WESTLAND COUNTY

Hokitika Guardian, 28 May 1936, Page 7

WESTLAND COUNTY

COUNCIL MEETING. , The Council met at 2 p.m. Present—the County Chairman (J. J. McKay), Crs. W. Jeffries j B. Ward, A. Dale, W. A. Jamieson, J. Donovan, T. It. Chestermau, N. Brown- and J. A. Murdoch. The minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approved. A DEPUTATION A deputation' consisting of Messrs D. B. Jellie and E. W. Mills waited on the Council in' connection with Arahura flood damage prevntion. Mr Ward explained that on Monday evening a meeting was held at Arahura in connection with the flood damage prevention. The settlers considered the time suitable for further prevention work, to protect the settlers’ land. They were asking for support to further protection assistance being obtained from the Government. Mr D. B. Jellie said they felt the County Council could put their case best before the' Government. If nothing was done 'soon there would he disastrous effect on the valley. The whole position as .they took it, was ’that the Government would obtain an engineer’s report. There? was a large vote for the Karamea protec-’ tion and the Arahura Valley was .in a similar position and they thought that a reasonable sum expended would save the valley from disaster. The Native Affairs' Department had made an offer of a loan hut it was liiade in Such terms that it was impossible to carry on with it. The Council had carried on vand had expended the moneV availablebjmt- this was not sufficient to complete ; the work.

Mr W-rd-said Mr Evans was going to Wellington shortly and the denuta--tion desired to ask; for the good offices' of Mr Evans to interview ,tne Ministers.

Mr Evans'said it would be a pleasure to him to carry out the wishes of the deputation and interview the various Ministers on the subject. In answer to Mr Murdoch the Clerk said the Native Department offer of £803; was hound down that only native labour should be used, but only one Maori was available for work. T’-e chairman said the Council was prepared to do its utmost to assist the Arahura- farmer. He recognised that they had been having a bad spin. He suggested that a representative of the Arahura farmers. He recognised pany Mr Evans, as it would give more support to the representations being made.- ’ - '

A discussion followed in which it was suggested that Mr Jellie should visit Wellington. It was recognised that' there was ■ no time for meetings as Mr Uvaps was leaving next morning. Ultimately Mr Jellie agreed to

go to Wellington. The deputation then thanked the Council for the . hearing given . and withdrew. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE From N.Z. Treasury'advising revenue forwarded to\ credit for the period. —Received. / . From Commissioner of Crown Lands supplying sketch of ferry resen e at. Okarito and stating the road line was under the control of the Council. —•Received. It was resolved after hearing an explanation by Mr Donovan that the position as it now stands was satisfactory to the Council

Fro n Labour Department, Employment Branch, regarding workmen engaged on La Fontaine contracts —Received. '

From J. O’Brien. M.P.. replying he was supporting the application lor flood damage grant. Kakapotahi bridge and protection.—Received.

From Same enclosing letter from Minister of Public Works indicating that- the Dorothy Falls-Styx-Kokatahi road mainly served tourist traffic, and the application for a vote world be dismissed when the Estimates were being com piled.—Received

From same acknowledging letter of thanks for action in regard to Ivanieri bridge restoration, and other matters

in South Westland.—Received. A discussion took place. The chairman asked the position of Temperley Road. Or -Jeffries stated that Dry Creek Was 'running on the north bank. The Public Works Department lorries were cutting up the rmul at present.. He did net think it would cost much to put the track in order. This'would give access to R-otokino road. The two settlers affected would he writing to the Council for next meeting, ur. Brown thought it would he better to effect temporary repairs to Dry Creek llpad. Cr Donovan thought a few pounds should be spent to put the road in passable order. Cr Murdoch thought the Public Works should put the road in order if their lorries had caused the d mage. Cr Jeffries saui he would move the chairman Cr. Brown and the engineer inspect the work and report to next meeting on the best course to follow. Seconded bv C r . Donrvan- and carried.

From Bank of New Zealand confirming o\ erdraft limit at amount applied for.—Received.

From Hokitika Borough Council agreeing to the Council undertaking the collection of heavy trafJo vehicle license fees from the Ist .T-ne.—Received. From National Federation r.l General Labourers citing County Cornu il in connection with a national agreement relative lo wages, hours of working and condiHons. suggesting a- weekly rate of £4/10/- of 40 hours, between 7.30 a.m. and 5 p.m. on five days Monday to Friday. overtime an ordinary days at double rate, and on Saturday. Sunday and holidays at treble rate. —Received.

Cr Ward said he lmd received the

detailed report of the Clerk, which lie approved of in all particulars'?. Cr. Murdoch said it was impossible to provide for the proposals as set out. Cr. Brown was in full agreement w„xn the statement of their worthy treasurer. He had expressed ( tlie views of Councillors in a manner that deserveef their very favourable commendation. Cr Ward moved the County Clerk’s statement be taken as that of tne Council, seconded by Cr. Donovan and carried unanimously. < From N.Z. Counties Association re same subject stating the matter was being taken up on behalf of the Councils, and asking for particulars of local conditions in respect to the new proposal. —Received; already attended to.

From Hokitika Aero Club suggesting the management and control of Southside aerodrome be vested in the Club, and asking an agreement be completed- to that effect. —Received, vr Ward stated he was in favour of the request. Cr Murdoch advised the Council to be cautious for the present. He thought they should at least wait till the work was finished. He moved that, consideration be deferred. Sec-

onded bv Cr Jamieson and carried. Cr Jeffries doubted if the Council had

the power to accede to the request, The motion was agreed to, .

