BOROUGH COUNCIL

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 August 1927, Page 5

BOROUGH COUNCIL

ORDINARY MEETING. The ordinary meeting of the Grey Borough Council was held last evening, the Mayor; Mr. J. W. Greenslade, presiding, and the following Councillors being present:—D. M. Robertson, J. McGinley, J. B. Kent, T. B. Baty, S. B. White, R. J. Williams, G. Perotti and F. A. Kitchingham, and Mr. F. Denton (Town Clerk).

The British Imperial Oil Coy., Ltd., wrote regarding their section in William Street, which it is their intention to clear and level, and wishing to be advised of the nearest dump wljere material can be deposited. —It was resolved that the matter be left to the Inspector of Nuisances, with power to act.

The Grey Hospital Board forwarded advice as to the method of arriving at the basis of values for purposes of hospital levy.—The Town Clerk reported that the letter was the result of an enquiry by the Grey County Council as to the method employed for arriving at the amount of rates due by the several local bodies, on account of Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards. The District Engineer of N.Z. Railways wrote, stating that it is usual to reserve the right to erect hoardings on railway leases, though it does not necessarily mean that the Department will use the right.—Cr. Kitchingham moved that the Railway Department be requested not to erect any unsightly hoardings in Petrie Avenue, as it Was the Borough's intention to beautify it, and that they be asked to have the lease prepared for completion by the Council. Seconded by Cr. Baty and curried. Messrs Boustridge and Hall advised that they were accepting the Council's offer of compensation for land dedicated in Blackmore Lane for roading. The Commissioner of Crown Lands, Hokitika, wrote advising that the Minister of Lands has approved of Reserve 4G being set apart for recreation purposes, and suggesting “Greymouth Domain” as a suitable name for gazetting purposes. As the area, which is in the vicinity of the Grey Hospital, is only an acre in extent, it was thought that to call it “Greymouth Domain” would be “over the odds.” On the motion of Cr. Kitchingham, it was decided to consider a suitable name at the next meeting of the Finance Committee. The Secretary of the Oddfellows’ Lodge Golden Jubilee Ball Committee, wrote applying for the use of the Museum Room as a supper room on August 16, for the ball.—Granted. The West Coast A. and P. Association. applied for the use of the Council Chambers for their annual meeting on August 22, at 1.30 p.m.—lt was left .with the Mayor and Town Clerk to make arrangements, the Town Clerk stating that the room usually used for meetings was occupied by the Government auditor.

The qnestioh of providing seats for the meeting room, which is the room formerly occupied by the Hospital Board for its offices, was mentioned by Cr. Williams, who said it had been hoped to obtain some seats from the Town Hall, but there had been no surplus seats available there, —It was left to Works. Committee to secure sufficient seating for the room. The District Public Trustee wrote, stating that the Council’s terms regarding the application for a building permit in connection with the estate of the fete Catherine Sheedy, are not acceptable.to the benefificiaries.

Messrs Hannan and Seddon wrote regarding the securing of a title to the old Town Hqll, which is now the Sailors’ Rest. Crs. White and Robertson were authorised to affix the Council’s seal to the application to have the land brought under the Land Transfer Act.

MORE LIGHT WANTED. The Mayor presented a petition from’the business people in Boundary Street, asking for a better lighting system than was at present provided, as owing to the extra width of the street, the lighting was inadequate, the additional light expected from the wharf flood lights making no improvement. The Mayor said he had inspected the street, and found that what the petitioners had stated was true. He had told them they could assist the position by availing themselves of the community lighting proposals offered by the Grey Power Board. Cr. W’iiilams moved, and Cr. Perotti seconded that the matter be referred to the Engineer for a report. It was suggested that a cluster light placed on the Band Rotunda would probably give an effective lighting for the street from the Mawhera Quay intersection'up to Griffen and Smith’s. Cr. McGinley thought the lights at Cotter and McKenzie’s corner, and at Griffen and Smith’s corner, could be taken away, and a 300 or 400 candle power light placed on the Band Rotunda. He considered a good lighting for the street would then be provided.

Cr. White said he was not against the proposal, but thought the shop people in Boundary Street had not all availed themselves of the electric lighting, which would make a considerable difference to them were it in- . stalled in all the shops in the street. Cr. Kent said the trouble was that there was a long space on the west side of the street, where there were no buildings, and this made the matter of lighting the street somewhat heavy or. those who were there. As the street was to be a parking place for cars, it should be better lit at night. Cr. Williams was afraid the structure of the rotunda might not be sufficient to carry a heavy light. While talking about lights, he mentioned that since Cr. Doogan retired, no one had been elected to the Lighting Committee, and suggested that the duties of the Lighting Committee might be handed over to the Works Committee. —This was agreed to.

