GREY BOROUGH AFFAIRS

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 December 1944, Page 3

GREY BOROUGH AFFAIRS

MEETING' OF COUNCIL

The Mayor (Mr. F. A. Kitchmgham) presided over an attendance of the following members at a meeting of the Greymouth Borough Council last evening:—Messrs F. F. Boustridge, T. Caldwell, J. B. Kent, G. R. Harker, A. L.>McKay, W. Herring, H. Hutchinson, J. Stokes and P. Blanchheld. ™ . .. The Grey Council of Christian Congregations wrote thanking the Borough Council for its intimation that it would be pleased to receive a deputation to discuss Sunday entertainment, but asked that the reception of the deputation .be postponed until the February meeting of the Borough Council—The Town Clerk s reply stating that the deputation would be received at a meeting of the Borough Council on February 15 was approved. „ The Westland District Progress League forwarded a copy of the following resolution passed at a recent, meeting of the League: That the Borough Council be requested to erect warning signs on the Kowhai Recreation Reserve to protect the flora and fauna from vandalism.—lt was decided to meet the request. 'The Mayor commented that personally bethought the Council would have to see if it could get some of the decent citizens round the town to act as honorary rangers. A resolution, prepared by the Council's solicitors, in regard to the re-location of Fitzgerald Street, Cobden, was passed, and an agreement Io be completed with the Housing Department was approved and signed. The Grey Amateur Athletic Club wrote asking permission to use the Recreation Ground for sports meetings on January 27 and February 24 —Granted on the recommendation of the Reserves Committee. • McGinley park Greymouth Fire Brigade wrote asking that the Council give some attention to McGinley Park. Cr. Kent moved that m future the ■wound be reserved for the Fire Brigade and for children and that no merrv-go-rounds or such sideshows ?■- allowed on the ground. There were he said, other grounds available ’in the town for such sideshows without having the Borough ground “mossed up.” One of the water plugs was right in the centre and the tents worn all round it on the recent occasion when there were sideshows on the Park. The Fire Brigade resented it and as in the event of a lire in the vicinity that plug would have to be used there was some ground lor the complaint. The motion was seconded pro forma by Cr. Harker, but an amendment was moved bv Cr. Blanchfield and seconded by Cr. Hutchinson that rhe matter bn referred to the Reserves Committee to meet the Fire brigade and report to the Council. After some discussion the ment was carried with Cr. Kent the only dissentient. . The Nelson City Council advised that as it was, in common with other local bodies, concerned with the serious housing position, it had wriuen the Prime Minister asking him. to give consideration to the desirability of giving a definite lead to local bodies as to the ways m which they can help and also to the nossibih y oi making finance available to local bodies' on terms which will enable them to undertake housing schemes whe-rebv houses will be provided at a reasonable cost and without undue liability on the ratepayers. rhe Council expressed a hope that the Greymouth Council might, consider taking similar action. The Mayor said he did not wish to be unprogressive but he thought that in view of the way in which the Government was building and intended to build houses municipalities would be foolish to compete with the Government. After a brief discussion it was decided to take no action. The New Zealand institution oi Engineers advised that their annual conference will be held at Wellington from February 13 to 16, 1945, and asking that facilities be granted the Borough Engineer to attend. —It was resolved on the motion of Crs. Kent and Hutchinson that the usual facilities be granted. Guinness and Kitchingharn wrote asking that Turamaha Street be exempted under the Public Works Act regarding frontage. It was stated that a subdivision of Section 191 had revealed that the street is less than one chain in width and accordingly either the frontage of the land must be set back or the land exempted.—lt was decided that the block concerned be exempted. The order of reference lor the Select Committee appointed to investigate local government was received. It was stated that the committee will (ravel throughout New Zealand and will take evidence on suggested reforms. The Blaketown-Preston Road Ratepavers’ Association advised that though it was considered that, the proposed new playing area on the side of Flowers Street between Blake and Reid Streets was more centrally s’Uiatod the playing area was not nea v ly as great as at present m Buxton Park. It was suggested that it might be possible to negotiate for portion of the church reserve in order to make a larger area.—lt was decided to advise the Association that it was not the Council’s intension to substitute the proposed area for Buxton ’Park. The Flowers Street area was to be additional. Seasonal greetings were received from the Greymouth Rehabilitation Officer (Mr. A. N. Campbell) and Pte. C. Neville, a former member of the Council now overseas. Mr L. A. Inkster wrote asking if the Council would be prepared to lease to him a portion of Raleigh Street so that he could clear it of blackberry and convolvulous, which was encroaching on his property.—lt was decided to take no action. It was stated that the section had been held on lease by Mr. C. Heaphy for 18 years. It was resolved that the State Forest Service be asked to appraise the timber on the Council’s reserve at Aratika.

