WAIMEA COUNTY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 6 August 1931, Page 2

WAIMEA COUNTY

MEETING OF COUNCIL REPORTS AND CORRESPONDENCE The monthly meeting of the Waimca County Council was held to-day. There were present: —Councillors J. Corder (chairman). K. Teece, Horatio Everett, L. Higgins, F. Gibbs, A. Kenyon, G. Manson, L. M. Palmer und H. Tunnicl i IT. The chairman extended a welcome to Councillor Teece. who took his seat for the first time as representative of the Moutere riding. He assured the new member that his colleagues would assist him and hoped his term would be a successful one. In replying Councillor Teece said lie appreciated very much the hearty welcome extended him. He would endeavour to work with the rest of the Council. Although the poll had been a close one he felt sure if it had been a slraightout contest he would have received the confidence of a larger majority of the ratepayers. Before resuming his seat Councillor Teece said he would like to pay ii tribute to cxCouncillor T. Hewetson, and on behalf of the riding he would like to place on record the faithful service he had tendered the Moutcre riding. BANK BALANCES

The following bank balances were shown:—

The total expenditure on main roads tip to the end of July was shown to be: —General, £29 9s lOd ; wirenetting, £OO 2s 2d; Appleby, £8 4s 2d; Waiiti, £33 5s Od; Motupiko, £l6 3s lOd; Wangapeka, £lB2 12s lid; Dovedale, £37 11s sd; Motueka, £92 Os Od; Moutere, £OO 7s Id. Total £520 3s od. The total expenditure on main highways up to the end of July has been: Wangamoa, £491 14s Hd; Stoke, £47 14s Id; Appleby. £l7O os 8d; Wai-iti, £lO4 17s lOd; Motupiko, £322 os lid; Wangapeka, £304 10s 4d; Dovedale, £lB2 7s Od; Motueka, £512 3s lid; Moutere, £047 17s. Total £2784 2s lid. Payments totalling over £2OOO were passed for payment. The chairman explained that the payments covered a li' e-weekly period, and included the hospital subsidy. • ENGINEER’S REPORT The County Engineer (Mr Bullivant) reported inter alia:— Wangamoa Riding.—Unemployment relief work has been continued during the month on the Nelson-Lud main highway and on the Maitai road. Arrangements arc being made to patch the Glen road. Patch metalling has been authorised on the Wangamoa Hill. Stoke Riding.—Owing to the wet weather the recent filling on Poorman’s Valley failed to consolidate. A rough deviation has been kept open as far as possible without going to any considerable expense, it being useless to metal the filling in its present condition, and in view of the unusual traffic up the valley. A bridge on the mental hospital road will be re-decked shortly. The bend at the Wakatu railway crossing has been inspected, and to straighten it out will cost about £55 if the recommendations are adopted. This sum includes no allowance for land compensation. If the culvert is extended, in concrete the cost will be £155.

Appleby Riding.—Main highways throughout the riding have been graded. Patch metalling is being carried out on the by-roads. Wai-iti Riding.—Unemployment relief work has been continued on the Lee Valley. Instructions have been given to reinstate the bridge at Ploughed Gully which partially collapsed. The Wairoa Gorge track could he cleaned up for an expenditure of about £2O. Settlers did not avail themselves of the offer previously made but now wish to carry out the work.

Motupiko Riding: Highways throughout the riding have been graded. The proposed work on the Stanley Brook hill with unemployed labour has not been started owing to the restriction of time allowed to unemployed under tlie No. 5 scheme during the last few weeks. The work, however, will bo put in hand ns soon as possible. The Upper 88 Quail Valley road between Quail Valley and Hiwipango should be properly cleaned up, being one of the worst in the riding. A letter from the Public Works Department will come before them to-day intimating that the Korere-Topliouso road is handed over to the council. The road is in a disgraceful condition. Constant complaints of vehicles being stuck have been received.

Dovedale Riding.—Decking lias been repaired on the Brandy Creek bridge Wakefield-Woodstock main highway, and cutting back of corners lias been continued.

Motueka Riding.—Accompanied by the member for the riding he lmd met the Works Committee of the Motueka Borough Council at the borough crusher site on the Takaka Hill. It was agreed that the borough council be allowed to widen the road on the inside of the curve at the splash crossing in order that additional trafficway may be provided while lorries arc filling from (lie crusher on the siding. Permission was also granted to construct a short siding road into the crusher site. The borough council has undertaken to keep the main highway open to traffic during crushing operations. Mouterc Riding.—Notice lin'd been served on Mr Graham Broughan to clear the stream bed on his property below the jubilee bridge. Settlers with frontages to the Mouterc river above the bridge have cleared the banks very well. The banks below the bridge down to the sea coast should also be cleaned li)). Between Misses Starnes’ and McGraveston’s properties is a road reserve of varying width, and the Council is recommended to clean up there frontages on both sides down to the mouth with unemployed labour under No. 5 scheme provided that satisfactory arrangements can be made to procure such labour on the job. Widening operations arc now in operation at the top of the Ruby Bay Bluffs near Mr Mo? Keo’s house. Plans have been approved by the Main Highways Board for Thompson’s bridge Richmond-Colling-wood main highway, hut no nonetary authority is yet available. Mention was also made of various other works carried out or in progress in the various ridings. It was resolved to defer for the present any-’ expenditure in improving the road at the railway crossing at Bishopdale.

