REEFTON Council Declines Support For Coast Sawmills

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 August 1948, Page 8

REEFTON Council Declines Support For Coast Sawmills

(0.C.) REEFTON, This Day. The Inangahua County Council at its adjourned meeting received a request from the West Coast Sawmillers’ Association for support of the association’s request for the suspension of the clauses in the Forestry Fire Act requiring the institution ol fire patrols over bush tram lines from August to April each year. The chairman (Cr A. Topp) said that often sparks and hot cinders from steam locomotives caused much damage in forests, and he did not favour the suspension of patrols on bush tramways. The c ipncil decided net to support Hie request. The council received advice from the Royal Coal Syndicate, that it would agree to the council’s offer to repair Rainy creek road. The syndicate offered £5O as part of the cost of the work.

The Reefton Public Library committee forwarded a balance sheet in support of its application for a grant. —lt was. agreed to make a grant of £BO to the library, the matter to be reviewed later in the year. A grant of £1 Is was made to the N.Z. Institute for the Blind. The chairman and county clerk were deputed to make arrangements lor a public meeting to discuss the proposed visit to Reefton of the Wellington Boys’ Institute Band. Miss M. J. Hannah, assistant clerk, forwarded her resignation to take effect in September.—The resignation was received with regret, and a letter of appreciation is to be sent to Miss Hannah for her work.

“Dead” Sections

The county clerk (Mr C. A, Belcher) tabled a list of 18 areas and sections in the Reefton riding, which have become “dead” through nonpayment of rates. —It was resolved that the* clerk take .steps to obtain judgment for the outstanding rates, and to dispose of the sections. The Conservator of Forests advised that the council’s request for a water conservation area for a supply at Inangahua Junction was being granted, and a survey would be undertaken.

In view of the interest of the Railways Department for a supply for Buller township, it was decided to ask the department if it would assist the council by providing the services of an engineer to lay out a dam and a water race to supply water for the Inangahua Junction area. The Inangahua Hospital Board advised that it would approach the building authorities on the question cf providing accommodation near the Reefton Hospital for elderly persons.

Notice of Deputations

Following receipt of a letter from the Inangahua Coal Mine Owners’ Association concerning a deputation to the council it was decided that in future the county by-law on the question of deputations to the council be strictly observed. Deputations are required to give the council two days notice in writing of their desire to meet the council. Members felt that too much of the council’s time was being taken up by deputations. An inspection of the bank of the Inangahua river near the racecourse was made by councillors during the lunch adjournment. The chairman, on the resumption of the meeting, said that the area was in a disgraceful state, and it was decided to take steps to prevent the depositing of rubbish on this or any other area, except the rubbish dump, and offenders will be prosecuted. Following a request made through Cr J. McGregor the council agreed to meet the cost of all future supplies of long-service decorations presented to Reefton Fire Brigade members. Savings Bank Ledger Office For Reef ton To provide depositors in the district with better facilities for the banking and withdrawal of their savings from the Pest Office Savings

Bank, a ledger office is being established at the Reefton Post Office. This was stated by the accountant at the Chief Post Office at Greymouth, Mr K. N. Smith, today. He said that the preparatory work in the establishment of the new office was being carried out at present and the new system at Reefton was expected to commence operations on September 8.

I Formerly the compilation of interest on accounts and the authorisation of withdrawals were carried out at the Greymouth office, depositors in the Reefton district having to forward their pass-books to Greymouth. The introduction of the ledger system at Reefton will do away with the need for this procedure. Mr Smith added that, although final arrangements have not yet been made, the Reef ton office would also deal with schools’ savings bank business, which is at present dealt with by the Greymouth office.