COUNTY COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 11 December 1940, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10th. The monthly mooting of the Westland County Council was held at 2 p.m. Present: Crs. James Donovan (Chairman), W. A. Jamieson, W. Searle, G. Rowley, B. Ward, P. J. McLean, IV. P. O’Neil, J. A. Murdoch, and A. Dale. j . •. The minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approved. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE From Treasury advising monies forwarded to credit. —Received. From Public Works Department notifying grant available for Cron’s access road, £2OB, £2 for £l. Received. From same stating Poerua river protection was at present in incomplete state; question ’of additional work was under consideration. • Received. From same replying Mr Ferguson was being asked to carry out fencing with the posts supplied by the Department at Little Wanganui—Received. * From same explaining that although the first estimate for restoring Waitangi bridge was £1,900, the cost would be not less than £3,500; complete details of the proposals and estimates will be supplied later.— Received.

From J. O’Brien, M.P. explaining that at the. interview with Mr Semple, lie * was disposed to grant 30/- for £1 subsidy to restore the, bridge.— Received

From Public Works Department, Head Office, notifying Gillespies Beach road had, been dedicated, a*nd was under the exclusive care, control and management of the County, and suggesting road be classified to prevent . xccssive loading.—Received. From same, to like effect, in regard to Ferguson road. —Received.

From Public Works Department, Greymouth, indicating that all plans for bridges include a note as to the loadings for which they are de—--igned.—Received. From same explaining the need for uniformity in painting posts for the better aid of drivers. —Received. From same, circular regarding bridges on back country roads, which should be up to the standard of the classification .fixed. —Received. . From National Service Department in reference to supply of armlets for Home Guards.—Received. From Town Clerk, Ross, stating it was convenient for Totara and Mikonui to join with the local Home Guard, but Waitaha was rather distant. —Received.

From J. O’Brien, M.P., supplying information of position at present regarding the flooding of Lower Block Settlement, Waitangi.—Received. From E. T. Stoop thanking the Council for its generous consideration shown him owing to illness from mi accident, and hoping to return to his duties shortly.—Received. The Chairman said they were pleased to know Mr Stoop had recovered so well. They would be still more pleased to know that he was well enough to return to his work in the New Year.

From R. D. Foley in respect to storm damage to Toaroha Track. — Received.

From H. Osmers, Harihari, reporting on position in respect of access to his property.—Received. From Mayor of Runanga, appealing for funds for the sufferers in the recent coal-mining accident.—Received; referred to Cr. Murdoch and Clerk.

From Chief Surveyor, forwarding plans affecting closing of portion of unused road at Lake Kanieri for scenery preservation.—Received. From same, supplying plan of portion of Lake Arthur road extension, and pointing out where the constructed road encroached on leased land. It was for the Council to take action as thought best. —Received; referred to Clerk for attention.

From Highways Council, notifying alterations in description of highways under the Council’s control. —Received.

From same, submitting plan and report on Waitangi bridge for restoration of traffic, estimated to cost £3772/10/o.—Received. From same; asking special attention to the highways over the holiday period.—Received. From Warden’s Court, Hokitika, stating following requests for treatment of rents as non-recoverable, were submitted for the Council’s action: Estate Herbert E. Winter, Okarito, £O/6/10; Stafford Gold Dredging Coy., £SB/16/5; Stafford Sluicing Ltd., £2/7/3; V, A. Cron, £l/13/8. —Received and agreed to. From South Island Travel Association, applying for assistance in connection with issue of a revised guide book for the West Coast, and submitting: particulars.—Received; referred to Clerk for attention.

From Stuart and Chapman Ltd., Boss, explaining the position in respect to Kakapotahi river protection, making an offer in regard to supplying siding and supply of slabs. —Received; the thanks of the Council to be conveyed for their generous offer. From Gibb Bros., Waiho, applying for £ for £ subsidy up to £25 for urgent protection work on the south bank of Docherty Creek. —Received; referred to Overseer to inspect.

From Health Inspector, notifying 42 inspections during the month. — Received.

