BOROUGH COUNCIL

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 May 1936, Page 12

BOROUGH COUNCIL

LAST EVENING’S MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Greymouth Borough Council was held ast evening: present: The Mayor (Mr W. Meldrum), Crs. J. B. Kent, R, . Williams, A. H. Paterson, A. M. Carroll C Neville G. R. Harker and J. McGinley. Apologies for absence were received from Crs. F. F. Boiistndge, A. H. McKane, and R. J- Williams. The Greymouth Municipal Bani forwarded copy of its balance-sheet for the year ended March 3i, 193 b, showing assets at £ll7o, and lr ties nil* Cr. Kent moved that the Band be congratulated on 'its position. r. Carroll seconded the resolution, and it was approved. M Minehan, .Cobden, wrote requesting that the Council place, the sections owned by him on the Urban Farm Lands Rating List.—Referred to the committee dealing with the list. A request was received from the Greymouth Fire Board, that the Council proceed with the water 'reticulation of Cobden, as soon as possible. In the absence of an efficient water-supply, the Brigade waS practically helpless to deal with hies. As soon- as a’ water-supply' 'was provided, the Board would provide the necessary 1 fire-fighting equipment.— The letter was received, it being stated that the work would be done as soon as the loan money could be raised. Ivan Quinney applied for the lease of Section 6, M.R. 51, Preston Road.— It was decided to reply that the section must be put up at auction, in the usual way. The Grey County Engineer wrote requesting that the Council suppoit the County Council’s advocacy of a road from Maruia. via the Upper Grey, to Haupiri, to enable the people of the Grey County and interior boroughs to obtain some advantages fiom the construction of the road from Canterbury to the West Coast, via the Lewis Pass. The Maruia-Haupiri Road and bridges will cost about £40,000 and will open up for settlement a considerable area of suitable land. It will provide a shorter route to the Lewis Pass from places south of Ahaura than via Reefton. The Mayor said that he had discussed the matter with the County Engineer. He moved that a letter be sent to the Minister, supporting the application of the County Council, for a grant of the necessary money. The resolution was seconded by Cr. Carroll, and approved. The Greymouth Fire Board forwarded’ levy and estimate for expenditure for the year ending March 31, 1937. The estimated expenditure amounts to £lO5O/15/-, and the levy on the Council to £495, the balance being provided by the insurance companies (£495), and the Government (£6O/15/-).—The Town Clerk (Mr F. H. Denton) said that the levy was the same as last year, and it was approved. H. S. Nightingale forwarded sub-: divisional plan, on behalf of B. Tindale, of four sections adjoining Devon Street, added’ to plan already approved, for consent. —Granted. B. Tindale. Shakespeare Street, requested permission to deposit plan before the road on his subdivision is completed, in order that purchasers of sections may obtain their titles. The applicant stated that he was prepared to enter into a bond. On the motion of Cr. Kent, seconded by Cr. Paterson, permission was granted, on condition that the applicant entered into a bond of £l5O, with one approved surety, to complete the work necessary for the dedication of the road. Mr Tindale was present at the meeting, and signified his acceptance of the condition. W. Meates wrote, complaining about the unkempt condition of Eldon Lane, and the flooding of his section by storm-water, due to blocked watertables and sumps.—The Engineer was 1 authorised to remedy the trouble. 1 Messrs Joyce and Brosnan forwarded memorandum of transfer of Lot 7, D.P. 719, M.R. 198, A. L. Gibson to D. 1 W. Morgan, for consent.—Granted. Messrs Guinness and Kitchingham forwarded memorandum of lease, which includes a grant of right-of-way, A. ,G. Holder to Norman Hodg- ( kiss, for consent.—Granted. ! Thomas Coll applied for permission 1 to erect a garage on Section 8, Moss ( Street, owned by him. —The Engineer ( explained that the garage would be 1 right on the building line. The matter £ was referred to the Town-Planning Committee, for a report. 1 Messrs Hannan and Seddon for- c warded memorandum of transfer of 1 part Section 270, Cobden, Emma ' Hornsby, to Thomas Hornsby.—Approved. Messrs Guinness and Kitchingham I forwarded memorandum of transfer, D. McGirr to M. M. O’Boyle, for con- s sent to subdivision.—Referred to the c Engineer, for a report, to the next " meeting of the Finance Committee. ‘

