WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 15 August 1928, Page 4

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

TUESDAY, AUGUST 14th. The Council met at 2 p.in. Present! Messrs E. A. Wells (County Chairman), \V. Searle, J. Donovan, W. 11. Chinn, B. Ward, and T. R. Chesterman. The minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approved. Apologies for absence were made for -Messrs Murdoch, Jeffries and Morel, three months leave of absence being granted to Mr Morel. VOTE OF CONDOLENCE, •

The Chairman moved a vole of con dblenec with Cr Murdoch and members of tlie family in connection with their late bereavement. Carried in silence, members standing. DEPUTATION.

Mr N. Warren waited on tlie Council in reference to necessary repairs to Blue Spur road. After discussion it was resolved that the Overseer report and that any necessary action be taken bv the Chairman and Clerk. ‘ INWARD CORRESPONDENCE.

From Treasury, notifying accrued revenhc to the credit of the County Fund Account.—Received. From Public Works Department, advising it had been agreed to increase its quota to £l5O, reducing that of the settlers to £SO towards Waitangi river erosion.—Received ; the Clerk reported the County’s and the settlers’ contribution had been paid in on Thursday week.

From same, regarding river erosion protection at Karangarua required by J. S. Thompson, advising that as a result of a report made by Overseer Carroll £SO is being placed on the estimates for same.—Received. From same, with reference to Mahinapna creek bridge, advising that the balance of tlie vote of £275 can be expended on fencing and approaches.— Received. From 51 i ncs Department with regard to construction of Anderson road, advising that the Department could not approve of the amount being placed on tlie estimates. —Received. From Minister of Public Works, regarding expenditure of grant for Ivuninrn Junction-Kapitea Road, notifying that the Department could not approve of authorisation of same.—Received ; Mr Ward expressed his regret at the contents of tlie letter, which did not express the reasons why the Council had asked for the grant. From Highways Council, Greymouth, with reference to highways gazetted during 1928, and notifying estimates. —Received.

From same regarding maintenance of Detour road, Wataroa. —Received. From Agricultural Department, forwarding certificate of renewed slaughterhouse license for Jlrs Passmore, and J. Stewart, Kuinara.—Received. From Native Trustee, Wellington, asking for a report as to amount of gravel removed from the Arahura river —Received. From Overseer Milliter reporting that 75 cubic yards of gravel have been taken from Arahura liver bed.—Received. From Health Inspector, reporting infectious cases.—Received. From Department of Health, advising of refresher course for Sanitary Inspectors.-—Received. From Commissioner ot Crown Lands, advising the Minister has approved of the purpose of reservation over the small area occupied by County Buildings being changed to “ site for County offices ” under the provision of Section 6 of Public Reserves and Domains Act, 1908.—Received ; considered very satisfactory. From same, asking if Council bad any objection to recommendation ol Sections 2792 and 2793 held by W. McCluggago being exempt from rates for a period of four years.—Received ; no objection. From N.Z. Railways advising tlie Department has approved to the alienation for road purposes of balance of Railway Reserve between points shown coloured green on print forwarded, subject to conditions detailed as to survery, etc.- —Received ; left to Over-’ seer to attend to. From Progress League, asking for grant towards the funds of the League. —Received and request granted, the sum of £25 being voted. From Park and Murdoch, applying oil behalf of tlie Gold Development Corporation, Ltd., for consent to grant of above water race, which proposes to cross tlie road near Okarito Forks.— Received ; consent granted. From same, on behalf of Tvanieri Electric Ltd., applying for Council’s consent to grant of water race which proposes to cross Bruce road.—Received ; consent granted. From Bank N.S.W., advising amount of gold exports during month.—Received. I

From Chairman Advisory Committee, Alahitahi, drawing Council’s attention to necessity of clearing out Blue river horse track.—Received. From Clerk, County Council, Te Kuiti, advising conference of Clerks to be bold at Wellington on 26th September to launch an Association. Approved bv the Counties Conference.— Received and approved. From Afercantile and General Assurance Coy.. Christchurch, suggesting the Council consider application from Company for share of insurances.—Received.

From J. Condon, Afahitnhi, advising that Bruce Bay cemetery has been repaired, and requires new wire around it.—Received and approved. From N. Brown, Afatainui, forwarding amount of settlers contribution towards Waitangi, river protection.—Received. From Airs P. J. AValsli, Matninui, forwarding contribution towards Waitangi river protection.—Received. From Pehn Brothers, forwarding amount of contribution towards above work.—R cccived. From R. Williams, Afatainui, advising acceptance of County cottage at Mntainui.—Received. From Waits ha Dairy Coy. asking if Council’s offer made some months ago to supply pipes to carry drainage from

> factory across the road reserve, still holds good, asking what arrangements > could be made to have the pipes put in.—Received. From Overseer Alillner, reporting 1 that matter of drains at Waitalia Fac--2 tory was looked into some months | since when it was decided that no action he taken as drainage accumulated was from buildings and not sufficient to warrant co-st involved in piping from factory across t|ie roadway’.—Received. From J. Fitzgerald, Wainihinihi, a Pply'ng for renewal of slaughter house license.—Received. From Searle Bros, Horepo, applying for renewal of slaughter house license. —Received. From John Alundy, Stafford, applying for renewal of slaughter house license.—Received. The three applications to be recommended. From Overseer Alillner, reporting on Chesterfield road and bridge complained by W. Gutberlet, cost of new drain required would he £2 5s also stringers required for bridge £9 10s, total cost £ll fos.—Received; work authorised. From Same reporting White Road in bad order caused by heavy lorry traffic carting timber from mill, present cost of repairs to same would be £35 to £••!- - —Received. 5 From Same reporting on Three Mile & Track, OJcapito, necessary improvements to cost £2so.—Received; application to be mqde to A[|nps Department for an urgent grant of £250.

