GREY COUNTY COUNCIL

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 August 1929, Page 2

GREY COUNTY COUNCIL

ORDINARY MEETING.

The ordinary meeting of the Grey County Council was held to-day in the Council Chambers. There were present: Councillors J. Ryall (Chairman) J. Mulcare, W. Ogilvie, G. Blair, P. Donnellan, A. Robinson, McDonald, and M. Keating (County Clerk). Before proceeding with the ordinary business, the Chairman referred to the indisposition of Cr. J. W. Hannan, and on his motion it was decided to forward a letter of sympathy to Mr Hannan, with wishes for a speedy recovery. It was also decided to grant Mr Hannan two months’ leave of absence.

The Treasury wrote advising payment of the following amounts to the County Fund Account: Main Highwavs Board £750, Goldfields Revenue for* June, £997/11/7, Grey-Punakaiki (road improvements) £lO2O, AhauraHaupiri £lOB, Moonlight Creek £240. The Kumara Borough Council wrote asking the Council to make provision for its share of the cost of the repairs to tlie Taramakau Bridge. Cr Robinson stated that he understood that there was a £4OO grant made to cover the cost of repairs. The County Engineer stated that the grant was not a straight out one. O’Donnell’s tender of £345 had been accepted for the work—that was for the labour only, material etc., being found by the Kumara Borough ConnCi The Chairman pointed out that the Grey County Council had to bear five-twelfths of the cost, Kumara the ‘same, and the Westland Council two-twelfths. The Council would have to pay its share. The Council decided to make the payments when clue. Letters were received from the Prime Minister (Sir J. Ward) and Mr I-I. E. Holland, the member for the district, stating that the Council’s letter in reference to the proposed Blackball water supply was being given due consideration. Cr Mulcare pointed out that urgency in the matter was necessary. The proposal to provide adequate water for Blackball had drifted on for years, and if it was to come ultimately, the sooner the better. He thought the matter should be followed up by the Council, and his motion that a letter be forwarded to the authorities urging that consideration of the work be expedited was carried. The Prime Minister wrote acknowledging copy of the resolution passed at a conference of West Coast local Authorities protesting against the formation of separate Highway Boards for the two Islands. Messrs I-I. E. Holland and J. O’Brien, M’s.P., wrote to the same effect.

The Department wrote asking that a, refund be made of an amount wrongly paid the Council. It was pointed cut that the amount to be refunded, £l6, was wrongly inserted in the c’aim sent in for work on the Ten Mile slip, and. concerned special insurance taken out. It was paid by the Department before being noticed as wrongly claimed. The Clerk was authorised to forward the amount. The Main Highways Board wrote stating that contrary to the Board’s advices, too many applications were being made to have roads declared highways, by local Counties authorities. The letter pointed out that the Board was not in a position to adopt the whole, or even any substantial part, of the proposed new highways recomended by various District Councils.

The County Engineer stated that at the recent conference of Highway Board representatives and Councils, the Board members present (Messrs Talbot and McKenzie) had advised the local Counties to apply for as much as possible. The Main Highways Board also wrote in reference to the appointment and duties of Traffic Inspectors, stating that it appeared that local bodies were not realising the danger caused by the avoidance of the motor-lorry regulations. A system of Inspector’s duties was suggested, which, the Chairman pointed out, was the system already in use by the Council on the Coast. The circular was received. (Proceeding)