It was decided on the motion of Councillor Tunnidiff to expend up to £2O in improving the Wairoa Gorge track, conditionally on the settlers concerned contributing £5.

Councillor Higgins agreed with the Engineer's Remarks 'concerning tilts condition of the Korere-Topliouso road.

The chairman said strong representations should be made to the Government concerning the matter. Unless a certain settler clears the river frontage to his property proceedings are to lie taken. On the motion of Councillor Everett seconded by Councillor Kenyon, it was tcsolved that a short stretch of the Motueka Harbour road leading from the borough to the wharf be classified in the same grade as the main road to the wharf. TRAFFIC INSPECTOR The traffic inspector (Mr J. Brough), reported that fifty-six drivers’ licenses had been issued during the month. Seventeen applications were received for new licenses, seven failing to paBS the required test. Eight additional heavy traffic licenses had been issued, the total to date boing 109. Informations were pending for various breaches of the Motor Vehicles Act and the regulations regarding motor lorries. Warnings laid been issued to four lorry drivers for exceeding the speed allowed by the regulations. HEALTH INSPECTOR The health inspector (Mr H. Coltman) reported that samples of water taken from Poor man’s Valley stream and Kawkaw stream were found on analysis to be of a satisfactory nature. Regarding the Spring Grove cemetery certain recommendations made were referred to the chairman, the Engineer, and Councillor Tunnicliff for report. It was also reported that inquiries showed that it would not bo necessary to appoint additional trustees of the Motupiko Valley cemetery. A donation ,o'f £5 was .made 1 to the trustees on• the motiqn , of',Councillor Gibbs seconded by Councillor Higgins. _CORRESPONDENCE It was resolved that tlie Council support the request for tlie legalising of a small strip of land to give access to the Stoke waterworks reserve. A circular letter was read from the Prime Minister asking the Council not to allow cost of transport to interfere with the employment of unemployed; and asking for co-operation in relieving the situation. The chairman said the Council had always played the game and had not taken advantage of the unemployment scheme in putting off any of its employees. The statement that some of the local bodies were not playing the game did not apply to the Council. The General Manager of the New Zealand Railways notified that tlie Railways Board would visit Nelson on 13th August to inspect the railway. Councillor Everett said the Progress League was taking action with a view to placing Nelson’s case for the completion of the line before the Board. In view of this lie did not think the Council need take any action as the League represented it; but lie moved that the League’s action be endorsed'. Councillor Kenyon seconded the motion, which was carried. The Hon. H. Atmore forwarded a copy of a memorandum received by 1 him from the Commissioner of State Forests in reply to thc-Council's applij cation for a subsidy in lieu of rates in respect of land taken for afforestation purposes. The Department stated that the request could not be granted. I, Councillor Higgins strongly urged that the matter should he taken further. The chairman said the Council had a remit on the subject before the Counties’ Conference, which had approved of it and made representations to the Government. Councillor Everett said the position taken up . by. the Commissioner was manifestly unjust. When the Government resumed a lot of occupied Crown land it created a position of affairs never contemplated when local government was established. He moved: “That the Council protests against what it considers a manifest injustice in the attitude assumed by the Commissioner of State Forests in regard to the resumption of private lands for the purpose of afforestation, and would urge reconsideration of the position by , him; and that the co-operation of the Nelson Provincial Progress League and all other county councils be invited.” The motion was carried. Messrs J. Arnold and Taylor waited on the Council protesting against groins being placed in the Wai-iti river near Roughton’s land by settlers, alleging that the water was being pushed on to their road as the result thereof, and cutting off access to their properties. It was resolved -that the Engineer, in company with as many Councillors as possible, inspect the locality, and that if necessary, legal advice as to the Council’s attitude, be obtained. The Nelson Provincial Progress League forwarded a copy of its annual report, and asked for the Council’s support for the coming year, and the appointment of representatives. It was resolved to make the same contribution, £sl, and that the chairman and Councillor Manson represent the Council. The Nelson Automobile Association asked for improvements to Takaka Hill road near Hawk’s Craig. The Engineer said a request had been made to the Department to do tlie work with unemployed labour, but no reply had yet been received. It was resolved to reply to the Public Works Department that the Council would adhere to its previous resolution that when the money was available for McCarthy’s bridge the road would be legalised. Arising out of a letter from the South Island Motor Association regarding the disposal of the Highway Board’s funds, it was resolved to support the attitude of the association and to forward copies of the resolution to the Hon. H. Atmore and Mr G. C. Black, M’s.P. A donation of £5 was made to the Pelorus Scenic Board. Councillor Gibbs spoke against the resolution. It was also resolved that the Council could make no pledge as to an annual grant. It was mentioned by the chairman and Councillor Kenyon that quite a number of ratepayers took advantage of the reserve. (Proceeding)

£ s. d. Wiiimea County Fund ac. 530 5 3 Bridges Loan 1920 ac 505 3 3 Bridges and Plant Loan .... 3570 0 0 Contractors’ deposit ac 41 1 0 Interest aOcounts ......J;..:..... 230 11 7 Land Fund thirds 500 17 1