RUNANGA BOROUGH COUNCIL

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 July 1939, Page 3

RUNANGA BOROUGH COUNCIL

FORTNIGHTLY MEETING. The Mayor (Mr. R. McTaggart) presided at last evening’s meeting of the Runanga Borough Council; also present were Crs. F. Oakley, E. Kennedy, Y. Rutherford, S. Morris and G. English. The Town Clerk (Miss E. Davison). and the Waterworks Engineer (Mr. S. Stevens) were in attendance. The engineer’s report on the progress of the water-supply scheme was approved. ..... At the suggestion of the engineer, it was decided that a borough workman be detailed to accompany the contractors to familiarise himself with the waterworks scheme. Cr. Rutherford asked the engineer why the complaint from Mr. Finch regarding the water-supply lead to his section had not been attended to. Mr. Stevens said that there was more urgent work to be done, but the alteration wquld.be completed as soon as possible. He pointed out. however, that the workmen had. not been advised before the mains had been laid past the property, where the lead was required. Cr. Rutherford said that his information was that the men were told, but no notice was taken. Cr. Oakley said he did not like the attitude Mr. Stev-ns took. He was representing the Council, not the contractors. He was there to see the Council and the ratepayers got a fair deal. The engineer seemed to be siding with the contractors with his constant use of the word “we” w hen questioned. Mr. Stevens said he was not siding with the contractors. He was asked for his opinion ami he gave it. The information had been given him by a workman in whom he believed. His use of the word “we” referred to his own firm.

Mr. J. Queen, a resident of the County, wrote offering to take the water-supply for a. guaranteed period of five years at £3/10/- per year. On the motion of Cr. Kennedy, it was decided to accept the offer, and that provision for laying the pipes be made. The Railways Department acknowledged the Council’s request for permission to use a gravel pit situated on railway properly at Rapahoe. — I The application was granted subject to several conditions. The Mayor said that the gravel pit was now in use and was opening up

well. The gravel appeared to be of good quality, and every effort was being made to get a good coating on the roads. The Chief Postmaster. Greymouth, wrote offering £2 per year for the supply of water to the Post Office. Runaiiga. On the motion of Crs. Morris and Oakley, it was decided to advise the department that the offer could not be accepted, it having already been decided that £3/10/- per year be the flat rate for all house pioperties, outside ratepayers. The Commissioner of Crown Lands wrote, asking for details of the wateiworks, in view of the possibility of interference with Crown land. Ou the motion of Cr. Morris, it was decided that the information be supplied, and that the Commissioner be informed that the route for the water-pipes had been defined before the land had been surveved for sub-uivision. Mr.* S. Williamson applied for one chain of concrete pipes to be laid in front of her property. On the motion of Cr. Morris, the application was granted. .. . The Minister of Internal Affairs wrote regarding the celebiation of Arbor Day on August 2. Suggestions that an cilorl be made to procure a large quantity of young trees, and that each school child plant one tree around the Domain, were left to the Mayor to make arrangements. On the motion of Crs. English and Kennedy, it was decided that the tender of Finn and party of £l5O for compressors, etc., be accepted. On Cr. Morris’s motion, it was decided that pipes used with the compressor, which the Council did not require. be offered to Finn and party at a reduction of 3d per foot on cost. Following discussion of the proposal to purchase a trad or and conveyor trucks, it was decided that the Mayor and Cr. Kennedy accept an invitation from Messrs. Andrews and Bevan, Ltd., of Christchurch, to visit Christchurch at their expense and view a demonstration of their machines.