BOROUGH COUNCIL

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 October 1930, Page 5

BOROUGH COUNCIL

LAST EVENING’S MEETING. The Greymouth Borough Council held its monthly meeting last evening; present: The Mayor (Mr J. W. Greenslade), Crs J. B, Kent, R. J. Williams, C. C. Gleeson, F. A. Kitchingham, A. M. Carroll, J. McGinley, and J. S. Robertson. An apology for absence was received from Cr J. D. Wihgham. That the Council should call a meeting of interested local bodies to consider the improvement of the road at the north end of the Cobden bridge, was a request received from the Greymouth Automobile Association. The Mayor said he did not think it was necessary to call a meeting. The various local body engineers could be consulted.

Cr Carroll moved that the matter be referred to the engineer, to confer with other engineers, and report to the Council. The resolution was seconded by Cr Kitchingham, and approved. The District Railways Engineer wrote with reference to the sewerage arrangements at the Elmer Laue workshops, stating that a copy of the plan had been forwarded, showing the proposed lay-out, and asking the Council to keep a record of any work done by it, with a view to subsequent adjustment. The Council’s engineer stated that adjacent residents objected to any more drainage going into the open drain at the end of Tidal Creek. No objection had been made by the Health Department. On the resolution of Cr Williams, seconded by Cr Gleeson, it was decided that the plan be approved, subject to the consent of the Health Department. The nuisance arising from the old creek bed between Shakespeare and High Streets, was the subject of a letter from the Health Inspector (Mr M. E. Bcttel), who made recommendations for the removal of the nuisance. The Mayor stated that the opinion of the Borough solicitor was that, as the nuisance was located on private property, the Council had no liability. Cr Kent: We have the liability of the public health. We must see that that nuisance is abated, whoever we charge up. The Mayor pointed out that the residents had refused to pay twothirds of the cost, if the Council paid one-third. What prospect had the Council of getting the money, if it did the work? Cr Kent said that the Act gave the Counsel power to sue for the money. ‘ Suing, and getting the money are two different things!” remarked Cr Kitchingham. He moved that a copy of the Borough solicitor’s opinion be forwarded Io the Health Department. The resolution was seconded by Cr Gleeson and approved. Objections were received to the proposed closing of the lane at the rear of the Railway Hotel, from M. J. Fogarty (on behalf of W. J. Mcllroy) and G. A. Webster.

Tho Mayor: I take it, there being protests from interested parties, that the Council cannot proceed with the matter.

Cr Kitchingham agreed that no action could be taken meanwhile, but said that negotiations were still in progress. . The protests were received, and it was decided to inform J. A. Lutz, owner of the Royal Hotel, that the lane could not be closed. The secretary of the Municipal Association of New Zealand wrote requesting that remits for the annual conference, to be held at Rotorua on March 3, 1931, be forwarded by November 4. It was agreed that the matter should receive attention. W. T. Ogilvie applied for permis sion to build a temporary garage on Bvron Street, until such time as the street is formed. On the motion of the Mayor, seconded by Cr Williams, the request was granted. The District Public Trustee ’ forwarded subdivisional plan of part Section 5, Harbour Board reserve, Blake Street, C. A. Carmine, for consent—Granted. A copy of an Order-in-Council, exempting the south-eastern side of poition of Alexander Street, and the southern side of portion of Chapel Street, from Section 128 of the Public Works Act, 1928. A letter was received from Robert Middleton, Dunollie, regarding lease of Borough endowment reserve at Kaimata, which he desires to relinquish, on the ground that he has no legal access to the land. The mattei was referred to the Finance Committee. it , Permission to clear the growth between the boundary of the estate and Marsden Road, preparatory to subdivision. was applied for hy Messrs Guinness and Kitchingham, solicitors to the Kilgour estate. The request was granted. Beath and Co., Ltd., wrote requesting that the footpath in front of their premises in Mackay Street be put in order by the Council. Ihe matter was referred to the Works Committee and the engineer, for a report. A. Steel, Blaketown, applied for permission to lay a three-inch iron drain from his property to a gravel pit on a section known as Police Reserve. The request was granted, subject to the approval of the Police Department.

