GREY BOROUGH COUNCIL

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 July 1944, Page 3

GREY BOROUGH COUNCIL

• MONTHLY MEETING. , The Mayor (Mr. F. A. Kitchingham) presided over an attendance of the following members at the monthly meeting of the Greymouth Borough Council, last evening: Councillors P. Blanchfield ? J. Stokes, H. Hutchinson, W. Herring, A. L. McKay, G. R. Harker, J. B. Kent, T. Caidwell. The District Manpower Officer advised extension of Scheme 13 authorities’ in respect of 11 workers at 100 per cent, wages subsidy-and one clerical worker at £3/10/- subsidy. Mr. G. Patterson ‘ wrote stating that the charge for an interment ol'< cremation ashes at the Greymouth cemetery was £2 and suggesting that a reduction should be made. He said that in other parts of the country the charge was not more than 10/-. —The lettei’ was referred to the Reserves Committee, the Mayor stating that an alteration in the bylaws would be required in order to reduce the charge. It was decided to make the usual donation of £l/1/- to the Royal Humane Society. The Westland District Progress League wrote asking that the Council consider becoming a member of the League and suggesting that the Council’s contribution be made as large as possible for the first year. Cr. Blanchfield moved and Cr. McKay seconded that the Council become a member and that a contribution of £2O be made for the first year. The motion was carried after some discussion. The Grey Hospital Board forwarded cooies bi its estimates for 194445. Sotherans Ltd. wrote applying for a j?-in. connection to their premises for* lire- fighting purposes only, stating that they wished to instal in their Arney Street factory a fire fighting hose permanently connected’ to the water supply.—Granted on terms suggested by the Engineer. Following receipt of a letter from the Borough solicitor it was decided, after some discussion, to take action in the ordinary course against Mt. P. J. McLean and his builder, Mr. Anderson, regarding alleged breaches of the by-laws in connection with the renovation of a building at the corner of Herbert and Leonard Streets, but that no continuing penalty be asked. The Westland District Progress League wrote asking support in its efforts to get Government collaboration with the people of Westland to decide on a site for a deep-sea harbour, the Government then to construct the harbour as a rehabilitation work.

Cr. Kent said that the first steps in the matter had already been taken in preparing a model and in other matters which were being dealt with by the Harbour Board and the Marine Denartment. , Mr. Furkert had gone to .Australia to inspect some harbours. The Government and the Cabinet were fully seized of the position and were working on the matter. The Council decided to support the Progress League’s resolution, on the motion of Cr. Harker and the Mayor. HOSPITAL EXTENSION. The Grey Hospital Board wrote stating that it was decided, in view of possible future extension of the hospital, to have included m the hospital reserve that portion of High Street running over the railway track to the Old People’s Home and the northern end of the Technical Hostel grounds, and asking if the Council had any objection to the closing of that portion of the road and the vesting of the area in the Board. It was stated that the placing of the bus shelter would be affected by the decision.—The Works Committee recommended that the Council offer no objection to the proposal, provided that the Board meet all claims for compensation which might arise and pay the Council for the land transferred. The recommendation was adopted. The Blaketown-Preston Roao. Ratepayers’ Association wrote asking that the sewerage in the BlaketownPreston Road area be completed as soon as possible. The Association suggested that the bad state of Achilles Street merited urgent attention in the form of road formation, channelling and kerbing; and stating that extra lighting is needed in Preston Road between Leach’s Corner and Swift Street, and in the street adjacent to the aerodrome. — The Works Committee recommended: That the Association be advised that work on the sewerage pumping stations will be commenced in October; that when a bulldozer is available the formation of Packers Quay will be proceeded with; and tnat a footpath will be constructed on the south-western side of Achilles Street when men are available for the work. The recommendation was adopted. The Grey County Council advised that Crs. R. Clark and. T. G. Jamieson have been appointed to confer with the Borough Town Planning Committee. The Greymouth Harbour Board advised that Messrs Williams and Kennedy have been appointed to act in a similar capacity for the Board. The Municipal’ Association wrote stating that the executive was of opinion that the control of the postemergency fire service should be vested in municipalities and town boards and asked for the comments of the Council. —The letter was referred to the Superintendent of Hie Greymouth Brigade and the Greymouth members of the Grgymouth Fire Board for their consideration. The Chief Postmaster, Greymouth, advised that his head office, had stated in reply to the Council's representations that it was not possible to allow the town clock to remain in its present position and that the tower was to be removed to roof level and a concrete band carried right round the building. In reply to Cr. Kent the Mayor stated that no report had been received regarding the condition of the clock. It was resolved that the matter be referred to the Postmaster-General (Mr. Webb) during his Greyrnouth visit. WORKS COMMITTEE The following recommendations of the Works Committee were adopted: (1) That £l5OO be set aside this financial year as the nucleus of a works machinery fund. (2) That five signs be provided to direct women visitors from the Railway Station to the Women’s Centre. (3) That payment be made to Mr. P. R. Wilkins in accordance with the arrangement m; de prior to his carrying out the work for which a sewerage advance was r pproved. (4) That Mr. R. B. Scandi ett be permitted to construct a sep tic tank on his property at the intersection of Fox and Newcastle Stre Is, the effluent drain to be connected to the Newcastle Street sewer. (5) T..at two lights be erected in Joyce Crescent. (6) That the Borough solicitor be asked to prepare a legal opinion as to the liability for the provision of storm water connections across fc. tpaths to the water table, or alter; itively directly to the storm wa'?r sewer in the street. (7) Regarding f ie filling of raid shelter trenches tl at the Borough Engineer have the wc k i attended to when a bulldozer is ava lable. (8) That plan and specificati n for an all wooden bus shelter w ; h concrete foundation adjacent to the Hospital, be prepared and that ten,ders be called simultaneously for this and foi’ the one with glazed panels. (9) Concerning the proposed re-loca-tion of Fitzgerald Street, that the Housing Department be advised to

