GREY BOROUGH COUNCIL

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 August 1935, Page 5

GREY BOROUGH COUNCIL

LAST EVENING’S MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Greymouth Borough. Council, held last evening, was attended by the Mayor (Mr. W. Meldrum), Crs. A. 11. McKane, -R. J. Williams, J. McGinley, F. F. Boustridge, A. M. Carroll, A. 11. Paterson, C. Neville, and J. B. Kent. T. P. O’Donnell and W. C. O’Donnell wrote requesting the provision of access to their sections facing Spring Street, Greymouth, as they intended to build on them.—Referred to the Works-Committee,.for report. The Ngahere branch of the Farmers’ Union requested the Council to support a.proposal to provide a stock route at the back of-the railway station, Greymouth.-r-Referred to the Works Committee, and the Engineer, to investigate as to best route. Mr J. O’Brien, M.P., advised that he and Mr. P. C. Webb, MiP., would support the Runanga Borough Council re- , garding tar-sealing and deviation of the main highway through Runanga. The Greymouth Wesleyan Church ; Board forwarded a protest against the proposal to erect a public convenience j near the Tainui Street railway cross- J ing. The Mayor said that the «Fire 1 Board had. strongly objected to the i site being used. With two objections f it did not seem to him that the Coun- j 3il could go much further in the mat- J ;er.

The District .Public Trustee, Greymouth, advised that the Council’s offer, of £l5OO for the Water Walk sections in the estate of C.-L. Morice had been referred to the Public Trustee, Wellington. A later communication stated that a deposit of £lOO would be accepted, the'balance to be paid in

four .years, with interest at 5 per cent. —The offer was confirmed, and the terms accepted, subject to the approval of the Minister.

Messrs Guinness and Kitchingham

forwarded subdivisional plan of Lots 1 to 14 of Lot 9, part Section 151, Block 4, Cobden (McNeil) for approval.—Granted.

The Grey Automobile -Association applied for the use of the Karoro sports ground, as a camping ground for motorists. The Karoro Sports Club advised that the club had no objection to the use of the area as a camping ground.—Refereed to the Abattoir Committee. On behalf of the United Mine Work- 1 ers of New Zealand, the Secretary, A. McLagan, of Brunner, wrote asking the Council to be represented on a deputation, regarding the placing of a duty on coal imported, and requesting that no new coal-mining leases be issued during the present state of the industry. On the motion of Cr. Kent, it was decided that the Council should support the proposal, and, if necessary, send a representative with the deputation. The appointment of a delegate was held - over until a later meeting. Cr. Paterson -dissented, on the ground that tariffs constituted an economic evil, and should not be perpetuated. ■Permission to erect a dwelling in Marsden Road was granted to G. L. Schaef.

The opinion of the Municipal Association was received, regarding the drainage and sewerage of new subdivisions. The Mayor stated there was no need to read the lengthy document at the meeting. They could “read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest” it. The Greymouth Fire Board wrote with reference to the ‘framing of a by-law to provide -for the attendance of a fireman .at places of amusement. It was stated that, in othei' centres, the picture proprietors paid for such attendance.—lt. was decided that the matter be considered when the new bylaws are being drafted. The Greymouth .Harbour Board wrote stating that their Engineer would confer with ithe Borough Engineer, regarding the proposed public convenience under the wharf.

The Urban Farm Lands Rating List was Ireferred to the Mayor and Town Clerk, to interview the valuator. The Mayor stated that a number of ob-l jections to the valuations had been re- : ceived. Messrs Guinness and Kitchingham forwarded subdivisional plan of property in Chapel, Hill and Moss Streets, on behalf of J. E. Williams and T. Coll, for approval.—Referred, to the Town-Planning Committee, for a report. .

A.petition from G. A. Webster and 41 others requested that the terminus of motor-buses , from Blackball, Brunner, Dunollie, and Runanga be the -railway station, in order that business people in the upper part of the -town would get a fair share of the country trade. —Referred to the Traffic Committee, for a report.

ENGINEER’S REPORT. The engineer’ (Mr. A. J. Fairmaid) reported as follows: — Streets: First attention has been given to the patching of the sealed streets, the drier weather experienced having facilitated the work. The road on the Town Belt North, from the bend to the top of Russell’s Hill to Spring Street, which was formed a few years ago, but not metalled, has been trimmed up and metalled in order to permit of the cartage of materials to a house in course of erection at -the corner of Spring Street. The formation of Byron Street between Shakespeare and Nelson Streets has been completed, a footpath having been formed on the eastern but not on the western side. Metalling is in hand. As opportunity offers, the cutting on the top of Easson’s Hill, Alexander Street, is being widened, the spoil being used to fill depressions on the left bank of Sawyer's Creek between Franklin and High Streets. Concrete kerbing and channelling has been completed on the western side of Shakespeare Street between Franklin and Buccleugh Streets. On the eastern side of the same street between Kilgour Road and Winnie Street, the concrete kerbing has been completed and the channelling is in hand. In Lord Street, on the eastern side, the channel has been concreted from the vicinity of the Opera House to Grogan Lane, where a sump has been put in to remove tho stormwater. In accordance with an agreement entered into, the footpath in Mackay Street in front of Messrs. Duncan McLean’s new premises and the Regent Theatre is being laid down in concrete slabs as these are made and be come available. In Clifford Street, between Bright and Peel Streets, the old wooden footbridge over Range Creek has been replaced by n reinforced concrete bridge having wooden hand-rails, which have, so far. been primed, but are later to bo painted white. The ro-forrnation of Sturge Street east of Bright Street is nearing completion. Drainage: The drive on the discharge end of the sewer under the wharf al Johnston Street is progressing slowly, on account of the necessarily intermittent nature of the work. The drive is now in 16 feet and a further four feet, is required to complete the work, so far as can be ascertained at present. The country is heavy and close timbering is required. A manhole at the intersection of Albert and

