GREY COUNTY COUNCIL

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 August 1920, Page 3

GREY COUNTY COUNCIL

YESTERDAY’S MEETING. ROUTINE BUSINESS. An ordinary meeting of the Grey County Council was held yesterday the following members being present: The Chairman (Mr. J. Irvine), Crs. J. McCarthy,' A. Robinson, J. Ryall, J. Greaney, A. Blair, D. Baybutt, P. Donnellan and J. Hannan. CORRESPONDENCE. From the Public .Works Department, Greymouth, stating that the following amounts had been paid to the County Fund in respect of grants: —Beil Hill road £l2l ; Lake Brunner to Taramakau, £46 ; Barrytown to Seven Mile £612. —Received. Treasury forwarded a statement

of fees and fines” (£7 8s) for March quarter.—Received. From same, forwarding statement of goldfields revenue for June, £571 16s 6d. —Received. t> - Receiver of Land Revenue stated that halves and thirds for June quarter amounting to £543 16s 2d have been paid to the County Fund.—Received. From Public Works Department, forwarding authorities as under: —(a) Bell Hill Block £4OO ; (b) Lady Lake to Bell Hill £500; (c) Slatey Creek Bridge £BOO ; (d) Camerons Terraco Road £SOO. —Received. In connection with the Barrytown to Punakaiki telephone, the Minister of Telegraphs wrote stating that instructions had been given to the District Telegraph Engineer at Christchurch to issue a provisional license. The District Telegraph Officer, Christchurch, forwarded an application form, and stated that the license would be issued when the form was filled in

and returned ; also enclosing a copy of the proposed regulations regarding the telephone. Cr. Ryall moved that the Clerk he instructed to attend to the matter and a copy of the correspondence be sent to the settlers. —Carried. A circular from the Hamilton Borough Council asked the Council to sup port a resolution favouring the removal of the import duty on cement. It was resolved that the Council cooperate with the Hamilton Council in the matter. A communication from the Depart mont of Lands and Survey, Nelson suggested that the lease of the Marnia Hot Springs should be sold by public auction.-—Received. The Murchison County Council'wrote suggesting a conference of local bodies In be lielci at Murchison as sodn a's pos sihle, with the object of devising some means for the development of the Maruia Springs. The Chairman was appointed to represent the Council at the proposed conference, Cr. McCarthy expressing the opinion that it was time that something was done in the matter. A circular was received from Arthur D. Riley and_Co., Ltd., Wellington., regarding Albion Hydraulic Tipping waggons, stating that early delivery of •orders for these waggons could be giv en.—Referred to the Engineer.

The Minister of Public Works wrote stating that he is prepared to authorise the expenditure of a further ,£1250 on the Barry town to Seven-Mile Road as soon as plans and specifications have been approved by the Resident Engineer.—-Received. Mr. H. E. Holland, M.P., forwarded communications received by him from the Minister of Public Works regarding Craig Road, Matai, and the Shellback Track. The Minister stated that the Council’s application for £250 for the construction of Craig Road, Matai, would receive careful consideration. In regard to the widening of the Shellback Track, which leads from Moonlight Road to Shellback Creek, on the north side of the river from Ahaura railway station, the Minister stated that the Resident Engineer had reported that the proposed widening of the track into a dray road could not he regarded as a particularly urgent matter, and it :s doubtful whether provision for same should he made this year. A definite decision would he arrived at, however, when the Puhbc Works

Estimates were compiled. —Received. Mr. R. P. Hudson, M.P.,, forwarded a communication from the Minister of Public Works in regard to the formation of the Craigieburn-Big River Road. The Minister stated that it was improbable that he would be able to provide the total estimated sum required (£2000) this year, but he would endeavour to make substantial provision for completing the gap in the road between Big River and Craigieburn. — Received. The Min : ster wrote in regard to the bridging of Little Hohonu River on the Green stone-Lake Brunner Hoad, stating that as there was little traffic on the road, the bridges could stand over for the present. The matter was left in the hands of the Engineer. From same, stating that authority' for the expenditure of £SOO on the road from Greymouth to Taramakau

would be issued as soon as plans and specifications had been approved by the Resident Engineer. —Received. The Minister wrote regarding the flooding of river valleys caused by the ill-regulated planting of willows on river banks. The earnest and immediate attention of the Council was called to the necessity for proper control of willow-planting along river banks.— Referred to Engineer. The Under-Secretary of the Public Works Department forwarded proclamation in regard to taking land for and closing road through Block IX, Arnold, S.D.— Received. The Secretary of the Board of Trade wrote notifying that the Council has been appointed to control the supply of cement, cricks, timber, etc., within the Grey County. In order to avoid undue inconvenience being caused to local authorities in connection with the construction and repair of urgent works it had now been decided by the Board that a permit shall be issued to all local authorities' to proceed with works other than buildings, involving the use of material up to £IOO for each work. On the motion of Cr. Robinson, it was resolved that the matter be advertised for the information of the public. The Receiver of Gold Revenue, Ahaura, wrote stating that all royalties due up to March 31st, 1920, had been paid. —Received. Mr. T. West, on behalf of the Te King Sub-centre of the St. John Ambulance Association, wrote thanking the Council for donation of £lO. —Re ceived. A letter was received from the County Engineer, Reefton, regretting that the Reefton Council was now unable to lease the road machinery previously offered to the Grey Council. The Inspector of Mines had stipulated t•i 1 1

