GREY BOROUGH COUNCIL

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 May 1906, Page 3

GREY BOROUGH COUNCIL

A ’special meeting of tho Greymouth Borough Council, in lieu of tho usual one next week on Empire Day, was held at the Town Hall last evening, when there were present: Crs Petrie (chair), Shannahan, Hart, Bignell, Tennent, McLean, Coates. BLAKETOWN LAGOON.

A petition was received, numerously signed by residents, asking the Councillors to use their influence in urging on the Greymouth Harbor Board the advisability of depositing tho dredgings from tho Grey River in tho lagoon in tho centre of Blaketown.

Cr Petrie said it gave him great pleasure to propose that the letter be sent on to the Greymouth Harbor Board, with a strong, favorable recommendation from tho Council. The proposal would materially improve their own property, while it would be a great convenience to tho general public. Tho Borough owned Blaketown, and the proposal, if carried into effect, would be tho means of permanently improving its value.

Cr McLean seconded tho motion; endorsed what the last speaker had stated, and gave it as his opinion that it would not cost a great deal to deposit the dredgings in the lagoon. Cr Petrie said, seeing the great permanent good that would ensue, it was not likely they would object to paying for the cost of tho extra rails. x The motion was carried. DRAINAGE EXTENSION. A petition was read from tho residents of Turumaha Street, behind the Greymouth State School, asking the Council to construct a drain in that locality. Cr McLean, speaking in support of tho petition, said there was now a number of houses in the locality and some steps should bo taken to provide an efficient drainage system. The engineer could go into tho matter and assist the Public Works Committee in bringing up a report at next meeting. Ho would move in that direction.

Cr Bignell, in seconding, said that the work was an urgent necessity and would not cost a great deal. The engineer stated that the “fall ’ would bo only sufficient to enable a surface drain to be constructed. Tins motion was carried. EASSON’S HILL COTTAGE. Cr Coates moved, in accordance with notice of motion, given some weeks previously, that the cottage on Easson’s Hill bo sold by public auction for removal ; such sale to take place not later than June 30th, and the building to bo removed within six months from the date of sale. In support motion, the mover said the Borough had now held the cottage for four or five years, yet they had received but about £5 in rent. Something should bo done to turn the cottage into money, iis at present it was rapidly depreciating in value. It would soon require considerable repairing and it would bo better to sell ii, while they could get something out of it. . . . Cr Sheedy here took his seat. Cr Hart seconded the motion; it was the best thing the Council could do It would not bo much use to getrid of the present tenant as the property would, not let well ; it was none to safe, and the best thing they cou d do would be to sell it for removal. At any future time when they went on with the road they would not have the house in the way. Cr Bignell was quite agreeable to sell the house, but thought they would not get much for it. It would cost as much to pull it down as it was worth for removal, and all they would get would not be worth this trouble, the best thing to do would bo to sell a piece of land with the house and let it remain where it is at present. There was a scarcity of houses in Greymouth and they should easily bo able to get a tenant. If sold for removal, the Council would get nothing out of it. Cr Shaijnahan concurred with the remarks of the last speaker. Cr McLean had no objection to selling the house, but thought they would not get much for it. Ho opposed selling the land. Perhaps they could-cal I for tenders for the house. Cr Tennent endorsed the remarks of Crs Bignell and McLean. Practically the only parts in the building worth saving were the windows and iron, io adopt Cr McLean’s suggestion would be the best way of getting a test of the value of the property at the least possible cost. They might even lease a section of the ground with the cottage. The Clerk remarked that the Council had no power to sell the section. Cr Sheedy supported Cr Bignell s ideas. They should got rent for the building. To sell the bouse would mean that they would only get a trifle. Plenty of people in Greymouth would bo only too pleased to get an opportunity of renting the cottage. Cr Hart suggested that the cottage might be removed and used in. connection with the abattoirs or the ceinetGCr Coates in reply said it would only he a very few months before there would be no cottage left. The ground had slipped away considerably and it was very dangerous. Cr McLean moved as an amendment . and it was, seconded by Cr Tennent, that tenders be called for the building on similar conditions as it was proposed should be imposed at the auctl°The* amendment was carried, and it was decided that tenders should be returnable at next _meetinsWHARF LIGHTING. Cr Coates moved, by notice previously given, that the Council call the attention of the Greymouth Hai- | bor Board to the defective lighting of the Greymouth wharf and request that he defect bo remedied at once In support ho said that they all knew the danger attendant on visits to the wharf at ß night time. As it was a patter that vitally affected the interests of the ratepayers, he not th they were going outsidc thoir provi in calling attention to the J"“H er ’ h ! l(1 neciallv as the Harbor Board na faTed to see the defect. He would unhesitatingly say the Greymouth was the worst lighted wharf in New Aea

la €r Bignell seconded and strongly ' supported. Cr Petrie supported on account ot it being in the interests of the protection ot human life that some light should be provided. Or Sheedy supported and said that at present the lights were put out at 12 p.m., whereas people—strangers—had often to go to and come from the boats after that hour. Three or four nights » week work was performed on the wharf, and it was only through the pernicnousness of the Railway Department that lights were not kept toiag the time*

Cr Coates in reply stated the lights at present on the wharf lighted Cobdon and the lower part of . the town. There was ‘no lights underneath the present lamps. Tho motion was carried. GAS MATTERS.