BASKETBALL COURTS. The West Coast Basketball Association requested the use of part of the northern end of the Recreation Ground, adjacent to the croquet lawns, to lay down two asphalt courts. Cr Neville said that the ground applied for had already been granted to the United Tennis Club, a few years ago. In any case, there was only room for one court, running east and west. Because the Council had led the Tennis Club to believe that there would be a lane parallel with the courts, the club had done nothing with the other ground. It was quite likely that some arrangement could be made between the Tennis Club and the Basketball Association, for the playing of basketball in winter and tennis in summer, on the same courts. The Council could not grant the ground to the Association, as it had already been given to the Tennis Club. If the plan he suggested was not workable, no doubt some other ground could be found for the Basketball Association. lie moved that the matter be referred to the Reserves Committee. In seconding the resolution, Cr Kent said that if the Tennis Club was in earnest about helping the girls, he could not see any reason why they should not use the tennis court in winter. It would show that the Tennis Club meant what it said. There were too few grounds at Greymouth Basketball had come to stay, and was quite a fine game for the girls. Anything that could be done to help them should be done. He did not like to see one code barring another. 1 “We are not barring them!” protested Cr Neville. 1 Cr Kent said he thought some ar- ' rangement could be arrived at. The 1 resolution was approved, 1

.SALVATION ARMY LOCATION.

Major O. Ransom wrote asking for the Council’s permission for the Salvation Army to hold their open-air meetings on Friday evenings, in Mackay Street, near the offices of the Union Steam Ship Co., instead of in Boundary Street. The reason given for the request was that there are so few people in Boundary Street on Friday evenings. The Mayor said that the Traffic Inspector objected to the proposed site in Mackay Street. Cr Paterson moved, and Cr Neville seconded, that the matter bp referred to the Traffic. Committee. Cr Kent said that he knew, and the Traffic Committee knew, that the present position was dangerous, but the Army had stood there for so long that the’ committee did not feel disposed to order them away fiom it. However, the Salvation Army themselves now sought another posi tion. The traffic in Mackay Street was very congested, it being one of the main shopping areas. The Traffic Inspector agreed with the speaker, that the Traffic Committee could scarcely recommend the Mackay Street proposal. At the same time, they wanted the Army removed from Boundary Street. Cr. Kent suggested, that, a suitable location would be the western side of Tarapuhi Stieet, near its junc ti on» with Ma oka y. Stre e t, and the Traffic Inspector hgi'eed that that would be-far-less dangerous. The Council had no wish to put the Aimy off the street altogether, and some place would have to be found. He moved as an amendment that the Tarapuhi-Mackay Streets site be given a trial. There was not the same amount of traffic there. Cr Carroll seconded the amendment. The Mayor asked whether it would not be as well to refer the matter to the Traffic Committee, to confer with the Traffic Inspector, and Major Ransom. , . , „ Cr Kent said he could not think ot any other place, “unless you put them out. in the Recreation Ground!” The amendment was lost, those supporting it being Crs. Kent, Carroll, and McGinley. The resolution was carried, on the voices.

LOANS IN VICTORIA. The Australasian Temperance and General Mutual Life Assurance Society, Ltd., wrote with reference to Borough loans domiciled in Victoria, asking whether it is intended to proceed with an appeal to the Privy Council. Cr Carroll said that the Council had decided not to support the appeal- i The Mayor said that a number of local bodies wished to carry the appeal to the Privy Council. The Greymouth Borough Council had decided not to pay anything towards the cost of the appeal, on the ground that the New Zealand Judges were unanimous in their decision, and it looked as if the cost of an appeal to the Privy Council would be entirely wasted. It would not affect the Council, unless the appeal succeeded. There was no doubt that the Society was legally entitled to receive interest on the unpaid interest. The Council had not paid the full amount, as originally arranged. They deducted 20 per cent, which, had they been resident in Victoria,- they would have been entitled to deduct.

