BOROUGH COUNCIL

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 January 1926, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL

LAST EVENING’S MEETING For the .first time in the year 1926, the Greymouth Borough Council met last evening; present: The Maydr (Mr. AV. H. Parfitt), Crs. J. W. Greenslade, H. F. Doogan, J. B. Kent, G. R. Harker, R. J. Williams, J. O’Brien and F. A. Kitchingham. An apology for absence was received from Crs. J. McGinley and G, Perotti. The previously-published telegram from the Prime Minister (Mr. J. G. Coates), regarding the removal of the railway workshops from Greymouth was read, promising that every effort will be made to reduce cases of hardship to an absolute minimum. The Mayor referred to a suggestion made by the Cobden Town Board to

the effect that a public meeting be' called. He was sure something would be done if the local bodies kept on “battling.” He also referred to the, so far, abortive efforts to secure the return of the traffic officers to Greymouth, and said that he,, for one, intended to continue the agitation.. Cr. Greenslade said that at the recent conference of local bodies with ' the Divisional Superintendent (Mr. Rent), the latter practically promised that adequate shelter would be provided for merchandise in trucks at rail-. w.ay sheds. Nothing had yet been done, however, and he moved that the Rail- ■ way Department be written to. The resolution was seconded by Cr. .

Kitchingham and carried. Support for » protest against the proposed regulations for the control of omnibuses was requested by the Petone Borough Council, which expressed the opinion that the issue of regulations at such frequent intervals is making the position most con- ' fusing to the parties concerned, particularly motor ’bus owners. The matter was referred to the Traffic Committee. An applicatipon for a renewal of lease of Section 18a., M.R. 51, Preston Road, made by Albert Axelsen, wag referred to the General Committee. The Greymouth Technical College Director (Mr. J. Hutton) wrote asking that the drain in front of the school

be cleared sufficiently to allow the water to get away. The water-logged state of the southern portion of the Recreation Ground was also complained about, it being stated that the school drains were full of water which had soaked from the Recreation Ground. Cr. Kitchingham moved that the cleaning of the drains be referred to the Works Committee, with power to act. The Recreation Ground, he said, would have to wait. , The resolution was seconded by Cr. Greenslade and carried. The Committee of the Railway and Foundry Picnic to be .held at the Seven-Mile on February 13, extended.

an invitation to the Borough., employees, which the Council accepted. Cr. Doogan praised the selection of the Seven-Mile site. An auctioneers’ license, applied for by Messrs Harley and Co., was granted. . Cr. Greenslade’s 'question as to whether such licenses were trans>ferable between various towns, was answered in the affirmative, the fee for such transfer being 10/-. The application of Mr. C. McQueen, waterworks engineer, for annual leave, was granted. Miss E. Bignell, Librarian, applied for annual leave, from February 4, the request being granted. A similar application from Mr. W. J. Larcombe was also agreed to. REPORTS.

The Finance Committee reported as follows on business transacted at two meetings (Dec. 22, 1925, and January 21;’ 1926) :— The question of the carting of coke was referred to the Gas Works Manager to report thereon; that ironworkers be asked to quote for gas works

tool repair work; that unless a tradesman supplies monthly accounts, the Council’s custom will be withdrawn; that water pressure be tested throughout the town by the turncock under the supervision of the Borough Engineer; that the lighting of Mawhera Quay be referred to the lighting subcommittee to endeavour to make satisfactory arrangements and report back to the Council; that an applicant for the remission of the 10 per cent, charge on overdue rates be informed that the Council cannot remit; that Mr. Matthews be informed that the Council is not prepared to take over the lease of his section in Moss Street; that a one draw filing cabinet be procured for the Gas Works Office; that the salary of the Traffic Inspector be increased by £1 per week, from Ist December; that the matter of a site 'fox- electrical sub-station near Buccleugh Street be referred to the, subcommittee appointed to consult' the Power Board’s Engineei’ and endeavoui' to select a site othex - than the one already suggested, as objections have been made to permitting same to be erected in Buccleugh Street; that the Acting-Borough Engineer be granted leave of absence during the month of January, 1926; that the mattei' of appointment of Drainage Engineei’ be referred to the Loans Committee to report; that Mr. Braidwood be temporarily appointed foreman until Mr. O’Neil resumes work; that a complaint made by the Chief Postmaster, re drainage neax* his residence be referred to the foreman; that the matter of the lighting of the Council Chambers by electricity be left ovex’ until the end of next March; that the matter of the use of the lily pond in the Children’s Park by the Acclimatisation Society

for the purpose of rearing fish, be referred to the Beautifying Committee to report thereon; that an application made by Mr. Patterson of the Union Hotel for a gin water service, be referred to the turncock to enquire into; that an application by Mi’. R. Davis for a billiard room license in respect of premises adjoining the Royal Hotel be granted subject to report being satisfactory and fee paid; that the matter of leave of absence for the ships’ waterman, Mr. Toomey, be left in the hands of the Chairman of the Works Committee; that Mr. J. Low’s application for permission to run his omnibus to Karoro be granted on the usual terms, the stand for omnibus and timetable to be arranged with the Traffic Inspector; that the matter of filling in a hole in front of Mr. W. Cochrane’s house on Russell’s hill, Shakespeare Street, be referred to Works Committee to report on same; that Mr. Lord’s offer to .complete certain plans be held over until an engineer is appointed; that the matter of drainage of the Greymouth Tennis Club’s Court be referred to the Works Committee with power to act; the Committee wishes to again point out that it cannot agree to the withdrawing of a summons for outstand-

ing revenue; that Mr. John Higgins be apointed Acting Town Surveyor; that the matter of a permit to renovate Ashton’s Stables be referred to the Works Committee to confer with Mr. Higgins, the committee being given power to act; that applications be called for a Borough Engineer and Town Surveyor at a salary of £6OO per annum and that the matter of terms of appointment be left in the hands of Cr. Williams, O’Brien and Doogan; that the action of the Works Committee in permitting the removal of the fence on Mr. S, B. White’s premises, Mackay Street, for building purposes, be approved and that writ-

ten permission be given to fence in accordance with building by-laws; that the Mayor’s action regarding the granting of permission to Mr. Quinlan to add to shop in Alexander St., be endorsed.” The report was adopted. The Works Committee reported:— “Since resuming after the holidays, the staff have been employed at general maintenance work and all the

small works reported as needing attention have been attended to. The Committee met and decided that the staff’s time be concentrated on finishing the various jvorks that have been put in hand from time to time, and considerable and satisfactory progress is being made therewith. Better work : would have been possible only that a number of the men were engaged at the water works, assisting in locating leaks, etc., since which Acting-Fore- ; man Braidwood has made very satis- J

factory progress with the works mapped out by the committee. A detailed account of the various works carried out by him and the cost of each can be had from the office staff on reasonable notice. Various other matters referred to the committee with power to act have been'put in hand. In passing, the Committee sire to state that it 'is not advisable to undertake any extensive works until the works now in hand are completed. The drains in the Kilgour Road area have been cleaned, and will be tarred and sanded when the weather is suitable.” The report was adopted.