On behalf of the Kilgour estate, Messrs Guinness and Kitchingham forwarded agreement relative to the closing of an unnamed street and the opening of a new one, for execution by the Council. Cr Robertson moved that the deed be read at the next meeting of the Finance Committee. The resolution was seconded by Cr Carroll, and approved. Cr Kitchingham did not vote.

The Morrinsville Borough Council forwarded a. copy of a letter sent to the Minister in charge of the Valuation Department, regarding revaluations under Section 50 of the Valuation of Land Act, 1925, and asking tho Council to support the request that provision be made for periodical valuations. Tho letter was received, but no action was taken. Mr J. O’Brien, M.P., wrote stating that he will support the Council’s representations in connection with the Scaffolding and Excavation Bill; also that he will place the Council’s request for obtaining King Domain from the Natives, rent free, before the, Native Trustee. The Greymouth Harbour Board advised that it will take over the supply of water to shipping on October 20. Writing with reference to the formation of Mount Street, the Public

Works Department stated that the proposal for a road 10 feet wide w r as not considered satisfactory, owiug to the steep grade, and the bad corner at Smith Street. A road varying in width from 14 feet to 16 feet was required; also the erection of a substantial fence at the junction with Smith Street.

The matter was referred to the Engineer, for an estimate of the cost.

HEDGE AT TENNIS COURTS.

Objections to the proposed planting of a hedge at the Greymouth Tennis Club’s courts on the Town Belt were received from J. Hughes, A. J. Rohloff, and H. O. Judd, who stated that the hedge would interfere with the outlook from their residences, and in time would block the sunshine. Cr Kitchingham said the objectors evidently thought the hedge was to be planted on the south side, but it was to be planted on the north side, and would not interfere with them. Cr Carroll’s resolution that the objectors be informed that the hedge would not be on their side of the road, was approved. Ci’ Robertson said that, when the request for permission to plant a hedge was made, it was to be only a shrubbery, a foot or two high. Cr Kitchingham stated that it was clearly explained at the time that the fence was desired to form a background, so fliat players could watch the flight of the ball. The hedge would be about six feet high. Cr Robertson remarked that, to make an effective background, the hedge would have to be about sixteen feet high! The Mayor said that if the Council got objections from the other side of the road, they would have to be considered. Meanwhile, the Reserves Committee could consider what kind of a hedge was to be planted. A DIRTY SIDING. Writing With reference to the siding in Gresson Street, the District Engineer of Railways stated that (he Council and Harbour Board agreed to the installation of the siding in 1916. Cr Kent said that the Department should keep the siding clean. The Mayor commented upon the fact that there was no revenue received from the Department for the siding, and said that the Council should at least get a peppercorn rental. “Cayenne pepper!” said Cr Robert son. , .. The Mayor: Well, you can make it hot. The Government Departments charge the Council for every little thing, and the Council must do the same. Cr Kent moved that the lown Clerk look up the arrangement made in 1916, and report to the Council, ami the resolution was approved. Cr Robertson said that the siding was mentioned because of its unsatisfactory state. It was not kept clean, with the result, that material blocked the drain, and water flooded the footpath. , _ , The Mayor said that the Depait. ment was responsible for keeping the siding clean, and thus prevent the drains being blocked. The District Railways Engineer should be, interviewed on his next visit to Greymouth. . , Cr Robertson moved that, in inc meantime, the Department be in structed to keep the siding clean, as the matter was urgent. Cr Carroll seconded the resolution, which was approved.

