REEFTON REQUESTS RECEIVE LOCAL BODIES’ SUPPORT

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 August 1947, Page 7

REEFTON REQUESTS RECEIVE LOCAL BODIES’ SUPPORT

Two Reefton requests for support by the South Island Local Bodies’ Association met with success when the Inangahua County Council’s claims were placed before the executive of the association at Greymouth this morning. The most important request concerned the establishment of a steam generating plant at Reefton, and the other sought the abolition of sales tax on fire-fighting equipment. The County Council advised the association, that the need for a steam generating plant in the South Island had been mentioned, and it was pointed out that Reefton, with its coal fields, would provide an admirable site. It was suggested that the association support the claims and present any data collected on the matter to the Government. Mr Kissel’s Views

Mr Sharman (Nelson) stated that the general manager of the State Hydro-electrical Department, Mr F. T. M. Kissell, had indicated that a full-time steam plant was essential, but emphasised that he was not prepared to consider the establishment of a stand-by plant at the present juncture. “The idea is to have a permanent plant feeding into the general system,” said the chairman, Mr E. H. Andrews (Christchurch). “A standby plant would be uneconomic and, then might not be used for years.” It was decided to support the proposal and submit any data on the subject to the Government. “I suppose you will be collecting data for Westport, too,” said Mr J. B. Kent (Greymouth), addressing Mr Ward (Buller). “I am making a note of it,” said Mr Ward. “We will be on the job.” Members agreed that the imposition of sales tax on essential firefighting material was an unnecessary burden, and decided to make application to the Minister of Customs (Mr W. Nash) for the materials to be exempted. After a discussion on the views of the Bluff Harbour Board, the council decided to support endeavours being made to persuade the authorities to reinstitute the Bluff-to-Melbourne sea service. Tree-Planting Subsidies Reafforestation measures in New Zealand and England were discussed on receipt of a letter on the subject from the Soil Conservation . and Rivers Control Council, which indicated that subsidies were not paid for private plantings. The council decided to approach the Government with a view to having the State Forest Service grant subsidies for the private planting of trees. It was decided also to seek similar treatment for local bodies, members pointing out that local bodies in some instances had large areas of land suitable for plantations, but were without the capital to undertake such programmes. After a report by Mr J. L. Clarke on the work of the South Island Travel Association, the council decided to support the work of the organisation to the greatest possible extent. The action of the chairman in inserting an advertisement for the South Island at a cost of £5O m the book, “New Zealand From the Air, was endorsed, and it was decided to obtain copies to the value of £2O tor distribution to members. TRIBUTE TO RETIRING MAYOR: MEETING HELD AT GREYMOUTH

Today’s meeting of the executive of the South Island Local Bodies’ Association was held at Greymouth as a tribute to the Mayor of Greymouth, Mr F. A. Kitchingham, in view of his decision not to seek re-election to the office. This was indicated by the chairman of the association, Mr E. H. Andrews (Mayor of Christchurch) in opening the meeting. Extending a welcome to the executive members, who came from all parts of the South Island, Mr Andrews referred to the fact that there would be a number not returning to the executive after the forthcoming elections, some retiring voluntarily, while some might be retired compulsorily (laughter). Mr Andrews added that while the association believed, in principle, to itinerating its meetings so the members could see the conditions in the various parts of the South Island, Greymouth had been specially chosen as the venue for the meeting as a compliment to Mr Kitchingham, who had definitely stated he would not stand for election again. Mi’ Kitchingham had been a very valuable member of the association, and had never been parochial. He had represented his district very efficiently, but had had the interests of the South Island as a whole at heart—and that was what the association was formed for.

“I hope Mr Kitchingham does recognise it as some recognition of his valuable work and a compliment to him by the members of the association,” concluded Mr Andrews.

Mi' Kitchingham, in reply, thanked Mr Andrews fox' his remarks and said that he had regarded the venue of the meeting as a compliment to the district. He extended a welcome to the delegates and said he considered the association had had a wonderful unifying effect. All knew why it came into existence —simply because it appeared that the South Island was being tossed to one side and has no part in the economy of New Zealand. It had had little difficulties with parochialism, but they had been got ovex'. Everyone, at all confex’ences, had taken the broad view and had done all possible to see that the South Island was properly served as far as communications, industry and tourist resorts were concerned.

Mr Andrews presided at the meeting and there were also present:— Messrs J, N. Clarke (Christchurch), D. J. Cockburn (Arrowtown), Sim (Invercargill), Sharman (Nelson), A. E. S. Hanan (Timaru), D. C. Cameron (Dunedin), C. W. Tyler (Rangiora), G. Rowley (Westland), J. Ward (Buller), F. G. K. Gilchrist (Christchurch, secretary), and Dr Jobberns (Canterbury). The following members of West Coast local bodies were also present and were invited to take part in the deliberations:—Messrs A. R. Elcock, E. W. Heenan and C. Caliari (Hokitika), and J. B. Kent (Greymouth).