WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 June 1920, Page 4

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

Tuesday. June isth, 1920.

The monthly meeting of. the Council was held at 2 p.m. Present —Messrs T. \V. Bruce (County Chairman), S. G. I’ergiijion, 15. A. Wells, L. Morel, T. ItChesterinan, B. Ward, J. A. Murdoch, T. W. Bull and lion. J. Grimmoud. The minutes wore confirmed, and outward correspondence approved. IN WARD C'ORRESPON BENCE.

From Treasury, notifying amounts forwarded to credit of County Fund Account.—Received.

From Mines Department, making farther enquiry regarding prospecting party at Cook’s river.—Received; replied to. From same stating proposed improvement of Back Creek road, not being loi benefit of mining, application for grant should bo made to Public Works Department.—Received ; replied to, pointing out the road was a Mines road. From same, regretting request for assistance to Hau 11 an lead road could not be made, mining interests not being affected.—Received; to be applied to Public Works Department. From same, declining application for prospecting subsidy by W. W. Glass.— Received; copy of letter sent to applicant. From Valuer-Geneurl, intimating that District-Valuer Farmer was arranging for the-revaluation of the County at an early date.—Received; it was resolved to write to the Ministei"on the subject ol the delay in action being taken. Fro,,, T. E. Y. Seddon, M.P., forwarding letter from Minister of Lands on the subject of swamp drainage in Westland, and particularly at La Fontaine. In respect to the latter the Chief Drainage Engineer had reported favourably and an additional £250, £ for £, would be provided on the Estimates. —Received ; operations to be continued as far as funds would permit. From Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister of Public Works,' promising attention/ to • Inter-Wanganui encroachment and the flood damage throughout the County.— Received; it was reported that a grant of £ for £ had been made. From same, thanking Chairman and Councillors for-hospitality extended during recent visit. —Received. From same, replying in respect to some matters brought under notice during late visit. In respect to Waikukupa bridge, plans were approved and sbme expenditure authorised. —Received. - From Resident Engineer,'stating plans for McCullough’s Creek bridge were being submitted for approval, the structure to be erected with native timber.— received., From Tuapeka County Council, uiging support to the proposals that hospital and charitable aid administration should be a charge on the Consolidated Fund, and not local bodies. —Received. Mr Murdocii nioyed that the Council support the proposal; seconded by Mr /Ferguson, supported by Mr Ward,, and carried.

From Stratford Borough Council, asking support to request to make Saturday afternoon the universal half-holiday for the Dominion. —Received. The Chairman moved that support be given ; seconded by Mr Murdoch, and carried, Mr Duff dissenting.

From Canterbury Progress League, thanking Council for its offer of affiliation with the League.—Received. From Park and Murdoch, on behalf of R. E. Cranston, applying for consent to deviate power line at Ivanieri. Received ; consent given. From ICapitea Goldfields, Ltd., thanking Council for assistance with road Access.—Received. From Kokatahi Dairy Factory Coy., asking permission to erect private telephone line to Secretary’s office at Rimu. —Received; request granted. From Wataroa.Church Trustees, asking for £lO grant to make approach to church.—Received. Mr Ferguson moved the request be granted; seconded by Hon. J. Grimmond and carried. '

Prom Alaifroy and Coy., contributing £2B towards cost Palmer’s road, Humphreys, and asking work be expedited.— Received.

From Alex. Gunn, asking permission to erect gate across Rotokino road.—Received ; adjourned for public notification to be given. 1 From W. Ritchie, applying to lease frontage of road (say 25 acres) at £1 per annum, Alahitahi, to ensure access.— Received. *

From Robert Thompson, referring to complaint made by W. Ritchie in reference to access.—Received. From R. Ritchie, reporting on meeting of Bruce Bay Advisory Committee in eonneetion with* the complaint of W. Ritchie.—Received. The Chairman moved to refer the matter to Roadman Nolan for report. Seconded by Mr Murdoch. Mr Ward moved an amendment that applications be invited to lease the road Reserve of about 25 acres. Seconded by Mr, Ghesterman. It was resolved that Roadman Nolan report as to improvements. with a view to inviting tenders for the lease of the road reserve. From A. Jamieson, asking for approach to homestead at Koitenmgi.— Received, Mr Morel moved that €3 be granted for the purpose. Second by Mr Ruff and carried. From E. Cook, asking right to portion of unused Kuinara-Greymouth tramway reserve at Teremakau road junction for access to section 3217 at present without road approach.—Received ; referred to Overseer Milliter for report. From E. Connelly, reporting on prospecting at Cooks’ river, and asking when subsidy available.—Received. From Jas. C. Hende, asking attention to north approach to Lower Ford, Big Wanganui.—Received ; to receive attention. From J. Hewer, reporting further on wandering stock nuisance, and suggesting that owners of all stock at large in future be prosecuted without exception. -—Received and approved. From A. F. Dimmiek, suggesting exchange of gravel site, Municipal road, Koitenmgi, present site to be used for building school.—Received ; request granted. ' From Roadman Nolan, reporting on Butler’s creek protection satisfactorily completed; also general report including notice of resignation of Cooks’ river ferryman.—Received; it- was resolved to invite applications for a ferryman. From W, D. Nolan, chairman Okuju district committee, reporting regarding Haast ferry and road grants; also lengthy letter of explanation on subject nonpayment of men employed Haast Pass track re-opening, and asking same be pressed for from Government,—Received.

