BOROUGH COUNCIL

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 September 1928, Page 5

BOROUGH COUNCIL

LAST EVENING’S MEETING.

The Greymouth Borough. Council met last evening.; present: The Mayor (Mr J; W. Greenslade), Crs. J. O’Brien, R. J. Williams, S. B. White, T. B. Baty, J. B. Kent, F. A. Kitchingham, D. M. Robertson, J. McGinley and G. Perotti. The placing of two or three loads of shingle on the muddy footpath in front of his residence, Palmerston Street, wa.q> recpiested by R. E. Cottle. The Engineer stated that the work of reforming the whole road was to be started within a month, and the footpath would then be attended to. It would be useless putting shingle down meanwhile. It was decided to advise Mr Cottle, to this effect.

In connection with the application of J. P. Evans, of Westport, for a carrier’s license at Greymouth, the Inspector of Police advised that Evans is an inmate of the Old People’s home at Westport. The police had no recommendation to make as to the granting of a carrier’s license. The Council decided to “receive” the letter.

The Minister of Internal Affairs wrote stating that he had approved of the inclusion of a clatise in the Local Legislation Bill, authorising the transfer of the Sailors’ Rest at Greymouth from the Council to the Harbour Board.

The Mayor said that the building was to be renovated as soon as the transfer was/effected.

The Assistant Under-Secretary, Public Works Department, writing with reference to the exemption of portion of Omoto Road from the provisions of Section 117 of the Public Works Act, 1908, stated that he will recommend the exemption, provided the owners dedicate free a strip of land. The matter was referred to the Town Clerk, to get’ into touch with the interested' parties. Permission to remove the large sign board from its position over the foot-

path in front of the offices recently vacated, to a similar position near the • new offices, was requested by the Tourist Department. The application was referred to the Town Planning Committee, with power to act. Permission to erect two rooms on Section 135, Block 8, Boundary Street, was sought by E. A. Southam, who stated that there, were previously two small buildings on the section. The application was referred to the Works Committee and the Engineer, for a report.

ROAD TO HOKITIKA. The Council’s co-operation was requested by the Greymouth branch of . tho Canterbury Automobile Association, in tho endeavour being made to have the Kumara Junction-Flowery Creek Road completed, which would shorten the route between Greymouth and Hokitika by nine miles. Cr: Baty' said that the road should be completed, as it would advance the district, more especially from a tourist point' of view. It would also cut out nine miles of road, which at present cost £65 to J>7s per mile annually to maintain. The completion of tho road would also provide work for some of the unemployed, and would open up more farming country. He moved that Mr Seddon, M.P., be requested to bring the matter before the proper authorities. z Cr. Williams seconded the resolution.

Cr. Kent reminded the Council that the Highways Board had turned the proposal down, flat. Ci*. O’Brien said it might be possible to have the road completed as far as Kapitea, so as to' give access to the settlers at Chesterfield and the mill at Kapitea. The reason for Ministerial objection to the completion of the road was that it would be in direct competition with the railways. However, no harm could be done by sending the resolution forward. Cr. Kitchingham said that an effort to secure road access to the Kapitea mill should certainly be made, if only to provide a road for use in cases of accident. In the past, when an accident occurred, the lack of road access had caused serious inconvenience. Incidentally, the completion of the road might result in the improvement 6f the railways service between Greymouth and Hokitika. The Mayor opposed the completion of the road, on the ground that there were many more urgent works requiring attention. There was already a good road between Greymouth and Hokitika, while in many other localities the people had‘no road access at all. The matter should be left over until a more opportune time, when the Government was not faced with so many urgent works. The resolution was carried, the Mayor dissenting.

MARSDEN ROAD FLOODS. The flooding of properties on the south side of Marsden Road, caused by noxious weeds on the land adjacent to Sawyer’s Creek, and in the creek bed itself, was a subject of complaint by Cr F. A. Kitchingham, who moved “That the Borough Solicitor ascertain the exact boundaries of the streets which abut on the creek between Shakespeare Street and Marsden Road ; also the ownership of any strips of land along the creek 'bank.” • When the Council had that information, he thought it could take action to compel the land owners to remove the noxious weeds. It was quite unfair that people who were endeavouring to build nice gardens should have their land periodicaly flooded. One set of land owners had agreed to transfer strips of their land on the creek bank to the Council, but others had not replied to tl"e suggestion. The Borough Solicitor should be consulted, because the title to the land was one of the most involved in Greymouth.

