BOROUGH COUNCIL

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 November 1929, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL

LAST* EVENING’S MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Greymouth Borough Council was held last evening; present: Crs J. B. Kent (Deputy-Mayor), F. A. Kitchingham, R. J. Williams, Gt Perotti, J. McGinley, J. D. Wingham, C. C. Gleeson, A. M. Carroll, and J. S Robertson. An apology for absence was received from the Mayor (Mr J. W. Greenslade), and it was decided to forward him a letter wishing him a speedy return to gbod health. Subdivisional plan of sections in Preston Road was forwarded by Mr H. S. Nightingale, surveyor, on behalf of Miss M. E. McPherson, executrix for the estate of her late father. Approval of the subdivision was requested. Mr Nightingale also wrote on behalf of Mrs Mclnroe applying for exemption under the hardship clause from the provisions of the by-laws regarding the areas of building sections in Murray Street. On the motion of Cr Kitchingham, seconded by Cr Carroll, both applications were referred to the Town-plan-ning Committee for a report. Messrs Guinness and Kitchingham wrote regarding sub-divisional plan, S. B. White, Secs. 49 and 51, Block 2, N. asking the Council to pass the necessary resolution to have Hallenstein’s Lane, Sheedy Lane and Card Lane exempted from the provisions of Section 128 of the Public Works Act, 1928. The fprifial resolution was moved by Cr Williams, seconded by Cr Perotti, and carried.

The Grey mouth Fire Board forwarded "recommendations from the Superintendent of the Greymouth Fire Brigade, for consideration by the Council. It was recommended that the hydrant indicator posts be painted and the missing ones replaced; that the hydrant plugs be lifted and concreted, to render . them more easily visible, and that the four-inch main be extended, along Marlborough and Ida Streets,? and connect with the three-inch main in Marsden Road; also that the Lydia Street main be extended.

Cr Kent said that the four-inch mains had been approved at the last meeting.

Discussion occurred regarding the indicator posts and hydrants, but nothing definite was done. The Department of Internal Affairs wrote stating that the Council’s enquiry as to building by-laws had been forwarded to the Public Works Department for consideration. Messrs Guinness and Kitchingham forwarded memorandum of transfer, Perotti Bros, to Haglund, for consent. —Granted.

C., A. Richardson, Doyle Street, Blaketown, wrote requesting the formation of a footpath in front of his property.

The Engineer said that, owing to an oversight on his part, the work had not been done previously. It would cost about £lO or £l2. On the motion of Cr Williams, it was decided that the work be carried out as soon as possible. The Greymouth Bowling Club requested that some attention be given to Shakespeare Street in the vicinity of the Club’s « property. The season was commencing, and a good many visitors were expected.

Cr Kitchingham moved that the matter be referred to the Works Committee, with power to act. The resolution was seconded by Cr Robertson and carried.

M .J. Swift and six other residents of Shakespeare Street wrote requesting that the drain traversing Educational Reserve 111. be attended to before warmer weather is experienced. After discussion, Cr Kent suggested that the Town Clerk be instructed to write informing the residents concerned that the Council would do onethird of the work, and that they would be required to do the rest themselves. The District Engineer of Railways enquired, at what price the Council would be prepared to tar seal the approach road to the Greymouth station. It was decided to forward the Borough Engineer’s price, 1/2 per yard. The cost of laying a drain to the boundary of his section in Ida Street was asked for by J. Bone, Tainui Street. It was decided that the applicant be met on the same terms as those imposed in previous similar cases.

ENGINEER’S REPORT. The Engineer (Mr A. J. Fairmaid) reported as follows : — Streets. —Tar-sealing has been proceeded with as rapidly as possible. Two tar-sprayers are now in use and a considerable saving in time is thereby effected, as the tar still is now usually emptied by 10.30 a.m. and all tar has been sprayed before lunch time. Previously it was possible, on long inns to the southern end of the town, to put out only two tanks of tar in the morning and the third in the afternoon. First-coat tar sealing has been carried ■ o*it on the Thompson Street footpaths, both sides; on the footpath on the southern side of Marlborough Street between High and Shakespeare Streets; on the Shakespeare Street footpaths, on the north-western side throughout the formed length, and on the south-eastern side from Nelson Street to about half-way to Marlborough Street. Second-coat work has been done in Buccleugh Street roadway between Shakespeare and Palmerston Streets and on Herbert Street roadway from Turumaha Street to the Dispatch Foundry’s railway siding. -Further blinding of winter second-coat work has been required-in Shakespeare, Marlborough and Turumaha Streets, and i in Preston Road. The making good with asphalt of the Turumaha Street footpath alongside the new kerbing has been completed and asphalt ' patching as required has been attended to throughout the town. At times unsuitable for tar-sealing operations the stock of asphalt has been replenished. At the intersection of Herbert and Turumaha Streets concrete kerbing and channeling has been constructed in a manner which improves the corner from a traffic safety point of view. The work has continued north-east-wards in Turumaha Street to a nearby street gully, where a new structure was put in, which it is hoped will overcome the flooding, which previously occurred here in heavy rainfall. A sixinch pipe was also laid across the street at this point to take the, stormwater which previously collected at this point. At the foot of Griffen’s Hill, Murray Street, sumps were put in at the lower end of the concrete kerbing and channelling, and a sixinch ’pipe was lq,id to connect the two and thence the water is directed to an old storm-water drain. Near the Dispatch Foundry siding, street gulleys were put in on either side of Herbert .Street and a six-inch pipe connection made between them and the flow here,

