INANGAHUA

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 March 1945, Page 2

INANGAHUA

COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING.

[OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

REEFTON, March 23. All members were present a t the monthly meeting of the Inangahua County Council held yesterday, Li. F. W. Archer presiding. . .. . The Health. Inspector advised that the cost of sewer connections as mad by the Westport Borough Co^ m „ c J^p f i £4 for each connection, and advised other charges for sewerage work. ci. Clayton moved, Cr. Topp that the Council take steps to fix a charge under the by-laws to make a charge of £4 for sewer connections m Reefton. —Carried. n _. , The Under Secretary of Mmes advised that the mining rents of Lemon Brothers on special claims were to be treated as irrecoverable. AfPQlrc . The Department of Internal Affa.is wrote regarding the fire brigade and from the Inspector of Fire Brigades regarding reorganisation o± brigades. —The Chairman and Ci. MtgiegCb t were appointed to meet the Reefion Fire Brigade to discuss proposals. A resolution was passed that the following members for the committee to meet in Westport to sei. up the Inangahua Buller Regional Panning Committee be recommended by the Council. Farming representatives, Messrs P. J. O’Regan, A. W. Bell. Timber committee, Messrs H. Ward, a. Topp, G. Williams. Coal mining., C. D. Buist, J. Coghlan. Quartz mining, J. B. Auld, W. J. Humphries, McGregor. The Chairman is to represent the Council, and the County Engineer is to attend. A , , From Charleston Advancement League regarding Deep Sea Harbour for West Coast.—The Council decided to support a proposal for a full investigation for the best site. From Reefton Returned Services Association regarding care of Soldiers memorial plot. Cr. Coghlan moved, Cr. Coxall seconded that the offer of the Association be accepted by the Council, who will undertake future care of the plot.— Carried. . From E. A. Lemon regarding bridge at Hukawai.—Applicant to be advised that the Council will erect bridge on site chosen by the Engineer. From Mrs. M. Cuff regarding flooding at her farm.—Referred to Engineer for attention. From J. Somerville asking for attention to road.—Referred to Enginecr. From T. Southan regarding attention to Brown Creek Road. —Engineer to arrange for contract for crushing of 1000 yards of metal for this road. Mrs. V. Collis thanked Council for alterations made to Reefton Plunket Rooms and for donation. From Mr. A. A. Harris regarding Rowe’s bridge—Referred to Engineer for investigation. From County employees, regarding additional two days’ holidays and asking that these be granted at Easter time—Referred to Department of Labour for ruling. The Engineer was authorised to call tenders for the finishing of the kerbing on Buller Road, and to install boxing on Auld’s Creek water race. Cr. Coxall moved that the Engineer prepare an estimate for the concreting of the floor of No. 1 reservoir. —Carried.

Cr. McGregor asked that the Council consider the purchase of a motor road grader and power shovel. He felt that the County would save considerably on road maintenance costs. Crs. Blackadder and Clayton contended that purchase of these machines could be deferred. Cr. Coghlan held that the hire of a grader would be better at present. Crs. Williams and Coxall supported the purchase of the machinery; the Council could save considerably they considered. The chairman supported the proposal to consider buying the machinery. Cr. McGregor moved Cr. Williams seconded that the Council consider the purchase of a load-dozer and a power grader and that the town members consider the matter of finance for the purchase. An amendment that the matter be deferred until next meeting for further discussion was lost. Discussion on the resolution passed by the Council to borrow £2OOO to build a County clerk residence and housing for County machinery was held but no alteration in the resolution was made. HOSPITAL BOARD. Mr. J. B. Auld, Chairman, presided at the monthly meeting of the Inangahua Hospital Board. Sisters Charman and Quinn wrote resigning positions as sisters, as they were joining the Army Nursing Service.' The Chairman and Messrs Archer and Discacaiti paid a tribute to the splendid work accomplished for the hospital by both sisters. The resignations were both received with regret and letters of appreciation are to be sent. The Local Body Loans Board advised that the Board’s application for a loan of £lOO,OOO for the building of a new hospital, nurses’ home and laundry had been deferred until further information was received. The Price Tribunal advised that the application made by the Board to increase in-patients charges to 17/6 per day had been referred to the Department of Health. Dr. Wicken, Medical Superintendent, reported: Admitted 32, inpatients 28, discharged 23, deaths one, anaesthetics 15, births eight. Matron Whisker reported: Miss Barnett, of the Health Department, visited the hospital during the month. The matron made application for leave of absence owing to sickness. — It was resolved that Matron Whisker be granted sick leave as soon as arrangements could be made. Mr. McGregor, for the Visiting Committee, reported that attention was needed to spouting and the duty room and a bathroom needed painting.—lt was resolved that the work be done.

The Chairman was deputed to arrange for additional help in lifting the garden crops at the hospital. Messrs Coghlan and Discacaiti were appointed the Visiting Committee for the month. The Chairman reported that the Board had not received advice of the visit of Miss-Barnett of the Health Department, and he considered that the Board should be advised of the visits of departmental officers. Mr. McGregor asked what progress had been made with the. work of forming an ambulance unit at Reefton to work with the motor ambulance. —The Secretary reported an attendance of only 10 at the last meeting to set up classes. A further meeting was to be held to take enrolments and decide if the work was to be carried on. Mr. Discacaiti said that no statement of collections made for the ambulance had been made public. Mr. Archer said that if the public were interested they could get the information. Mr. McGregor said he would like to see a balance’sheet as to the Ambulance Fund made public. The Secretary. Mr. Banks, reported that the County Council was handed collecting lists and Mr. Belcher could supply any information as to collections made.