The 'Mayor questioned whether the legal advice would not be too costly. It might cost more than the land was worth, and the Council should protect itself.

Cr Kitchingham replied that a search of the titles would he involved. He did not like to mention a definite price, but it certainly would not be more than a “tenner.” He amended his motion, to provide that the Town Clerk ascertain the cost, and, subject to the Mayor being satisfied with the price, that the work be gone on with. Cr Kent seconded the resolution, and it was carried.

In reply to Cr Perotti, the Mayor said he did not know who the land owners were, but the information could be secured from the Town Clerk. STATE MINING METHODS. Advice was received from Mr H, E. Holland, M.P., to the effect that he had brought before Parliament the subject of the short time being worked at the State Mines, but had not re-

The Mayor said that the commission of enquiry asked for should be set up. There must be dire distress amongst the miners and their families, owing to the short time worked. The commission need not be a costly affair, and there was no necessity for highlypaid men to be sent from Wellington.' The commission could be composed of local business men, and this would not , cost the Government anything. He, moved that further representations be made to the Government, through Messrs Seddon and Holland.

The resolution was seconded by Cr Williams. Cr O’Brien stressed the need for a prohibitive duty being placed on Newcastle coal. The coal imports averaged 500,000 tons annually. If such a duty were imposed, it would help the New Zealand coal industry tremendously. The Railway Department had proved that it could use nearly 75 per cent of New Zealand coal. The Dominion coal sellers could not compete with Australian sellers under the present methods. The latter spent a considerable sum of money on what he termed “champagne suppers,” with the object of securing orders. There was an unlimited supply of coal in New Zealand, and the sooner it was marketed the better. As the hydro-electric power was harnessed, the demand for coal would decrease. A prohibitive duty was required on Australian coal, and the same thing applied to timber. The resolution was carried.

FIRE AT ABATTOIR OFFICE. The manager of the Abattoir (Mr W. Hughes) reported that a fire occurred in his office last Friday evening or early on Saturday morning. “I left the premises between 4.30 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Friday,” stated Mr Hughes, “when everything was in order. I did not enter the office again until about 2 p.m. on Saturday, when I discovered that, the door had been forced; the gas heater was lighted up, and a hole about two feet .square was burned through the floor, which was caused by the ignition of the contents of a wastepaper basket. Whoever entered the place, by some means set fire to the paper. It is evident that there was no attempt to put the fire out, as nothing was disturbed in any way; neither were there any of the contents of the office disturbed, which is proof that theft was not the motive. I reported the matter to the police, and it is nowplaced in their hands for investigation. There is nothing of any value kept on 1 the premises, with the exception of the records of the work carried out here, which are of no value to anyone except myself.” The report was received, the "Mayor remarking that the Council could do nothing further, as the matter had been reported to the police.

ENGINEER’S REPORT. Tho Engineer (Mr A. J. Fairmaid) reported as follows: — Streets. —The gravelling of Marsden Road is nearing completion. The recent formation in Smith Street has been gravelled. The concrete slab footpath in front of Mr P. Beck’s shop in Mackay Street has been completed. Milton Road footpath, east side, has been cleaned up. Drainage.—A blocked sewer in Volunteer Lane has been attended to and tho sewer between Custom and Waite Streets has been improved, as required, by the enlarging and raising of manholes.

Waterworks. —Using pipe lifted from alongside the,4in. east iron main laid some months \igo in Milton Road, the water service has been extended beyond the end of the 4in. main to the new houses in course of erection. The encrusted pipe in Turumaha Street, between Murray and Tainui Streets, has been relaid with some of the same second-hand pipe, so far as.the quantity available would go. Relief of Unemployment Loan Works.—ln Town Belt north the sewer is nearing completion and road formation is in hand. At the cemetery, good progress is being made with grading operations. The formation of Doyle Street is nearing completion. At the Municipal swimming bath site, the scheme of improvement is beginning to take shape. Building Permits issued 10:9:28 to 22:9:28: —W. McGrath, shift garage, Blackmore Street; T. Wilson, addition to shed, Lord Street; W. Hamilton, dwelling, Palmerston street; A. Sunbye, Garage, Puketahi Street; J. Clarke, dwelling, Ida Street; F. G. Nelson, dwelling, Reid Street; E. Stewart, repair shop, Guinness Street; F. and T. Sotheran, dwelling, Blake Street.

. THE UNEMPLOYED. Referring to unemployment, the Mayor stated that a letter had appeared in the “Star,” and had- been submitted to him for comment. The writer had made some erroneous statements, and he had replied to them. He hoped that his action was satisfactory to the Council.

