BOROUGH COUNCIL

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 April 1932, Page 12

BOROUGH COUNCIL

LAST EVENING’S MEETING. The monthly meeting. of the Greymouth Borough Council, held last evening, was attended by the Mayor (Mr J. W. Greenslade), and Crs .1. B._ Kent, F. A. Kitchingham, R. J. Williams,-. J. McGinley, G. Perotti, J. S. Robertson, A. M. Carroll, F. B. Lawn and C. Neville. The Greymouth Harbour Board wrote, agreeing to the area bounded by Reid Street, the railway embankment, and the roadway, at Blaketown, being declared a rubbish dump. The Board advised that the matter of filling in the lagoon at Packer’s Quay, has been deferred, for consideration.

The Greymouth Fire Board advised that it requires the section on High Street for its own use, and therefore icahnot accede to the Council’s desire to erect conveniences thereon. On behalf of Mrs E. J. Dowell, proposed plan of subdivision of section fronting Devon Street, was forwarded by H. S. Nightingale, surveyor, who asked that it be approved, under Ithe hardship clause, the area being ; less than 4 per cent, under the quar-ter-acre required by the by-laws, ;Cr Kitchingham: We have been in Ahe habit of allowing 5 per cent, short. I move that the plan be approved. Cr Robertson seconded the resolu tion; which was approved. An -.td’ idstal ’a petrol pump in front- of his premises was . forwarded/ by; Ji -, McCaffrey, Central . GAt'aget<Mackay Street. On the motion of Cr Robertson, seconded by Cr Carroll, the application was granted, on the usual conditions. D. Robertson, Tainhi Street, advised that he will not now require the lease of Lot 117, D.P., 464, corner of Reid and Merrick Streets, Blaketown, recently granted to him. In connection with the land to be taken for cemetery purposes, by 4he Council, at Karoro, the Commissionei of-Crown Lands, Hokitika, w:ote stating that the Council would be advised when the amount of compensation to be claimed by the Crown, was * arrived at.

Thanks for use of the Children’s Park for a garden Fete on March 2, were received from I. Nelson, on behalf of the Methodist Church. The Mayor was also thanked for opening the fete, and the gardener (Mr Cooper) was complimented upon his work at the Park. Similar thanks were expressed by Cr Neville, in connection with the visit of the Ashburton Silver Band.

A loan of'water-pipes, to make temporary connections to their properties'in Doyle Street, Blaketown, was requested by J. G. Dixon and J. Cole. The Grey Returned Soldiers’ Association supported the request on behalf of Dixon. It was stated that the matter had been attended to. Mrs A. M. Blance, 11 Cowper Street, wrote complaining as to the condition of . the drain opposite i^er. premises, and requesting the Council to take steps to abate the nuisance. The Mayor said that the matter had refceived attention.

An application for a water pipe Jalong Doyle Street, to connect his property with the water supply, was received from E. J. Hill, who stated that about 200 feet of half-inch pipe was necessary. He \ stated that his home had recently been erected, and he is desirous of taking up imme- . diate’ residence. The Mayor said that permanent piping would cost about £2OO, but temporary arrangements could be made for £7 or £B. On the Cr Williams, seconded by Cr Kitchingham, the matter was referred to the Engineer, with power to arrange for a temporary service. Borough leases were forwarded for

approval by Messrs Hannan and Sed- ’ don, as follow: —To C. C. Sheahan, T. Sotheran, G. Regaldo, B. Cain, B. ’ Cain, P. Potts, J. Ahearn, A. Hopgood, . and P. Blanchfield. The leases were . granted, 1 subject to the approval of

the Town Clerk, and the Engineer. The West Coast Competitions Society wrote, thanking the Council for its donation of £5/5/- to the Jubilee fund.Permission to erect a garage on the property he is renting on Marsden

Road, was requested by F. Hannam,

who explained that it would be in‘convenient to erect a garage on his town section, some blocks away. Cr Kitchingham said that the matter had been held up for some time, as the proposed garage was a “terrible eyesore.” The only thing he could suggest was that it be located to the rear of the house. The neigh-

bourhood was purely residential. He .proved that .permission be given to erect the garage in a position to be approved by the Engineer. In reply tb Cr Kent, Cr Kitchingham said that the applicant started to erect the garage without a permit, and stated that he believed a permit was not necessary. It was of old timber, constructed, and would be an absolute eyesore. The fear of the Council really was that it would be used as. a shop, but that would not be done. . “He 'is a hardworking chap, and I would like to meet him ; but the Council has to take a stand to some extent,” added Cr Kitchingham. The resolution was seconded by

