GREY BOROUGH COUNCIL

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 January 1942, Page 2

GREY BOROUGH COUNCIL

LAST EVENING'S MEETING. The first meeting of the Greymouth Borough Council for 1942 was held last evening. The Mayor (Mr. F. A. Kitchingham) presided, and there were also present: Crs. H. Herring, G. Ft. Harker, J. Saunders, C. Neville, J. B. Kent, F. F. Boustridge, G. M. Truman, and P. Blanchfield, junr. Advice was received from the Inspector of Police, that there was no objection to the granting of an omnibus driver’s license to H. W. Wilde. — The license had been granted, subject to police approval. Attention to the parking of motorcars over fire-plugs was called by the Greymouth Fire Brigade. In some cases, it was stated, the cars had been locked, which in the event of a fire taking place, would be a serious matter. —The Town Clerk said that the matter had already been referred to the Traffic Inspector. Cr. Harker moved that the Inspector be instructed to take action against such offenders. They were adopting a dangerous practice, especially in these times. Cr. Neville: Why should we have to draw the Inspector’s attention to it, if everybody is satisfied with him? You have no answer to that!

The motion was seconded by Cr Saunders, and carried.

Pointing out the dangerous nature of the road cutting on Fairball’s Hill, leading to Boddytown, the South Beach-Paroa Road Ratepayers’ Association suggested that the Council should consider widening the road at this point. It had been suggested by members of the Boddytown subbranch of the Association that, should the work be undertaken, the spoil could be used to build up the road on the flat towards Boddytown, as in wet weather Sawyer’s Creek flows over the road and causes great inconvenience to residents. It was suggested by the Association that the Council should agree to discuss the matter with members of the subbranch. —The recommendation of the Works Committee, that the question of improvements be considered when drawing up the schedule of works for next financial year, was approved. The Municipal Association advised that the annual conference has been cancelled, in view of the international situation. The District Solicitor, Public Trust Office, wrote regarding the exemption of portion of Threadneedle Street from Section 128 of the Public Works Act, 1928, and asked that the Council should make the necessary application. —Referred to the Engineer and Town Clerk, to secure the necessary information and plan. The Borough Inspector (Mr. H. Lane) reported that the Public Works Department was complaining regarding cattle jumping the fence near the aerodrome buildings. He suggested that the stock route be altered to proceed from Preston Road along Swift Street on to Reid Street, and thus along the outside of the aerodrome. The drover objected to changing the route without the consent of the Council, which had power to act under the amending by-law, 1924, section 122 (b). —On the motion of Cr. Kent, seconded by Cr. Herring, the alteration was approved. The Grey County Clerk advised that the Council had decided to defer the Borough Council’s proposal regarding experimental afforestation, until more support is given by the other local bodies.

The National Service Department, Wellington, forwarded a copy of the Gazette notice regarding the Closing of Shops (Late Night) Emergency Regulations. The Mayor: It is not Lor us to take action. It is merely enabling certain adjustments to be made at the direction of the Minister, if desired. CEMETERY EXTENSION. The South Beach-Paroa Road Rate - payers’ Association acknowledged the Council’s letter regarding the extension of the cemetery, and suggested that the Council appoint two Councillors to meet representatives of the Association, further to discuss the matter.

The Mayor moved that a reply be sent, stating that under no circumstances could the Council forgo the use of the land purchased at the southern end of the cemetery. He said that the present cemetery was practically full. Cr. Kent said he did not think the Council should tie its hands by a resolution such as that moved by the Mayor. The Mayor: We bought it some years ago, for the reason that there was practically no room for moregraves in the old area. We may have a catastrophe, or anything may happen. We have spent a lot of money on getting it knocked into shape, and all that is now required is to have the survey made. I do not. think that a formal meeting with the Association is necessary. The Town Clerk can discuss the matter with the secretary of the Association, to see if the Association has any fresh suggestions to make. If so, the Council can meet them for discussion. The Mayor’s motion was carried.

GASWORKS REPORT. The Gasworks Manager (Mr. A. J. Fairmaid) reported that the total cash receipts for December amounted to £934/10/1, compared with £ 1099/18/6 in December. 1940-41. Sales of appliances for December comprised two combination cookers, seven new and one second-hand plain cooker, one sink water heater and two fires, the total value being £266 2/6. 'There have been no extensions of the main reticulation system, bur for the connection of eight new consumers 700 feet of one-inch pipe was laid. Work has been commenced upon the laying of the 6-inch main in. Tarapuhi and Mackay Streets, to replace the existing 3-inch main from the weighbridge in Tarapuhi Street to the intersection of Badger Lane with Mackay Street. The painting of the gas-holders is in hand, but inclement weather has seriously interfered with the progress of the work. The crown of the large holder is receiving the particular attention which was called for. The report was adopted. ENGINEER’S REPORT.