COAL INDUSTRY. Reporting upon the recent delegation to Wellington in connection with the slump in the coal industry, the Mayor stated that the results showed the value of getting into personal touch with Ministers. The delegation s visit was worth while. It was decided to forward letters of thanks to those extending courtesy to the delegation, and a vote ol thanks was accorded to Mr Greenslade for his services. The Mayor suggested that the teachers at the various schools might be interested in the matter, and give the children lectures on New Zealand coal, thus giving some idea of the importance of the industry, the quality of New Zealand coal, as compared with the best Australian coal, and generally inculcate a desire to use the New Zealand product. Several councillors supported the idea, and Cr. Robertson said lie was sure the mine-owners would be glad to have the older pupils shown through the mines. On the resolution of Cr. Kent, seconded by Cr. Robertson, it was decided that the suggestion be submitted to the authorities at all the local schools. Cr. Robertson: They tell them more about frogs and snails than about something educational! Cr. McGinley suggested that information about the coal industry could be inoluded in the “School Journal, and this idea was incorporated in the resolution. Cr. Williams declared that the business people also needed “stirring up. The Mayor said that a Coal Protection League, to include technical experts, might be formed, to follow up the interests of the industry. Cr. Williams suggested a West Coast Products League. The Mayor (misunderstanding): Don’t mention another Progress League. I had to pay up for one! Cr. Williams: Products, not progress.

MUNICIPAL ABATTOIR

The report of the abattoir manager stated that the fees for September totalled £74 3/3, the following stock being dealt with:—Cows 17, bullocks 104, sheep 387, pigs 11, calves 19. One cow and one bullock condemned. Figures received from the New Zealand Refrigerating Co. showed that the following carcases were sent to Greymouth during August: Sheep 931, lambs 33, cattle 45§, calves 5, pigs 22. Cr. Robertson: Better close the abattoir, I think! z Cr. Carroll pointed out that more than double the number of carcases came from Canterbury, compared with the number handled at the abattoir. Under the circumstances, the Council should not require the same staff at the abattoirs. The matter should be investigated, and he moved to that effect, the resolution being seconded by Cr. Williams, and approved.

ENGINEER’S REPORT

The following report was submitted by the Engineer (Mr A. J. Fairmaid): Streets. —Maintenance work has been attended to as required. The

footpath in front of the Post Office in Tainui and Guinness Streets has been asphalt patched, and a coat of tar and sand applied from the intersection of Mackay and Tainui Streets to the Guinness Street entrance to the P. and T. yard. In Mackay Street, in front of Central Chambers, a length of concrete kerbing has been put in, footpath asphalted in conformity therewith, and a coat of tar and sand applied here and on the Albert Street frontage footpath to Mawhera Quay. Part, of Paroa Road, northward from Chesterfield Street lias hud maintenance coat of tar sealing. Further work will be done here as soon as weather conditions are favourable. Fino shingle has been placed in Cowper Street in readiness for the application of the second coat tar sealing. The first coat was applied some months ago and the second coat is now due. Fine shingle top dressing has been applied to the following roadways, namely:—Murray, Alexander Chapel. Brunner and Boundary Streets, Marsden and Omoto Roads. Formation of the new roadway extension on the Town Belt North has been completed, and the culvert required has been put in. The work of widening Omoto Road has had to be discontinued on account of the Government subsidy on the work hav ing become absorbed. Application has been lodged for a further subsidy io enable the section of work undertaken to be completed. During the recent wet weather slips came down, as expected, in the place where trouble has been experienced for many years, but the added width of road now provided obviated any dislocation of traffic.

Bridges. —Both Cowper and Arney Street bridges have required the renewal of some deck planks during the past week. Waterworks. — During the four weeks ended the 21st inst, the reservoir was kept full with an average daily pump run of 7J hours, the average maximum water pressure in town during the same period being 911bs. per square inch. Preparatory to commencing tlio laying of th? four-inch main in Nelson Street and part of Milton Road, the connection and valve have been fitted to the main in Paroa Road. One water connection has been made during the period. Drainage. —A six-inch pipe drain has been continued across the recently acquired widening in Palmerston Street at Marsden Road corner. A sewer connection has been laid in High Street, one relaid, on account of damage in Thomson Street, and a blocked sewer between Shakespeare and Palmerston Streets, southwards from Buccleugh Street, has been cleared.

General.—The drainage which formerly came from the inside of Vic toria Park into the old Tidal Channel in Boundary Street has been diverted by the Park authorities and the filling up of the former tidal area in Boundary Street is now within a month or two of completion. Unless unforseen difficulties rise, the last trace of the tidal area will he removed before Christmas.

