BOROUGH COUNCIL

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 May 1925, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL

LAST EVENING’S MEETING. ? " • ' Si T The recently-elected Greymouth Borough Council held its first meeting last evening. The Mayor (Mr. W. H. Parfitt) presided, and the following were also present: —Crs. J. Greenslade, H, F. Doogan, J. O’Brien, G. Perotti, F. A. Kitchingham, G. R. . Harker, R. J. Williams, J. McGinley and J. B. Kent., Nominated by the Mayor, and seconded by .Cr. Perotti, Or. Greenslade was re-elected as Deputy-Mayor, unopposed. , Cr. Greenslade expressed his willingness to withdraw in favour of any other Councillor, but there was none forthcoming. The following committees were: appointed, the Mayor being an ex-officio member of each: Finance. —The whole Council, with Cr. Greenslade as chairman. General. —Crs. Doogan (chairman), O’Brien, McGinley, Kitchingham and Harker. ■ > - Works.—Crs. Williams , (chairman), O’Brien, McGinley, Kent and Perotti. Cobden Bridge.—Crs. Doogan (chairman), Kitchingham, O’Brien and l’CttiMuseum. —Crs. O’Brien and Kent. Beautifying. — Crs. Kitchingham (chairman), Harker, Doogan, O’Brien and Kent. Band. —All the members of the Works Committee. Waterworks. —Crs. O’Brien and Kent. Traffic. —Crs. Doogan (chairman), Harker and Kitchingham. Exhibition.' —Ors.« Greenslade and Harker. Fire Board Representatives. —The Mayor, and Crs. McGinley and Perotti. S • ' The Mayor and' Crs. Greenslade, Doogan, Kitchingham, Kent and Perotti were • appointed to sign cheques. REQUESTS GRANTED. The West Coast Old Boys’ Association requested the use of the Museum, Room and flags for their annual ball on June 2.—-Granted, on the usual• terms. ' Permission was requested by the Greymouth Fire Board to erect a small buildiqg for Brigade requirements on a on the north side of Raleigh Street, at the rear of Mr. J. D. Lynch’s kite residence. The area of .the section is 23ft. by 130 ft-, and is understood to be less than that required to comply with the by-laws. Cr. Kitchingham said he thought there could be no objection. The bylaws referred to land for residential purposes only. He moved that the request be granted. The motion was seconded by Cr. Kent and carried. A resolution was forwarded by the Buller Progress League, ' asking the Council to supbort the movement for the early completion of the Westport—- ' Grey mouth road ; also the putting in - hand at once of the Fox’s River Bridge. Cr. Harker moved that the request be supported, and that the Buller League be asked to support the bridging of Deadman’s River, at Punakaiki. Cr. Kitchingham suggested that the completion of the road generally should be Supported, without the specifying of any particular portion. He seconded the motion, , which was carried, being amended according to his suggestion. HIGHWAYS AND DRIVERS. The Buller - County Council wrote with regard to heavy traffic fees and the disposal of same, enquiring whether the Councils favoured the holding of a conference of all West Coast local authorities, or to allow the Westport Borough Council and the Buller County Council to dispose of the license fees collected by them- This procedure is suggested on account of the separation of the Buller County from the other Coast authorities. The Town Clerk said that many matters required discussion, and- in his opinion the holding of a conference was desirable. This wiew was supported by Cr. Doogan. who sMd that the, question required careful consideration. If the local bodies could not agree, the regulations provided for, a hearing before a Magistrate. He moved that the Buller Council be asked to arrange a conference. The motion was' seconded by Cr. Kitchingham and carried. The Foxton Borough Council wrote, suggesting that the Highways Board be approached with regard to contributing towards the cost of main Borough roads. Advice received from the Minister of Public Works (Hon. J. G. Coates) stated that the Main Highways Board had decided to assist local authorities in certain cases in regard to highways running through cities and boroughs. Cr. Williams said that he had seen it stated in Press reports that “there was plenty of money, and local bodies had only to back in their barrows and cart it away.’’ The Town Clerk suggested that the matter be referred to the Traffic Committee, and a resolution to that effect, 'moved by Cr. Greenslade and seconded by Cr. Kent, was carried. WATER SUPPLY. An analysis of spring water in Alexander Street was forwarded by the Medical Officer of Health (Dr. Telford). The report stated that the water is" of much better quality than that analysed in 1922 from the Grey River, and would be satisfactory for a potable supply, if the spring is adequately protected from possible polution by stock. It is, however, rather a hard water for domestic use. It was decided to carry on further development work at the spring, with a view to its possible use in the future as an adjunct to the town’s water supply. Heavy expenditure on the de- ■ velopment work was not sanctioned, however. It was also agreed that Councillors should inspect the spring. BAND’S BALANCE SHEET. i A copy of its balance sheet for the year ended on February 28, 1925, was forwarded by the Greymouth Municipal Band, showing that receipts amounted to £683/1/91, and expenditure £5Ol/14/11. The cash in bank totalled £122/9/2, and cash in hand '£sB/17/81. Assets are valued at £1,348/9/41, and liabilities amount to £54/3/2, leaving assets above liabilities £1294/6/21. The matter was referred to the Finance Committee. TIMBER RESERVES. On behalf of the Aratlka Sawmilling Company, Messrs Hannan and Seddon forwarded an application for the following rights: (1) To cut and remove all timber on Borough Endowment Reserve No. 193 on a royalty basis of 1/- per 100 super, feet for rimu and 1/6 per 100 super, feet for l white pine; (2) the right to construct maintain and use over and through the said reserve a tramway for the I removal of timber from the said Reserve or any other lands, annual