The Engineer (Mr. Fairmaid) reported as follows: Streets: Though weather conditions were not entirely favourable, thanks to preparatory work well attended to before the opening of the season, considerable progress was made with the season’s tar-sealing programme, sec-ond-coat work being completed in Shakespeare, High, and Brunner Streets and in Preston Road and Arney. Boundary, and Leonard Streets, in the vicinity of Arney Street bridge. Lombard Street received a first coat and maintenance sealing was attended to in Lydia and Winnie Streets and on Griffen’s Hill, Murray Street. In all, for November and December 16,715 gallons of tar were put out compared with 9601 gallons during the same period of 1940 and 5,396 gallons one year earlier still. Concrete kerbing and channelling to enclose the grass verges has been completed on the north-western side of High Street between Brunner and Franklin Streets, and as opportunity has offered the trimming of the ground behind the kerb has received attention. Drainage: In addition to .sundry small jobs, two sewer connections were made, one in Paroa Road and one in Marlborough Street. Two manholes were also built, one in Gresson Street and one in Cardwell Street. Waterworks: The reservoir has been kept full by an average darfr pump run of 14.06 hours.

SEWERAGE SCHEME. The Engineer reported as follows on the sewerage loan works: Following completion of the pile-driving for piers across Erua Moana, the plant was removed and preparations made for the concreting of the piers. As a high-tide job, a commencement was made upon the sewer to serve the Packer’s Quay area, 248 feet of 12inch pipe being laid. Elimination of pan closets: By the fixing of water closets, four pan closets have been eliminated, one in the old area and three in the new. The Mayor commented upon the fact that only four pan closets had been eliminated.

Cr. Neville said that surely there should have been a greater number. Regarding the notices that had been sent out, he asked what action the Council was going to take against those people who had not linked up their properties with the sewerage system. If nothing were done, the Council would look ridiculous.

The Engineer said that the notices required the work to be completed by January 31. The report covered only up to the end of December. Cr. Neville: “Well, we cannot do anything yet.’’ He asked when the sewerage scheme would be completed. 'The Engineer replied that, he was getting short, of men, and only lour were working now. Cr. Kent: It might not be completed until 1945!

The Mayor said that it was now possible to connect up practically every building with the sewerage system. The whole of the sewerage from the south end was being discharged into Karoro Lake, and almost the whole ol Blaketown could be connected up. Those people who should have their properties connected were not nicking the move they should make. The Council would, before long, discover that it had to pay just as much lor the ■removal of nightsoil, notwithstanding the amount of money it had spent on the sewerage scheme. So far as he was concerned, that state ol affairs had to be ended. So long as labour was available, connections would have to be made. In reply to Cr. Saunders, the Engineer said that several houses in the Chesterfield Street area could not yet be connected, as the sewer had to be laid to the railway houses. Die latter would come under the gravity system. WATER EXTENSION

t The Engineer reported as follows on (the extension of the water reticulation isystem:—In accordance with the report dated March 20, 1941, 2500 lineal feet of 4in. Fibrolite water-mam was procured. Of this, 1417 lineal feet have been laid as follows’ Ward, Clif — ford, Lynch and Monroe Streets and ,Kerr Avenue 1,142 feet, Young Street 235 feet, Hospital Emergency Point 40 feet, leaving a balance of 1,083 feet in stock. Referring to the earlier report, the main to Mount Street, 750 feet, has not been laid, though mucn needed. The main in Marsden Road is now required to provide for new building and the main in Spring Street does not appear to be required at present. Present prospective reouirements for extension are as follow: Mount Street 750 feet, Marsden Road 900 feet, Young Street 500 feet, Leith Crescent 600 feet, High Street 1,150 feet. Total 3.900 feet. Less stock 1.083 feet. Nett requirements 2,817 feet. The Young Street main is not immediately required but would be as soon as further buildings were put in hand. Tn addition, it would provide a circuit which would ensure and improve the supply to Marsden Road above the lower bridge. The <Leith Crescent main is required to provide a fire supply, the present supply being by means of a 2-inch pipe from Joyce Crescent connecting to a 4in. main laid in portion of Leith Crescent, the present proposal being to connect up with the Marlborough Street main. The High Street main is that concerning which there has been some negotiation with the Hospital Board, and provides for two branches into the Hospital Grounds. To provide some emergency stock I recommend that 3,000 feet be purchased complete with special fittings, the estimated cost being £525, subject to any increase in price since the last consignment came to hand. 'Fhe Mayor said that the Engineer wished to order the pipes. The expenditure would not come into this financial year's account, as the pipes would not be supplied until after March 31. Cr. Kent: In any case, it is all necessary work, and the sooner we place the order, the more chance we will have of getting the pipes. Cr. Harker said that if a main were laid along High Street, there would not be far to go to connect the Saltzman Block at the hospital. Cr. Boustridge said that the Hospital Board could provide as many branches as they liked. The Council had made an offer which would have cut the cost in half, but the Board turned down the proposal that they should contribute. Now, they were in the. position of having to extend the J mam to the hospital grounds. Cr. Kent said that unless the main were connected up along High Street, there would be dead-ends, lie moved that the report as a whole be adopted. The resolution was seconded by Cr. Boustridge. The Mayor moved, as an amendment, that the pipes and fittings be purchased, in accordance with the last paragraph of the report. If Cr. Kent's motion were carried, it would include High Street, which would not benefit the Council. He did not see why the Council should spend £ 150 to £2OO in linking up simply for the benefit, of the Hospital Board. Cr. Saunders seconded the amendment, and it was carried on the voices.

