BOROUGH COUNCIL

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 September 1927, Page 5

BOROUGH COUNCIL

LAST EVENING’S MEETING. The Greymouth Borough Council held its fortnightly meeting last evening; present: Crs. J. O’Brien, F. A. Kitchingham, D. M. Robertson, J. McGinley, J. B. Kent, T. B. Baty, S. B. White, R. Ji Williams, and G. Perotti. In the absence of the Mayoi' (Mr. J. W. Greenslade), from whom an apology for absence was the Deputy-Mayor (Cr. O’Brien) was voted to the chair. ..... A plan of the proposed subdivision of property owned by Mrs A. Johnston, in Guinness Street, was forwarded for approval by Mr. H. S. Nightingale, surveyor, who stated that the areas are all under the minimum allowed by the by-laws, but the sections are all occupied as sub-divided, and have been for some years. On the resolution of Cr. Kitchingham, second by Cr. Robertson, it was decided that, the subdivision be approved, on condition that no dwelling be erected on the portion of the section on which stables at present are located. The Engineer (Mr. A. J. Fairmaid) said he understood it was intended to carry on a coal and firewood business there. The Grey County Clerk forwarded a copy of a letter sent to the Minister of Lands, requesting that the Point Elizabeth Scenic Reserve be declared a Public Domain. The Council was requested to support the application. On the resolution of Cr. Kitchingham, seconded by Cr. Perotti, it was decided to write to the Minister in support of the application. The Traffic Inspector (Mr. A. J. Sloss) wrote requesting the Council to supply him with a free uniform, as is done in most other centres where traffic inspectors are appointed. “The absence of a uniform,” wrote Mr. Sloss, “increases the difficulty in my case of enforcing the traffic by-laws in this town.”

The application was neld over until next meeting, on the resolution of Cr. Williams, seconded by Cr. McGinley, enquiries to be made meanwhile. The Blaketown and Preston Road Citizens’ Association wrote thanking the Council for list of works authorised in the Association’s area; also for the Council’s offer to set aside land in Preston Road as a Recreation Ground, which was accepted. The Association also forwarded the following questions:—(a) When the word Greymouth is used in Council meetings, is it intended to include Blaketown? (I)) Does the Council recognise the footpath from Stratford and Blair’s mill to the Tiphead bridge as public footpath; (c) Will Council endeavour to obtain, as early as pos? sible, the Harbour Board’s consent to the Borough Ranger impounding wandering stcok off the Board’s property? Cr. O’Brien (referring to the first question): I think this is sarcasm on the part of the Association, and I don’t think it needs dealing with whatever! Cr. McGinley moved that the Association be informed that the Council recognise the footpath as Borough property. The resolution was seconded by Cr. Kitchingham, and carried. Cr. McGinley moved that the Town Clerk write to the Harbour Board, asking for its consent to the Borough Ranger taking wandering stock off the Board’s property in and around Blaketown, providing there is no legal obstacle to such action. The resolution was seconded by Cr. White, and carried.

An application for permission to erect another kerbside pump in front of his premises in Tainui Street was made by Mr. H. McGlashan. On the resolution of Cr. Perotti, seconded by Cr. Whife, the application was granted, subject to the usual conditions, and the Engineer’s approval. Kennedy Bros, applied for a permit to carry out extensions and alterations to their garage at the corner of Guinness and Boundary Streets, the front to be of wood and the walls of iron. Tho application was referred to the Engineer, to report at next meeting. The Diamond Jubilee Committee of St. Paul’s Methodist Church wrote inviting the Council to attend the official Diamond Jubilee service, to be held in the Town Hall on Sunday evening next: also the Jubilee public meeting, to be held in Wesley Hall on Wednesday next. On the resolution of Cr. Robertson, seconded by Cr. White, it was decided that Councillors should attend the Jubilee service.

It was decided to refer to the Works Committee, with power to act, an application from the Swimming Bath Committee (brought forward by Cr. Kitchingham) that filling in work be done at the bath site, the work beingestimated to cost £2O.

Cr. McGinley seconded Cr. Kitchingham’s resolution to refer the matter to the Works Committee, and it was carried on the voices. Crs. White and Williams objected, on the ground of the Council’s weak financial position, and that the carrying out of such work would mean the holding up of other work in the Borough.

The matter of having the mechanism of the town clock protected from the weather was referred to the Chairman of the Works Committee (Cr. Williams) and the Engineer, with power to act.

With the object of relieving to some extent the unemployment existing at Greymouth, it was decided that the necessary steps be taken to obtain permission to raise a loan of £l5OO, to carry out drainage works in the Boundary mid Swanson Streets area, the loan to carry a Government subsidy.

Cv. O’Brien said that the committee previously set up by the Council had gone into the question thoroughly. The drainage work was very necessary, and would in any case take precedence over improvements to the Omoto and Paroa Roads. The proposed work was part of the new drainage scheme. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The Engineer reported as follows: — The footpaths in Kilgour Road and Devon Street, recently kerbed and channelled, have been made good, and a half day of tarring and sanding will see the job finally completed. The footpath on the north side of Devon Sire-fl has been weeded and gravelled. The storm water drain, to serve the Milton Road area, is now piped for 210 feet. The remainder of the pipes required are on order, and are expected in about ten days. The contract on Russell’s Hill Road has been completed, and some work necessary to make the now road accessible to traffic is in hand by the Borough staff. The gravelling of the road will he carried out as opportunity offers. The concrete kerbing and channelling in Alexander Street, opposite Rewa Hospital, has been completed. Waterworks.—The recording pressure gauge has been set up in the Public Office entrance of the Town Hall, and has been in operation since the first of the month. At the pumping station, during the period of last neap tides, considerable difficulty was experienced in maintaining the supply on account of the low state of the

river. A start has been made laying water mains in Blaketown. Building Permits Issued from 25/8/27 to 6/9/27:—F. Sparks, dwelling, Blackmore Lane; J. Clarke, alter dwelling, Whall Street; H. Lewis, repair verandah, Boundary Street; G. Grant, fowlhouse, Threadneedle Street, G. Patterson, dwelling, Guinness Street; W. McDougall, glass house, High Street; T. Dumbleton, fowlhouse, Threadneedle Street. The total value of building permits issued for the month of August was £3084 ss. Cr. Kitchingham moved that the Works Committee, in conjunction with the Engineer, prepare a report as to the feasibility of any further improvements which might be carried out, and the cost, with a view to getting the pure water which the Council had promised to give the ratepayers. The resolution was seconded by Cr. McGinley and carried. The Engineer’s report was adopted. The Works Committee's recommendation, that no action be taken in regard to Mr. McDougall’s application for drainage improvements, was approved.