GREY NOROUGH COUNCIL

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 August 1936, Page 12

GREY NOROUGH COUNCIL

LAST EVENING’S MEETING.

The monthly meeting ot the Greymouth Borough Council, held last evening, was attended by the Mayor (Mr W Meldrum), and' Crs. A. H. McKane. J. B. Kent, R. J. Williams, A. M. Carroll, J. McGinley, G. R. Harker, A. H. Paterson, F. F. Boustridge, and C. Neville. The Royal Sanitary Institute, London, wrote regarding the proposal to observe an Empire Health Week, from October 4 to 10.—The letter was received.

The Town Clerk, Petone, wrote requesting the Council to support the Petone Council’s resolution, protesting against, the increasing burden imposed on local bodies by hospital levies.—lt was decided to support the Petone Council. Mr xT. E. Y. Seddon presented a photograph of old identities to the Council, including Sir Arthur Guinness, M.P., Mr Gordon, at one time Under-Secretary for Mines; Mr Montgomery, of Reefton, engineer; Mr H. Young, of Greymouth, engineer; Mr Lord, of Greymouth, engineer; and the Rt. Hon. R. J. Seddon. —Accepted, with thanks. Cr. Harker expressed satisfaction that former residents were making gifts to the Borough, especially Mr Seddon, who had been generous in donations of plants.

The Greymoutb Harbour Board notified that' the Council’s suggestions for the filling in of the lagoon between Blake Street and Packer’s Quay could not be accepted.

Cr. McKane: What is the position of the Health authorities? The Mayor: That is for them t-o consider.

Cr. Kent: So long as they abate the nuisance, that is all they are required to do.

The Mayor said that the Health authorities could enforce the abatement of the nuisance. Messrs Hannan and Seddon forwarded memorandum of transfer, Mary Elizabeth Bellamy to William Edward Bellamy, for consent to subdivision. —Approved. J. A. Hart applied for permission to build alterations and additions in wood and iron at Harker’s tea-rooms. Mackay Street, as shown on plans submitted to the Borough Engineer.— Granted.

Co-ordinating Buyers, Ltd., Wellington, forwarded pamphlets explaining their scheme for assisting local authorities in their huying.—Filed for reference.

A complaint regarding the bad state of the road and footpath outside his premises in High Street was made by E. V. Arthur, who stated that he was losing considerable business because prospective customers would not take the risk of breaking the springs of their cars by driving in over the big depression leading to the front of his shop. He was prepared to pay the cost of two culverts, if the Council improved the footpath and road.—Referred to the Works Committee, and the Engineer, with power to act. The County Council wrote requesting the Council's support to its request to have the present highway between Reefton and Springs Junction > brought up to highway standard of widening, etc., in view of tho near completion of the road over the Lewis Pass. —It was decided to support the proposal.

Messrs Hannan and SetTdon forwarded memorandum of transfer of Lot 68, M.R. 51, R. T. Knowles to G. L. Barr, for consent; also Lot 2 of Section 47, M.R. 51, James Ahern to Francis Costello.—Granted. The Public Works Department forwarded copy of Order-in-Council, exempting portion of Moss Street from the provisions of Section 128 of the Public Works Act, 1928. Messrs Guinness and Kitchingham forwarded memorandum of transfer as regards subdivision and transfer, L. E. Lamont to J. W. Ahern and L. E. Lamont to F. Lamont, for consent. — Granted.

P. Joyce wrote requesting the Council to form the footpath in front of his residence in Marlborough Street, to give access. At present, it was necessary to proceed along the road.— Referred to the Works Committee, with power to act. Neil Morresey applied for a renewal of license to drive a public car, and for permission to ply from the stand in Mackay Streeet. He stated that he had now reached the age of 21 years. —Granted.

K. E. Balchin applied for the installation of a street light on the Town Belt, stating that the road was very dark and rough.—Referred' to the Works Committee.

G. M. Truman and seven other residents of Palmerston Street wrote suggesting that the Council should inspect the open drain in the street, stating that they were certain such an inspection would result in an immediate start being made with the piping of the drain, the present condition of which, they stated, was a menace to health. Cr. McKane said the pipes were on 1 the way. Cr. Kent said that the Council decided.' at the previous meeting that the pipes be ordered immediately. He moved that the writers be advised to that effect.

Cr. McGinley seconded the resolution, which was approved. The Engineer stated that the pipes were on order.

The West Coast Competitions Society applied for the heating of the stage and dressing rooms at the Town Hall, for the forthcoming Festival.— Approved.

