COUNTY COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 15 September 1937, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14. Tl# Westland County Council met at 2 p.m. Present: Crs. W. A. Jamieson (County Chairman), N. H. Brown, T. R. Chesterman, A. Dale, J. Donovan, P. J. McLean, J. A. Murdoch and B. Ward.

The minutes were confirmed and correspondence outward approved. An apology for absence was received from Cr. McKay and a motion passed expressing tho hope for his early recovery from illness. Inward Correspondence.

From Treasury notifying amounts remitted to the credit of the County Fund Account.—Received.

From Public Works Department approving of erection of hangar on aerodrome by Air Travel Ltd.—Received.

From same submitting plan for Jcgalisation of road deviation for Kaihinu overhead bridge for consent of Council. —Received and approved. From same forwarding copy of Engineer Bremner’s report in regard to proposed stop bank, Waiho river. lieceiv ed.

From same replying approach to Graham Bros, near Docherty Creek would be attended to.—Received. From Minister of Mines reporting on prospecting in South Westland under the organisation of special prospecting parties, and advising results disclosed there was no possibility of finding auriferous reefs or ore deposits of value in the belt between Oemoeroa and Cook Rivers. —Received. Mr Donovan expressed his surprise at the nature of the report which was not borne out by the experience of practical miners. It was resolved to ask for more details of the prospecting carried out and the localities.

From Commissioner of Transport regarding road safety and the display of posters of various types for motorist, pedestrian and eyelist in district.— Received.

From District Engineer, Christchurch, N.Z. Railways, agreeing to at tend to loose planking on combined road and rail bridge, Hokitika.—Received. From Conservator of State Forests, replying there was no objection to, the taking of a road through the State forest for Happy Valley track, Waitalia. —Received.

From J. O’Brien M.P., acknowledging circular in reference to Jackson Bay harbour; forwarding Ministerial reply regarding Waiho road to sea beach; notifying grant through Minister of Labour, £SO, £2 for £l, for Bruce Bay landing shed enlargement.—Received as satisfactory.

From Hokitika. Harbour Board asking assistance of subsidised labour for ,cutting out channel at Hokitika entrance.—Received, affirmative reply sent, approved. From Buller Progress League supporting railway extension proposal to South Westland, and offering all as-, si stance in any representations.—Received^,

From Greymouth Borough Council advising that the Minister of Railways had been communicated with, supporting the South Westland railway works. —Received.

From Westland Provincial! Centen nial Organisation, notifying meeting at Greymouth on loth inst, to deal with general business, including finance. — Received.

From N.Z. Red. Cross Society, Hokitika branch, inviting appointment ot delegate to the sub-centre. —Received; Mr W. F. Ashley was appointed. From Kanieri Beautifying Society, enquiring when the pipes would be provided for the Kanieri township drainage.—Received ; Engineer to carry out work to settle location of drainage tunnel. From South Island Travel Association inviting contribution to proposed publicity covering the district, by the issue of a booklet of artistic merit.— Received. It was resolved that £l2/10/be voted and the Borough Council be asked to provide a similar amount. From Kokatahi Domain Hoard asking that arrangements in connection with sealing, include the highway past the domain reserve being also sealed. —Received and request approved. From Labour Department reopening the scheme for eradication of noxious weeds on the usual subsidy rate.—Received. |

From N.Z. .County Councils Industrial Union of Employers notifying

the first meeting of committee of management and business transacted.—Received.

From N.Z. Counties Association forwarding copy of minutes of executive meeting.—Received. A motion of thanks was passed to Cr. Murdoch and Mr Evans for their able representation at the conference.

From J. C. Macfarlane, forwarding plan of land taken for Petersen road extension with tracings for dedication purposes.—Received. From J. Y. Finch asking attention to Awatuna-Foui'th Terrace track, repairs.—Received; no action to lie taken.

From 0. Hewlett, Humphreys, asking permission to move gate entrance neaier roadway to prevent annoyance of motor vehicles breaking the gateway when turning cars. —Received; no objection offered. From L. Stopforth applying, for leave to haul logs across Camelback road.—Received. Granted, subject to deposit of £5 being made. From H. J. Reynolds declining compensation offered for right to pass through back section with proposed Happv Valley track.—Received. From F. H. Woodham asking for 60 chains cf track on north bank of

Little Wanganui river to gain access to holdings.—Received; subsidy of £ls to bo offered.

From J. Thomson, Okarito, offering services as stock ranger.—Received.