Cr Carroll: They are apparently going to charge us compound interest on that.

The Mayor: On what is unpaid. Five per cent, is the statutory rate, and they are legally entitled to charge that on unpaid interest. Cr Carroll asked whether the Council intended to pay the interest until the appeal was decided. They would have to do that, replied the Mayor. Cr Carroll said they could get over (he difficulty by paying the unpaid portion. The Mayor pointed out that, if the appeal were granted, the Council would probably lose any payment made in the meantime. It might be six months before the appeal was decided. lie moved that the letter be received. Cr Carroll seconded the resolution, and it was approved. I . BLAKETOWN LAGOON. The Municipal Association forwarded an opinion in regard to the drainage of the.small Blaketown lagoon, between Blake Street, and Packer’s Quay. Cr Carroll said that the Council had decided to hand the whole matter over to the Harbour Board, and let the latter do the filling in.

The Mayor pointed out that the Board proposed to leave the level of the filled-in area three feet below the level of the adjoining street. It would cost twice as much to fill it up to the surrounding level.

Cr Kent said it would be as well to point out to the Board, that, if they did not fill, in the lagoon up to the street level, there would be no chance of securing the Council’s permission to erect dwellings when the area was subdivided for building purposes. It would be better to bring it up to the proper level. He moved that the Board be requested to fill in the area up to the level of the surrounding ground. Cr .Carroll said that thej’ had an alternative offer from the Board, for the Council to do portion of the street, or for the Board to do the work. It would be better for the Council to hand over the land, and let the Board do the w'ork. Unless it wore filled in to the street level, there would be no chance of getting building permits.

The Engineer said that to fill the area in to the level proposed by the Board would cost £2OO. It would cost as much again to fill it in to the street level. Cr Harker seconded 'Cr. Kent’s resolution. The Town Clerk read the letter previously sent to the Board, stating that the Council accepted the Board's suggestion, that the Council take steps to close the unformed portion of Coakley Street, and to transfer the area to the Board, conditional on the Board filling it in. The resolution, that the Board be asked to fill in the area, up to the level of Blake Street, was approved.

ENGINEER’S REPORT. The Engineer (Mr. A. J. Fairmaid) reported as follows: — The first coat maintenance tar sealing of Cowper and Turumaha Streets has been completed, the total length of the work now attended to being 66 chains. Bright Street, from IB chains northwards of Newcastle Street to 2B chains southwards of Cardwell Street has been sealed first coat on a width of 18 feet a total length of 11 chains. Perotti Street has been sealed first coat to the same width, the length of the work being 8 chains. The asphalt placed some time ago on the, hill section of Murray Street has been