Reference was made to the unsatisfactory condition of the road leading from Boundary Street to Blaketown. ami the Mayor moved that the Works Committee visit Blaketown with a view to ascertaining what improvements can be made to roads and lootpaths with the amount of money available. One footpath, he said, was the worst lie knew of in the borough. The resolution was seconded by Cr Robertson and approved. Cr Williams said that Blaketown was not the only place ■ requiring attention. Something should be done in Smith Street, particularly with regard to Ihe formation of a turning place for motor vehicles. The matter was referred to the Works Committee ami the engineer. It was decided to paint the fence white on the Shakespeare Street bridge, a resolution for the removal of tho’ fence being defeated. It was also decided, on the suggestion of Cr Kitchingham. to investigate the prospect of widening the road at the Franklin Street end of the bridge, with a view to making it safer ror traffic. . , , The engineer’s report was adopted.

OMOTO ROAD SLIP-

The Mayor stated that the Councillors knew what had transpired at Omoto Road, and Cr. Carroll asked for a statement from the engineer. Mr Fairmaid said that the slip which occurred on Wednesday blocked the road for a distance of about one chain. It would be a week, at any rate, before the road was clear, ami longer before the slip was completely removed. He estimated the debris at one thousand yards, and the cost ot its removal at about I’2oo. He liai inspected the top, and so far there was no appearance of any more debris coming down, but one could not say definitely as to that. Water was still coming down from the spring. The clearing of the debris was being done by the Council’s staff and drays. Cr. Robertson asked if it would not be wise to approach the Highways Board for a grant. If that were secured, work could be provided for some- of the unemployed. The Mayor said that a subsidy of £2 for £1 was previously applied for. Small slips were expected, and the subsidv was to be devoted to the removal’of debris and the completion ot the work of widening the road. Telegrams had that day been sent by him to the Minister of Public Works and the Chairman of the Highways Board, asking for a special grant, in connection with flic big slip, and also that the District Engineer be instructed to report. Mr. J. O’Brien, M.P., had been asked to assist in securing a grant. Cr. Kent said that the position was extraordinary, and a grant should be

made. The Mayor’s action was endorsed. He said that no good would be done by further discussing the matter at that meeting. Cr. Williams said that the slip was unfortunate, but the matter was' not so grave as some people thought. The extra expenditure would not all be lost, as the road would be improved. Cr. Kent: The point is that we have not. got the money. Cr. McGinley said he had known the Omoto country for years, and his personal opinion was that if they interfered with the place, "they would have the whole hill down, reservior and all.” He asked if the engineer intended to take away the toe of the hill. Mr. Fairmaid said that further work was intended.

Cr. McGinley: I think the Council ought to stop you from doing it! It is a waste of public money, the whole lot of it. It will only give another eighteen inches or two feet of road. How much has it cost us already? I

suppose, by the time we clear the slip, it will cost the best part of £5OO. The Mayor replied that the work had cost the Council £l5O, and the Government subsidy of £l5O had also been spent. Cr. McGinley: I think that, it we don’t stop the engineer from doing any more work, the ratepayers will have to take a hand in it. The Mayor said that it was no good speaking too strongly about the inattei at present. The Council agreed to certain work being carried out, at the request of the Automobile Association, Jockey Club, and Highways Board, who wanted the road widened. The Council agreed to the work being gone on with, although there might have been a divergence of ideas. Now. grave difficulty had occurred, and he thought they should get their engineer to have a conference with the County and Public Works engineers, and get a general indication of what course should be pursued with regard to further work. A joint report could be submitted to the Council. He felt, like Cr. McGinley, that they had to work carefully in that country, which was really a “greasy back.” Cr. Kitchingham: Was not the work approved by the Public Works Department? “Yes,” replied the Mayor.

Cr. McGinley: I should not take any more of that work on. The reservoir has a big weight behind it. The Mayor said that the question of any further work would come before the Council before it was proceeded with.

FINANCE COMMITTEE O.