FARMERS’ VISIT. Cr. Williams said he would like to offer the Mayor and citizens his congratulations on the success which attended their efforts in the entertain’ment of the fanner visitors from Ashburton recently. Everything had run smoothly, and the visitors had apparently enjoyed the trip, and appreciated what had been done for them. He moved that the Council record its appreciation of the good work of the Mayor and citizens in connection with the farmers’ visit. Cr. Baty seconded, remarking that the Mayor deserved a pat on the back in the matter. Like all good generals, lie did not have much to say, but got the work done.—The motion was carried. *

The Mayor said he was pleased with what bad been accomplished. The townspeople had risen to the occasion and showed they were hot lagging behind in the matter of entertaining visitors. All had done well, and none

should be sorted out for special mention. The citizens who had supplied their cars had made a donation equal to £240. The cost of entertainment had been provided by the townspeople 'and others?, and the Council would not be asked to “dip” for once. (Laughter). WATER FOR BLAKETOWN. Cr. McGinley asked if the laying of the water mains in Blaketown was to be proceeded with. The pipes had arrived, and he: thought the matter of providing water for Blaketown should not be delayed, and other parts of the town given any preference. Cr. Kent said the Water Works Committee had recommended that 17 chains of the pipes be provided for O’Grady and Doyle Street extension at BlaketoWn, 14 chains for Milton Road, and 11J chains for Palmerston Street. The whole lot of the pipes were not intended for Blaketown, the proportions he had mentioned were fixed some time ago and no change should be made now, as all the works were equally urgent. The Mayor gave Cr. McGinley an assurance that the Blaketown reticulation would be attended to before the other parts were put in hand. While on the matter, thte Mayor mentioned that he thought Blaketown should not be spoken of as if it were another town, it was a portion of the Borough and should not be disassociated from it. He thought that instead of calling the suburb Blaketown, it should be spoken of as a part of Greymouth. SPECIAL MEETING. The report of the special meeting held on Monday, August 4, in committee, was presented as follows :—Present': The Mayor (Mr J. W. Greenslade), Crs. Kitchingham, Baty, Robertson, O’Brien, Kent, McGinley, Williams, Perotti and White. Cr Kitchingham was appointed, chairman to deal with the business of the amending of the by-laws relating to the inner (‘brick”) area. 1. The Committee recommends that the boundaries of the inner area be amended.

2. Cr Baty was apopinted to the chair to deaf with matters' relating to the control of traffic. A deputation consisting of Messrs Patterson and Minchin, representing (he taxi proprietors, waited upon the Committee with respect to the proposed removal of the taxi stand from its present position in Mackay Street. The members of' the deputation suggested that instead of removing the taxi stand from Mackay Street the front taxi car be placed about two and a-half chains from the intersection of Mackay and Tainui streets, opposite the shop of Mr Hodgkigs. The members of the deputation retired, after having" thanked the Committee for receiving them. The Committee meeting was adjourned at 8.30 p.m. in order that the business of the special meeting called for that hour could be proceeded with, resuming at 8.45 p.m. The Mayor having retired. Cr Kitchingham resumed the chair to deal with matter concerning the building by-laws. Building By-laws.—lt is recommended that the by-laws respecting the inner area be amended to read as follows: —“The inner area shall comprise all that portion of the Borough of Greymouth commencing at the intersection of the extension of the south-eastern side of Arney Street with the Grey River and running thence along the Grey River to Mount ’street, thence along the western side of Mount Street to its intersection with Smith Street, thence along the northern side of Smith Street to the western side of Alexander Street (or Terrace), thence along the western side of Alexander Street (or Terrace) to the northern side of Whall Street, thence along the northern side of Whall Street to its intersection with the extension of the western side of Willis Street to its intersection with the northern side of Chapel Street, thence along the northern side of Chapel Street to its intersection with the extension of the south-eastern boundary of section 137 F Greymouth Native Reserve, thence in a southwesterly direction following such extension of such boundary of section 137 F, and the south-eastern boundaries of sections 137 F and 137 J and the extension of such boundary of section 137 J to section 138 G, thence following the south-eastern boundaries of sections 138 G, 139 A, 1398 and 139 C, thence by a straight line to the eastern corner of section 141 a, thence along the south-eastern boundaries of sections 141 A and 141 C, thence by a straight line to the northern corner of section 166 A, thence along the north-western and western boundaries of section 166 A, thence along the scuth-western boundary of section 142 to the eastern corner of section 143 A, thence along the south-eastern boundaries of 1 sections 143A.8., 144A.8., 145 A. 8., 146A.8.C., and 1471). to Murray Street, thence along the north-eastern side of Murray Street and the extension thereof, to its intersection with the eastern side of Herbert Street, thence along the eastern side of Herbert Street to the southern corner of section 203 L, Block 27, thence by a straight line to the south-eastern corner of section 295, thence along the south-eastern bound ary of section 295, Block 28, in a south-westerly direction to William Street, thence along the eastern side of William Street to its intersection with Leonard Street, thence along the northern side of Leonard Street to its intersection with Boundary Street, then in a straight line to the western corner of section 219 (freehold) thence along, the south eastern side of Johnrou to its intersection with Cresson Street, thence along the northern side of Gresson Street to its intersection with Arney Street, thence .'•long the aforesaid extension of the south-eastern side of Arney Street to the point of commencement, the area in question being coloured in blue on a plan marked and sealed and signed by —- on behalf of the Connci 1 . It is proposed that in that area all external and partv walls are to‘be