Guinness Streets has been renewed, the opportunity having been taken to carry out this work while Guinness Street is under repair. The open drains in the Marsden Road area are being cleaned out. A sewer connection has been put in in Herbert Street.

Waterworks: The reservoir has been kept full with an average daily pump run of 8$ hours. Five new water connections have been made during the month. The pipes for the extension of the new town main along Tainui Street have, been delivered, but the special pipes have not yet come to hand. When these arrive a start may be made upon the laying of the extension. \ -

General: Work is proceeding upon the trimming of the right hand bank of Sawver’s Creek upstream, from Shakespeare Street bridge to the angle in Winnie Street. The report was adopted. WORKS COMMITTEE.

The Works Committee met on July -24, there being present Crs. Williams (chairman), McGinley, Boustridge, Carroll and McKane. An apology for absence was received from the Mayor. Visits were paid as follow: —Borough horse paddock, Boundary Street; Sea Beach opposite Flower Street, Blaketown; Blake and Doyle Streets; Intersection Shakespeare and Alexander Streets; intersection Cowper and.Brunner Streets; Clifford and Sturge Streets, Cobden. The Committee’s recommendations are as follow: (1)‘ That the Borough Engineer take steps to obviate the accumulation of storm water in the horse paddock, Boundary Street. (2) That the matter of the possibility of damage arising as a result of heavy seas overtopping the crest of the beach opposite the western end of Flower Street be referred to the Greymouth Harbour Board. (3) That with reference to the formation of a footpath along the frontage of Rewa Hospital, no action be taken. (4) That with reference to the bad state of the footpath on the eastern side of Cowper Street at its intersection with Brunner Street, , the work be placed at the bottom of the list of footpath works enumerated on the schedule of works dated June 6 last.

The report was adopted. In reply to Cr. Kent, the Engineer stated that improvements were being made in Leonard Street, to facilitate the getaway of storm-water. Cr. Kent asked why only one side of Franklin Street had been kerbed and channelled. It was not economic to run away from one job and start another.

Cr. McGinley said that when the drainage wo-yk -was in progress, it would have been waste of money to do the kerbing and channelling. The matter had since been overlooked. On his . motion, it was placed on 4he list. Cr. Carroll dissented, on the ground that the programme drawn up by the Works Committee should not be interfered with.

RESERVES COMMITTEE. The Reserves Committee, which met on July 31, reported that visits were paid to Mr Earl’s section at the corner of Coakley and Blake Streets; Mr Poschich’s residence at the corner of Herbert and Guinness Streets; Part M.R. 51 on the south side of Chesterfield Street; section 10 at the corner of Perotti Street and Kilgour Road; Baths; reserve (now named Tainui Park) opposite the southern end of Cobden Bridge. The Committee’s recommendations are as follow: —That Mr Earl’s application for the subdivisiono f part section 16 at the corner of Coakley and Blake Streets be not entertained. That Mr Poschich’s application to erect a verandah enclosure at his back door be not entertained, but that he be permitted to erect a small porch over the door as outlined by the Borough engineer. Concerning the proposed transfer of the lease of part of M.R. 51 on the south side of Chesterfield Street from R. Gibbens to J. S. Howson, after full enquiry the Committee recommend that the paddocks be resumed by the Borough Council, Mr Gibbens to be compensated for improvements. That Mr Rathbun be granted a permit to erect a garage on section 10 at the corner of Kilgour Road and Perotti Street, subject to the condition that the front of the same be not closer to the street or building line than the average distance of the houses on that side of Perotti Street are from tho same line. That the cubicle at the south-eastern corner of the baths enclosure be fited up as a public convenience, with access thereto from outside the enclosure, control of the convenience to be in the hands of the Superintendent of Reserves. That the application of J. A. Hart for a permit to erect a garage in wood and iron, at the rear of Ross and Glendining’s premises, Mackay Street, be refused.

The report was adopted. Cr. Kent congratulated the Mayor and Deputy-Mayor (Cr. McKane) on the excellent arrangements made for the observance of Arbor Day. Tho application of J. McCaffrey for permission to erect a garage in Leonard Street was granted, provided that tho garage is not used as a repairshop, and subject to the demolition of an old building now on the site. The application of S. W. Strong, for a provisional permit for a garage on his section in Winnie Street, pending Illling-in at the back of the section, was referred to the Town-Planning Committee for a report.