Recommendations as follow were submitted by the Finance Committee: That accounts amounting to £775/7/-. be passed for payment and accounts amounting to £4,521/19/9, paid since last meeting be approved. That the Treasurer, Mr. F. 11. Denton’s reports be received and adopted. That the report of the Gas Manager, Mr. J. Kennedy, regarding Gas Department matters be received and adopted. That in connection with the application of Messrs Dalgety and Coy. Ltd., for permission to use the abattoir yards for the purpose of holding stock sales, auctioneers operating in this district be allowed to use the yard for such purpose, the Council to receive (id per head for cattle and Id for sheep sold until such lime as the Council is called upon to spend money for alterations when the charges can be reviewed. The General Committee to go into the matter of installing pens and confer with the auctioneers regarding same. That in connection with the application of the Grey Hospital Boaid for a reduction in the price charged "or water by meter, the Board be informed that in view .of tin- large amount of money the Council proposes to expend on the improvement of the water supply, it cannot consider a reduction, That in connection with the culvert on Chesterman Creek on the Kilgour estate, Messrs Guinness and Kitchiugham, solicitors for the estate, be informed of the Council’s requirements as embodietUin the Borough Engineer's report, and also that lhe conditions with regard to the new street will be the same as those imposed in connection with Messrs Duncan Me Lean’s subdivision in Milton Road. That, in connection with the extension of the road on the Town Belt North to give access to Sinnot t. Road and Mi. B. Tindale’s property, the work to be carried out on the same basis as that to give access to Mr. M. Molan s pioperty, the chairman of the Works Committee and the Borough Engineer to go into the matter and finalise same with Mr. Tindale. That regarding the proposal to instal meters on premises where large quantities 01. water aie used in order to prevent wastage, the Engineer enquire what is done in other towns, and in the meantime four meters now in hand be installed as an experiment. The Engineer to enquire also as to the life of a water meter. That with reference to the communication from Messrs Guinness and Kitchingham. solicitors, on behalf of Mr. T. G. Kitchiugham, regarding the drain through Sections 2 and 3, Reserve 113. Shakespeare Street, he be informed of the cost of piping the drain and asked what he is prepared to contribute towards lhe cost of same. That the question of the erection of a retaining wall fronting part of R. Heffernan s section. Lot 1 Section 186 A. Bock 33, Alexander Street, be referred to the Borough Solicitor to ascertain the Council’s position in the matter. That the head offices of the Australian Mutual Provident Society and the Government Life Assurance Department be asked to verify the figure supplied by their local branches in connection with the Council’s proposed superannuation scheme for Borough employees. That the ac-i tion of the Mayor in granting the use of the Committee Room to the Women’s Institute, be endorsed. That the West Coast Radio Club be granted the use of the Committee Room in the Town Hall for two meetings a month at 7/6 per month. That the unemployed relief works at Omoto be continued until Saturday next, September 20, and if the subsidy is forthcoming, the work to be completed at a. cost not exceeding £4O to the Borough in excess of the C 149 already spent. That the Town Clerk prepare a schedule of office salaries and increases since March 31, 1927. That vacant sections in Blaketown comprising part of Municipal Reserve be put up for auction and a proviso made that, every lessee shall erect a building of a value of not less than £l5O within twelve months from date of commencement of the lease. The term of lease to be 21 years with right of renewal. That in connection with the Greymouth Harbour Board’s proposed subdivision in Robinson and Doyle Street South the Borough requirements as regards reading shall consist of concrete kerbing and channelling both sides, gravelling of footpaths 10ft each in width and gravelling of roadway 18 feet in width, finished level of footpath to be genetally not above the level of the adjoining sections, provided that the concrete kerbing and channelling and gravelling of footpath on the western side of Doyle Street, shall not be required until such time as subdivision of the side referred to is carried out and that the Mayor be empowered to convey the foregoing to the Harbour Board.

TOWN-PLANNING COMMITTEE. The Town-Planning Committee recommended that Mr S. B. Whites plan of subdivision of a section in Lydia Street, bo consented to; that tlio Council signify its willingness to consent to Mrs E. A. Kettle s proposed subdivision, subject to the condition that no building be erected on that portion of Lot 1 measuring GGft x 66ft. Tho recommendations were adopted.