INCREASE IN RATE FOR WESTLAND CATCHMENT BOARD

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 May 1949, Page 5

INCREASE IN RATE FOR WESTLAND CATCHMENT BOARD

The Westland catchment Board has increased its administrative rate, levied on the local bodies within its area by one thirty-second of a penny, to a total of one eighth of a penny m the £1 on the capital value. The rise, which is equivalent to 33 1-3 per cent, will mean that the Greymouth Borough Council will have to find between £9OO and £lOOO for the Catchment Board thp year, as against £7OO last year. This information was given to the council last night by the Mayor (Mr F. F Boustridge), when a letter was receive . from the Catchment Board setting out the new rate. The Mayor added that the increase in the rate was practically by order of the Government and not by wish of the Catchment Board The letter was received, without further comment. Hospital Levies The Grey Hospital Board forwarded its apportionment of levies on the contributing local bodies for the current financial vear, the Greymouth borough’s share being £4047 3s, as compared with £3922 6s last year. “I take it that the increase is purely on an increase in the capital value of the borough?” asked the Mayor. Cr J. Stokes (who is also chairman qf the, Hospital Board): Yes, your capital valhe has gone up. The letter was received. The Mayor, who is a member of the executive, was appointed to represent the council at the annual conference of the South Island Local Bodies’ Association. to be held at Queenstown on October 12, 13 and 14. Approval was given to the proposal to provide a water meter for the fishing trawlers at Greymouth, with an outlet at the wharf and it was decided that the water* account be rendered to the fishermen’s association on the basis of Is 3d per 1000 gallons. When the council received a tentative programme of events for the Canterbury centenary, from May 6, 1950, to April. June or July, 195 J, Cr G. R. Harker reported that, together with Mr J. Saunders, he had discussed the matter with Mr Langford in Christchurch this week and had suggested that the West Coast should be included in any historical Duplications put out- in connection with the centenary, as the West Coast was once part of the Canterbury province. Mr Langford had been quite agreeable and no doubt there would be discussions later.

An application by Mr J. Saunders, of Auckland, for the use of McGinley Park, for a merry-go-round and side shows, as from May 24 was granted, on the usual terms. - •-

An application by the Mayor, on behalf of the Aid-to-Britain Committee, for permission to conduct a street appeal on Friday, June 10, was. granted. Subject to the engineer’s approval the Marist Brothers’ Old Boys Rugby League football club was granted permission io erect two floodlights on the Recreation Ground (near the tennis courts) and to use it as a training area on Tuesdav and Thursday nights. Mr Stokes pointed out that it would not interfere with the present arrangements.

The resignation of Mr W. Weston, a council employee since 1926. on account of ill-health was accepted and it was decided to forward a letter of appreciation, together with the usual allowance of £5O. Retiring Allowances On the motion of Cr J. Stokes, it was decided that the finance committee should reconsider at an early date the retiring allowances paid to the council employees. Cr Stokes pointed out that, under the National Provident superannuation scheme the subsidy for an employee over 23 years would amount to about £3OO.

Replying to a question by Cr Stokes, the engineer (Mr A. J. Fairmaid) said that he would endeavour to take the levels of the proposed Cobden playground within the next month. • Arising out of a report from the Transport Department that the 15 minute parking sign near the post office was confusing, it was decided to refer the matter to the engineer for (further discussions •with the traffic inspector. It was also decided to allow only two bus stops on the east side of Tainui street, opposite the post office, south from a point level with the doorway of Messrs Hannah and Company’s premises. Present at the meeting were:—The Mayor (Mr F. F. Boustridge), Crs T. Blackie, A. L. McKay, F. Sadler, J. E. Stokes, G. R. Harker. W. W. Parkinson, H. Hutchinson and W. Herring, the engineer (Mr A .J. Fairmaid) and the clerk (Mr N. E, Clemens).