From A. O. Scott, Karangaura, a* 1 - plication for slaughter house license.

—-Received; to be recommended. From Inspector of Health, notifying visits to district.—Received.

From A. R. Elcock enclosing transfer of lease from W. Berry to E. C. Berry. —Received and approved. From W. D. Nolan, Okuru, in connection with repairs to Okuru shed.— Received; application to be made to Public Work s Department for assistance. A DEPUTATION. A deputation from the Hokitika Borough Council, consisting .of Crs. Teichelmann and Duff, and Air G. ,W. Coles . (Town Clerk) waited on the Council in regard to proposals in connection with new quarters for the County and Borough. Mr Duff said they had waited on the Council to enquire as to the intention of the Council to build. It was suggested that if joint quarters were erected, that rt would be advantageous to both Councils. Mr Coles placed tho position as to the reserve in question, which covered the area at present covered by the Town Hall, Eire Brigade Station, Free Library and Macandrew Square, and which was set aside originally for the provincial council.

The Chairman said the question would receive tin 1 lull consideration of the Council.

Cr. Murdoch moved that a subcommittee consisting ol the Chairman and himself confer with the Borough Council, with a view to providing plans for new offices.

Cr. Donovan favoured the erection of a building that would he a credit to the town and the Councils. The motion was seconded by Cr. Donovan am! carried.

The deputation then withdrew

A SECOND DEPUTATION

Mr H. J. Reynolds waited on the Council in connection with a desire of the Council to pass through back of his section with proposed Happy Valley track at Waitaha. Mr N. H. Brown took the chair temporarily, tno Chairman being personally affected bv the proposal. Mr Reynolds considered that the offer of the Council was far too low. It meant cutting off 20 acres of his land, and would cause a large expense in erecting new fences and gates to give access to the balance.

Cr. Jamieson stated that he thought the offer was a pair one. They did not propose to do any damage to Mr Reynolds. The land cut off was of a very hilly nature.

Cr. Donovan thought that Mr Reynolds should meet the Council. It was necessary to open up tlie country and give better access to those further back.

Mr Reynolds was opposed to the making of a new track. They had a track already made by a different route. He estimated the cost of fencing at £56 and there was also the value of the land and the timber thereon.

After further lengthy discussion, Mr Reynolds stated he would accept £3O, with the right to the timber on the roadway.

Cr. Mel,ean moved the offer be accepted. Seconded by Cr. Dale and carried. FINANCE COMMITTEE’S REPORT Your Committee has the honour to report that the accounts presented for the month of August were examined, and tho amount approved for payment totalled £2169 9s 6d.—Received and approved. A vote of £l2 for river protection at Toaroha river was passed on the proposal of Cr. Chesterman, under the supervision of the Engineer.

A vote of £25 was voted for road work asked for by M. Higgins at Styx river. A vote of £25 was passed for proj teetion works at the Clearwater river. | Two tenders were received for Waij tangi bridge erection, and it was resolved to extend the closing. DISTICT ROADS The Engineer reported on tho works carried out during the past month, together with recommendations of work to be put in hand for the month of September, as follows: NORTHERN RIDING Surface maintenance and drainage improvements have been attended to by local labour along Sandy’s Hill, Callighans and Awatuna road. ' Boundary road at Kumara requires about'4o yards of maintenance gravel and grading as soon as convenient. Two of the springers in the bridge over the old water race and pipe line near tlie State Highway requires renewing.

Repairs have been carried out to the decking of Waimea Creek bridge on Awatuna road, and several tombs replaced under tlie superstructure, which is in an exceedingly bad state ot decay and will require renewing as soon as possible. Loading is limited to to 4> tons.

Metal patching lias . been carried out along the Arahura Valley and Spencer roads, and is being continued along the old Christchurch road for about 4 miles Authority is expected this week to commence a subsidised scheme to remetal Arahura Valley roads. central riding County trucks and subsidised labour have been engaged for 17 days delivering continuous stretches of metal to the extent of • 797 yards along Municipal road at Koiterangi. The average delivery has been 8 yards to the chain over a total distance of 1 mile £0 chains. Prior to the metalling, the

road was graded above Doughboy creek ’bridge and a drain excavated along the northern side of road reserve for 20 chains. The platform bridge over creek near Monk’s residence was raised to road surface level and approaches remetalled.

'Sixty feet of scrub and wire --,rotection was put in with local labour to prevent further scour of road reserve from creek near Keenan’s old mill at Doughboy road.