Cr Robertson, and approved. The secretary of the Waterside Workers’ Union (Mr. E. Hillman), wrote complaining about the condition of the main sewer outlet, under the wharf, on Richmond Quay. It was so bad sometimes, he stated, that the men were compelled to leave their work for a time. The pipe had been broken, owing to rocks being dumped on it, and it required repairing or replacing.

Cr. Kent moved, and Cr. Kitchingham seconded, that the matter be left in the hands of the Works Committee, for attention.

Cr. McGinley said that a lot of money, £l5O to £2OO, was spent there by the Council, a few years ago. When the Harbour Board staff were working at the wharf, they damage? the sewer. He agreed that the nuisance was unbearable.

Cr. Carroll: What about asking the Harbour Board to repair the damage they have done? They should bear a portion of the cost. I move that the Harbour Board be asked to assist in the repairs. The resolution was seconded by Cr. Lawn, and approved. Messrs. Hannan and Seddon forwarded a' draft of the amending by-laws. On the motion of Cr. Kitchingham, seconded by Cr. Robertson, it was decided to discuss the matter half an hour prior to the next meeting of the Finance Cr.-Williams stated that the West Coast Rugby Union desired to have improvements mado to the entrance of their new ground. The Engineer had estimated that to treat the entrance

with tan-macadam would cost £2O. Cr. Williams moved that the matter be referred to the Engineer, to carry out tho work when possible. It was poitned out that the ground was private property, and it was asked whether it was intended that the Council should do the work, and charge lhe cost to the Rugby Union. On the motion of Cr. Kent, the matwas referred to the Works Committee, with power to act. Cr. Kent drew attention to the fact hat there was no report before the meeting from tho Works Committee. He stated that the improvement, and particularly the widening of Omoto Road, was being neglected, and he wondered whether the Works Committee had forgotten about the job they started there. The widening of the road would absorb a lot of labour, and would cost nothing for material. He also stated that certain footpaths in the borough had been put down, but never top-dressed, and they were dangerous to citizens, 1 one of whom had already fallen. The Engineer explained that the work on Omoto Road was held up, pending the receipt of suitable material from the stone-crushing plant, and the footpaths referred to were in a similar position.

ENGINEER’S REPORT. The Engineer (Mr A. J- Fairmaid) reported as follows: — Streets: The re-formation of Preston Road from Swift Street to the commencement of the proposed deviation has been completed and the footpath on the north-western side has been asphalted as far as advisable until the power poles are shifted to their new location. The formation of the roadway on Upper Puketahi Street has been completed as regards access to the two lower occupiers of sections. The rough formation of Mount Street is completed and final cleaning will be proceeded with. In Buccleugh Street footpath formation and roadside trimming between Palmerston and High Streets has been completed, and like work has been attended to in Franklin Street between High and Cowper Streets- In Palmerston Street, between Marsden Road and Marlborough Street, roadsides have been trimmed- A start has been made upon the formation of the footpath and lower roadway in Paroa Road between High and Nelson Streets, and like work is proceeding in Byron Street. Chapel and Alexander Streets have been trimmed up preparatory to tarsealing- The footpath on the southwestern side of Marsden Road from Ida Street to the lower bridge has been asphalted. In Blake Street the formation of the south-western end has been completed to opposite the end of Swift Street, and a start has been made upon the formation of a footpath from the north-eastern end of Packer’s Quay to improve access to the lagoon bridge at the lower end of Gresson Street.

Waterworks: During the period the reservoir has been kept full, with an average daily pump run of eight hours, the average maximum pressure in town during the same period being BGlbs per square inch. Temporary water connections have been laid to all but one of the houses requiring service in Doyle Street and in Reid Street south.