sealed. The footpath in Turumaha Street between the Town Belt and Herbert Street, and the footpath in Lord Street from the Opera House to Grogan Lane have received a maintenance coat of sealing. The culvert in Struge Street having been completed, the disused drain on the northern side has been filled in, the old culvert removed, and the roadway built up to the designed cross-section. In Cardwell Street between Bright and Fox Streets the footpaths are being graded to determined levels and like work is proceeding in Ward Street southwards from Sturge Street. In Shakespeare Street, the gorse has been cleared on the western side between Marlborough and Nelson Streets and the ground prepared for keeping in order by means of the mower. In Kilgour Road, eastwards from Shakespeare Street to the angle, the roadway is in course of preparation for tar sealing next season. In Arney Street concrete kerbing has been completed on the western side for 8 chains from Gresson Street and channelling for 1.3 chains from the same point. In Bright Street on the eastern side, a commencement has been made upon concrete kerbing and channelling, the work being completed for 2 chains northwards from Cardwell Street, in the vicinity of the Memorial Bridge, and kerbing has been completed southwards from the same .point for. 11 chains. , . .Drainage: The culvert in Struge Street haa been finally completed and to discharge the flow from adjacent watertables into the culvert two sumps have been constructed on the northern side of the street, and one on the southern. Sewer connections have been put in in Buccleugh, Herbert and Tainui Streets. Waterworks: The Reservoir has kept full with an average daily pump run of 92 hours, a reduction of 21 hours as compared with the month of March. On April 6 the electrically driven pump was dismantled and new runners and guide vanes fitted. The improvement in the hours of pumping is principally due to the increased efficiency of the pump, although portion of the reduction is ascribable to seasonal variation. Whilst the electrically driven plant was under repair the stand-by gas engine driven plant operated continually for 19 hours with the exception that one engine was closed down for half an hour to attend to a warm bearing. In Marlborough Street, eastwards from Ida Street, a 4” cast iron main has been laid for 475 feet from the line of the eastern building line of that street. General: The exceptionally high gust of wind on Sunday March 29 damaged the buildings at the stable yard considerably. The road roller shed was demolished and the western end of the roof of the stables was lifted off. Repairs were effected to the roof of the stable and the remains of the roller shed were removed, the re-erec-tion of the building being unwarranted as the roller is now housed in the Gas Works Yard. A commencement has been made upon the preparation of the last purchased extension to the Karoro Cemetery for burial purposes. Available land is becoming limited in extent in the older portions. The report was adopted.

RELIEF WORKERS Cr. Kent asked whether any unemployed men had been used on standard work. The Workers’ Union intended to s'end a deputation to the Council meeting, but had left it until too late to give the required notice They had a complaint about some unemployed men being engaged on maintenance work, at the relief rate. The Engineer said that there had been no unemployed men engaged on work of that class. There had been a small disagreement over four unemployed men to whom the job was given, at fourpence per hour subsidy, of continuing the laying of the watermain in Tainui Street. The rate was brought up to the same as the Borough rate, but two of the four men were not satisfied. Cr. Kent: It was not the actual money, but the principle involved, of doing maintenance work with unemployed. The Engineer said that it was not maintenance work, as a new main was being laid down. Cr. Kent: Unemployed money was part of the payment. That is the

point. The Engineer agreed that was so. but said that the other men on the work were subsidised to half the amount of their wages Cr. McGinley said it did not matter who paid them, so long as they received the standard rate of wages, 15/4 per day, for five days per week. One of the men concerned had said that he did not mind working there with the permanent staff, but he only got two days, when he thought he would get five days. Cr. McGinley expressed the opinion that that method was wrong. Relief men should not be put on the work, unless they got the same time as the other men. It looked bad, when four of the men received ( only two days’ work in the week, compared with the five days of the other men. Cr. Kent said that the previous GoI vernment had drawn the attention I of the Council to the use of men like

that, and had said that it must not be done. The work was done now, but it should be an instruction that such a thing should not happen in future. Cr. McGinley said that the work was not completed, as the main had to be laid from High Street to Shakespeare Street He moved that the Engineer interview the Labour Department, and see whether the relief men could not be employed on the job for five days weekly. The Engineer said that would mean the expenditure of more money. Cr. McGinley replied that it would be better to push the work through, and finish it, so that they could then get on with the improvement of the The resolution was not seconded.