rental £25;. the term in each In. stance to be, five years. On the motion of the Mayor, seconded by Cr. O’Brien, the matter'was referred to the Finance Committee, the Engineer to inspect the locality meanwhile and prepare a report. ! Incidentally, Cr. Harker put in a plea for the planting of trees on’ Borough reserves. Cr. Grdenslade stated that he understood the Council had lost much revenue in the past - owing to the cutting of timber on its reserves. whole question of the leasing of .reserves should be gone into by the Council, said Cr. Doogan. It was a mistake to neglect such a possible source of revenue. t bA reqfiest for permission to fell the fir trees at the north end of the Recreation Ground, near the pavilion was made by the United Football Club, which undertook to leave the ground in a satisfactory state. Cr. Williams moved and Cr. Greenslade seconded that the matter 1 be referred to the General and Reserves Committees. —The motion was carried. The use of the Recreation Ground was applied for by the Greymouth Soccer Club, between 2.30 p.m. and 4.30 p.m. on June 17. The Town Clerk said that arrangements for previous matches had bben made on May 2 and 16 between the Soccer and League bodies, and presumably the same arrangement would hold good for June 17. Stating that, in 1912, a plan was prepared on the Council’s behalf for the closing of Whitcombe Quay, Lake Street, and part of Preston and Riverbank Roads, and acquiring adjacent land for roads, the Department of Lands and Survey advised that no proclamation had yet been issued, and asked whether the Council intended to go on with the matter. ( “It must be in connection with the dock scheme, ! ’ said Cr. Kitchingham. The matter was referred to the Engineer* for enquiries. MISCELLANEOUS. With the object of consulting the convenience of the travelling public, H. Hahn, ’bus proprietor, requested permission to erect shelter sheds z at the following places: Corner of Franklin and High -Streets; Buc.cleugh and High Streets; Raleigh and High Streets; the Hospital; and at Nelson Street. The size of the- proposed buildings is 10ft long, 7ft. wide, and 7ft. high in front, dropping to 6ft. at the back, and equipped with seats. The applicant asked if the Council would assist in the cost of construction; if not, the cost to be borne by applicant and the work done under the Council’s supervision. The estimated cost of the sheds is £l4 each, and a plan was forwarded. Cr. Doogan moved and Cr. Greenslade seconded that the matter be referred to the Finance Committee, and the motion was carried. A request that the portion of Paroa Road between Chesterfield Street and the Town Belt South be exempted from the provisions of Section 117 of the Public Works Act, 1908, was made by H. S. Nightingale, on behalf of Mrs. Galbraith. On the suggestion of Cr. Kitching-’ ham, the matter was referred to the ■Finance Committee. In reply to representations made by the Council some weeks ago, the Divisional Superintendent, Railway Department (Mr. R. S. Kent) wrote stating that the road deviation over railway land, to give access to Smith Street by way of Whall Street, is agreed to, the formation. of the road to be undertaken by the Council. The Railway Department will contribute £25 towards the cost of the work, and will give every assistance in the matter. “They take our land and give us £25,” said Cr. Greenslade, disgusted1M ’‘l think we ought to see the Minister,” said Cr. Kitchingham. The offer of £25 was described by Cr. Williams as “a joke.” He could not understand why the propertyholders in the locality had not acted in the matter. He. moved that a deputation from the Council be appointed to meet the Minister of Railways on the first opportunity. Cr. Greenslade suggested that the District Superintendent be sent a written protest, and that the Council’s • Engineer prepare an estimate of the ■ cost of the work. Cn Williams agreed to this, and the motion was carried with the suggested additions. The Sitq Selection Committee, Muni- ' cipal Swimming Bath wrijte asking r if, in the event of their advisory engineers recommending a suitable site l on one of the Borough reserves, . whether there would be. any hindrance ; legal or otherwise, to this. The . locality the Committee has at present in mind is the Town Belt, North. 1 The Engineer (Mr. E. M. Williams) a member of the Committee, stated that a clear understanding was desired. Cr. Doogan was of the opinion that any difficulty could be solved ,by securing legislative authority. It was decided to inform the com- > mittee that the Council was prepared ■ to assist in every way possible.. » Thirteeen residents, of Upper Chapel i Street and Mcyss Street wrote complaining of the bad state of the streets and footpaths in that locality, ' stating that several minor accidents ' had already occurred, and suggesting that the Works Committee and the- , Borough Engineer meet a deputation [ of* residents on the scene. . Cr., Kitchingham moved that the . Works Committed and the Engineer ■ meet the residents, as suggested.