From Okarito School Committee ask ing that portion ol an unused street in town of Okarito he granted the school for a required playing area. —Received. Cr Donovan stated he could not see any objection to the request. The use of the area was agreed to. . From-W. I>. Nolan, in respect to ,oad grants for Okuru district, and complaining the Ministerial reply relusinrr grant for Turnbull road metalling did not suit local ideas for promoting back block settlement.-—Received. From Inspector of Mines, agree.ng to Roadman Williams preparing a, specification for McDonald’s Creek track work, and stating Mr, A. W. Turner had been appointed associateinspector, and matters in the district will receive earliest attention. —Received.

From J. O’Brien. M.P., stating that' the Mananui-Mahinapiia road connection was before the Minister of Fin-ance.-—Received.

From same, replying he was taking up the matter of the Dorothy Fnlls-Rtyx-Kokatahi road with the Minister as soon .as possible. —Received, Freni Roval Exchange Agency, regarding accident claims n v d rates for pi-emiuni.—Received. Tt was resolved that, everv claim m*>de most come from the employer of the injured nmn, before being recognised by the Conner l.

From E. H. Rhirlev, contractor, enquiring his position in respect to rise in prices for material and pay, in regard to accepting tender for Strip-

land’s Creek bridge.—Received ; copy of letter from District Engineer to be forwarded to the writer.

From J. Taylor; Kokatahi, appreciating the work done by unemployed on Dawson road drain, and hoping the drain clearing would be continued. —Received.

From A. "J. Searle, exp’aining matter of absence from duty at time of Engineer’s visit to Harihari, an I explaining overtime for Sunday work not charged.—Received. A general discussion followed, 'arid after, the Engineer had been heard. Cr. Jeffries moved that the explanation of the roadman was not satisfactory, and that the position be terminated; applications' lor the position to be, invited, returnable at next meeting. Seconded by Cr. Brown'and carried.

From W. D. Nobn, replying regarding Upper Okuru ferry ( and the need for extra boats on Waiatoto and Arawata, towards which a subsidy was asked.—Received.

Fr nn County Engineer, reports on highways and district roads. —Received. . . . 4

From District Engineer complaining of Hie dancer by wandering cattle at the aerodrome, and asking for action to be taken. —Received; En"ineer’s report Ito be sent on to writer. From District Engineer in referenry to 'authority for approval of plan.—Received; and alterations to be initialled.

From L. TI. Jackson, ferryman, Okarito asking for simply of 'paint, etc., for boot. —Received; to be supplied.

Cr Jamieson referred to a complaint by the ferryman at Karangarau, in regard to charges,—Received the Clerk to write and explain position.

The finance committee reported that the. accounts presented for the month of May were ex*-fmincd carefully, and ,'neeommended Hint the ■ininuit as approved, totalling . £1572 '9s 9d be passed for pavment..—-Unproved. ORDER PAPER The Chairman moved: “That xee accounts for the monlh of April as approved by the Finance Committee amounting to £2067 7s Bd, be passed for payment.” Seconded by Cr Murdoch and carried. The Chairman moved: “That He accounts for the month of May (part) as revised and recommended for payment bv the Finance Committee, totaling £1572'9s 9d,'he passed for payment.” Seconded by Cr Murdoch and carrjed.

The Chairman moved: “That, anv and all existing Committees of the Council lte discharged and that the Committees he appointed as follows: — (a) Finance Committee, Cr. Ward (Chairman) and all Councillors who can attend conveniently, three to form a

quorum. (b) Public. Works Committee, Cr

Cliesterman (Chairman) and Crs Dale, Brown, Murdoch and Donovan, (c) Mining Executive, Cr Murdoch (Chairman', Crs Jamieson, Cliesterman •and Dale.

(d) Councillors to sign cheques etc, any .two Councillors, with the Treasur-

/I'ho Chairman moved: “That Council meetings be continued at at present, every second month, with such special variation as ma y be considered expedient ['rein time to time.—Seconded by Cr. Jeffries and carried. The Chairman moved: “That pursuant to the provisions, of the Rating Act, and its, amendments, public notice be given of the intention of the Council to make and levy on Tuesday duly 14, 1936,, a general rate of five farthings in the £ on the capital valualfh of tb« rateable ‘ property in the Northern, Central and Southern Ridings respectively of the County of Westland; such general rate to be for the period .commenced on the Ist •day of April 1936, and ending the 3lst day of March, 1937, and to become payable in one instalment on the 31st clay of July, 1936.” Seconded by Air Jamieson and carried.

Cr. Murdoch moved: “That, the Government be urged to amend the Rating and Valuation of Land Acts to the following effect:

(al “That all occupied Crown lands: including lands b’eing farmed by the Crown, be rateable for all rates, and that the statutory provisions- for the collection of rates in respect of lends owned or occupied private persons be applicable to such Crown lands. (b) “That all rates on lands mortgaged to the Crown and any of its Departments, be collectable in the same manner and with the samehstatutory powers as rates levied on land s mortgaged, to private persons. ( e) “That the Government be ashed to give full consid*e”ation to the question of valuation of lands held by sokl’er settlers, with a view to benefiting the lands to a value at which it will he possible for the holders to meet the ordinary liability for rates duo to local bodies ’’ Seconded by Cr Ward anu carried.

Cr. Murdoch moved: “That representations be made through the A!inistor for the district to approach the Eon. .Minister of Jfrilwi~3. regardin'* the earliest installation of a rail car service between Grevmoutb, Fo'itika and Ross passengers and parcels service, such as was unchr '.av'V’VTUie eonsi 'erat'On bv the Ra:!wav s |{o"rd.” Seconded bv Cr. Ward and carried. Cr. Donovan moved: “Tbet, the h’nL'inoer ised to repair Gillespies’ Bluff tunnel track at a con not exceedin'* £o.” Seconded by tne ch"irman and carried. Cr Cliesterman asked for five fin pipes at Kanieri Church.—Approved.