too, gets away to a previously-laid storm-water drain. In Thompson Street two gulleys were completed, in the new channelling, and at Tainui Street and Thompson Street comer a gulley was installed to overcome flooding which has previously occurred here in very Wet weather. In Alexander Street three street gulleys have been completed in the new channelling, and in Chapel Street two have been attended to. At the intersection of Lombard and Herbert Streets necessary provision has been made for the get-away of stormwater. At the southern end of Shakespeare Street a gulley which very -frequently gave trouble in wet weather, has been replaced by one of up-to-date type, and breaks in the concrete kerbing nearby have been Repaired. ' The grader has been out and has attended to requirements in various streets. In Kilgour Road and in neighbouring streets, fine shingle has been spread as a top dressing. Waterworks. —For the six weeks ended the 3rd inst, the reservoir has been kept full with an average daily run of seven hours. The drier weather lately experienced has ocasioned a heavier, demand on the supply, and the consequence has been a drop in pressure at . various hours of the day, particularly in mornings and evenings. A leak in the Buccleugh Street main was reported and attended to on the 9th inst. Numbers 1,2 and 3 bores, are now connected to the suction pump, and a sixinch pumping plant has been installed to give the bores preliminary pump. No. 2 bore only has so far been drawn upon, and a good flow has been obtained. Particular attention has been

given to this bore as it. is in bad country, but the continued pumping has made a big improvement in the flow obtained, the result , being quite satisfactory. At first some small leaks were in, evidence in the suction sump, but these were easily dealt with, and the leakage is now only a gallon or two per day from small, almost imperceptible leaks, and these will probably take up altogether soon. Drainage.—The work of cleaning William Street sewer from Johnston Street to its upper end near the oil depots is almost completed, a final run through, working down stream being now in hand. A new manhole was required in William Street, south of Leonard Street, and one which, had been covered up was located. The manhole at the intersection of Frederick and William Streets will have to be renewed as the bottom is badly eaten away, and sand from the surrounding country can thus find its way to the sewer. A manhole located at the entrance to Eldon Lane has been brought up to the surface and a damaged sewer connection in Buccleugh Street has been repaired. Reserves, etc. —The motor lawnmower has been procured and is now in operation. The cutting of noxious weeds on the Recreation Ground is in progress. Tenders have been called for the seating accommodation at the Baths, and these will be ready for opening at the next meeting of the Council. The Buccleugh Street plot has been sown down and the grass :s

coming away well. The report was adopted. In reply to Cr McGinley, the Engineer said that the work in connection with the William Street sewer was being done/as quickly as possible. The men could only work when the tide was low enough. A great deal of spoil had been taken out of the sewer. Cr McGinley said that two months seemed a long time to have an opening in one of the main stretes. When such jobs were started, they should be finished without a break. The opening in the street was an eyesore. Cr Kent said he did not think the sewer could be cleared until a new ( manhole was built. There was no • bottom, and the sand came -into the sewer just as quickly as it was cleared out. Cr Williams said that, in the event of the supply of tar petering out before the footpaths were completed, it would be advisable to purchase tar. If the footpaths were left for another year growth would accumulate on them, and would cost more to clear than to puchase extra tar. He moved that the purchase extra tar. He moved that the the resolution was carried.

FINANCE COMMITTEE The following recommendations submitted by the Finance Committee were adopted: —That the Gas Managers (Mr. J. Kennedy) report recommending that the price of gas for water heating storage purposes be reduced to 4/2 per 1000 feet, and in future discount day for gas shall be 14 days after the metei* is read, and not on the 15th of the month as has hitherto been the practice, be received and adopted. That accounts amounting to £935 15/6 be passed for payment and accounts amounting to £lO4O 15/8, paid since last meeting be approved. That the statement of Accounts submitted by the Borough treasurer, Mr. F. H. Denton, be received and adopted. That Mr. A. J. Sloss be appointed to the position of Traffic Inspector for the Borough at a salary of £1 per week. That a statement of all legal charges against the Borough for this financial year be rendered to date and that in future all such charges shall be rendered every quarter. That plans having been prepped for seating accommodation at the Municipal Bath, tenders be called for the carrying out of the work, and as the Council has- voted £125 toward the cost of same the Swimming Association be asked to provide the balance required. That applications be called for the position of caretaker of the Municipal Bath and that same be submitted to the Reserves Committee and the West'Coast Swimming Centre for consideration, and that they also go into the question of charges for admission to the Bath.