NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Greymouth Evening Star, 5 October 1945, Page 3

NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

REGIONAL COUNCIL MEETING The Westland Regional Planning Council met at Greymouth last evening, the Mayor of Greymouth, Mr F. A, Kitchingham, presiding over an attendance of the following members: Messrs D. S. Kennedy, A _.R. Elcock, J. Barrow, F. E. Lockington, T. G. Jamieson, W. Richards, E. W. Kennedy, K. O. May, G. D. Smart, J. B. Kent, W. Clayton, and J. W. McIntyre. The rules of the organisation as submitted by a sub-committee were approved. Mr Kitchingham was elected chairman of the Council unopposed. The following were elected as members of the executive:—Messrs Clayton, Barrow, Stokes, Mclntyre, D. S. Kennedy, and a representative of the

Hokitika district to be elected. The following special committees were elected: —Harbours, Messrs D. S. Kennedy, M. H. Houston, S. J. Davis, J. B. Kent (convener), E. W. Kennedy, A. Panther; farming in all its branches, Messrs W. Clayton (convener), D. Jellie, J. Ryan, M. Wallace, W. A. Jamieson; forestry, Messrs K. O. May, C. Biggs (convener), Dr. W. McKay, F. L. Turley, G. Blair, and Marshall; coal mining, Messrs L. E. Lockington (convener), C. J. Strongman, D. Barnes, Gage, J. Adamson, W. Purdy; golf: and other mining and quarrying, Messrs T. Learmont (convener), W. J. Elhs, White, W. J. Radford, G. Lowes, Pettigrew; secondary and other industries, Messrs T. Blackie, P. C. Peters,

f Wylie, Richards, W. E. J. Steer, J. B. Bluett (convener), P. J. McLean; ■ transport, tourist and recreational, Messrs G. R. Harker (convener), Smith (Hokitika), A. R. Elcock, P. E. L. Renton, J. Saunders, G. D. Smart, Graham, Sullivan, D. R. Dowell, Richardson, A. M. Jamieson, and J. McNulty. The report of the secretary (Mr F. A. Hutton) as follows was read and approved:— Location of Industries Survey:. To test the possibilities of decentralising industry. OND has secured a survey from secondary towns. In Westland, towns affected are: Greymouth, Hokitika and Runanga, Full details of the ability of these towns i to cope with new industries are now ; under consideration in Wellington. Sources of power, raw materials, etc., and the housing position are fully dealt with. Manpower survey: Questionnaires have been sent to more than 500 employers in an effort to ascertain the manpower needs of Westland. So few forms have so far been returned that the purpose of the survey in this district is likely to be frustrated. Local bodies have been sent questionnaires which, when completed, will give details of the requirements of these bodies for deferred maintenance, current maintenance and development. From these returns, a building survey is also being completed. Works programmes: Government Departments which are co-operating with this organisation are being approached for details ot their , post-war plans. The Public Works Department has sent me a most comprehensive report which is at present strictly confidential to this Council and OND, 1 RESEARCH STATION Mr Kent advocated the establishment of a central engineering research station at Greymouth to deal with the various maritime,, waterways, reclamation and erosion problems, etc. Such a station, he said, would have the co-operation of'the Department of Scientific and Indus- , trial Research, and the engineering colleges and would be available to any authorities such as harbour boards, catchment boards, borough and county councils. The station could be financed by a small levy on such local authorities to whom the station would be available, and by a grant from the Government. It was m favour of Greymouth, as the centre for such a research station, that already, through the enterprise of the Greymouth Harbour Engineer, Mr Kennedy, it had, in the harbour model the nucleus of such a station for many of the scientific attachments to the model would be invaluable in the establishment of an engineering research station which would probably serve the whole ol the South Island. He recommended that the Council approach the Goy- • ernment on the matter and make the Pl? The S Chairman said he agreed with Mr Kent and suggested that beiore the Government was approached the Council should have a report from Mr Kennedy on the equipment available and what would be necessary for the establishment of such a laboratory. . On the motion of Messrs Smart and Clayton it was resolved that the harbour committee report on the potentialities of a research station, as suggested. The Chairman said that the secretarial work for the .Council would be done by the Rehabilitation officer (Mr F. A. Hutton) and his staff. Before the close of the meeting the Chairman said that the chairmen ot the various committees would be fell to call their members together and plan their work. In the meantime the executive would meet once a momh to keep in touch with the work of the committees. Much survey work would have to be done for a start, and the committees would get all the assistance they required from the Government departments. .