COUNTY COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 12 April 1933, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL

WESTLAND .BODY’S MEETING. YESTERDAY’S BUSINESS. The Westland County Council met yesterday.. afternoon, when there were present Mesgrs J. Murdoch (chairman), IW. Ai ‘Jamieson, W. Searle, B. Ward, J. J. McKay, J. Donovan, M. Keenan, T. 'Ohesterman, ’ and W. Jeffries. Mr ,F. J. Andrews waited on tlv? Council; regarding the Kanieri Electric’s reply- to the matter in connection with j th 6 level 0 f Lake Ivanieri and flooding) of land near Dorothy Falls. He was; satisfied that the" Company would give satisfaction, but there were just one or two matters that needed clarification . regarding the Company’s’ cognisance • j j the position. Th© chairman said he was glad, - Air Andrews had brought the „p again, as the. Council desired tr, its ratepayers fairly. . Mr; It. Whiley waited on 'pj 10 Council asking .that repairs; be /carried out to Wall Road which whs. ; n bad condition. C r s. Jamieson a' Q( j Khenan supported the .application Cr. Chest' ei , niail 3a ,id it .was a pity that the. r Q o unci 1 could' not .force lorries to vel on these 'Toads at a slower t t ( for it was they who were TR ‘ >' possible for much of the bad condition, of the road.

The Council agree d t 0 give the mater attention. INWARD COJ tRESPONDENCE. From Treasury, notifying accrued evenue to credits of the County fund. —Received. j From Minist err of Marine, with reerence to Ok airito cemetery, advising lepaitment h a» instructed Engineer to neet Souter on ground to diacuss derails fully.- -IReceived. From J. Donovan Esq., M.0.C., ndising Okr t r'ito river encroaching towards ceujietery. From same, notifying position ro hove matter, river still endangering erne’ jC ry, asking permission to remove bodies. /he chairman explained the position „<? outlined in the report published in the “Guardian’' yesterday. The chairman ©aid that the Minister of Murine had advised that morning that the engineer’s report had not vet been received. The Government was wise in seeing that the company would act in.the capacity of a harbour board. However tt] f , ’Council could do Jittie more than it was doing at present. Cr. Donovan explained the position 'locally and Hvhat negotiations were at present under .way there. He said that it had been found advisable to remove the ir ema,irK of several bodies to another part of th 0 cemetery in preference to a new cemetery which would have, been more costly. The bodies which wor > shifted were unknown as they we,re buried in the

very early day t s, but the work was •being done systematically and they were being in the o rder in which they’ were removed. They were only removing these as the imminence of clanger demanded. From Public 'Works Department, with reference to Hokitika Gorge suspension bridge, advising that as plan did not show enough detail to check proposals survey of site lias been made and fresh drawings forwarded for Council’s approval.—Received. From Commissioner of Crown Lands, forwarding tracings showing portions of old road proposed to be closed, Block VJ, Ivanieri S.D., asking for Council’s consent, on matter.—Consent given. From N.Z. Railways, Christchurch, re flood damage to Hokitika railway bridge, and suggestion to obtain expert advice on same, advising Engineer inspected same and is quite conversant with position, again suggesting Council obtain expert opinion outside Railway Department. The Chairman, said he was not inclined to spend too much on engineer’s reports. Cr Jeffries said if they received another flood such as that experienced recently, the possible damage might be greater even than the engineers would be prepared to admit. The Council had done what it could to rectify the position in notifying the officials and stressing the serious danger that might result. From Health Officer , Christchurch,

notifying (Inspector Schou’s appointment to Greymouth, asking for Council’s n'Scessary resolution. —Approved. From Kanieri Electric Ltd., acknowledging letter with regard to flood damage at Lake Kanieri complained of by F. J. .Andrews. —Received. From Diggers Sawmill Coy., applying for (permission to construct and ran in tan n a tramway along Hokitika river road, in Block IX, Ivaniei.i fe.D. —Approved the Council expressing pleasure* that the Company was still carrying: on. From li. Linklater, Mbit ah a, with regard 'to Waitnlia protection works, suggesting the settlers concerned be coni muni eated with in regard to vvliat conti ibu tion can be made. The (I'bairman moved that tlie settlers be* written, to, adding that he was n.o't going to interview them. These people are being well attended to,” Do added. Ti’.o motion was carried. Fro: n W. McCluggage, Okarito, advising bad state of ferry boats; also off mil ig to superintend pile driving at Three Mile bridge for sum of £6. Thu matter was referred to Cr Donovan to come to some arrangement with the contractor, Mr Casey. From*. H. H. Buscli, Mahitahi, asking that tlb'.i matter of road access be | brought to notice of Council, j Cr MV'Tvav urged that the Council , do something in the matter as it was a deserving ease. ji The matter mis referred to the

