RUNANGA BOROUGH COUNCIL

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 November 1939, Page 12

RUNANGA BOROUGH COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING HELD.

The Mayor (Mr. R. McTaggart) presided at last evening's meeting of the Runanga Borough Council. Present were Crs. F. Oakley, Y. Rutherford, S. Morrjs, and J. McTigue. Apologies for absence were received from Crs. E. Kennedy and G. English. The Mayor moved a motion of condolence with the relatives of the late Mr. H. McConnell. He said that Mr. McConnell had been a former member of the Borough Council and had served the Borough well. He was a pioneer of the town, had given good, service, and was highly respected. The motion was carried in silence, members standing.

Mr. H. Johnson wrote, apologising for the breaking of a lock on the Domain pavilion. Mr. F. Rond, Punakaiki, wrote advising that he was forwarding 12 boxes of plapts for the Domain.

The Valuation Department advised that the assessment of Kotare Domain had been removed from the valuation roll.

In reply to Cr. Morris, the Mayor said that the bowling, croquet and tennis clubs would now be removed from the valuation roll, and the sub-com-mittee of the council appointed some time ago would now have to meet the Clubs to make arrangements for an annual rental.

The Minister of Mines (Mr. Webb) wrote advising that he was informed that the Main Highways Board was granting assistance in the purchase of road maintenance plant. The Main Highways Board wrote advising that the plant was not immediately available, but the Council would be advised when the next shipment arrived. It was decided to write to the Board, asking that early delivery be given upon arrival of supplies.

’ Building permits totalling £1.908 15/- were granted. On the recommendation of the, Health Inspector, it was decided that a fee of 5/- be made for permits to instal septic tanks, application to be made to the Borough, and referred to the Inspector for approval. It was decided to write to Messrs R. Kennedy and J. Pagura, pointing out the necessitj- of obtaining building permits before commencing work on houses.

The foreman reported that 131 loads of gravel had been carted during the period, at a cost of 7/8 per load for labour only, which was Id per load cheaper than during the last period. This included 16 loads of beach gravel for concrete work; 36 loads of tilling had been carted for the pi]>ing of the drain near the Co-op. store, and stringers and timber had been carted for the bridge in Ranfnrly Street. The surplus materials at the tunnel site had been removed. Drains had been cleaned in Raleigh and Sed:bm Streets, and a section of Raleigh Creek had been erib-logged where the water was semiring the bank. Seventy-seven 24 inch concrete pipes had been laid in the drain near the Co-op. store and eight, more were to be put in. Cue chain of six-im ii pipes had been laid near the O’Neil! property. I'anollie. hive 12-ineh and 10 24-inch pipes had been made. The 12 boxes of plants have been planted in the Domain. W ATER-S UI 'I’L Y GO NT G A CT. Mr. S. Stevens wrote, advising that lie was leaving for Aust'alia. and that. Mr. T. Cearmont would he available in' his absence. Mr. Stevens also advised that the water-supply contract was completed except for minor work, and that the maintenance period would be for 30 days from October 31.

The Mayor said that a lot of the connections to bouses had not yet been made, and so the contract could not be said to be completed. The month’s period of maintenance would not commence until the whole of the worlc was finished.

Cr. Rutherford said that the engineer had provided a substitute whilst he Went to Australia to relieve his father on a scheme there. He did not see why a substitute had not been secured in Australia, so that Mr. W. H. Stevens and his son could be in Runanga for the completion.

On the motion of Cr. Morris, it was decided to advise the contractors that the maintenance period would date Irom when the scheme was completed, and a certificate to that ■ effect had been received from the engineer. Cr. Rutherford cited a number of properties where there were faults in the system, which required attention before the people could use the water. These were matters the contractor would have to attend to. ■' >.

The Mayor suggested that an accountant be engaged to go into details of the outlay, and report to the Council. He said he thought it would pay the Council and would be a check on the expense. Cr. Rutherford agreed that a complete check was necessary, but thought the cost of an accountant would be high.

Cr. McTigue said that was one reason why he did not want Mr. Stevens to go away. He wanted a complete check-up of the quantities of materials, costs’ etc., and the engineer should be here to supply full information. Cr. Morris agreed that a cheek was needed but. thought a sub-committee of the Council might do it, better, being more conversant with the job. He suggested that the Mayor. DeputyMayor and Cr. McTigue form a subcommittee.

Cr. McTigue said it was a big job for councillors, and before anything could be done, a complete itemised statement would be required from the engineer.

Cr. Oakley said he would prefer Cr. Kennedy to himself being on the committee.

It was decided that the sub-commit-tee as suggested lie set up, and an investigation be made after the full report is received.

1 Mr. S. Stevens advised that the proIperty of Mr. C. “Wright, which he had I been instructed to connect to the water scheme, was outside the Borough, and as the Council had criticised the cost of the scheme without making them- | selves familiar with the amount of , additional work done to date, he deI elined to have the connection made. | or to have any further additions made ' to the contract.

An application from Mrs. E. Kennedy to have Hie water supplied was granted.

(' ENT ENN 1A L MEMOi 11AL

The Mayor said that with regard to the proposed Centennial memorial women’s rest-room in Greymouth, he had been approached by. a. committee of Runanga women, in .regard to the raising of fund’s, and he'Wb'urd like to know what the attitud .■’of lh,b Council was. He was wholly in accord with the scheme, mu the Runanga Borough had had no official invitation to represented on the West Coast organisation, nor on the organisation controlling patriotic funds. There had been unofficial approaclte for the Council io be represented, but there ' :i< nothing from the committee officially.

Cr. Morris moved that no action be taken until sucli time as the Runanga. Borough was recognised, ami officially represented on (he com 111 it I ee.—Carried.

It was decided tliaf. Hie men on H, No. 13 scheme be advised tiiai Hie Council was not satisfied with the work

being done, and that an improvement would have to be effected, if the men were to be retained on the job. it was decided that the 17 iambs on the IJomain be sold at Christmas, and the proceeds be devoted to the purchase of store sheep or ewes. The Mayor said that Cr. Morris and himself had met the Minister of Public Works (Mr. Semple) when he visited Runanga, with regard to 1 a stonecrusher. The Minister said that the Department could not sell a machine, but he would have inquiries made, and if one was available, then he would lease it to the Borough for a period. The Mayor said lie felt sure Hie Minister would do his best to make one available, and if they had the use of il for three months, a Large store of metal could be crushed.

Accounts totalling 1'557 I I were ;■ ■ ■(1 for paymmit. ti was dwiiled lu lake legal proceedings io reiover'ontstanding rates.