The contract for tlie 17 chains oi Hokitika Gorge Track Deviation was completed early in the month. Repairs have been carried out to the two temporary foot bridges over Diedrich’s Creek, After receiving ;uTvice from the Public Works Department that proposals for Diedrich’s Creek bridge and approaches would appear on this year’s estimates, an order was immediately given for the delivery of the necessary rolled steel joists.

To prevent further erosion of river bank, explosives and material were delivered to Air Ritchie, at Koiterangi, to remove trees and stumps from the river bed and construct a small groyne.

The bed of the Toaroha river is building up with shingle deposits immediately above section 2384 A and 23848, and during floods an overflow chanel is being scoured through the centre of each section to the Hokitika River. To prevent further scorn and erosion a cut would be necessary above the fall in the TV-roha river and two chains of stop bank (icross the Overflow channel. The total cost would he approximately £2O. By request an inspection was made of the road for two miles above the Styx River crossing at Upper Kokatahi. The contour of the surface is very uneven in places and would require regrading and metalling. Five men with a County truck should do the work in 4 days at a cost of £25. County trucks delivered 16 yards of gravel for an approach road to W. Wall’s property, from McArthur road at Koiterangi. Willow planting has been carried out along the banks and river bed each side of the Hokitika Flat road reserve on Aloynihan’s and Havill’s prupartics at Koiterangi.

An approach road containing a 24 inch pipe culvert was put on to the Hokitika river bed from Robertson’s road to procure suitable gravel for road maintenance at Lower Kokatahi.

The southern approach to Alatunapua traffic bridge was considerably improved by increasing the width of formation The additional width of road was made possible by Air S. Holley kindly consenting to remove bis fence back about 10 feet.

The contractors/are steadily proceeding with the Milltown-Araliura road. The total distance to date part cleared, formed and part metalled is 53 chains. A great deal of fascining and corduroying have been necessary owing to the swampy nature 'of the ground, but. better progress should he made with the next section of the work, as the road formation will he mostly cutting along solid ground Improved access is required between Dorothy Falls and Andrews’ property above Lake Kanieri (a distance oi 84 chains). The track at present is 4 feet wide and requires a considerable amount of repair. The request is for a 6ft track to enable the transport of a tractor. The total cost ot the proposed widening, corduroying etc would be £42 (10s per chain). Repairs have been carried out to the decking of Fisherman’s Creek bridge on the Hokitika South road. Several chains of drain are being cleaned and deepened along the northern side of road reserve between Fisherman’s Creek and Woolhouse’s residence.

A section of tin* Manama road opposite the railway bridge is being widening for a passing and parking area. The Golf Club is assisting with the work Sections of Hans Bay road leading to Dorothy Falls and Mananuf roads were graded during the month.

The Public Works Department have completed the last two mile section of Petersen road between Black Creek and McLean’s property. Owing to the likelihood of continuous heavy traffic operating along Petersen load, I made a special inspection of all bridges, culverts, etc, and found that the present condition of same were unsuitable to traffic exceeding the present classification which is Hass 11" allowing a maximum load of 41 tons or with 'multi axles 65 toils. To enaoie the transport of timber the road would require considerable improvements to bring the classification to class Ilf.

A start has been made on the drainage scheme along Wanganui Flat road between the School and T. Ferguson's property. The C’ x 2’ box culvert opposite J. McLean's main drain has been replaced with two 3ft t-micrete pipes. Fourteen chains of drain have been cleaned and partly straightened as far as Sweeney’s main gate. The u.uin Horn this point has been diverted towards the fence line ami completed for a further 6 chains. The balance of drain approximately 8 chains will he carried out by Air T. Ferguson.

Five rolled .steel joists are to hand for the removal of tin* 26 feet bridge opposite T. Ferguson’s.

The contractor has completed another 10 chains of metalling along the last section of La Fontaine road formation. During wet wea-cner metal was delivered along sections of the existing road requiring attention. Hie balance of work required to complete this road will be carried out early this month. Four chains of formation are to be metalled including three passing places, arid the completion of bridge and approach over Black Creek.

The contract for 77 chains of Kotokino road is almost completed- -Hie contractor is at present metalling the last section of the road. Ihe skew bridge at peg 54 chains ha s been completed satisfactorily.