From W. D. Nolan, Okuru, adyising that heavy floods washed away hanks of Okuru and Turnbull river, and asking for grant of £2 each for Turnbull and Okuru rivers to bo spent planting willows in necessary places; also advising good work is being done to Okuru Dray Road, grant £ls.—Received ; additional £5 granted. From Public Works Department asking for a return of the length of all roads, tracks and bridges in the County including unformed legal roads, to be set out in detail.—Received. From same with regard to additional highways, and asking for information with reference to the conditions under which Detour road, Wataroa, should be treated.—Received. From T. E. Y. Seddon, supporting the application of the Plunket Society for an annual grant towards maintenance for the services rendered throughout, the district.—Received. A grant of £5 was made to the Hokitika branch. From J. Ryall, Barrytown, thanking the Council for support accorded at tlie recent Land Board election.—Received. From D. Stock and Coy, Christchurch, urging provision for Flaxmill Road, Rotokino, and explaining what was being done in regard to development, following the report of Mr A. Seifert on the property to be worked. —Received. From R. Cox, Three -Mile, Okarito, applying for a boat to cross the creek where his men are working.—Received. From 11. H. Busch, Maliitahi, declining to take up grant for expenditure on Busch road.—Received. •

From National Bank forwarding return of gold exported.—Received. From Overseer Millner reporting necessity of sending a lorry to Wnitalia for repair work; stating Roadman Wliitiskie was indisposed and off duty for some days; estimating £l2 was necessary to clear drain on Municipal road asked for by TV. Little ; reporting on operations on tlie lorries for the month; supplying monthly report of work done.—Received; £8 was granted to clear drain.

In connection with a request from the Okuru Advisory Committee to recommend the liberation of opossums in South Westland, Mr Chinn strongly supported and moved that the Count il recommend the Government to take steps to liberate opossums in South Westland. Seconded by Mr Ward, win approved of the introduction of a superior class of animal. The trapping of opossums in this district was proving a very lucrative one.

.Mr Chesterman mentioned that some 20 years ago the Hinemoa released some 60 opossums at Jackson Bay, but there was no trace of them. The Chairman supported the motion which was agreed to. From C. E. Atkinson, Mnnanui, offering to shift railway fence for £3O if Council supplies new material required. —Received. TENDERS. Tenders for clearing and cleaning drain, Kokatafii road, were receive I from : A. Butko £2l 18 9 A. Webb £2B 0 0 G. Morris £2S 10 0 F. Yrobleski £2B 10 0 C. Fleming £2B 8 6 R. Mitchell •• £3B 0 0 A. Tvrakosky Gs 9d per chain. The tender of A. Burke was accepted.

FINANCE COMMITTEE’S REPORT. Your Committee bus the honour to report that the accounts presented I'm the month of July. 1928, have been carefully examined, and beg to recom mend that tlie amount as approved, to tailing £2,373 2s lid, be passed.—Re ceivcd. ; . • / ORDER PAPER, The Chairman moved: “ That tlie accounts presented for the month of July, 1928, as revised and recommended for payment by tlie Finance Committee, amounting to £2373 2s lid be passed for payment.” Seconded by Mr Ward and carried. The Chairman moved: “That the Council authorise the purchase of a road tractor, same to be procured through the Main Highways Board on deferred payments, and the repayments be a charge against the funds of the Central Riding.” Seconded by Mr Ward, who endorsed the Chairman’s remarks as to the excellence of the work done by a tractor at Grcynioutli, and on the Main Highways road. Supported by Messrs Chesterman, Donovan and Chinn, the two lat-

ter urging the whole of the County should share in the payment. Mr Searle supported, but expressed the opinion that one lorry should be sold.' The motion was then agreed to, the reference in the original motion to the Central Riding being deleted.

Air Donovan moved: “That the Council approve the proposals for the dedication of a road reserve from Little Wanganui river to Wataroa. river, as per the plan now before the meeting, and agree to contribute the sum of £SO towards the cost of the legal dedication of the proposed reserve for roading purposes.” Seconded by Air Searle.

Air Cl linn objected to the motion. It was bad enough advocating the road, but it was worse to vote £SO towards dedicating this road. He suggested the matter lie held over till the Chairman .visited the locality.

Messrs Ward and Chesterinan supported consideration being deferred till the Chairman visited and reported. ATr Donovan replying expressed his surprise at the statements of Air Chinn. No Government money had been spent in the last 16 years within five miles of the speaker’s property. Air Ward moved an amendment, for the Chairman to report at a future date. Seconded by Air Chinn and carried. Becoming the substantive motion it was agreed to, Air Donovan dissenting.

Air W. I). Nolan (Okuru) notified that the ferryman (J. AfeKenzie) at Waitoto, had resigned his position, and urging an increased subsidy he granted.—Received. The resignation was accepted and it was resolved to invite applications. Air Donovan urged that enquiries be made with a view to improving the ford and approaches at Cooks river. It was resolved to refer the matter to the District Engineer, the Public

Yj r qrks Department having charge of this road. The Council rose at 5.40 p.m.