On behalf of Claude Neon Lights (N.Z.) Ltd., Auckland, J. W. Johnston applied for permission to erect an electric sign on the Opera House, fronting Tainui Street.—Granted. Miss M. L. Cunliffe, librarian, applied for annual leave of absence, as from August 8, and stated that Miss Haglund is willing -to act as relieving librarian .—Approved.

A “SCRAP OF PAPER.”

Reporting on the application of P. Deere, for permission to erect three dwellings on his property at the corner of Turumaha Street and Elmer Lane, the Engineer stated 'that the area was not sufficient to permit of the erection of more than one dwelling, in compliance with the by-laws. Cr. Boustrldge moved, and Cr. McKane seconded, that a copy of the report be forwarded to the applicant.

Cr. Williams moved, as an amendment, that permission be given to erect three dwellings. The land was a bog at one time, and Mr Deere had spent over £'looo in reclamation work, and had removed what was an evesore to the town. A previous Council granted the building perinn and that should be honoured. It should be regarded as a ‘scrap of paper, as Britain did with the Germans The present Council should not mterfeie with Mr Deere’s building scheme. Cr Kent said that the previous permit had lapsed, through the effluxion of time. , .. Cr. McKane said that the permit fees were refunded. Cr. Williams said that the commitment of the previous Council should be honoured. The amendment was seconded by Cr. Carroll. Cr. McKane raised a point of order, as there was no application for a permit now before the Council. Ihe Mayor ruled that the amendment could not be accepted. Why go to the expense of having the Engineer make a survey? asked Cr. Williams.

Cr. McKane said that Mr Deere was invited to the last meeting of the f inance Committee, and he then put his case. The Engineer was, as a result. authorised to draw up a report. The Mayor said that it wood be quite open for Mr Deere, after reading lhe report, to forward an amended application to the Council, either for a permit to erect one building, or more. Ihe amendment was ruled bitt of order, and the, resolution, that a copy of the report bo supplied to Mr Deere, was approved.

HOSPITAL LEVY. The Grey Hospital Board forwarded particulars in connection with the hospital levies for the year ending March 31.’1937. as approved by the Health Department. The various proportions were as follow: —Greymouth Borough £4929 16/4, Cobden £607 6/9. Grey County £2761 11/2. Brunner Borough £737 8/3. Rttnanga Borough £321 18/4. It was stated that the Greymouth Borough levy showed a reduction of £359 18/6. compared with the previous year.

The. details of the levies are as follows, the figures for last year being given in parentheses: — Greymouth Borough Council: Rateable capital value £1,179, 695 (£1.155,539); percentage 52.68 (50.79); maintenance levy £4,743 1/1 (£4,652 2/4); capital levy £lB6 15/3 (£570 7/8). Cobden Town Board: Rateable capital value £145,395 (£149,348); percentage 6.49 (6.56); maintenance levy £584 6/7 (£6OO 17/3); capital levy £23 0/2 (£73 13/5).

Grey County Council: Rateable capital value.£'66o,Blo (£719,407); percentage 29.51 (31.62); maintenance levy £2656 18/9 (£2896 4/9); capital levy £lO4 12/5 (£355 2/-). ' Runanga Borough Council: Rateable capital value £76,958 (£74,718); percentage 3.44 (3.28); maintenance levy £309 14/5 (£3OO 8/8); capital levy £l2 3/11 (£36 16/9). Brunner Borough Council: Rateable capital value £176.549 (£176,338); percentage 7.88 (7.75); maintenance levy £709 9/6 (709 17/3); capital levy £27 18/9 (£B7 0/8). Totals: Rateable capital value £2,239,407 (£2,275,350); maintenance levy £9003 10/4 (£9159 10/3); capital levy £354 10/6 (£1123 0/6). The total reduction in the maintenance levy is £155 19/11, and the capital levy £768 10/-, a total of £924 9/11. The total levy is £9358 0/10, as fagainst £10,282 10/9 last year. CT. Boustridge said that Greymouth and Cobden, combined, formed 59.17 per cent, of the total district, and they had five representatives on the Hospital Board. It was a question whether the Council should not consider asking for further representation. Runanga and Brunner might, perhaps, be combined, as between them they represented only 11 per cent. If the percentage increased to the same extent next year, the Greymouth Borough would be entitled to ask for a further member on the Board, in order to make the apportionment more even.

Cr. Harker: We tried, a couple of years ago, but they turned it down. Cr. Boustridge: The percentage :s going up all the time. Cr. Kent said he thought that, in view of the Bill being introduced by the Minister of Internal Affairs, with a view to amalgamating local bodies, the Council would not be wise to trouble about the matter of representation on the Hospital Board at present. They would only be beating the air, and wasting their time. The tendency was to cut down the number of local bodies.