Drainage: The sewer in Perotti Street has been completed to the intersection of the proposed sewer in Kilgour Road and the connections necessary to cut household wastes from the open drain in the former street have been made. As soon as the stormwater connection in Kilgour Road has been made, the above-mentioned open drain will be filled in. In Marlborough Street the six-inch sewer has been completed on the north-eastern side between Palmerston Street and the angle north-west thereof, and house’ connections from both sides of the street have been made, thus the open drains on both sides of the stret, along the length referred to, have been done away with. The piping of a short length of the open drain on the south-western side of the street opposite the end of Palmerston Street will be proceeded with and all open drains in this vicinity will be closed at an early date. A four-inch sewer has been laid in Shakespeare Street, south-wes.twards from the main drain serving the Milton Road area, to give connection to two new houses recently erected here- Three sewer connections have been made in Peake Lane to serve houses in course of erection there.

Reserves: Formation of the playing area in the Blaketown Reserve has been practically completed and work is about to commence on the carparking area adjacent thereto. On the Recreation Ground work is in hand to finally complete the south-western end, next to the Technical School. It. is hoped to get portion of this sown down during the coming week and the balance will follow as soon as the necessary filling can be placed in the depression at the south-eastern corner. Work is proceeding steadily and, given fine weather, another month should see the whole of the ground in grass. Relief of Unemployment: At the end of last week the men on the No. 5 Scheme roll comprised 5S two-d'ay men, 69 three-day men, and 25 fourday men, 152 in all, a reduction of 17 on the total at the end of February. The report was adopted.

GENERAL COMMITTEE The General Committee recommended that the draft by-law, as typed, regarding garages, be submitted to the Council, with a recommendation that it be adopted; that the Council be recommended to amend the Grevmouth Borough By-laws, 1903, as a whole. The report was adopted.

FINANCE COMMITTEE 1 The Finance Committee submitted the following recommendations: — That amounts amounting to £657 15/2 be paid, and that the payment of accounts amounting to £3433 7/5, which were paid since last meeting, be endorsed. That the matter of the number of letter-boxes used by the Council be referred to the Chairman of the Finance Committee and Town Clerk to with power to act. That the two financial statements prepared by the Borough Treasurer be adopted. That the sub-committee appointed for the purpose, go into the matter of outstanding revenue. That the Gas Manager’s report be adopted. That rates wrongly .charged to Mrs Emily Parfitt be refunded as per list’ submitted by the Town Clerk. That the usual holiday be granted to Miss Bignell. Librarian. That the proposed sub-division of Joyce’s estate submitted by the Public Trustee be referred to the Town-Planning Committee. That Mr. J. P. Low be granted

permission to erect a petrol pump at Union Garage, Herbert Street, under the usual conditions. That the Western Auto Coy. be granted permission to erect a sign in front of theii premises, Mackay Street, provided that same be wholly attached to building and no post be used on kerb to support same. That Mrs White- be advised that rental of section in Reid Street, Blaketown, has already been fixed by Council and cannot be altered. That all licenses under the Health Act be collected. That Cr. Kitchingham and Town Clerk be authorised to frame a By-law covering perishable articles of food. That attention of owners be drawn to the conditions of the buildings in Tainui Street, occupied by Messrs McSherry and Gilbert Bros. That attention of owners be drawn to the condition of section next to Duncan McLean’s warehouse in Richmond Quay. That the attention of the Chairman of the Railways Board be drawn to the condition of the old engine sheds, requesting him to have same removed as soon as possible. That Mr. Mcllroy be written to, requesting him to remove old verandah in front of burnt building on Mawhera Quay, next to Royal Hotel, and that the Borough Inspector report on any other such . erections. That Crs. Kent, Kitchingham, Perotti and Town Clerk be authorised to attend meeting of the District Transport Committee on behalf of the Borough. That lease of Town Hall to Mr. A. Beban be renewed at present rental except that charge for use of hall by local organisations be reduced from £5 to £3 per night. Cr. Kitchingham moved that the lease of the Town Hall be held over, pending a Parliamentary decision regarding a reduction in rents. The resolution was approved. Cr. Kent reported that Crs. Perotti. Kitchingham, and himself attended the meeting of the Transport Authority, and were successful in having included in all bus licenses, a condition that they should comply with all the Borough by-laws.

Cr. McGinley moved a vote of thanks to the delegates, which was approved. The report, as amended, was adopted.