, 1 From Overseer Millner, reports and letters in respect to 'flood damage, and general road maintenance, including

difficulties in procuring labour for bridge and road works; also material, and especially timber for bridge repairs, and drawing attention to flu* increasing cost; asking attention to wandering stock nuisance in Rimu Riding, and general matters affecting roads.—Received. It was resolved to have a round-up of wandering cattle. ..The recommendations generally were, approved. From Engineer-in-Cliief stating he was directed to notify that the authority for Awatutia road extension £SOO and Kumara Junction to Awatuna road £SOO, would he given immediately on plans being submitted and approved. Received ; (jfverseer Millner to be asked to draft plans as soon as possible. From Chief Postmaster asking if the ferryman lit llaast was being continued as the mailman mhd been heoii making complaints.—Received ; already replied

From Stuart and Chapman Ltd., asking permission to haul a quantity of logs across Boss road.—Received ; the Chairman said he had deferred consideration till the Council met. Mr Murdoch said he would oppose the granting of permission to haul logs across a road with a wire rope. Referred to Overseer for report.

From T. J; Smith, Hokitika, complaining of accident on Ivokatahi road at Kelly’s crossing and claiming £5 18s, loss of money by falling into the open crossing.—Received. The Overseer’s report was read and received. From Overseer Millner further reports on district roads in Hari Ha'ri locality. ,—-Received.

Fom lßookes and party, Rimu, applying for assistance in prospecting work.— Received; to be recommended.

From Roadman Nolan reporting on

progress of operations during period and recommending a number ot small works be put in band.—Received* recoin in enda tions' app roved. From McCormick and asking for a continuance of the grant for prospecting aid.—Received and approved. From R. Ritchie, enclosing request by W. Ritchie -for road access by inland Maintain road at a cost of £ll).—Received, and approved. From. Wells Bros., Wnitangi, applying for permission to cross reserve witl tramway and right to cut timber thereon.—Received ; request granted subject to application being in order. From C. J. P. Sellers on behalf oi Pfeifer aiid party, enclosing permission to include portion of Gillam’s Gully road in application for mill site.—Received; referred to Overseer Mill nor to report and to be recommended if favourable. It was resolved that the question of repairs to Gillam’s Gullv b.e referred to Overseer Millner for attention. The Clerk reported that no tenders had been received for Morris Hill cutting ’contract. It was resolved to carry the work out by day labor. FINANCE COMMITTEE’S REPORT. L I.—Your Committee have the honour to report that the accounts presented for th|e month of May, 1920. have been carefully examined and beg to recommend that the amount, as approved, totaling £2,007 14s 7d, be passed for payment. 2.—Your Committee beg to recommend the following allocation to the public libraries of the County:—Rimu and Stafford £0 each; Waitaha, Okarito, Weheka, Bruce Bay and Okum, £3 each ; total £3o.—Received. ORDER PAPER.

The Chairman moved :—"That the ceounts for the month of May, )20, as revised and recommended for ayment ,by the .Finance Committee, mounting to £2,007 14s 7cl be passed or payment.” Seconded by Mr Duff and arried. The Chairman moved “Tina t the Iverseer prepare proposals for winning 40 chains of Waitaha Settlement •oad between Davidson’s and Deakins, ind be empowered to deal with local enders for carrying out the work.” Se•onded by Mr Ferguson and carried. Or. Murdoch moved:—“That a vote if £l9 be • authorised for improving the Old Christchurch road via Kaw_ raka for general traffic;.” Seconded by the Chairman and carried. Cr. Grimmond moved:-—“That in addition to votes asked for on the Estimates the following be added:— Bruce Bay to Makaweho, £250; Maka. weho to Karangarua £250.” Seconded by Mr Duff and carried. Cr Morel’s motion—“ That the resolution of April 27th, 1920 authorising the removal of gates on Station and Johnson roads, Koiterangi, be and is hereby rescinded,” was held over to the August meeting. Cr. Morel moved:—“That the Overseer be instructed to prepare proposals for the extension of White road to meet requirements for starting sawmilling in that locality.*’ Seconded by Mr Bruce and carried. Cr. Duff moved:—“That the Overseer report on the construction of a road from Stafford main road to Flowery Creek open crossing.” Seconded by Mr Ward and carried. The Chairman moved: “That appli_ cation 1)0 made for a grant of £IOO to re-open Happy Valley track.” Seconded by Mr Ferguson and carried. Mr Clitostennan moved:—That timber reserves to set aside tor the use of the Council for bridges and that Overseer Millnor report and define areas available. Seconded by Mr Ward and carried. Mr Wells moved that permission bo given by the Council to have the telephone to Overseer Millner’s residence included in a party line to Woodstock. Seconded by Mr Chosterman quel carried.

SPECIAL MEETING. The Chairman moved the confirmation of the Special Order made on 12th May, 1020, altering the boundaries of the Ridings and fixing the number ot the Ridings at three, namely Northern, Central and Southern Ridings, and that upon confirmation public notice oi the special order he given in the New Zealand Gazette accordingly. Seconded by Mr Buff and carried. The Council rose at 4.50 p.m.