i Bruco Bay advisory committee tor a' report. j From J. McKinnon, Fergusons, ap* ] plying for remission of rent on sea j beach, claim. ! On the motion of Cr .Jeffries, the matter was deferred to enable applicant t 0 make some effort to pay when the weather enabled work on his claim. From Bruce Bay Pine Syndicate, applying for permission to extend Bruce Bay Bluff road along hillside in westj erly direction for about ten chains,

also requesting permission to construct tramway along said road. Tiie first application was granted, ami, the second was referred to the | Bruce Bay advisory committee fn,r a , report. If satisfactory permission to j he given. I From W. D. Nolan, Okuru, reporting small culvert on Turnbull road collapsed, advising repairs to same carried out. —-Sum of £lO granted. From same, regarding repairs to Okuru bar by erecting groin, advising too big undertaking for few settlers resident there. —-Received. From Minister of Marine acknowledging information regarding position at Okarito cemetery.—Received. From Minister of Health on same subject, approving Council’s application. —Received. From Dr. Telford, Christchurch, confirming authority for removal of bodies from Okarito cemetery.—Received. From J. Donovan, M.C.C., reporting on latest action at cemetery.—Received. From J. O’Brien, M.P., stating he was urging the further extension of the Groat South Road, and the bridging of the Fox, Cook and Karnngnrua- rivers. —Received. From A. L. S. Robertson, contractor for Petersen Road, asking assistance in opening new gravel pit on side of road. The Council decided that the overseer be asked to report on the matter. TH T TX k„.v, "VT4-4 ocMnrv

roin iiennam, matamui, asiwiig . approval to new premises on Wataron road junction.—Granted, and sun! of 30s' allocated for work of filling in a depression. Overseer Milkier, supplying monthly reports on works, estimating cost raising Ivokatahi road £l5O. Cr Jamieson said that the piping system on the roads i n the district ; was not satisfactory, in that they were j not large enough to cope with the ! water. j Cr Chesterman said that the pipes j would not work sufficiently unless they were bell-mouthed. At present there were instances where the pipes were only running the water out \ half full, while the head was two feet under water. . 1 The matter was referred to the | chairman who would inspect the position on his visit to the district. From J. Minehan, drawing attenton to Ferguson’s Eoad, north of the Little Wanganui, and asking the Council to repair road.—Applicant to state actual requirements. The overseer’s reports on main and i secondary highways <ynd other work I during the month, as published yes- ! terday, were adopted. The Council decided to make applications for grants to carry out the following works: —Central Hiding.—Harris Creek bridge renewal £250, Ivokatahi bridge repairs £l5O, and protection £IOO, Kanieri Lake road, protection Me Kav’s Creek £IOO. Koka-

titlii road raising £l5O. Northern Riding.—Malfroy’s bridge protection £IOO. Southern Riding.—Left Hand bridge (Poerua Road) renewal and protective works £250, Dry Creek bridge (Poerua Road) renewal and protective . work £330, Styx-Wilberforce £IOO, Three Mile bridge £IOO, La Fontaine road extension, 115 chains at £8 10s a chain, do £6O, detour road bridge and approaches £450, Gillespies £SOO, Busch road £l5O, Five l Mile Creek bridge £l5O. It was decided to make application that the Forks-Okarito road be made a secondary highway.

The finance committee recommended that the accounts for the month of March, totalling £1879 9s Bd, be passed for payment. The committee further recommended that steps be taken immediately to sue for all outstanding rates where a settlement had not been arranged, and that the county solicitor be instructed accordingly. Or. Jeffries said that, with reference to outstanding rates, he considered the Council should adopt stringent measures to ensure some payment. The sum of £962 was outstanding in respect of 29 ratepayers, some of whom could pay, at least, a portion. This big amount would pay the office salaries and expenses for over one year. Or. Ward said he was surprised to hear the position. If they were to carry on, and let rates go unpaid, it was only a farce coming to the Council table. He granted that times were very hard, and that this was one of the. hardest yeans they had had. Where a ratepayer could pay something, he should be forced to, otherwise he was simply milking a fool of the Council. If a mail can pay, and won’t pay, make him pay.

