USE OF COUNTY GRAVEL PIT: ROYALTY ISSUE

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 September 1949, Page 7

USE OF COUNTY GRAVEL PIT: ROYALTY ISSUE

- [SPECIAL REPORTER] REEFTON, This Day—The attitude to be adopted in respect of the usp by contractors of county gravel pits was the subject of a long discussion at yesterday’s meeting of the Inangahua County Council. This followed an application by Mr F. J. Collis to take gravel from a pit at Soldiers for use on a contract for reading part of the new State housing settlement at Reefton.

After granting the application on the condition that the operations would be carried out only under the guidance and control of the county foreman in order to protect the council’s rights, the question of royalty charges was discussed. A motion that 3d a yard be charged was opposed by some councillors who held that the work would be to the end of improving the town of Reefton while the chairman, Cr J. S. McGregor, suggested that such a charge might result in the rental of the houses being increased to workers. The proposal was lost by four votes to five, the right to take the gravel, accordingly, being extended free of charge to the contractor. New Bridge The completion of plans and estimates for the proposed new Coal Creek bridge had been held up owing to the difficult supply position with regard to materials, advised the Ministry of Works. Until it was known definitely what material would be aavilable for the job, it would not be possible to complete the proposal. A request was made by the Golden Coast Dairy Company for the council to extend the town water supply to the town boundary so that the company could obtain a connection for its cottages, while it would also be available for other houses. The request was referred to the foreman for a report. > Access Sought

Purchaser of a block of farm land at Manila, Mr R. White requested that the council provide him with access, by erecting a swing bridge.— The council decided to seek a grant from the Ministry of Works to extend a road to applicant’s property, it being held that a suspension bridge would not be fully satisfactory. The presence of some 5,000,000 or .6,000,000 feet of timber as well as mining timber up the Rough river was referred to by Mr F. L. Anderson, in applying to the council for assistance the provision of road access to this area, near Inangahua Junction. —It was beyond the council to build a new road, it was stated, but it was pointed out that the Mines Department had expressed enthusiasm over a proposal to enter a nearby limber area, and endeavours were being made to obtain a grant. Councillors suggested that one road might serve both areas, and decided to support any approach by the applicant to the Mines Department or Ministry of Works. A proposal that the council should take over the responsibility for the maintenance of a new road leading to Caribou creek, was, made by the Premier Gold Dredging Company. It was pointed out that the company had formed the road, which was, however, being used by workers in the area other than those interested in the dredge.—lt was decided to notify the company that attention would be given the road when labour was available. Improvement Of Streets The improvement of the streets in the vicinity of the nurses’ new home, was reported on by the foreman, Mr N. L. Bolitho who with his staff and others, was congratulated on the quick work carried out prior to the opening ceremony. The streets had been formed and gravelled, but more was required to complete the work, it was stated. About 350 yards of soil had been shifted and 879 yards of metal laid down. The foreman stated that the work had been carried out with difficulties during the month, two drivers being on compensation, reducing the staff to one driver and two other men besides Himself. A grant of £4 was made the South Island Publicity Association, and it was recommended that a photograph of Reefton be made available for inclusion in the next guide book published.

Cr J. S. McGregor presided, and also present were Crs W. Blackadder, J. J. Coghlan, J. E. Etheridge, C. Coxall, A. Topp, T. E. Elgin, T. A. Haldane, A. G. Wells and E. Chandler.