved. t From the Mining Registrar, settingout a list of outstanding mining rents and suggesting the Council recommend the Minister of Mines to treat same as irrecoverable.—Approved. From the Inter-Wanganui Cooperative Dairy Factory Co., Ltd., Hari Hari, reporting complaints received from shareholders regarding the deplorable state of the County roads in the Southern Riding.—A conference of Council and factory shareholders to be held to discuss the matter. From IV. D. Nolan, Upper Okuru, giving his views regarding finance required for the proposed deviation of the Okuru Road; also reporting the sale of an old County shed at Okuru, and the taking' over of one remaining boat at Arawata River.—Deferred for a month. From J. T. Perrang, Kumara, complaining of the unfair treatment he considers he has received from the Council and staff.—Referred to the Engineer. From the secretary of the School Committee, Wataroa, enquiring if it would be possible to hire the County lorry and driver for the purpose of delivering a few loads of soil and sand to the school grounds.—Referred to the Engineer. From the Commissioner of Crown Lands, in connection with a report received from the District Engineer regarding Dry Creek protection, Poerua Valley Road, stating the waterway under the bridge required cleaning out.—Referred to Engineer. From the Assistant Secretary, Canterbury Education Board, Christchurch, enquiring if a turning place could be constructed on the road one mile from the K.D.V. mill at Hari Hari.—Referred to Engineer. From Kanieri Hall Committee asking assistance in the provision of conveniences at Kanieri Public Hall.— As the Council was already committed, it was decided to contribute La. A further application from the same source for permission to run Saturday night dances up to 1 a.m. on Sundays.—Council had no objection, subject to police approval. From T. J. Adamson applying for permission to erect a gate on an unused road at Matai.—Granted, subject to no objection from other settlers.