Cr Coates, in conformity with notice given, moved that the .Gas Committee report on (a) the advisability of removing lamp near the Band Rotunda to opposite pound, and (b) the desirableness of more lights at Blaketown. Both works were, ha, said, advisable. Cr Petrie seconded and said that, as Chairman of the Gas Committee, ho had asked the Gas Manager to report on both proposals. Tho motion was carried. RESERVES ON MARTIN QUAY. Tho Reserves Committee were granted further extension of time in which to report on the proposal of tho Greymouth Harbor Board to acquire under the Harbors Act and Public Works Act, tho Council’s reserve on Martin Quay. ROAD CRUSHER SITE. The Borough Engineer recommended that the stone breaker should bo installed at the corner of Arney and Swainson Streets, and set to work; also that a portion of Reserve 84 be retained as a site. Cr Petrie said thov should retain their reserve on Martin Quay as long ; as possible, as it was a most valuable ; endowment. Residents would sooner , trust the property vested in the Council than in tho Greymouth Harbor Board, which might at any lime bo merged into tho general government, with” the consequence that the reserve : would be used for the benefit of tho j whole colony. To put a non-commit- | tal report before them, ho moved that the. latter sentence be struck out. Cr Bignoll seconded the motion, which was carried. Cr Petrie said the question resolved itself into (his ; Are the dredgings 1 suitable for road making purposes? j Cr Hart, pointed out that a motion choosing the reserve as the site bad been on the books for some time. Or Shannahan assuivd Cr Petrie that, the metal would lie first-class for roadmaking purposes. Or Petrie, thereupon, moved tho adoption of the report. Cr McLean said no immediate haste should bo evinced'in carrying out tho proposal till the dredgings were there. Tho Engineer prosuined no clonnito action would be taken tilt the Resolves Committee bad presented their report. One acre of land would provide a huge quantity of first-class material. The Council bad no power to sell or lease the reserve.

Cr Bignell asked how it was proposed to work the stone cvuslier— by what motive power. Mr Lord said presumably a gas en--OCr Lionel 1 held that before any steps were taken to decide on the site they should decide what power was to be used. Cr Coates was sure they would novel part with one inch of the firound, which was very valuable. He would debt to the bitter end in opposition to the Harbor Board's proposal. He was sure the ratepayers would be ah 0 to brim? more inthience to bear that the Harbor Board. They Could put a value of £IO,OOO to £15,000 on the ground, which they should never part " l (Jr Petrie said that although the Harbor Board might desire to take tinland, he was sure the Borough could bring more influence to bear than the Board. They would tight haul to 1 tain the Borough's birth-right. He agreed with Cr Bignell as to ascertaining what motive power was required before proceeding further. The Engineer said to take gas to tin. proposed site would mean the lavm-, of fifteen or sixteen chains of Unwind, pipes. The old piping now on hand, would do. , Cr Slicedv said it appeared that the expensive stone crusher was unless a further outlay of £IOO s made, with which to purchase a g.is ermine. If such was required wh> LL it not stated in the first instance . BiiSrtl.at S & sl l .onld r not put up the buildings till such tune as plant was complete. ■ I Cr Shannahan said they "UP _ further advanced than they were s x months ago, when it was «gty ■«* «« have the crusher put 011 Aim In ■ Oh ay. A couple of weeks now would see present broken stone exhans ed, tfat tk" Cr Bi"nell spoke in a similar sli am to Jr Sbeedy. ‘lie was satisfied however, that the roller engine con d driu the crusher. Whether it would n^ore^economical to use that power tunas ho could not say. At present m- , Law stoima.-es of work were tak- ; IICCCSScUJf mllor lK*r- I i„„ place; for instance, the roller p , formed no work whatever on 111 7 . ■; \v,.,l„nsibiv They were not getting or 1 x VO rk" out o£*tlio macliino com-j could do just as good work in drum,Works Committee report at next mu - ■ iim. on tho whole matter.. Cr Tennent seconded. | Cr Shcodv advocated the Committee having power to call in experts to ad-

"(L Coates was in favor of enlarging the scope of the Committee to rep.nt on nuestion whether or not it was advisable that work should he nmh it,ikon by contract. Cr McLean incorporated both si gestions in his motion, which was then carried. THE FINANCIAL POSITION. The Treasurer presented an interim report on the financial position of (1m Council ; such report would lie e„i - pie to by next meeting. Ihe <-„v(i ; Lent Auditor would examine hooks within the next fortnight, "hen they could get out a statement which would be presented at next meeting. _ Cr Tennent advocated brrngni- th expenditure within the revenue. Imoved that the report be received and held over till next meeting. The motion was agreed to MAYOR’S HONORARI PM. Cr McLean moved that the honoraiium of the Mayor for the ensuing year be £IOO. Carried.

SANITARY MATTERS. The sanitary inspector reported that, the school was now being regularly a - tended to and that Air Thomas had agreed to have the stable complained of by neighbors removed.