that the machinery be employed continuously on ‘the Blackwater-Waiuta 1 road. That work would occupy the 1 best part of three months, and there after the plant would be employed on the Main Grey Road—Received. A letter from the Lands and Surveys Department, Hokitika, in connection with the construction of a road to F. Nyberg’s property at Ngahere, stated that it was unlikely that the Department would undertake the construction of the road. —Received. It was decided to send a copy of the letter to Mr. Nyberg. The Officer-in-charge <of the New Zealand Military Supplies Purchases Office, notified the Council that the Department has a quantity of gunpowder for sale. —Left in the hands of Engineer. The Under-Secretary of tin- Department of Internal Affairs forwarded extract from Gazette, constituting the Town District of Cobden. —Received. A letter from A. Feary, Ahaura, drew the Council’s attention to the very bad state of Orwell Creek road. —Left in the hands of the Engineer, with power to act. The Waimairi County Council requested ' support for a resolution asking the Government to bring down legislation emi powering Hospital Boards to borrow money for permanent buildings.—Received. The Navy League, Christchurch, for-

warded a statement of receipts and expenditure in connection with the Naval Dependents’ Fund, for the information of the Council. —It was resolved that the Clerk acknowledge receipt of the statement. The Railway Department forwarded an agreement for execution with reference to the dedication of the Railway Reserve at Kaiata for road purposes.—The Chairman and Cr Baybutt were appointed to execute the deed. The Hochstctter Goldfields, Limited, wrote asking the Council to erect a footbridge over the Ahaura River at Riverview. Cr Donnellan moved that the Lands Department be asked for a grant.—Carried. T. Deere and S. Stewart, Coal Creek, asked for improvements in order to give them access to their properties. One or two culverts were necessary.—Referred to the Engineer to report. The Resident Engineer, Greymouth, wrote stating that the Hohonu Ratepayers’ Association had asked the Minister to place £IOO in this year’s Estimates for the Hodgkinson Road. The Resident Engineer

(Mr J. D. Gillies) asked if, in the event of the grant being given, the Council would be prepared to undertake the legalising of the road line.—Referred to the Engineer and Cr Robinson. A resident of Blackball, an old-age pensioner, wrote that for the first time in 21 years he was unable to pay his rates. r ihe old-age pension was‘his only income _ Cr Ryall said that he did not think that payment of rates should be enforced in such cases. He moved that instructions be given that the colection of rates should not be enforced from any old-age pensioner.—Carried. The Mines Department notified the Council that a voucher has been passed for the sum of £lB7 10s for the Nelson Creek-Bell Hill road.—Received. A letter was received from Frank B. Smith and B. Wafer, on behalf of the County roadmen, applying for an increase in wages of at least 2s per day. The applicants stated that at the present wages thev were at a marked disadvantage as compared with pre-war conditions; also with wages paid elsewhere. Cr Donnellan moved and Cr Ryall seconded that the wages be increased to ! 15s 6d per day.—Carried. The Minister of Public Health forwarded a copy 7 of the new Health Bill to be introduced this session and asked, for suggestions from the Council with reference to same.—Received. Cr Hannan reported that the proposals had been discussed at a conference of local body 7 representatives. The committee from the Grey Borough Council had decided to advise their Council that they were satisfied with the existing regulations. Members considered that the proposals would have the effect of creating unnecessary officials, and would increase expenses. Cr Robinson moved and Cr Blair seconded, that the communication t be reproved mid that in the nninlnn of the

ceivea, ana uiau m uic ujjuuuii ui cue; Council the regulations should remain as they were at present, —Carried. The following slapghterhouse licenses were renewed:—A Bruhn, Rntherglen ; J. H. Williams, Nelson Creek; W. Fisher, Nelson Creek; W. H. Ward, Ahaura; J. Kennedy, Ruru. Cr Hannan brought up a complaint made by the Kaiata Ratepayers’ Association regarding the bad condition of the road opposite McKendry’s. A box drain was required. . The Engineer said the site was on the County and Borough boundary. He ■ thought the work should be done in con- ; junction with the Borough Council. ; It was resolved that a deputation from ■ the County Council inspect the site, and [ that an'endeavour be made to secure the co-operation of the Borough Council in , carrying out the necessary work. In regard to Clear Creek bridge, it was , stated that the £3OO available was insufficient for the work. Cr Robinson moved that a further grant i of £2OO be applied for from the Minister s of Public Works. 'j The Chairman seconded the motion, 1 which was carried. TENDERS. Tenders had been called for the Big River Road (section 5), Slatey Creek biidge, and Kotuku to Bell Hill Road ■ (section 7).

Only one tender was received, that of J. Forrest (£9OB 5s 6d) for Slatey Creek sbridge. This was recommended for acceptance. Cr Ryall moved and the Chairman seconded, “That in future contracts the amount of bond required shall be 20 per cent, of the total contract price.” The motion was carried. Cr Robinson moved that the Engineer be empowered to enter into a contract with any party for works required. The motion was seconded by Cr Donnellan and carried. In regard to the Barrytown-Seven Mile Road, it was resolved, on the motion of Ci - Ryall, that the Engineer interview the Resident Engineer (Mr Gillies) and ascertain what the position was in regard to the completion of this work. —Carried.