Plans and specifications have been completed for the second section of Kotokino road giving access to T imperley’s property. The work includes 48 chains of formation and metalling, 96 chains of drain deepening and clearing, and the renewal of a 26ft sill

bridge. General maintenance work has been carried out in the Wataroa district. Various roads have been patehmetalled with the County truck including 9 days on Wataroa Flat road.

IMn'ns and specifications have Jieen completed for clearing, culverting and part-forming 1 mile 15 chains or timii Road reserve at AVataron.

'Penders have been invited ( and close at noon on Saturday, lltli September, for the construction of Waitangi bridge and approaches. 'I lie 34 totara piles required for the bridge have been cut from T. Nolan’s bush at Wataroa aim will be delivered, at bridge site as soon as tliey have been inspected.

An inspection was made of the continuous erosion taking place to the road reserve and properties immediately lielow the Gillespies road ford across the ( leanvater river at Welieka. '1 he width of the river bed in this locality is exceptionally wide owing to mauv large trees depositing ou tlie river bed during floods and collecting shingle deposits causing the main flow of the river to divert towards the banks. At a cost not exceeding £25. a groyne could be built out from the bank immediately above the seat of erosion, with the debris and trees from the river bed. and would have the effect of raising the river bed along the hank above the groyne and divert the river bank to its original central course. SOUTHERN RIDING Local labour carried out the work of' cutting back overhanging scrub and gorse and cleaning watertahles e ang 12 chains of Woolhouse road. A start lias been made with local labour on repairs to the Ross-Kokatalii track.

Metal repairs were carried out with the local County truck in the Harihari district along Wanganui Flat. Petersens and La Fontaine road. Thirty chains of drain have been clean'd along Petersen road opposite Grahams property. Minor repairs were carried out to the bridge over La Fontaine creek and approaches remetalled. ORDER PAPER. The Chairman moved: —“That the accounts for the month of July, 1937, as revised and approved by the Finance Committee, amounting to £2C56 7s lid be passed for payment.” Seconded bv Cr. AI urdoch and carried. The Chairman moved:—“That the accounts for the month of August, 1937, as revised by the Finance

Committee, totalling £2169 9s 6d ba passed for payment.” Seconded by Cr. ; Murdoch and carried. 1 The Chairman moved:—“That the. Council support! the representations ■ of the Member for Westland in respect 'to the extension of the railway into South Westland as the most effective means of ensuring the rapid develop- ’ ment of the district, and the soundest economic means of realising the value to accrue from the extensive timber i lands to be tapped.—Seconded by Cr. Air-Lean and carried. The Chairman moved: —“that a. copy of the foregoing resolution be forwarded to the Ht. Hon the Primo i Alinister, and the members of the Cabi- ! net for their information, and invite 1 their favourable consideration to the ■ urgent need of the district to further development and settlement of Crown estate on the forest wealth is re- | covered.” Seconded by Cr. Ale Lea ri and carried. J Cr. Donovan moved: “That in 1 view of the increasing traffic over the Okarito highway, the Engineer report |on the cost of widening and improving I the road to improve transport faeilitj ios and ensure greater safety for the | larger vehicles coming into use. ’ Secj onded by Cr. Brown and carried. Cr. Donovan moved: —“That the Council support the efforts of Member for Westland for the construction of a stopbank in Waibo river channel to secure the reclamation of 2.000 acres •o" uraziim land ’and improving the road route to the mouth of jhe Wailio 1 river at estimated cost of £3 ; >00.” Sec--1 onded bv Cr. Brown and carried. ; The Chairman moved: —“That applications he invited for a RoadmanLorry Driver for the Kokatahi-Koiter-angi area, (to be resident- in the dis- ■ trict at the award rates of pav.” Seeonded by Cr. Dale and carried. It was resolved to draw the attention of the bitumen roadway between Hokitika and Tvanieri. Tt was resolved to call the attention of the Highways Board to tho danger of old gravel pits on the maia Kanieri road. easammßWßßgggaKsaaa—mbm TIAIBER WORKERS’ RATES WELLINGTON, September 13. By a decision of the. Arbitration Court the "'ages of workers in timber yards and sawmillers in the Wef- | liimton industrial district, except j within a 25-mile radius of Wellington are to be fixed in relation to the intirddaction of'the TO-hotir week, and -ndt in relation to the maximum of 48 hours fixed by the award before amended. The Court decided that nay must lie adjusted during the 12 months before the date of the award. I The ordinary rate must therefore bo j multiplied by 48-40ths, 47-40tlis, or j 46-40ths, as each case requires. 1