WORKS COMMITTEE Mr. B. Riley, Inspector of Housing Construction, wrote suggesting that a bridge of less cost than the one detailed in the Council’s estimate bo erected over the creek in Hall Street, Holland Settlement. The Works Committee recommended that a width of 12 feet between wheelguards be approved and, hardwood'being unobtainable at present, that the bridge be erected in reinforced concrete at an estimated cost of £1,250 contingent upon a subsidy of £l.OOO by the Department. Cr. Harker objected to the proposal for a one-way bridge on account of the danger. The Council should look to the future and not just live for the present. Cr. Boustridg? said that if the Council insisted on a 24 ft. wide bridge the Department would not go on with the proposal on account of the cost. It would not be on an arterial road. Cr. Kent considered that a twoway bridge would not be warranted in the present case. Cr. Boustridge said that although the subsidy asked for appeared to be high it had to be borne in mind that the Council would bo faced with considerable expense for reading and footpaths. The recommendation was adopted.

The Westland District Progress League wrote asking the Council to proceed as soon as possible with the construction of the Marlborough Street bridge. The Mhyor said it should be understood that the bridge was not a new question and that the Council had already considered it and knew its importance. Lack of labour and finance were handicapping the Council in many ways. This bridge was one of I the first matters considered by the Council in 1938. “The Council could spend £lOO,OOO in the next two years if the labour were available,” he added.

The Works Commit toe recommended that the League be advised that the Borough Engineer will prepare estimates for bridges qt both Bridge and Marlborough Streets and that the work, when carried out, will be by means of a loan. The recommendation was adopted. The Progress League also wrote drawing the Council's attention to a danger existing in the approaches to the bridge across the lagoon from Preston Road to Blaketown, and asking that the matter be given the urgent attention of the Council. Cr. Boustridge said that the Works Comnuttee had a good look at the bridge and they could see no danger except that Hie rails were “sticking up a bit.” The Works Committees recommendation that the roadway be built up to rail level at each end of the bridge was adopted. The Blaketown-Preston Road Ratepayers’ Association wrote drawing the Council's attention to the suite of the corners at the intersection ol Doyle and Coakley Streets nml at Blake and Rigg Streets, with a request that something be done io ensure good drainage during wet weather. The Association also pointed out tnai a number of gas and sewer connections in Preston Road had sunk and that filling was necessary. The Works Committee recommended, regarding storm water drainage at the intersection of Doyle and Coaklev Streets and at the intersection of Blake and Rigg Streets, that the former be dealt with by a connection to the sewer and the latter by cleaning out the pipes. The recommendation to make connection to the sewer at the intersection of Doyle and Coakley Streets can be but a temporary, though quite effective, measure as the sewerage system has not been designed to deal with storm water other than from roofs; but, the area served so far being less than that designed for, the storm water in question can be handled meanwhile; regarding the service connections in Preston Road, that the matter be referred to the Borough Engineer for action. The recommendations were adopted.

The following resolution of the Works Committee was also adopted: Concerning the timber structure used by the pie-cart proprietor to level up the pie-cart that he be required to remove it each tinu; immediately after use. The Sanitary Inspector (Mr. L. W. Reid) advised that following a complaint from the Westland District Progress League that the conveniences at the Opera Rouse were in an unsatisfactory state he had inspected them and could find no grounds whatever for the '.complaint. The conveniences were in a clean and tidy state, and he was informed by the proprietor that they were cleaned thoroughly every day. He had advised the Secretary of the league of the result of hisjnspection. The Westland District Progress League forwarded a copy of a letter sent" to the Taxi Control Committee asking for improvement in the attention by taxi, proprietors to telephone rings between 11 p.m. and 3.30 a.m. — Received and no action taken.

WANDER ING C. \ TTLE

Mr. H. Lane (Inspector) attended die meeting to discuss with the Council the effect of the by-laws regarding wandering cattle. Cr. Boustridge said there had been complaints' from Cobden regarding wandering cattle. In one case the cattle were being controlled but they were on the road and it was a question as to how tins was covered by the by-laws. There had also been complainls about erhHe wandering off Cobdc-n Island. Mr. Lane said that Hip complaint regarding the cows which were controlled referred to milking cows. Ordinarily milking cows going from the milking sheds to paddecks and vice versa were exempt from being impounded. The Mayor said it had been explained to 'him that the cows, in question had been on the roads for hours, though there was a man in charge of them. Cr. Stokes said that recently at 10.30 o.m. in a particular street in Cobden there had been anything up to 30 head of cattle wandering, with the result that people coming from a bus had to make a detour ol two blocks to get to their homes. It was resolved that the next time the question of cows being on the road for hours al a time, though in choree of 3 iP.riii, uroso, tho Uorough Inspector refer it !•> Hie Borough solicitor. The Mayor commented that owners of cows in Cobden could understand that there would be "something doing if they don’t behave as decent citizens.”