WORKS COMMITTEE. The Works Committee met on April 29, there being present Crs. Williams (chairman), McGinley, and Boustridge. Apologies for absence were received' from the Mayor and Cr. Carroll. Before proceeding upon a visit of inspection, the Committee considered the report presented by the Borough Engineer on the prices received for a motor footpath-roller, and the recommendation is that the quotation of Messrs John Burns and Co., Ltd., be accepted for a Ruston Diesel-engined roller at the price of £412 f.o.r. Christchurch. Visits were paid to Bright, Sturge, Ward and Cardwell Streets, Cobden, and to Lydia Street, Marlborough Street in the vicinity of the Kilgour Estate, and in the vicinity of the Joyce Estate, Cowper Street,-and the crushing plant. The recommendtitions of the Com-i

initee are as follow: —(1) That the existing light in Lydia Street be shifted northwards to the angle nearest to Winnie Street, and that a new light be erected at the southern end of the street as at present formed and dedicated. (2) That a light be erected in Marlborough Street eastwards from Ida Street, at the regular spacing from that street. (3) That the footpath in front of Oranui Private Hospital be lowered ill conformity with the roadway, provided that the owners of the property are prepared to arrange at their own cost to afford lateral support to the front of their land, after the footpath, now providing same, has been lowered. On the motion of Cr. Neville, seconded by Cr. Kent, the matter of the motor-roller was referred to the Finance Committee for consideration. With the exception of this clause, the report was adopted.

YEAR’S WORK REVIEWED

The Works Department’s annual report stated: —Major features of the past year’s work have been the extensions in the water reticulation system, including a 9-inch main in Tainui Street in extension of the 12-inch main laid from the pumping station in the previous year, and a considerable area of tar sealed roadways and footpaths. The t former work has comprised the laying.of 2400 feet of' 9 .inch- cast iron main from north of Chapel Street to south of the Town Belt North, the work just being completed as this report is being drafted. The work was proceeded with rather intermittently towrads the end of job in order to free men for tar sealing work in progress. At Thompson Street a 4-incli connection was made to the existing 4-inch main in that street and with the 9-inch main stopped off additional pressure was made available in the southern end of the town. By means of the recording pressure gauge a series of pressure readings was taken at the corner of Raleigh and High Streets and the results, as compared with those taken in February, 1935 are as follow, namely:—February, 1935, Midnight—6 a.m. 100 lbs. 8 a.m.—2 p.m. 45 lbs. February 1936, Midnight—--6 a.m. 110 lbs. 8 a.m—2 p.m. 75 lbs. It will be seen that the improvement has been considerable, but with a small connection to effect it. The tarsealing programme has comprised two coat work as follows, namely:—Winnie Street, Shakespeare St. to Kilgour Road, Kilgour Road, Winnie Street to angle east of Shakespeare Street. Blackmore Street. Murray Street to Rochefort Street. Murray Street, Blackmore Street to foot of hill. Lord Street, Opera House Corner to Gas Works Gate. Paroa Road in vicinity of Australasian Railway. Paroa Road at intersection of Nelson and Shakespeare Streets. Alexander Street, Thompson Street to north side Town Belt. Preston Road southwards from former work 11.9 chains. North Guinness Street, Tainui Street to Boundary Street. Leonard Street, Tarapuhi Street towards Boundary Street 12.5 chains. A total length of 103 chains varying in width from 18 to 46 feet. And single coat work as follows, namely:—Thompson Street, Tainui Street to Alexander Street. Town Belt North. Tainui Street eastwards for G chains. Cowper Street, Marlborough Street to Franklin Street a total length of 56 chains of an average width of 21 feet. In addition the following footpaths have received a single coat, namely: — Lower Gresson Street. Coakley Street, south side, Blake Strdet to Doyle Street. Alexander Street, east side, Chapel Street to Murray Street. Alexander Street, west side, Thompson Street to Shakespeare Street, Alexander Street to Heaphy Street. Cowper Street. Franklin Street, both sides. Cowper Street to Shakespeare St. Buccleugh Street, both sides, Cowper Street to High Street. Raleigh Street, both sides. A total length of 140 chains varying in width from 8 to 10 feet. Concrete kerbing and channelling has been proceeded with steadily throughout the year. The progress made has been as follows, namely: — Shakespeare Street, eastern side, Alexander Street to Marsden Road, 32 chains. Shakespeare Street, western side, Franklin Street to Buccleugh Street, 11 chains. Johnston Street, Richmond Quay and Boundary Street, 81 chains. A total of 511 chains. This work includes the renewal of all watertable crossings encountered, necessary alterations to storm water drainage and the construction of storm water sumps, all of which constitute considerable additions to the straight forward work of plain kerbing and channelling. Works of less magniture but of equal importance to the constant improvement of the Town may be classified as follows, namely:—ln Byron

