GREY COUNTY COUNCIL

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 January 1941, Page 5

GREY COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING. The first meeting for 1941 of the Grey County Council was held last evening, and was attended by Crs. J. W. Hannan (Chairman), H. G. Carter, J; Ryall, G. Blair, J. Mulcare, W. Fisher, A. McDonnell, the Engineer (Mr. J. Higgins) and the Clerk (Miss E. M. Heaphy). The Runanga. Borough Council forwarded an appeal on behalf of the dependents of the victims of the explosion at/Kaye, and Party’s, mine on November 6,, pointing put that there was, by statute limitation, only £2OOO insurance to be divided among all the dependants, and that it would probably not be received for several months. Cr. Ryall said he thought that the Council should do the same as other local bodies and give £25, if they could possibly do it. In seconding the motion that £25 be donated, Cr. Mulcare said he thought it was an unfortunate legal position regarding the limitation of the amount of compensation payable. The Chairman said he did not know how the Council stood in regard? to its unauthorised expenditure, as they were near the close of the financial year. The donation could be made only out of unauthorised expenditure, and he suggested that the matter should be deferred until a special meeting later this month, so the Council could see how it stood. With the Agreement of the mover and seconder of the motion, the matter was deferred, as suggested by the Chairman.

Mrs. E. E. Rothery, Inchbonnie, wrote asking that something be done to improve the access to her property, pointing out that the road was unsafe for children to use in wet weather.

On the motion of Crs. Ryall and Fisher, the matter was referred to the Engineer, to report at the next meeting. Messrs P. and D. P. Hamer, Totara Flat, wrote requesting the Council to undertake the survey of the track on the western side of the Ahaura River, at Starvation Point. The writers stated that they had received advice that the Public Works Department was prepared to go on with the work, providing that they (the writers) paid the cost of the survey, but as they (the writers) had to provide the tools and pay a quarter of the cost of construction, they asked the Council to undertake the survey. It was decided to comply with the request to do the survey. The Deputy Mining Registrar (Greymouth) wrote asking if the Council had any objection to the granting of the following tramway licenses:—No. 10/40, Inchbonnie Sawmills Ltd.; No. 154/40, Greenstone Sawmilling Co., Ltd.; Nos. 155 and 157/40, New Forest Sawmilling Co., Ltd. The Chairman said that the position was that the Mining Act pro-' vided that a license for mining privileges could be granted over a road, but the person who got the grant could not exercise it until he obtained the permission of the Council. He moved that the Mines Department be informed that the Council was prepared to consent, provided that the licensees entered into the usual agreements with the Council. The motion was carried. At the request of the Chief Surveyor, Hokitika, a- resolution was passed accepting Lot 1, D.P. 240, of Pt. Section 1 (Square 189), Block 2, Brunner S.D. as a public road. BLACKBALL ROAD-SEALING. Mr. P. C. Webb, M.P., wrote, advising that he had brought under the notice of the Minister of Public Works (Mr. Semple) the request of the Council for the road sealing at Blackball to be extended by 57 chains. Mr. Semple had subsequently informed him that the estimated cost of the suggested extension was £1240. The Main Highways Board was not agreeable to provide free money for this work but, if the 'Council was agreeable, the Board would subsidise the work on a £3 for £1 basis.

Referring to the estimated cost of the work, Cr. Mulcare asked whether there was not a suggestion that a spraying coat should be put on, merely to abate the dust nuisance. The Chairman: When we saw the Minister of Mines, he asked the Public Works Department to advise the cost of a spraying coat, and this is probably it. The estimate for the complete job was £3OOO. It would cost the Council £3OO and there was no chance of doing it. Cr. Mulcare: Would it cost that for one coat? The Engineer said that the estimate of £1240 was about half the cost of the portion that was being done at present. He doubted whether the Department would allow a coat of sealing to be put on the road without any preparatory work being done. Cr. Mulcare: The thing should not be allowed to rest there. It is an absolute scandal to have children breathing that air, and it is someone’s responsibility. I realise the Council’s, position, and that it cannot do the impossible, but further representations will have to be made, away from the Council. Cr. Carter suggested that the Council might approach the Department to allow the Council’s contribution to come into the next financial year. The Chairman: It would do so, in any case, but I doubt whether we could allow for that much in next year’s estimates. Cr. Mulcare said that he had always been given to understand that tar-sealing was a payable proposition in the long run, as compared with the maintenance of unsealed surface. The Council could consider that aspect of the matter. He moved that the Engineer report to the next meeting on the comparative cost of sealing and maintenance of sealed and unsealed road. The motion was by Cr. Blair and carried.