WORKS COMMITTEE. The Works Committee met on January 21: present: The Mayor and Crs, Bkmchfield and Saunders. An apology for absence was received from the Chairman (Cr. Boustridge). Visits were paid to works in progress in Taylor, Bright and Firth Streets, town Belt North, Packers Quay, and in Erua Moana. Slit trenches were inspected in Petrie Avenue, Victoria Park, and in the Police Reserve. Emergency water conservation dams were inspected in Range Creek at its crossings of Monroe, Hall and Ward Streets, and also an emergency fire suction point installed into Karoro Lake in Water Walk adjacent to the Grey Hospital. The report was adopted. Cr. Boustridge said that one section of the concrete kerbing and channelling in High Street had been completed, between Brunner and FrankIm Streets, to enclose the grass verges. However, the ground behind the kerb was in a dilapidated state, owing to other work having to be done by the staff. He would like to see that piece of ground put into a proper state. If the Council did that, he was satisfied that the residents would keep it in order. It would

show the people what advantage would accrue from the completion oi the whole job. Cr. Blanchfield said that the work was really an experiment. A considerable number of feet of the mam road had been sacrificed by the construction of the kerbing and channelling. On a job like that, special cost should be estimated, so that they would know exactly where they stood in comparison with the original cost, when the road was tar-sealed for its full width. If the experiment were satisfactory, similar work might be done in other parts of the Borough. He moved that the job be costed to date, and also costed when the whole job was finished from the bridge to Buccleugh Street. The motion was seconded by Cr. Kent, and carried. Cr. Kent said that some of the occupiers of the railway cottages in High and Shakespeare Streets had approached him with reference to the construction of the footpath. The work was urgent, as water lodged in the houses during heavy rain. A matter affecting so many people should be attended to before moredecorative schemes.

The Mayor said that Councillors and the public must realise that the same quantity of labour was not available now as was the case a while ago. They must realise that E.P.S. work such as the digging of trenches had made terrific demands on labour. Very few of the men got their holidays at Christmas, owing to emergency work. He did not want to see the job held up, but they must remember the facts.

The Engineer said that the Railways Department would subsidise the work to the extent of £2OO, the cost of the material. He had told the Department that the Council would do the job when the work now in progress in High Street was completed. Cr. Neville moved that propertyholders in the Borough be requested immediately to have their frontages cleared of noxious weeds such as blackberries and other growth. He instanced properties in Marlborough and Heaphy Streets. On the footpaths in front of some places there was just sufficient room to push a pram past the growth. The Mayor said that he had drawn the attention of the Inspector to the matter, and he would interview the offenders within the next few days. The motion was seconded by Cr. Saunders, and carried. Cr. Harker said that stagnant water was lying in the old pound at the abattoirs. It should be made into a rubbish dump, and filled up. He was surprised that the health authorities had not noticed it before now. He moved that the Engineer be instructed to make it a rubbish dump, to be filled up in the Winter months. Cr. Kent seconded the motion, and it was carried.

There was nothing on the agendapaper, said Cr. Blanchfield, regarding a reply to the Council’s request lo the Marine Department, not to enforce the prohibition of fishing for whitebait on the Cobden side of the river. It was a long time since they had written, and they should not let the subject drop. He moved that the Town Clerk again write, and ask for a reply before the next meeting of the Council.

Cr. Neville seconded the motion, and it was carried. OUTSTANDING REVENUE.

Reporting as Chairman of the Outstanding Revenue Committee, Cr. Saunders said that, up to date, £1940 11/3 had been recovered in the Greymouth area, and £589/19/8 in the Cobden area, a total of £2530/10/11. That figure was very far short of the amount budgeted for in the estimates last year. The Council’s staff was speeding up the work, and it was hoped that in the next six weeks or so that the total would- be- considerably increased. In order to reach the amount budgeted for, practically another £lOOO was required. Following the meeting of the Outstanding Revenue Committee on Wednesday, said the Mayor, it appeared that in the vicinity of Preston Road, at its junction with Swift Street, there was a native reserve, bounded on the west by Municipal Reserve 51. There were certain blocks of land there which were in a sense extensions of sections in the native reserve, and fronted Preston Road. Some of the property-holders had fenced this land, Sections 5a to 12a. Although they did not pay any rent, they were rated. Exception had been taken to the payment of rates by at least one ratepayer, and Mr. Kitchingham said he understood that was symptomatic of the attitude of some oi’ the other property-hold-ers. There was over half an acre of land, and it was probable that the Council would get either two building sections or two industrial sites. He moved that the Engineer make inquiries, and report on the best method of disposing of the land. Cr. Blanchfield seconded the motion, and it was carried.