Street, from Shakespeare Street southwards, the roadway has been widened and metalled to standard width and footpaths have been formed and metalled on both sides except between Shakespeare and Nelson Streets on the western side. A commencement has been made upon the widening of the cutting on the top of Easson’s Hill. Alexander Street. This work had to be stopped as a result of the men being transferred to the construction of the aerodrome. The southern end of Blake Street, to its intersection with Reid Street, has been formed and metalled both as to roadways and footpaths. In Swift Street the fences have been set back to the correct boundaries and, via this street and Reid Street a roadway around the western

side of the aerodrome is in course of preparation. Asphalting of footpaths has not received the attention which it was hoped ot give it but in Alexander Street the path on the eastern side was attended to between Thompson Street and the roadway on the southern side of the Town Belt North. In Preston Road, the footpath between Arney Street bridge and the Harbour Board Railway Crossing was surfaced using emulsified bitumen. Drainage: Beyond the laying of sewer connections to the street boundaries as required there has been no extension of the sewerage system except for a few short storm water connections. Repairs to sewers were mainly of a minor nature but the reconstruction of the outlet of the Johnston Street sewer under the wharf was a somewhat difficult job, the ground calling for close timbering in tunnel excavated below high water mark, thus limiting the time available for operations. Waterworks: In addition to the flinch main laid in Tainui Street, extensions to the reticulation system have been as follows, namely:—Eliza- , beth Street, Marsden Road, southwards, 260 feet of 4 inch main. Rocheford Street, Blackmore Street, east-

wards, 452 feet of 4 inch main. Sinnot Road, Mardsen Road southwards, 142 feet of 2 inch main. Cobden Area: The following streets have been reformed along standard lines, footpath .widths and depth of metal on roadways receiving atten-

tion, namely:—Sturge Street, Bright

Street to foot of hill east of Watdi Street. Fox Street, Sturge Street to Cardwell Street. In Cardwell and Ward Streets work is proceeding. Latterly particular attention has been given to the improvement of Bright i Street. Taking in hand, first, the section between Sturge and Stafford Streets, this being the section lending itself most readily to improvement, the street has now been brought.up to a suitable cross-section and longitudinal gradient from the top of the rise north of Taylor Street to the top of the rise north of Newcastle Street. Two other works merit special reference, namely:— (1) The replacement of the old wooden footbridge over Range Creek in Clifford Street between Bright and Peel Streets by a reinforced concrete platform footbridge with wooden hand rails. (2) The construction of a reinforced concrete culvert across Sturge Street eastwards from Ward Street.

Building Activity: The' past year has been one of considerable activity in the building trade and taking for the original area only the total value of the permits issued each year for the past ten years, the total value for the past year was exceeded only by the vears ended Bist March. 1927, 192 S and 1930.

The following table is an analysis of the position regarding the value of building permits for the ten yearly ended'. March; 31, J. 936;. fdr the original-area of the Borough: —