The Grey Electric Power Board wrote, stating that the request to erect a light at the gate to the Blackball School had been declined. The three additional street lights on the main highway south of Greymouth would, however, be erected as soon as possible. —The letter was received. Messrs Guinness and Kitchingham, on behalf of Messrs Stratford, Blair and Co., forwarded a copy of an application (No. 184/40) for a tramway license, in Block 2, Arnold S.D.—it was decided to consent to the granting of the application, subject to the applicant entering into the usual agreement with the Council. ROAD ACCESS. The acting District Public Works Engineer (Mr. E. F. Evans) forward-

ed a copy of a letter received by .the Minister from Mr. F. Donovan, Red Jacks, requesting the protection of the road access to his property, arid requesting that the Council submit a report on the matter. The Engineer’s reply, stating that the Council considered there would be no justification in spending a large sum to give Mr. Donovan access from the portion of his farm on which he resides to another portion across the ■ creek from it, was read. ' ■ >, Cr. Carter said that he was of the opinion that some crates and willows would save the situation. The alternative was giving Mr. Donovan access at the bottom end, which 1 was out of the question at the present time. :,He thought. ; that something could be done to meet the ‘ position, but Mr. Higgins was of a different opinion. . , Cr. Mulcare, lin moving that the Engineer’s reply be approved,, said that the reason why the-, road went into disrepair was through Mr. Donovan himself. The Council had to construct a road in a different direction, to give another man access. Cr. Carter said it appeared to him that if'the serious erosion continued, the Council and all concerned would be faced with giving access to the land. The cost, he thought, would be at least the applicant’s estimate of £5O. ”

In reply to a question by Cr. Mulcare, the t Engineer said that stone required would have to come from the dredge tailings at Blackball. Cr. Mulcare’s motion, approving the Engineer’s reply, was seconded by Cr. Blair, and carried. The acting-District Public Works Engineer advised that he was prepared to approve the construction of access to the proposed bridge at Cornish’s (Arnold River) from the £2 for £ 1 vote which now appeared on the Estimates, under the following conditions: (1) That the road line be legalised by the Council; (2) the road formation be not less than 12 feet; (3) width of bridge across Clear Creek be not less than 8 feet. It was decided to accept the offer of the Department. In reply to the representations made to have improvements made to the road over the Razor Back ( Barrytown-Punakaiki), the actingDistrict Engineer advised that he could see no chance of obtaining the Highways Board’s sanction for further expenditure on this section of the highway this year, but the matter would be considered when next year’s Estimates were being considered. rj The Building Controller forwarded a- copy of the Building Emergency Regulations, 1939, Amendment No. 1 (as already published).—lt was decided to file the regulations for reference.

