RUNANGA BOROUGH COUNCIL

Greymouth Evening Star, 4 December 1940, Page 4

RUNANGA BOROUGH COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING. [our own correspondent.] The Mayor (Mr. R. McTaggart) presided .at last evening’s meeting of the Runanga Borough Council. Present were Councillors F. Oakley, Y. Rutherford, S. Morris, J. McTigue and E. Kennedy. P. Jamieson, wrote with regard to the section adjoining his own in Ross Street, stating thai the gorse and blackberry was a menace to his property, and asking that the Borough take steps to have it cleared. —Decided to notify the occupier of the property that the land must be. cleared of noxious weeds, and also to inform the Inspector of Noxious Weeds. L h A. Sadler applied for permission to concrete the frontage of his premises in McGowan Street. — Granted on the usual conditions, work to be under the supervision of the foreman. W. Duggan wrote complaining that the Council had not maintained the road leading- to his property in McGowan Street extension, stating that the last time material had been placed on the road was over eight years ago. In addition he complained that in taking a lead off the water supply pipes at his property, to an adjoining property, the Council had 1 subjected his home to excessive noise by the . knocking in pipes when the taps were turned on at the adjoining house. The Mayor said that when Mr. Duggan built on his section, it was at his suggestion that the. limited amount of work was done by the Council to provide access to his property. A few loads of gravel was laid on the track he had formed. Regarding the water pipes, it would have added a great deal to the cost if the. Council had had to lay a separate pipe line to the other house. With the .high water pressure, knocking in the pipes was inevitable if the taps were suddenly turned off, but this could easily be overcome by reducing the pressure, or turning the taps slowly.—lt was decided to develop the road to the boundary, and to endeavour to reduce the nuisance of the water pipes. State Miners’ Union Picture Committee wrote asking permission to screen pictures on Christmas night.— Granted. Anglican Church applied for water supply.—Granted. A. Stewart wrote asking that attention be. given to the drain near his property.—Foreman reported that it ha'd already been attended to. Keir and Thompson wrote regarding the proposed inspection of the reservoir, and asking that arrangements be made for an early examination.

The Mayor said that Mr. Fairmaid’s report was now to hand, but the concrete analysis had not been received. On his suggestion, it was decided to call a special meeting when both reports could be considered, and that Keir and Thompson be notified. Andrews and Beaven wrote ottering a further dump wagon.—Decided to reply that the Council could not undertake the purchase of a further wagon at present. The solicitor to the Municipal Association replied regarding the possibility of forming a by-law to cover the restriction on the keeping of cattle in the Borough. The letter indicated that nothing further could be done, and the present by-law covered the position. Minister of Mines, replying to the Council’s request, wrote offering to hire a 30 h.p. motor to the Council for the crushing plant, for a limited period. It was decided to write to the Minister asking that early action be taken to put the swimming baths in order.

One building permit for £25 was granted. The foreman reported that 118 loads of gravel and six of ashes had been carted on 16 days. The grader had been used on McGowan and Seddon Streets, McDougall Avenue, and Dunollie Road. Drains had been deepened in Duncan, Hall Jones, Walker and Herd Streets. Water had been laid to the Glynn property, and repairs had been carried out to the mains at Dunollie. A start had been made on a concrete bridge over Raleigh Creek at Mill Street. It was hoped to complete the main work before Christmas. The tractor and mower had been used on the Domain, where stumping, levelling and grubbing had been carried out. At present there were, seven men on the Domain and five in the Borough. The report was received as satisfactory, and it was decided that the Bitt Street culvert was to be repaired and the pound fenced. The Mayor said that he had brought before the Hospital Board the question raised at last meeting, regarding the list of items which patients at the Maternity Ward had to provide for themselves. This matter had since been taken up with the Department, and as a result, in future a large number of these items would be provided by the Hospital. It had been pointed out, however, that patients had always had to provide themselves with these items. Cr. Morris thanked the Mayor for his help. He said that he considered that of the remaining items, the Board should buy in bulk and make them available to patients at a much reduced price than they would otherwise have to pay.

The Mayor said that with reference to the committee set up consisting of the Councillors and others to raise a relief fund for the relations of the men who lost their lives in the mine explosion, he had been informed that some unauthorised people were making a collection on their own initiative for the same purpose. This would undermine the work the committee was trying to do. The committee, representing as it did, all the organisations affected,’was working with full authority, and he hoped that these well meaning people would stop their private collection. Accounts totalling £4l/7/10 were passed for payment. It was decided that the next meeting be held in February, and that the staff holidays be taken as usual. Lambs at the Domain are to be disposed of as previously. Prior to the conclusion of the meeting, the Mayor extended Christmas greetings to Councillors, the staff, and the Press.