Cr. Jamieson said he was astonished to see the amount of revenue outstanding. He said he would go fuithc! and say tliat the County solicitor was neglecting his duties in not suing foi them. The Chairman: Hear, hear.

Cr. Senrle said that there were some whose rates were unpaid for over two years. . The Chairman informed members of the measures that had been taken to secure the rates-the appeals made to the ratepayers—and the results V been in m.anv instances gratifying. In some instances individual ca.es had been given *««1 referred to some ratepayers who wen, i • i tbe hilt, but he "as mortgage 1 to t'ic » r.„t goimr to he a party to th.o'MHf, a wav the Council’s «o»cy iu legal P 1

cesdings. However the time, time bail : come when action slioukl be taken. 1 The finance committee\s leport was adopt oil. The chairman's report as published yesterday was also adopted. The chairman room Led comprehensively upon his recent visit to the .Southern Riding, lb said that he ha;:l been surprised to find that TOOdO had been spent at La. Fontaine in the course of the last few years, but after his visit ho could assuie Crs.

Slavic and McKay now that ho was a linn supporter of the extension of the road. He had been assured that representations would ho made for the of a rebel camp. Ihe Co m.i nil-si oner oi Crown Lands was not iinsypnipatlietie to the proposal, and lie (the speaker) would like, to sec the cami) established, preferably for single men, and the road extended right down to tbe sea. Regarding Okaiito cemetery, he said that it did ivot- say much for New Zealand when department- after department had to be approached to yet some assistance m the matter of protecting the remains of their pio-neor settlers. "With the passage of the Okarito Bill, he was sure that Okarito would again go ahead. Cr. McKay said that the establishment of a damp would be for the bonetit of the district. Cr. Donovan said he was pleased at tho visit of the chairman. Every effort should bd made hi establish the camp, to have the swamp attended to, and the road extended .f He thought the chairman should he eongrntul'atcd upon what he had done, and die thought that the matter should tc left in his hands. Or Ward said the road was a necessity and idle proposal for the camp was a wise move. In time lie presumed the road would be carried on right- out to the se’.a. Ho complimented • the Chairman on his report. Cr. Don- ' ovan had done much valuable work of

late regarding tlie Okarito cemetery. The Chairman’s report as published yesterday wa« adopted. Cr. Jeffries added his tribute to the Chairman’s report. He knew of the excellent work tlv\t had Iren done hv Or. Donovan, and he wished to eoaigratulate him, without flattery, as the work was of a big nature. He mo\ed that the Council record its approval, on the minutes, of Cr. Donovan’s generous and voluntary .services. The motion was carried.

NOTICES OF MOTION. 1. The Chairman moved: —“That March accounts amounting to £1,879 7s 9d be passed for payment.—Carried. 2. The Chairman moved:—“That the Council borrow by way of overdraft from the Bank of New Zealand a sum not exceeding £2,500, such overdraft to be secured by revenues outstanding and uncollected at 31st. March, 1934.”—Carried. 3. The Chairman moved:—“That the annual report of the Treasurer on the past year’s finance on the proposed allocation of estimated revenue and expenditure for the current financial year be now considered and subject to discussion.” —Carried. 4. The Chairman moved:—(a) “That in he: ye-et of the foregoing report that the annual general rate for the year 1933-34 .be fixed at four

farthings in the £, capital value.”— Carried. (b) That Council meetings be cur? taihil where pcsi-ible to alternative month.— Carried. 5. The Chairman moved:—“That the Overseer prepare a list of urgent works for application for Government grants for the current financial year.” —Carried. 6. Or. Dmovau moved:—“That Overseer Miilner be, instructed to examine and report on the condition of n-ad from Ross Borough Boundary to Cedar Creek reefs and estimate the cost of necessary repairs.”—Carried. 7. Ci'-. Dmeveai m Trod:—-‘“'That the Wataroa Flat Road from Miatainui to Boat House, Lower Wataroa Gorge, ho repaired and graded without delay.”—Carried. . ..;