Year Total Number Total Average ended Value of Value Value Mar. 31. dwellings 1927 £50.067 34 £25,016 £736 1928 £75,155 38 £31.650 £833 1929 £42,525 38 £23,620 £622 1930 £61,774 34 £19,724 £5BO 1931 £44,661 34 £23,446 £689 1932 £20,711 25 £11,814 £473 1933 £15,920 23 £10,674 £464 1934 £24,739 42 £18.714 £445 1935 £29,403 22 £10,293 £468 1936 £48,331 54 £28.396 £526 Total 344 The following are the particulars relating to the Cobden Area since the amalgamation in October, 1934: — Year ended March 31 1935: Total Value £1692. Number of dwellings 3. Total value £1287. Average value £429. Year ended March 31, 1936: Total value £5393. Number of dwellings 9. Total value £4.805. Average value £534. Note that the figures quoted above for the year ended March 31, 1935 refer to, the period October to March inclusive only. For the whole of that year, the total value of building permits issued was £2719. Population of Borough. The 1926 Census gave the population of the constituent areas as follows: —Greymouth (original) 5628. Cobden 1154. Total 6782. The comparative figure for the 1936 Census are as follow: —Greymouth (original) 6675. Cobden 1436. Total 8111. The percentage increases in population, 1936 as compared with 1926, are as follow: Greymouth (original) 18.6 per cent. Cobden 24.4 per cent. Greater Greymouth 19.6 per cent. In 1926 a graph was prepared based upon the census figures for Greymouth since its inception as a Borough and an average rate of increase line was drawn thereon. The figures relating to last Census of the original area have been plotted and the fact is revealed that the population now is but about | 200 more than the line would have indicated.

FINANCE COMMITTEE

The Finance Committee met on April 23; present: The Mayor (Chairman), Crs. Williams, McGinley, Patterson, Boustridge, Harker, Neville, Carroll and Kent. Mr. P. Warnes, representing the Australian Mutual Provident Society and Mr. Andrews of the Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society, addressed the Council on the question of a superannuation scheme for the Borough Staff. The Council thanked Messrs Warnes and Andrews for their address. The Committee submitted the following recommendations: —That accounts amounting to £BB2/17/1, be passed for payment and accounts amounting to £4215/16/10, paid since last meeting be approved. That an application from Mrs. M. A. Quartermain, 343 Tuam Street, Christchurch, for some relief in the matter of payment of arrears of rates on her property in Arney Street, be referred to the Special Committee appointed to deal with outstanding revenue. That the Vestry of Holy Trinity! Church, Greymouth, be allowed half) rates on Section 192, Block 36, Taimii Street, Greymouth, which is being held solely for religious purposes. That no action be taken regarding an application from Bruce Culling to lease three (Sections in Preston Road adjacent to

the application of H. S. Pappe. 6 Park Lane, Timaru, for a pie-cart stand in Mackay Street That application from the Primary Schools’ Basketball Association and the West Coast Basketball Association for the use of McGinley Park for the playing of basketball be granted, and it be left to the two bodies to make arrangements in regard to fixtures, etc. That in connection with a letter from the Chief Postmaster, Greymouth, asking the Coun-| cil’s opinion of a request received by him that the striking of the Post Office j flock be discontinued each night from after 10 p.m. until after 6 a.m. he be informed that the Council does not wish to have the present arrangement altered. That Mr. W. Williamson be informed that the Council does not recognise any liability in connection with his claim for compensation for a window at the Regent Theatre, Greymouth. which it was alleged was broken during blasting operations while removing the Band Rotunda in Boundary Street. That an application from M. Brown, clerk, Gas Works Dept., for an increase of salary, be referred to the Gas Works Committee for a report. That a request from R Wilkins and eleven others, that the Council provide access to their sections on the Kilgour Estate fronting Marlborough Street, be referred to the Works Committee for a* report. That in connection with the. road dedication on Marlbbrdugh Street .frontage to part sub-section 39, the Council accept Mrs. Laing’s offer tp give the strip required for road purposes, on condition that the Council erect for her a corrugated iron fence five feet six inches in height across her section on the new boundary. That reports from the Borough Engineer regarding formation and met4lliug of Marlborough Street, Sinnot Road to Sawyer’s Creek, and on quotations received for a motor footpath roller, be referred to the Works Committee for consideration. That the Council apply to the Loans Boardfor permission to raise a loan of for improvements to the Town Hall, the loan to be for a period of 30 years at 3i per cent, per annum. The adoption of the report was moved, but Cr. Kent moved, as an amendment, that the matter of the proposed loan for Town Hall improvements be deferred until the next meeting of the Council, as three Councillors were absent. The amendment was seconded by Cr Neville, but was lost, the Mayor and Crs. Harker, Carroll and McGinley voting against it. The resolution, that the report be adopted, was approved.