FINANCE COMMITTEE

The Finance Committee met on July 16; present: The Mayor (Chairman) and Crs Paterson, Kent. Williams, McGinley, and McKane. Apologies for absence were received from Crs Boustridge, Harker, Neville, and Carroll. The Committee’s recommendations, as follow, were adopted: That accounts amounting to £lOl5 9/3, be passed for payment, and accounts amounting to £2849/5/7 paid since last, meeting be approved. That the Department of Industries and Commerce, Tourist and Publicity, Wellington, be informed that the Council intends raising a loan for the purpose of effecting improvements to the Town Hall. That the Canterbury Progress League be informed that owing to the state of its finances the Council cannot see its way clear to make a donation to the Arthur Dudley Dobson Memorial Fund. That regarding applications from the Greymouth School Committee and the Greymouth Technical College, ior donations to their respective school libraries, they be informed that owing to the state of the Council’s finances, it cannot see its way clear to make a grant. That a circular letter from the Municipal Association of New Zealand, Wellington, regarding Section 27, Finance Act, 1935, in connection with the remission of the 10 per cent, penalty on overdue rates, be received. That as requested by the Australasian Temperance and General Mutual Life Assurance Society, Limited, Melbourne, the Council pay deferred interest on Borough Loans of £ll,OOO and £14,400, domiciled in Victoria. That an application from J. Bensen, Sturge Street, Cobden, for permission to build a. cowshed on part of Ashmore Avenue leased by him, be referred to the Reserves Committee and the Borough Engineer for a report. That regarding a letter .from Messrs Guinness and Kitchingham, solicitors, G’reymoutli, on behalf of Mr Sullivan (W.P.), stating he is prepared to surrender his lease of part Municipal Reserve 88 and 89 lying on the western side of Cowper Street and west of the right hand bank of Sawyer's Creek, for the sum of £5OO, the

matter be held, over pending perusal of the lease. That an application from R. Matheson, Milton Road, for permission to erect a garage on Lot 23 of Section 1479, Block 12, about four feet inside the footpath boundary of his section, be referred to the Reserves Committee for a. report. That regarding a letter from Messrs Hannan and Seddon, solicitors. Greymouth, advising that the claim of V. Williamson, contractor, Christchurch, for damages allegedly sustained through a plate-glass window and centre bar being broken at the Regent Theatre during blasting operations by the Council at the Band Rotunda, is barred by the provisions of Section 361 of the Municipal Corporations Act. 1933, be received, and Mr C. S. Thomas, Christchurch, solicitor for Mr Williamson, be informed to this effect. That an application from the Grey Electric Power Board for permission to erect 15 power poles on Borough Endowment Reserve No. 193, Blocks I and IV, Brunner Survey District (Aratika), be granted subject to existing rights. That the Borough Engineer s report regarding the lighting of the Municipal Bath he received and the tender of Messrs Turnbull and Jones. Ltd.. £l6/11/0, for the supply of material, be accepted. That the Borough Engineer's report, and estimate regarding the widening and sealing of Omoto Road, be received. That the Borough Engineer be instructed to confer with the Public Works Engineer regarding sloping of the batter on Russell’s Hill roadway.

ENGINEER’S REPORT. The Engineer (Mr. A. J. Fairmaid) submitted the following report: — Streets: Concrete kerbing has been constructed in Upper Chapel Street for 4.3 chains eastwards from Alexander Terrace, and the channelling along the same is in hand. In Bright Street, the kerbing has been constructed on tho eastern side from Stafford Street to Messrs. Abbie and Ramage’s Store, except where, on the southern side of Taylor Street the dry stone retaining wall is as yet uncompleted, a distance of approximately two chains. Along the kerb the channelling has been completed between Stafford and Newcastle Streets. In High Street, on the western side. a. property owner having made arrangements for three watertable crossings, the channel was put in between the same and southwards to another crossing of standard type and then continued northwards to Brunner Street, a total distance of 3.5 chains. At the intersection of the footpath on the southern side of Gresson Street, and the footpath on the western side of Arney Street, a watertable crossing has been constructed across the Arney Street channel. The dry stone wall on the eastern side of Bright Street Stafford and Taylor Streets is nearing completion, half a chain at the northern end remaining to be done, and portion of the wall yet to have another foot in height. The reformation of Fox Street from Cardwell Street southwards to the hill is in hand. In Milton Road, southwards from Nelson Street, the formation of footpaths on both sides and the trimming of the roadsides in conformity therewith is practically completed, the completion awaiting the completion of the drainage work in hand there. On the northern side of Marlborough Street eastwards for three chains from Ida Street the footpath has been grubbed and has received a light coat of metal. In the same street, between Sawyer’s Creek and Sinnott Road, stumping and clearing is well on preparatory to the formation of the street.. The new route to the southern end of the Borough, from Preston Road and Blaketown via Reid Street and the western side of the aerodrome, is open for traffic. Considerable attention and the application of some further metal will be required before "the road is in good order.