The secretary of the Westland Provincial Patriotic Council (Mr. D. I. Evans) wrote outlining the arrangements made to entertain the West Coast troops in Christchurch on Saturday, and extending an invitation to members of the County Patriotic Committee to be present. Mr. Evans forwarded a copy of a circular received from the National Board relative to the screening of pictures on Sunday nights for the Patriotic Fund, in accordance with arrangements made by Theatre Management, Ltd., Wellington. Mr. Evans asked that he be advised whether local film companies would arrange benefits as suggested. The Chairman said that it was a matter for the main patriotic committee, and the letter was received. HOME GUARD. The appointment of the following Home Guard Committees were advised by the respective secretaries: — Inchbohnie District: J. J. Maughan, senr. (Chairman), C. Lockley, C. Cowan, J. Meyer, R. H. Topliss (Commander), A. Robinson, (County representative). Blackball District: W. Balderstone, junr., and D. Kelly (mines employees), G. Nuttall and M. O’Flaherty (Returned Soldiers), P. S. James (mine and dredge owners), L. J. Kinsella (business firms), J. Mulcare (County). Rotomanu: Captain F. N. Whitmore, J. Roche, A. L. Haste (Returned- Soldiers), John Ryan (farmers), A. Robinson (County representative). Gladstone: P. J. Stevenson, W. X. Ogilvie, A. S. Johnston, J. W. Hannan (County). Karoro: As published in Wednesday’s “Star.” Kotuku-Moana: Dreckman, Herring, McGuinness, Chamberlain, Carter (County). Nelson Creek: J. Fluerty, J. Taylor, J. Tibbles, S. Johnston, W. Fisher (County). The Committees, as submitted, were officially appointed, for the various localities.

The South Beach Ratepayers’ Association wrote drawing attention to the fact that two streets in the South Beach area were known as Weenink Road, and asking whether the Council intended to name them. The Engineer said that both were shown as Weenink Road on the Lands and Survey Department maps, and when he was calling tenders for them, he called one Weenink Road east and one Weenink Road west. The Chairman, in reply to a question, said he did not think there was any provision for County Councils to name roads. Cr. Mulcare: Is there anything to prevent us doing it? The Chairman said that as the two streets appeared on the record maps as Weenink Road, it might prove awkward if they were altered. It was decided to take no action in the matter. GREY REST ROOM. The Chairman said that circulars had been received by all councillors asking them to organise something in the County to raise funds for the Rest Room at Greymouth. One suggestion was that they might obtain goods for a shop day to be held on January 31, and if councillors could do anything in the matter it would be welcomed. The suggestion that meetings should be called by councillors could be left to individual councillors.

er. Mulcare said that it was a most unfortunate time, as the County had been well canvassed for patriotic purposes. Cr. Ryall pointed out that the Rest Room Committee still required £9OO by March 31, or they would lose the subsidy, and if .that happened, the project would be ruined. Cr. Mulcare: The only way I can see out of it is for the committee to get some financial person to stand to them, and then raise the money after March 31. The Chairman: I think it can be left to the councillors to do whatever they can in their own districts. The Chairman said that all Councillors had a copy of the proposed

resolution to divide the County into three ridings. The Act provided, however, that the proposed boundaries must be approved by the Chief Surveyor, and as his approval had not yet been received, the matter would have to be deferred. It was decided to defer consideration of the ridings change until the February meeting. The Chairman said that, in the month of January, the Council was supposed to fix the half-holiday in the County. The Act provided that the proposed day must be advertised seven days before a special meeting. If the Council did nothing in the matter, the Department appointed the day, and in view of the discussions concerning a universal half-holiday, the Council might find that it had been made Saturday, whereas the County preferred Thursday. It would be necessary to hold the special meeting before the end of this month, allowing seven days to have it advertised.

It was decided to hold a special meeting for the purpose on Wednesday, January 29.

TREASURER’S STATEMENT. The Treasurer submitted the following statement of receipts for the period, April 1, 1940, to January 15, 1941, the estimates for the year being shown in parentheses:— Rates £2960/8/4 (Estimate £9000). Vehicle licenses £3283/4/1 (£3500). Sundry licenses £512/5/6 (£450). Royalties and rents £2B (£5O). Sales and hire £315/18/1 (£150). Compensation refunds £135 8/4 (£100). Main highways £3471 6/3 (£7400). Government grants £llOO/19/7 (£2221). “Halves” and “thirds” £525/18/1 ( £800). “Fifths” and “tenths” £1678/19/1 (£2750). Goldfields £3590/1/7 (£5500). Employment schemes £9964/12/6 (£13,000). Sundries £766/1/11 (£800). Totals £28,333/374 (£45,721). Accounts amounting to £3965 13/5 were passed for payment.