In reply to a question, the Engineer stated that two more married men. had applied for work, and would be engaged.

The Mayor said he considered the Council had done its duty nobly with regard to the married men who were unemployed. In reply to Cr Kent, the Mayor stated that the co-operative parties had so far, made more than the minimum rate of wages. Gn the motion of Cr Williams, seconded by Cr Baty, the action of the Mayor was endorsed. < T O’Brien: How many single men are waiting? The Mayor said that a good many single men had spoken to him, and he sent, them to the Engineer. The Council had only dealt itself with one isolated case of employing a man, and his wages were coming out of ordinary revenue and not out; of loan money.

The Engineer said there were about 50 names on the book, including the 20 married men already employed. The Mayor: That would mean about 30 single men. The Engineer: Some of those were not local residents. CAS MANAGER’S REPORT. The Gas Manager (Mr J. Kennedy) reported as follows for August: — “Value of coke sold, .£199 19/9; tar, £Hi 11/9. Value of gas appliances and fittings sold, £1(17 l'l/ti. Meters brought, in through electricity being installed, five. Meters fixed for new consumers, seven. Total number of cookers in use, 270, heating stoves, .100, wash coppers 200, bath heaters 20, gas boiling rings fapproximately) 1000, gas engines 20, meters 1420. Cobden is included in these returns. The outside department continues to be kept very busy. The interest, taken in the cooking demonstrations is most pronounced, and with the advent of

ceived a definite reply from the Government.

warm, weather, I feel sure that even greater success will be attained. I believe we have, as regards the mak- , ing of gas, turned the corner. Next\ financial year should show an appreciable increase in gas sales.”

FINANCE COMMITTEE. ’ The following recommendations wore submitted by the Finance Committee:—■ That the report of the Gas Works l' Manager, regarding matters in connection with the Gas Department generally, be received and adopted. That accounts paid since last meeting amounting to £4687 8/4, be approved, and accounts amounting to £743 13/11 be passed for payment. That the matter of carting for the Gas Works Department be referred to the general committee and the Gas Works Manager, Mi- J. Kennedy, to report to the Finance Committee or earlier meeting of the Council. That the finance report shewing receipts and payments as follow, be received and apopted: Receipts for Au-, .gust, 1928, £1686 19/4. Payments foi August, 1928, £4198 1/7. Receipts for five months ending August 31, 1928, £9055 15/8. Payments for five months ending August 31, 1928, £16148 10/3. That a claim for the alleged loss of a bullock at the Municipal Abattoir be held over pending a further report from the manager of the abattoir, Mr W. Hughes. That instructions be given Mr W. Hughes, abattoir manager, regarding i the duties of the staff at the abattoir. That the Council borrow- the sum of

£2500 from the Australian Mutual Provident Society for the purpose of the relief of unemployment works, in the terms of the Society’s letter of the 10th. September, and that applications be made in accordance with Section 32 of the Local Bodies Loans Act, 1926 to the Governor-General, to borrow in terms of the Society’s offers. That an application from the unemployed committee to hold a procession of unemployed workers and trade unions, starting from the railway station and going, by way of Mawhera Quay to the Band Rotunda, be granted. That an application from Mr C. O’Donnell to connect his premises 15, Shakespeare Street, cannot be entertained in the face of the Health Department’s attitude with regard to the discharge of sewage into Sawyer’s Creek. That the Medical Officer of Health, Christchurch, be informed that the Engineer is at present engaged in compiling information required by the

j Loans Board in connection with the proposed sewerage scheme and that the matter is being expedited by the Council; also forward copy of the plans of the scheme and inform the Department that no further connections will bo allowed to sewers discharging into Sawyer’s Creek. That Messrs Endean and Holloway, solicitors, Auckland, be thanked for forwarding cheque in connection with tho Harriet Herbertson Memorial at the cemetery and photo of same forwarded as requested. That a letter regarding the lease of tho Town Hall be received and no action taken. That the question of short time worked at tho State Collieries be held over for discussion to the next meeting of the Council. That the Borough Engineer be empowered to proceed with the work of laying the stormwater drain in front of Mi- C. Chamberlain’s property in Lydia Street, provided that Mr R. Barrowman and Mr Chamberlain deposit between them the sum of £5 towards the cost of the work. That the Engineer take steps to put Leonard Street between Tarapuhi Street and Herbert Street in order, and also the kerbing and channelling -of Herbert Street, such work to be carried out with loan moneys. '