brick, concrete or stone, subject to the following'exceptions : — 1. Houses to be used exclusively as private dwellings and built to replace any existing buildings. 2. Houses io be used exclusively as private dwellings and built on allotments already surveyed and now appearing on plan deposited in the Land Registrar’s Office, Hokitika,' and now vacant, provided' that no part of the house is within (a) 10 feet of any boundary of the allotment on which it is erected; (b) 15 feet of any other buildings, provided that where the allotment is in the opinion of the Council too small to permit of detachment to the foregoing extent, the Council inay reduce the measurement

under sub-paragraph (a) to a distance not less than 5 feet and disregard the detachment from another building under sub-paragraph (b). It is recommended that the schedule of fees for inspection of plans and specifications, vide page 98 of. the by-laws, be amended to read :—lf the value of each proposed work does not exceed £25, 2/6; exceeding £25 but not exceeding £5O, SA; exceeding £5O but not exceeding £lOO, 10/; exceed ing £lOO but not exceeding £2OO, 15/; exceeding £2OO but not exceeding £3OO, £1; exceeding £3OO but not exceeding £4OO, £1 5/; exceeding £4OO blit not exceeding £5OO, £1 10/; exceeding £5OO but not exceeding £6OO, £1 15/; exceeding £6OO but not exceeding £BOO, £2 ; exceeding £BOO but not exceeding £lOOO, £2 10/; exceeding £lOOO but not exceeding £l5OO, £3; exceeding £l5OO but not exceeding £2OOO. £3 10/; exceeding £2OOO but not exceeding £5OOO, £4 ; exceeding £5OOO, £5.

It is recommended that Air J. Durable’s aplication for a permit to build on section 294 J be granted, subject to the approval of the Borough Engineer, in respect oif the design air space, etc.

Sub-divisional plan submitted on behalf of Mesdames Ochsenbein and Thomas, being Lots I—l 41 —14 of sub-divi-sions 46, part 47, 48, 49—53, and Lots 2 and 3, deposited plan 356. Blocks 22 and 23, South Freehold, Town of Grey mouth, and dedication of land to give legal width to Marlborough Street, referred to on page 484 of the minute book containing the report of a meeting held on May 26, 1927. It is recommended that the said plan be approved, and dedication of the land accepted. Cr O’Brien retired from the meeting. It is recommended that the matter of making suitable arrangements relating to the ship’s waterman, be left in the hands of the Mavor and Town Clerk.

It is recommended that the Greymouth ‘Harbour Board be approached with a view to its undertaking the watering of shipping, and that this question be put in the hands_ of Crs McGinley and Kent and the lown Clerk, the Council's terms being to charge the Board for water 5/ per 1000 gallons, the Council’s ship-watering plant to be handed over to the Board to maintain same. Cr Baty then resumed the Chairmanship of the meeting, to deal with traffic control matters.

