BOROUGH COUNCIL

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 February 1927, Page 5

BOROUGH COUNCIL

EAST EVENING’S MEETING.

The Greymouth Borough Council met. last evening; present: The Mayor (Mr W. H. Parfitt), Crs. J. W. Greenslade, H. F. Doogan, R. J. Williams, F. A. Kitchingham, J. O’Brien, J. McGinley, J. B. Kent, and G. Perotti. An apology for absence was received from Cr. G.’ R. Harker. The British Itnperial Oil Co., Ltd., wrote proposing a different method of placing the tanks for their bulk petrol depot on Petrie Avenue, owirig to the presence of water below the surface. The company suggested that the tanks be placed on a reinforced concrete foundation, and forwarded sketches. A similar method was, it was stated, utilised in England. The .matter Was, 6n the resolution' of Cr. Doogan, seconded by Cr. Greenslade, referred to the Works Committee and the Engineer, with power to act.

The Ministers of Railways and Mines wrote acknowledging representations regarding the completion of the Coast road.

The Council’s opinion regarding a suggestion that he should tour New Zealand with views and films, was invited by Mr H. Gladstone Hill, who stated that, his lecture would take his hearers “around the world in eighty minutes.” .

Cr. Greenslade said that Mr. Hill was a fine speaker, and had done his best to assist the West Coast people when he visited Greymouth recently, and delivered an interesting addre'ss. The Council should, if possible, assist Mr Hill in return.

The Mayor was commissioned to reply to Mr Hill’s letter. The Council’s representations in favour of additional protection for the New Zealand timber industry were acknowledged by the Acting-Prime Minister, the Minister of Mines, Messrs Seddon and Holland, M.’s.P., and the Westland and Inangahua Coitty Councils. The New Zealand Timber Industry Advancement League wrote asking for the co-operation of the Council, and this was approved.

The Mayor said that a deputation would proceed to Wellington from the Coast as soon as arrangements could be made, to meet the Prime Minister.

The Municipal Association wrote advising the appointment of the Mayrir of Greymouth as a member of the Executive Committee of the Association.

The Mayor briefly reported upon the work done at the Municipal Conference, and stressed its importance.

J. North wrote requesting . that the drainage of his seeffori, Lydia Street, be improved; permission to erect a garage on an unused portion of Cowper Street was requested by A. S. L. Armstrong; that Marlborough Street East be put in order, so as to give him access to his property, was the request made by G. Cottle.

On the motion of Cr. O’Brien, seconded by Cr. Kitchingham, the requests were referred to the Works Committee and the Engineer, for a report. The Greymouth Harbour Board forwarded plan of riub-division of. Blaketown sections for approval. The matter was referred to the Works Committee and the Engineer, to report. Repairs to the footpath in front of Ids residence on Franklyn Street were requested by F. P. Cashmore. The ap plication was, on the motion of Cr. K6nt, seconded by Cr. Kitchingham, referred to the Engineer, with power to act.

T. G. Kitchingham and others re quested that four lights be placed on Marsden Road, between Sawyer’s Creek and Boddytown. The applica tion was referred to the Lighting Com mittee, on the motion of the Mayor seconded by Cr. O’Brien.

That rhe footpath between the Gilmer Hotel and the Blaketown footbridge be attended to, was requested by J. Gleeson. On the motion of Cr. Williams, seconded by Cr. Kent, the matter was referred to the Engineer, to endeavour to secure th co-operation of the Harbour Board, and the Railway Department in effecting repairs. The Engineer was also given powrir to act. Under the “hardship” clause in the by-laws, Moss and Co., were authorised to repair their wood and iron store on Mackay Street, damaged by the recent fire. When asked to report, the Engineer approved the proposed repairs.

The application of E. Quinn to erect a stable on a section alongside the Suburban Hotel was granted.

REPORTS

The Finance Committee reported as follows: —Accounts amounting to £9G7 6/9, were examined and recommended for payment and accounts which were paid since the previous finance meeting amounting to £1753 2/3, were examined. If is recommended that the matter of disposing of the unused steam boiler now in the Gas Works yards and obtaining information relating to an additional tar distilling plant be referred to the Works Committee, and Gas Works Manager and Borough Engineer to report thereon. That permission be granted to Mr W. Hill, arcjlitect, under Section 380 of the Borough By-Laws, to erect offices in Albert Street with a temporary wall of wood and iron at the back thereof. The building will have a concrete floor and will be lined throughout with fire-proof material; that the Council purchase from Mr. H. Weenink, a strip of land from his sections Lots 1,4, 5, 6 and 7, Paroa Road, area 19.2 perches, the price to be £125; pins £lO towards cost of re-survey of the land; that Mr H. Trouland be paid the sum of £3 for assistance rendered in controlling street traffic; that the Municipal Band be given a special grant of £lO 10/-; that Mr A. J. Sloss be granted 14 days’ leave of absence from the end of January; that Mr, W. Hughes, Manager of the Abattoir, be granted a bonus of £25; that the deed of easement granting the Imperial Oil Coy., permission to cairy a pipe line across Petrie Avenue be signed by the May or and Deputy-Mayor; that a water pressure recording guage be procured after March 31 next; that the Engineer prepare an estimate of the cost of the drainage of Milton Road and place the matter before those concerned, including the Railway Department and ascertain what they are prepared to contribute towards the cost; that hardwood to the' value of £lBO be procured for the purpose of repairing the two Marsden Road Bridges; that that part of High Street near the Technical High School be cleaned tip so as to be in conformity with any schedule which the Beautifying Committee may have in view; that the