Drainage: In Milton Road, 280 feet of 9-inch and 60 feet of 6-inch concrete pipe have been laid to pick up storm water and household wastes from residences on the hillside, the necessary 4-inch pipe connections being laid" simultaneously therewith. Sewer connections have been put in in Murray and Winnie Streets. In Arney Street, adjacent to the entrance to Victoria Park, a 6-inch pipe has been laid across the roadway to the lagoon to dispose of storm water formerly accumulating there.

Waterworks: The reservoir has been kept full with an average daily pump run of 9? hours. Towards the complete water reticulation of the Kilgour Estate subdivision. 288 feet of 4-inch pipe have been laid in Marlborough Street and 342 feet in Eva Street.

General: The reconstruction of the Borough street convenience has been completed and is again available to the public. At a suitable season the outside will be painted. The Cobden Cemetery has been re-enclosed with a post and wire fence. The Railways Department having advised that several work train loads of spoil from the cuttings on the Dunollie line would be available for Borough purposes, arrangements were made for the delivery of same alongside Petrie Avenue in the vicinity of Herbert Street and the material is being shifted on to the Avenue as it is available.

WORKS COMMITTEE.

The Works Committee met on July 22; present: The Mayor, and Crs. Williams (Chairman), McGinley, Boustridge, and McKane. An apology for absence was received from Ct. Carroll. ' Visits were paid as follow: To Upper Chapel Street, where was noted the concrete kerbing and channelling in process of construction preparatory, to the improvement of the street between Alexander Terrace and Moss Street. To Kilgour Estate subdivision, where the laying of watermains and the construction of necessary storm-water drains was in progress. It was noted that the gasmains were being laid in the trenches prepared for the water-mains in order to obviate unnecessary excavation. This work had been completed in part of Marlborough Street and the work in Eva Street was in progress. In Marlborough Street between Sinnott Road and Sawyers Creek clearing and stumping preparatory to the formation of the street was well in hand. To Milton Road, south of Nelson Street, where footpath formation and the laying of storm-water and sewer drains was in progress. To the aerodrome,- where lhe metalling of the roadway round the western side was receiving attention. To Bright Street, where regrading, realignment and concrete kerbing and channelling operations were nearing completion, between Stafford and Sturge Streets, preparatory to further tar-sealing. Particu-

larly was noted tho improvement effected. by the construction of a dry stone retaining wall between Stafford and Taylor Streets on eastern side of Bright ‘ Street, thus enabling the straightening of the footpatli alignment and lite increase of the same to the standard ten feet width. A visit was paid to the corner of Peel and Blackett Streets in connection with the appeal of Mrs Gray for footpath improvements. It was noted that the footpaths in the vicinity were already an improvement upon conditions obtaining in the locality generally and the committee cannot recommend further attention here until the comprehensive improvements in progress reach the locality. Cr McGinley said that a solid footpath was needed along Blake Street south, from the school to the aerodrome, at Blaketown. The surface at present, was sand, and residents could, not get their perambulators along it. He moved that the matter be referred to the Works Committee, for a report. The resolution was seconded bv Cr Carroll, and approved.

RESERVES COMMITTEE. The Reserves and Town-Planning Committee met on July 29; present: The Mayor and Crs McKane (Chairman), Boustridge, Neville, and Harker. An apology for absence was received from Cr Kent. The following are the Committee’s recommenda lions: —Recreation Ground: That the entrance on High Street, south, be closed, and an entrance made opposite Raleigh Street. That all entrances he laid down with either asphalt or concrete and turnstiles be erected and suitable approaches and crossings made from the street. That thiee tons of lime and tons of super-phosphate be procured for topdressing of the playing areas. That lhe Reserves Superintendent be authorised to rearrange the entrance to the Swimming Bath with a view to making it more attractive. That 50 yards of filling be placed in Tainui Park to complete the lawn to the edge of the rockeries. That Mr F. Castle’s application for lease of part M.R., adjoining his section, North Beach, Cobden, be granted, year to year lease, at a rental of £l/10/- per annum, under the usual conditions covering such leases.