FINANCE COMMITTEE. The Finance Committee, which met on July 18, submitted the following recommendations: That, accounts paid since last meeting amounting to £1942 13/7, be approved, and accounts amounting to £1369 9/1, as certified to, be passed for payment. That in connection with a request from the Greymouth Branch of the Unemployed Workers’ Union, that the Council consider the question of payment of award rates to unemployed, the matter to be held over until after the estimates are considered. The (’hairmaii read a let ter from the Unemployed Workers' Union, suggesting methods by which award rates could be paid, and Mr. J. O’Brien. M.P.. and .Mr. W. Wallwmk. secretary of the Union, spoke on the matter. The letter was received ami the chairman thanked Messrs O'Brien and Wallwork for placing the matter before the Committee. That Miss M. Donovan, late clerk at the Municipal Gas Office. he granted four weeks' leave of absence on full pay. That the matter of replying to a letter from the British Empire (.’amor Campaign Society, Christchurch. in connection with tin- King's Jubilee Gilt Fund for Cancer Research in New Zealand, be left in the hands of th.- Mayor ami the Town Fieri:. That Messrs T. I’. O'Donnell mid W. (’. O'Donnell. Murray Street, be granted permission to use explosives for blasting rock on Section 343. Spring Street, owned by them, provided same is approved by the Borough Engineer ami conditionally upon a certificated shot-firer being employed by them. That an increase of 5/- per week wages be granted to J. Rose, assistant to the Supcrinten-

dent of Reserves. That an application from J. Conaghan to be placed on the general maintenance staff of the Borough, be filed for reference. That an application from L. J. Courtney, Gas Works staff, for an increase of salary be referred to the Gas Works Committee to report on. That an enquiry from the Controller and Auditor-Gen-eral. Wellington, regarding the nonfunding of the Depreciation Reserve of the gas works undertaking for the

year ended March 31, 1934, be left in the hands of the Mayor and Town Clerk to reply to. That regarding a request from the Medical Officer of

Health, Christchurch, that Messrs Leonard Young and H. Jackson be.prosecuted for breaches of Section 20 of the Djumbers’ Registration Act, 1912, a warning be issued in this instance," and they be informed that any further offence will be met with a prosecution: That, the Council purchase the sections

at Water Walk in the estate of Charles

Lloyd Morice at the,reserve price of £5OO submitted by the .District Trustee, Greymouth. That the sum of £lO be donated towards the expenses of the movement formed for the purpose of attracting tourists to ..the; South Island. That the Borough -Engineer procure an assistant at such time as he may be in,need of same. That regarding a report from the;Borough Engineer oh the drain through Mr. Drake’s property. Alexander St., (Section 181 B. Block 22, 4 Alexander Street), the Borough Solicitor’s opin-

ion on same be obtained before undertaking any work in- connection therewith. That an opinion from the Municipal Association of New Zealand, Wellington, on questions raised by the Council in regard to drainage and sewerage of new subdivisions be circulated amongst the members of the Coucil,’ and be dealt with at the next ordinary meeting of the Council. That no action be taken regarding an applica-

tion from the West Coast United Aero Club for a donation towards the cost of replacing -the aeroplane which was recently destroyed. That, if necessary, the Town Clerk be authorised to obtain clerical assistance to get out rate demands, etc. That the Borough Engineer use his~discretion with regard to the employment of men under No. 5 Scheme.

The recommendations were adopted,.

As the outcome of a special meeting of the Finance Committee, .held on July 30, the following recommendations were submitted:—That Miss E. Davison, be employed temporarily to assist fin the Borough office at a wage of £3 per week. That the Council formulate scheme to be put before .the ratepayers in connectiomwith the raising of loans for the carrying out of public -works in the Borough. That the Council provide the sum of £25, for the ./purpose of /formulating a, scheme for the general improvement of the Town Hall. That the /Borough; Engineer formulate a scheme for necessary drainage in all parts of The Borough. That the general improvement of Bright Street, Cobden, be put down as a .work for which a loan is to be raised. That Omoto Road be,improved from Cobden Bridge to tne Borough boundary. That the formation of Spring Street be added to the list of; works to be carried out under the loanscheme. That the sum of £5 5/-, be 4 donated to the King’s Jubilee Gift; Fund for cancer research in New Zea-“ land. That the Council accept a pro-, visional receipt from the Australasian Temperance and General Mutual Life Assurance Society Ltd., Melbourne, for interest due to them in respect of the' £ll,OOO Borough loan. That the provisional estimate of receipts and expenditure for the year ending March 31, 1936, be accepted. That Messrs Guinness and Kitchingham, solicitors. Greymouth, be informed that the Council has no objection to the application of William Coleman for dredging rights, which cover portion of the land on the Taylorville Road, which had been investigated with regards to its p.ssibility as an aerodrome site. That an application for employment on the maintenance staff be left, in the hands of the Mayor, the Chairman of the Works Committee, and the Borough Engineer. The recommendations were adopted.