JOYCE ESTATE. 5 3 The report of th© Finance Commit- ' tee contained tire following clause, • which was approved:—That regarding >’ a letter from the District Public Trustee, Greymouth, in connection with • the estate of Thomas Joyce, the Coun- ’ cil confirm the arrangement made by 1 the Works Committee with the District Public Trustee, as follows:—"It 1 was agreed by the Works Committee i and the District Public Trustee that, the Council be given an easement over ! a strip of the land connecting the new road with the existing water race, ! which runs between Joyce estate and ’ Rugby Park, to permit of the stormi water from the culvert to be installed ' at the 11.50 chain mark being dealt with, and that the Council bear its one 1 half-share of the cost of providing a closed drain from the street line to | the 1 drainage easement at the rear of I the section. The estate agrees to | provide an easement 6 feet in, width from the street line to the rear of the section. The following resolutions were moved by Cr. Kent: — (1) That thei Joyce estate contribute £lOO, and de-| dicate to the Council Section No. 42, between the end of the proposed road and Mr. Cottle’s property. (2) That I Mr. Cottle contribute £lOO towards the cost of building the road from Marlborough Street to Mr. Cot tile’s i boundary. (3) That the Council accept dedication, in its present condition of the proposed road from Marlborough Street to Mr. Cottle’s boundary, and construct the road as soon as possible. j The Engineer said that the total costi of the road, with concrete kerbing and) | channelling, would be £3OO. j Cr. Kent said that it seemed to her the only way out of what had been a[. bugbear for a. considerable time. ‘Theh Council had promised Mr. Cottle for ] years that access would be given. It would cost the Council £lOO. and they f should be well satisfied. The Mayor said he had been given to < understand that, the other parties were t willing to contributet £lOO each. c Cr. Harker seconded the resolutions, and they were approved. I

the aerodrome. That two members of the General Committee affix the seal of the Council to an agreement for the sale and purchase ot sections (Waterwalk) in the estate of Charles Lloyd Morice, forwarded by the District Public Trustee, Greymouth; That a letter from the Nelson Diocesan i Trust Board advising that the lands on which the Holy Trinity Church j and other buildings are situated are to be disposed of, possibly within the |, next six months, and the Council would be advised of the terms of ; sale when fixed, be received. That no ( action be taken in connection with ,

UNAUTHORISED EXPENDITURE. A letter from the Auditor-General called attention to the fact that the limit, of unauthorised expenditure for the year ended March 31. 1935, had! been exceeded by £2O/3/11, and asked for a refund of that amount. The Treasurer (Mr F. H. Denton) said that the unauthorised expenditure totalled £l2O/3/11. Of that, £75 was handed to the Mayor’s Fund, for the relief of distress. He suggested that the Auditor-General be requested to waive his objection, in view of the

purpose for which the money was used. The Mayor moved to that effect. If the request was refused, he pointed’ out, it would mean that the members of the Council for the year ended | March 31, 1935—thirteen, including two from Cobden —would be called I upon to refund the £2O/3/11. They J did not wish anything like that to I happen. The payment made had been | very proper, in the circumstances. It I was probable that, if the attention of j the Auditor-General was called to it. he would not press for a refund. Cr. Paterson seconded the resolution, and it was approved. The Mayor moved that the balancesheet and statement of accounts for the year ended March 31, 1935, be re< ceived and finally settled. The resolution was seconded by Cr. Kent, and approved. In reply to Cr. Carroll, Mr Denton said that the estimates for the current year were held up, until all the outstandings were written up. They must be separated from the year’s actual revenue, and that was now being done. He would endeavour to have the estimates ready for consideration at the next meeting of the Finance Committee.