RESERVES COMMITTEE. The following recommendations of the Reserves Committee were adopted: (1) That the Karoro Bowling Club be charged a rental of £lO per annum for the area of land referred to in the report of the : Committee dated November 16, and that the rental commence from the date of the land coming into use for the purpose for which it is leased; and further, that in preparing the ground for use the Club provide such lateral support as may be necessary for adioining lands, be they private land 'or public street. (2) That the Cricket Association be charged a fee of £lO per annum for the right to use the Recreation Ground as a playing field from October 1 to March 31 of each cricket season, subject to the conditions that the Council shall only be required to keep the outfield cut and that the Council reserves to itself the rio'ht to the use of the Ground on three Saturdays during the season. (3) That the Department of Lands and Survey be approached with a view to the exchange of that portion of land one chain in width fronting Sections 9 to 14 inclusive, R.III, Marlborough Street for the land enclosed with R. 197 Shelley Street on account of the wrongful locations of that street and that the Department be - requested to do all the survey work and preparation of plans. The Gas Manager reported That the total cash receipts from the sale of pas and fittings and residuals for Novcmbci* amounted to £1226/7/1 compared with £1093/9/10 in November of last year, an increase of £K2 17/.T total receipts to November H i I*o7/13/2 against £11,426/15/2. a decrease of £319/2/-. The drying closet for stokers’ work clothing is in operation and giving satisfaction not possible under former conditions. The housing in of the exhaust steam clarifier disturbed, at first, the supply of hot water to the shower, but that difficulty has been overcome. The report was approved. ENGINEER’S REPORT.

The Engineer (Mr. A. J. Fairmaid) reported as follows for November: The season’s tar sealing programme has been given first attention and during November 5456 gallons of distilled tar were used in Guinness, Leonard, Tarapuhi, and Gresson

Streets, on part of Easson'fgHill. on foothpaths in Smith, Whall, Willis and Chapel Streets and Alexander Terrace. In 1-liidi Surer-, 4.2 G chains el concrete km-hinv .ami ch:mnellinf> have been constructed in conunuance of the work done m t’oroa Road, bringing the total now constructed to 20 chains. 'Die slip on Masson’s Hill has been troublesome and is being dealt with as rapidly as circumstances permit. On the north-eastern side of Marlborough Street from _ Sawyers Creek south-eastwards for 17.85 chains, and on the south-western side from Jovce Crescent to Sawyers Creek, the footpaths have been regraded and metalled preparatory to tar sealing, the total length being 29.51 chains. In Ward Street progress is limited by the number of men available, there being but three employed. Laying has been completed to the Taylor Creek culvert, which is now in course of relocation, '24 feet of 3o—inch diametei pipe haring already been laid. The reservoir has peen kept full bv an average dailypump run of 17.67 hours. The report was approved. It was resolved on the motion of Crs. Boustridge and Blanchfield that a special meeting of the Council be held early in the New Year to discuss waterworks proposals. It was stated that the position, was becoming acute and that a decision was imperative as to the actual steps to do taken. J .. Mrs. I. Thompson wrote asking that the Council clean, tar and sand the steps leading to her residence in Mount Street.—lt was decided to advise Mrs. Thompson that the Council could not do the work. at this time owing to the shortage of lab--OU - , • 1 ! <7 Following a complaint, by Lx. Stokes regarding the use of Cobden bridge by. drovers driving stock during busy hours, such as noon and 5 p.m., it was decided to advise the drovers of the by-laws covering the droving of stock in public thoroughfares and the limes sot down. Cr. Stokes had said That about 5.5 p.m. yesterday 150 sheep were being driven across the bridge, holding up three buses, two cars, a baker’s van and numerous cyclists. He added that the drovers ought to be asked to show a little more consideration for the public at such times. In connection with Christmas holidays observed by the staff Cr. Harker suggested that the office might be closed for a few extra day’s to cover the statutory holidays and so give all the employees their two weeks leave at Christinas and New Year. In reply to a question the Town Clerk FMr F. H. Denton) said that, as was the practice in other local bodies, the staff' received' their ordinary two weeks’ leave in addition to the

Christmas and Now Year holidays. The Mayor said that virtually all local bodies in New Zealand acted on Hie same basis as the Borough Council. The Mayor and Crs. Herring and Blanchfield we-re appointed a subcommittee to discuss the question of holiday leave for men who have returned to. the Council’s employ after service with the armed forces. The Mayor extended the season’s greetings to Councillors, the staff, and the Press, Cr. Blanchfield responding, and adding his good wishes to the staff.