take necessary land by proclamation and let the amount of compensation payable be fixed by the Court of law. (10) That steps be taken to put in order Gerald Street and the vicinity of the intersection of that street with Tainui Street. (11) That a dump for old cars and similar waste material be established in the triangular area of tidal land on the north western side of the north western approach to Erua Moana Bridge but that the disposal of other rubbish continue as at present, material requiring burial at the Reid Street dump during hours of attendance there; and material to he burned, at the dump adjacent to the Borough crushing plant, Chesterfield Street. (12) That with a view to the shifting of the Borough stables from Boundary Street, the boundary of Victoria Park be defined between the Park and the southwards extension of Petrie Avenue, BOWLING GREEN SITE The Abattoir and Reserves Committees presented the following report:—A visit was made to the proposed site of a green for the Karoro Bowling Club on Reserve 197, at the corner of Nelson and Shelley Streets and the following are the recommendations of your Committee: —(1) That the land offered be that portion of Reserve 197 at the south eastern corner of the intersection of Nelson and Shelley Streets, with a frontage of 156 feet to Nelson Street and 212 feet to Shelley Street. (2) That the Bowling Club meet all costs in connection with the removal and re-erection of fences on all boundaries of the land. (3) That the Borough Council shift lhe existing storm water drain across the southern corner of the land by pipine it on a new location along Shelley Street and thence south eastwards to pick up the existing dram outside the south western boundary, the estimated cost of the ie-Jocation of the drain being £l9O. (4) That the annual rental be £lO and that, m addition, rates shall be payable m accordance with the valuation to be made by the Valuation Department. The report was adopted and it was decided to take the necessary steps to legalise Shelley Street in its present location; and with a view to the exchange of part of .Shakespeare Street. • • ENGINEER’S REPORT. The Engineer’s report, as follows, was adopted: In Paroa Road 7.18 1 chains of concrete kerbing and channeHinp’ have been completed, footpath formation proceeding simultaneously. Easson’s Hill continues to give trouble on account of slips. At the intersection of Shakespeare and Winnie Streets a metalled footpath has been put down on. the new location and concrete kerbing and channelling is under way. The reconstruction of Erua Moana bridge is nearing completion, about one-third of the* south-western handrail being unfinished. In Cobden, work has been principally concentrated upon fencing and footpath formation, and shifting of gas and water pipes in Bright Street to complete the cleaning*' of Range Creek there, which work is now completed. Sewer connections have been put in in Shakespeare and Young Streets, in which latter street a manhole was constructed over the intersection of the sewer with a storm water drain. To obviate the necessity for a long water table crossing a sump with sewer connection was constructed in Alexander Street. In Newcastle Street the piping of Taylor Creek has been completed, except for ,a manhole, and work is now concerii trated upon the 21-inch sewer, of which 140 feet were laid since last reporting, making a total of 996 feet laid to date-. The reservoir has been kept full bv an average daily pump run of 17.03 hours. TRAFFIC QUESTIONS Some discussion took place on the subject of traffic in the town, and it was finally decided that the Traffic Committee meet for further discussion and report. Among the questions raised were: The practice of taxi-drivers, in turning round in Mackay Street to draw up at the stand, driving into Card Lane, and backing out on to Mackay Street. One Councillor related an experience he had at that point yes,terday, when cycling up Mackay Street towards the intersection with Taintu Street. He said that cars were parked on the east side of the street, and another car was going south along Mackay Street, while a taxi was backing out on to Mackay Street, leaving little room for any traffic to pass. He emphasised the danger of serious accident in such circumstances.

Another councillor suggested that the buses leaving Tainui Street between the intersection with Mawhera Quay and the Post Office at 12 noon should have a more staggered timetable, to avoid congestion of traffic in the narrow street. He instanced a case on a recent Saturday at noon, when “anything up to 11 buses” left from that small area, within five minutes.

Parking on the south side of Mawhera Quay, and what were termed the “Rafferty’s rules” obtaining in Tainui Street, near the Railway Road Service station, were also referred to the committee.

'[’he Mavor said that the traffic regulations were relaxed .to a certain extent when traffic became restricted on account of the war, but there were as many cars and buses in the town now as ever before.