GRASS STREET PLOTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 October 1946, Page 4

GRASS STREET PLOTS

RESTORATION PROPOSED IN BUCCLEUGH STREET' PLAYGROUND FOR CHILDREN The restoration of the grass plot, in the middle of Buccleugh street was discussed briefly at a meeting of the Greymouth Borough Council last evening, when a recommendation of the works committee, that the Greymouth Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association be advised that a previous resolution of the council would be adhered to, was adopted. The resolution referred to was to the effect that the council had decided to restore the grass plot, but that the work had been delayed because of a shortage of labour.

Commenting on the recommendation, the Mayor (Mr. F. A. Kitchingham) said the association should be advised that Buccleugh street was approximately 79 feet wide between kerbs, and that when the grass plot was placed there on the recommendation of the then curator of the Christchurch ■ botanical gardens, it was used as a playground for children almost constantly. It became untidy when the sewer was being put through the street, and had not been restored because of the shortage of labour. To suggest that the whole of the 79 feet be asphalted was ludicrous, one reason being that the street carried so little traffic, and he could not conceive of anyone wanting to have 79 feet of roadway. The following further recommendations of the works committee were adopted:—

1. That Mr. D. R. Dowell be advised that the repairs required to the balcony of the Albion Hotel will be permitted, subject to the condition that the space enclosed shall not be used as bedroom accommodation. •2. That, consequent upon letters of protest received from Messrs. W. R. Hall and others, Ashmore avenue, the rise in that street remain as at present and that the grade on the southern side of the rise be improved in conformity with that on the northern side, and that the Cobden Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association be advised accordingly. 3. That Mr. E. H. Hey be advised that the programme of work for the current year provides for an asphalted footpath on the south-eastern side of Blackett street from Bright street to Ward street, in continuation of the path from Nelson quay to Bright street.

4. That the Cobden Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association be advised that an endeavour will be made during the current year to provide an asphalted footpath on the northeastern side of Fox street between Blackett and Richmond streets. 5. Concerning a letter from the Greymouth Ratepayers’ Association and the site for the public convenience in Tainui street, that in view of the site recommended in the report of the committee dated September 19 being that formerly approved for the erection of a bus shelter, the original decision as to site be adhered to, that is, that the convenience be erected upon the site of the fire brigade’s former reel house. 6. That the Greymouth Ratepayers Association be advised that the laying of an asphalted footpath in Sinnott road scheduled for the current financial year will be proceeded with when labour is available, but that the position with regard to labour has recently become acute on account ol men being attracted to other avenues of employment. . 7. That the Westland District Progress League be advised that the pieparation of the site for the climatological station in Shelley street will be put in hand as soon as practicable.