Council purchase festoons of electric lamps for use when required; that the Works Comriiittee and Engineer go into the question of the Town Hall roof arid guttering. At a further meeting of the Committee, accounts amounting to £765 1/7, were examined and recoinmended frir payment. It is recommended that the question of Cobden sanitary service be referred to the Works Comrriittee and Borough Engineer to report on; that the salary of Mr Larcombe, Assistant Clerk, be increased by 10/- per week. The report was adopted. The Works Committee recommended as follows; —That the open drain abross Sections 20 and 21 and the ebrner of Iplgour Road qnd Winnie Street be piped at an estimated cost of £ 47; that the Borough Engineer prepare the specification for the reroofing of the Town Hall in 24 guage G.C. iron, the provision of cast-iron water leads outside of building and the taking down of the roof over the tower and the replacing of same by a flat concrete roof; that the surface drainage of Ida Street be dealt with by means of an open drain, with culvert under Marsden 1 Road arid discharge into Sawyers’ Creek at an estimated cost of £5O;, that the boiler lying in the gas works yard be disposed of. The recommendations were adopted.

The General Committee recommended that the quotation of J. I. Smail for th electric lighting of the abattoirs, arid the installaTTon of an electric hoist for the handling of beef carcases be accepted, the total cost of the installation, including minor alterations to accommodate the hoist hot to exceed £135. The recommendation was adopted.

The Engineer reported as follows: — Tarring and sanding of streets has been pushed ahdad and since the date of last report 33,000 square yards have bqen so treated, making a total of 62,000 square yards during the season. It is hoped to complete High Street in the course of the next week or ten days. Maintenance work has received attention, noxious weeds have been cut in various streets and open drairfs cleared where required. The gravelling of Whall Street to Smith Street deviation is now in progress; a start has been made in the formation of a footpath on the southern side of Marsden Road; Cowper Street footpath has been asphalted where necessary; Marsden Road bridges have received necessary attention and quotations have been invited for the supply of hardwood for the renewal of the understructures.

Drainage. —Several cases of blocked sewers have occurred, namely in Tarapttlri Street, Wilson’s Lane, and Guinness Street; a manhole has been constructed at the intersection of Wilson’s Lane and Tarapuhi Street and a defective drain in the Children’s Pa'rk has beeri attended to.

Footpath, Mackay Street. —As instructed, Mr S. B. White has been approached re the matter of improvement to the footpath in front of his premises and he has written expressing his willingness to contribute to thri cost of a concrete footpath to the Extent of one-half of the actual cost, provided such cost be not in excess of th 6 estimated cost of £56 5/-. The otlier occupants of the block were likewise approached and the manager of the Evening Star Coy., expressed hte willingness to contribute on a like basis.

Waterworks.—The new pumpingplant has operated quite satisfactorily. Tire old plant has been put in good repair and tested and the building has bedn painted. Since the beginning of the year twelve water connections have been laid.

Lorough Inspector’s Report—During the month a bay mare has been impounded and an information laid concerning it. The rubbish dump is rather unsatisfactory at present owing to the building operations of the British Imperial Oil Coy. The site of a new dump is due for consideration. A house to house inspection has been cotnmenced and the information obtained has been recorded.

, building Permits Issued from 20/1/27 to 22/2/27. —Ellery and Hansen. repairs to dwelling, Marlborough St.; Sotheran, F. and T., residence Ida St.; Ellery and Hansen, residence, Marsden Road; Clarke. J., residence, Milton Road; Sotheran, F. and T„ garage, Cowper St.; Hart, J. A., alteration garage, Guinness St.; Patterson. G., repairs to building, Mawhera Quay; Hillman, E., residence, Rigg St.; Larsen, C., workshop, Bristol Lane; Barrowman, F., garage, Gresson St.; Inkster, L., glasshouse, Marsden Road; Hart, J. A., concrete film box, Opera House; Hart, J.„A., add. to dwelling, Winnie St.; Hart, J. A., repairs to dwelling, Mawhera Quay; Hart, J.A., alteration to garage, Town Belt North; Hart, J.A., addition to building, Mackay St.; Ackland, E„ residence, Milton Road; Drake, J., alteration to store, Peake Lane; Scott, J., residence, Shakespeare St.; Sottyeran, F. and T., garage, Arney St.; Drake, J., repairs to building, Thonipson St.: Hill, W., portion of shops, Albert St.-; Rennell Bros., 8.1.0. Store, William St.; Dispatch Foundry, paint shop, Herbert St.; Steele, A., residence, Blake St.; Kirk, H., fowlhouse. Leonard St.; A. & P. Assn., pavilion, Victoria Park. The report was adopted.