The recommendations are as follow :— »

1. Parking place for Taxis. —That the taxi stand be allowed to continue on trial for ony month, the front car to take up a position in the centre of Mackay Street 30 feet east of the east side of Tainui Street. The rest of the taxis will park at the rear of the said taxis in a line running eastward towards the railway station and terminating at Werita Street. 2. We recommend that lorries proceeding to loading bank at southwestern end of main station run up Mawhera Quay and turn westwards to loading bank. These regulations are designed to make for one-way traffic at the railway station. 3. All vehicles proceeding . eastwards to 1 river bank siding to proceed up Mawhera Quay eastwards and all vehicles proceeding westward from such station to proceed via main station road and down Mackay Street. 4. Omnibuses. —We recommend that buses proceeding south, stand on the eastern side of Tainui Street from north side of Dixon’s shop and ranking southward, and that buses take up positions as they arrive on stand, and that buses proceeding to Cobden an)! Blaketown park on the western side of Tainui Street from MeSherry’s on towards Mawhera Quay; also that buses running to and from Karoro be directed as follows-.—Omnibuses on the inward journey from the southern porl ion of the town along Tainui Street, shall continue the journey to the intersection of Tainui Street and Mawhera Quay, and shall then return for the southward journey, either by travelling westward jilong Mawhera nay. Boundary Street, and Mackay Street or eastward along Mawhera Quay, thence along Mackay Street to the omnibus starting place near Dixon’s shop, thereby obviating turning completely at street intersections. That the Runanga bus should come in via Mackay Street and outwards via Mawhera Quay.

That the Cobden bus should go outwards via Mawhera Quay, and on re turning inwards go down Mackay Street and back to the starting point. That the Blaketown bus should go down Mawhera Quay, along Boundary Street, returning via Mackay Street to the stand. That the south-bound buses running after the pictures should be parked at night in Tainui Street south of the south side of Lima’s Buildings, thereby not interfering with the intersection of Chapel Street and buses for other localities to be parked as directed by the Traffic Inspector. That the buses should not be allowed to stand more than fifteen minutes at any starting point before the time of departure. 5. Private Cars. —That private cars be allowed to park : (a) On any street south of the Hokitika railway line and on any street west of Albert Street except Mawhera Quay, Richmond Quay or Gresson Street, provided that the street must be 40ft or more in width, and that the car must be parked within 1 foot of a footpath or kerbing. (b/ In the middle of Boundary Street, question of angle to be left to the Traffic Inspector, (c) In Mackay Street between Tainui Street and Albert Street (A.A.) between 6 p.m. of each day except Saturdays or Sundays and 8 a.m. of the fololwing morning. (B. B.) Between 10 p.m. on Saturday night and 8 a.m. Monday morning, (d) On the west side of Werita*Str?et, the east side of Waite Street. Cars to park not more than 12 inches from the footpath, (e) In the centre of Mackay. Street eastward from the east, side of Werita Street to the west side of Custom Street. 6. It is recommended that omnibus routes be defined and that the omnibuses be compelled to keep to same, i'hat the omnibus keep to the timetable issued by the proprietor. That omnibuses are not to be permitted to pass one another at intersections or to stop on intersections. • In considering the details of the report, Cr. Kitchingham moved and Cr. Baty, seconded that, no pe.rrr.Jts be granted that conflicted with the iOtya Planning regulations, Cr. McGinley sfiid he dissented from that. There were no by-laws yet to stop them. The Mayor said certain proposals had been outlined. If anyone took up the attitude of defying the Council, I the legal position would have to be ascertained. Cr. Kitchingham said that in the proposals reganttM -/he v d£stances

dwelling were to be apart, it was not intended to inflict any hardship on those who owned, and wished to build on the small sections about the town. There were some which had less than a 33 feet frontage and the “separation required might not always be possible. Cr. Robertson said that in the interests of owners, and for the purposes of insurance, the separation should always be adequate. He thought that where buildings were to be closer than live feet the walls should be built in brick. Cr. Kent pointed out that according to the present definition, a dwelling that was a part of business premises made the whole premises a dwelling. To get behind the brick, regulations for business places all <i jnan had to- do was to add a couple of living rooms to his business premises, and he could evade the brick-by-law. Cr. Kitchingham. Will he! The bylaws will be*explicit on the point. To enable the new regulations to be made operative, Cr Kitchingham, with the consent of the Council, moved that all existing minutes dealing with parking places for taxis, buses, private cars etc., be rescinded. Cr. Williams seconded the motion which was carried. Alter the above discussion the report was adopted.