From Area Commander, Home 1 Guard, forwarding instruction books, armlets, etc.—Received. ' From Mr Harris, Kokatahi, reporting probable serious damage to Kokatahi river bridge owing to flood.—

Received. The Council instructed the Overseer who went out at once to make an inspection.

The Overseer reported before the meeting had concluded that he had inspected the bridge and there was no alteration in the condition of the Kokatahi bridge, which was in a quite safe condition. The Overseer was instructed to report at next meeting on the cost of approaches and bridge over Duck Creek on Bladier road. In connection with road access required by Mr A. Cropper, at Koiterangi, the subject was referred to Crs. Jamieson, Dale, and O’Neil to interview the settler.

FINANCE COMMITEE’S REPORT The Finance Committee reported that, the accounts presented for the month of November had been examined carefully and recommended that tho amount as approved, totalling £3280/4/7, be pased for payment; also that the County Clerk’s salary be increased by £SO per annum from the Ist. November. OVERSEER’S REPORT Cropper’s private road was inspected. It has a total length of 50 chains. It would require repairs to cost £3O, which Mr Cropper will carry out for £ls. Or, in the alternative, the Council to give Mr Cropper permission to use the unformed road off the Municipal road, distance 11 chains. He will open the road without cost to the Council, but 'adjoining sections will require fencing by the owners. 5

Kanieri Irivju- erosion complained of -by Mr T. Hutchison. The distance from the road or tramway is 21 chains. About M feet of the river bank has been cut away during the past 12 months. A scrub protection anchored with iron rails and wire ropes, is estimated to cost £lB. Little erosion took place during the last flood. Kakapotahi protection: Inspected this work with the representative of Stuart and Chapman Ltd., who lias made a written offer. The work ’ involves the construction of eight cilia ins of tramline along the- river hank, with shunting points, the cost of which is estimated at £BO. The slates to be delivered at site will cost the Council about 5/- per truck, to unload.

ORDER, PAPER The Chairman moved: “That tho accounts for the month of November, 1910, as revised and recommended by the Finance Committee, amounting to £3280/4/7, he now passed for payment.” Seconded by Cr. McLean and carried. The Chairman moved: “That pursuant to the provisions of the Heavy Motor Vehicle Regulations, 1940, the Council proceed with the classification of the roads within the County under the control of the Council, in accordance with the list of clasification before members; and that upon confirmation of the list, the necessary steps be taken to notify the public in terms of Regulation 2, section (2), sub-section (6), and that any objections thereto be lodged in writing at the County Office, Hokitika, not later than

lltli. January, 1941.” Seconded by Cr. Dale and carried. The Chairman moved: “That Edward T. Stoop be appointed Mining Valuer for the County of Westland for the year commencing January Ist., 1941, at the usual remuneration.” Seconded by Cr. Dale and carried. The Chairman moved: “That the fees for registration under the Dogs Registration Act, 1908, and its amendments, bo 10/- for all dogs other than those kept solely by any shepherd, drover or farmer, which shall be 2/6 for each dog, not exceeding three dogs, and 2/6 for each dog kept solely V:-r flic purpose of destroying rabbits.” Seconded by Cr. O’Neil and carried. The Chairman moved: “That in view of the necessity for the reconstruction of the Lower Waitangi bridge to bring in a large extent of highly productive country, a public meeting Ah-> held at Watarua of the residents of the district to consider a loan proposal to meet the Council’s contribution. —Seconded by Cr. McLean. [Note: Under the offer of Hon. Scinole of 30/- for £l, the payments required would be- Government subsidy, £2263/10/-; Council’s contribution, £1509.] After discussion it was resolved that i a public meeting be held at Wataron ; on December 18th. to place a- proposal | before tho ratepayers affected to raise a I loan of £IOOO for trie purpose, the 1 County Fund to provide the balance j required. J XMAS GREETINGS I The Chairman conveyed his good 1 wishes for the coming festive season to I members of the Council and the County

staff, trusting all would have a pleasant,' happy Christmas, and that the coming year would prove a happy one. • ; Members endorsed the sentiments expressed, and the meeting terminated at 4.15

Cr r ES YOU BOTH