— , The motion was carried. ; The West Coast branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union wrote asking for the use of the Municipal Chambers on May 30, on the occasion of the Provincial Conference, and invited the Mayor officially to open the 1 Conference. On the motion of Cr. McGinley, se--1 conded by Cr. Perotti, the request was, granted. Cr. Greenslade said that a small ' charge should be made on such oc--1 casions, and the proceeds devoted to ' the upkeep of the Council Chambers. 1 They were getting “knocked about” and required renovation at present. ' A charge should be imposed on all users of the Council Chambers. The Mayor said that on many occasions such a charge could not be made, and Cr. O’Brien remarked that ‘ the Farmers’ Union should not be asked to pay. ’ It was decided to make no charge on the Farmers’ Union. Cr. Greenslade suggested that the Tainui Street footpath be attended to when the weather was favourable and . the labour available. Cr. Kent was in favour of the J labour being made available at once. ’ Cr. McGinley said that the Works i Committee had recommended some

time ago that the whole of the footpath be relaid. REPORTS. The Traffic, Inspector (Mr Sloss) reported that “up to the present everything is on the improvement. ’lhpse requiring drivers’ licenses are coming in very slowly, and the heavy traffic licenses are not coming along as they should. In fact it is necessary that steps should be taken to| enforce the law, as the Motor Act makes it quite clear that anyone driving a motor vehicle after April 1 is liable, ■ and it is .now more than a month past., 1 would ask that a meeting of all the different local bodies be, called to dis. cuss the pros and cons of the heavy traffic vehicle regulations, as there seems, to be a lot of confusion nsame.; It is my intention to enforce the parking of cars' at the proper parking, .places as soon as. we can get the signs fixed up; The parking on the street is beginning to become a nuisance. Anything the Council can suggest will be a great help. Up to the present date there are only 14C drivers)’ licenses and 9 heavy traffic licenses m, whiclp is a smalt percentage considering the lumber oi; cars within the Borough.” Cr Doogan said that the Council should back up its Inspector and take action against the, defaulters. The In. spector had been very fair, tactful and reasonable. He moved that a warning be inserted in the local newspapers, that defaulters would be prosecuted if they did not comply with the regulation's by Monday week, June 1, The motion was seconded by Or. Williams, supported by Gr Greenslade and carried. Cr. McGinley pointed out that the Traffic Inspector had a free hand to prosecute anybody without consulting the Council.. ) The Engineer reported as follows: — , “Gresson Street has been tar sealed. • Various, other streets have been repaired. Albert Street will be \t:usealed when weather permits. Extra drays or a motor lorry is required to keep up the supply of mater, als. To make the setting ■ out of the year’s work more reliable, it would be advisable to decide what machinery, if any, is to be purchased. I strongly recommend that a system of street and building levels be set out and adopted by the Council. New roads, footways, ■and also ,all buildings could be set z out to given levels. This would prevent much duplication of work such as lowering and raising footways, etc. The Boundary Street reserve has been levelled and sown in grass. A 'fence surrounding. this area will be erected .when materials are available. The work di renovating the concert hall is completed. The other rooms of the building also require renovating. The roof and guttering require renewing. .A zigzag footway has been formed in Puketahi Street. Footways in Lydia, Winnie, and Devon Streets are being formed. These will be tar-seared when ( conditions are suitable. Ttiie .work of kerbing in concrete in Tarapuhi Street is well in hand. J t would bb, advisable to decide the question of j grades for this work as soon as possi-i ble. The waterworks plant is working satisfactorily, a good average deptn being maintained in the reservoir. The| analysis of rhe water from the spring at Nikau Valley has been received. The mains have been opened for inspection purposes and a piece taken out in two places. Some tuberculation has taken place, bur not enough • to affect the flow of water through the mains. The mains are not of sutric.ent capacity to carry the required amount o'i water and give the desired pressure. If it isjidecided to test the. amount avail- . able at Nikau Valley and sufficient water is found to warrant a small pumping unit being installed and pumping direct into the mains, the present jjiains would meet all requirements of Greymouth for .many years. The drainage scheme plans were taken to Christchurch and "’submitted to an , expert drainage engineer of the Christchurch Drainage Board. ■ The grades, velocities and sizes were found to be correct and the design and structural features sound. The engineer was not able to pass an opinion on the estimated cost of the scheme without per. sonally viewing the locality. This he is unable to do owing to the large amount of work,in hand.” The. report was referred to the Finance Committee for consideration. Cr 'Williams moved that specifications be prepared and tenders called for the work of re-roofing and re-gut- ' tering the Town Tall, the roof to be of ' the best iron. The motion was carried.