RUNANGA BOROUGH COUNCIL

Grey River Argus, 18 December 1920, Page 3

RUNANGA BOROUGH COUNCIL

The ordinary meeting of the Runanga Borough Council was held in tho Borough Offices on Wednesday 15th His Worship the Mayor (J. F. Patunson) presiding over the following:— Crs.' Gore; Stori, McTaggart, Richmond and Masters. CORRESPONDENCE. Correspondence was received irom •A. Ward "applying for permission Jo erect a motor shed on Municipal Reservo Mills Street, and stating thdt the present lfcsce Mr G. Rankin had agreed to same — Cr. Storic moved nnd Cr. Richmond sdeonded, that the Council approve of same on condition that Mr Rankin notify Council' in. writing of his approval. — Carried.. From UndcirSecrctaxy, for Mines advising that an item for the sum of, £250 had been placed on the "estimates for the maintenance of roads within the Runanga Borough.— Received. From State Fire Insurance Depart'-^ iwnt advising rate of insurance ,od> o-ymnasium, " office and furniture. The ; Clerk stated that owing to the Band using the building, the rate was increased from 12/- per 100 to 18/-. He thought the best method would be to . allow the committee set up to control tho gymnasium building to go into the matter of insurance and. adjust the rr.tcs accordingly.— Cr. Richmond moved and Cr. Masters seconded that the matter of insurance be' left in the hands of the committee- controlling the building. — Carried. From Huntly Town Board asking for assistance in advocating tho imposition of a small royalty on coal for the benefit of the local bodies in whose district the coal is raised to the surface. — Cr. McTaegart movfcd and Cr. ' Gore seconded that we support the HuntTy Town Board, and that the Clerk communieato with the member *-vr the district (Mr H. E. Holland).— CfiTvvsd. From Manager Bank of New Zealand forwarding documents for preparation in connection with bank overdraft.—Received. From Guinness and Kitchingham advising of sale of property of Robert Wilson, to Mr Rasmusscn. — Received. From same advising sale of property, M. Moore. to R. B. Cooper.— Received. From A. H. Peterson, asking particulars of property held by Mr H. Gainford. — Received. From H. E. (Holland, M.P., acknowledging letter from Council and advising that he would interview Ministers as requested. — Received. From Mr D. Melvor, asking for drain to bo cleared in front of his section. — Received. The Clerk stated that same -would be attended to this coining week. From C. D. McEwan complaining against the assessment of rates being much higher than a neighbour on a similar valuation. — Received. The Clerk stated that a mistake had been made in the valuation Roll and Rate Book and he had issued a notice correcting the error. — Received. From H. Bignall forwarding application for iron bark stringers and asking that same be lifted as soon as possible.—Received. The Clerk stated this matter was in the carriers hands for six weeks. From Government Insurance Department re insurance of employees. — Received. From Valuation Department forwarding application for correction of Valuation Roll. — Received. From Land Board advising of sur render by John Low of Reserve 922, Runanga Village Settlement. — Received. From F. Denton, Town Clerk Grey- 1 mouth forwarded draft of minutes and J business transacted in connection with the proposed Electric Power District. The Town Clerk reported that acting under instructions from the Mayor he attended the meeting. He gave *,a brief, outline of thte business transacted and thought that in view of the urging of .electrical power on the Coast that we should link \ip and become part of the Electrical power district. After a gcn&ral discussion on tho proposition, all Councillors agreeing that if the West Coast was to become progressive the Local Bodies would have to give a hand. Cr. Gore moved Cr. Richmond seconded that .this Council link up with the proposed Electrical Power Board and that the Town Clerk represent the Council, at all future meetings. — Carried. ' ' ''**** From G. F. Martin Secretary Muniei•il Association forwarding resolutions, and comments on the recommendations of the Municipal Conference. — Received. , . ' From X G. Coatcs Minister of Public Works advising that balance of grant for Runanga drainage amounting to. £4/1/0 was unexpended. — Cr. Richmond moved and Cr. MfcTaggarfc sc> conded that balance be expended on drain loading past the proposed childrons' play ground and that the Clerk make application accordingly. — Carried. ' ; . From T. Fletcher Tclford District Health Officer advising of tne operation of the new Health Act on Ist January and stated that.it was imperative for every local authority to make arrangements for thn control and invp.Rtinratiou of Infectious diseases and disinfections. XVhovp *\ll Pnnitnrv work is required to be car Wo/i mif^ n^ amount required, to be paid into, the ! New Zealand .Consolidated Fund would bo £23/10/4 based on a population basis, and if for the control and investigation of infectious diseases and disinfections, then }">lf thif amount only. The Clerk stated, he hac received a copy -of the proposed Health Act which had been considerably altered -since presented to Parliament, and suggested that tho Council hold the matter over till further information had been obtained.' Cr. Gore moved and Cr. Masters seconded, that the matter bo left in. the jhands of the Town Clerk to get the necessary information and report to next meeting. — Carried. From F. B. Denton,, Town Clerk Greymouth asking for tho following particulars for the information of Electrical Power Board. — (1) The number of Ratepayers in the Borough: (2) The improved value of all rateable property •in the Borough: (3) The unimproved

iors, 1/-. value of all rateable property in ttfe Borough.— The Clerk stated that part of the above information had been prepared. - - '•"'• •'t'-'^' REPORTS. The Clerk reported being absent from the offices- through illness -and stated that Miss Naisbett hart teen attending the offices during his absence. STREETS. Acting under instruction from, last niecting h6 had examined the streets that had been interfered with throughtho Railway crossing same. Kilgour Street would have to be closed. Scddon Street would have to b*e regraded from where the Public Works lowered the bridges, this would also interfere with Ranfurly Street which would also require regarding. The deviation of Ranfurly Street to Carroll Street was being formed with lose metal from the beach and would require six inches of metal from the Niric Mile gravel pit. The crossing put in by the Public Works Department made of timber was to be replaced by 18in. concrete pipes.. The Public Works Engineer has asked for permission to- close part of Carroll St. from which the deviation takes place to Ranfurly St. Mills St. will require a cutting about five feet for several chains to make the Street anyway level, this work is in course of construction by the Public Works Department. Cr. McTaggart moved that the Teport; be received and dealt with. The motion was' seconded by Cr. Richmond and carried. Cr Masters moved and Cr. Richmond seconded that all the Councillors meet Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock for the purpose of inspecting th,o streets, and, then to arrive at a decision what action will be taken re closing of streets. — Carried. Cr.- McTaggart brought up the mattor of drainage and streets generally. He thought some effort would have to be made to get all the drains cleaned out and thought the Council should discuss the advisability of employing a permanent roadman . at a good wage. . Tho Clerk submitted a statement and pointed out that financially the Borough was going back. Every section cancelled was a loss in revenue TKo Councillors had to remember they had 11 miles of streets and about 20 miles, of drains in the Borough and to get this work done now would cost doubt the amount compared with a few years ago. Timber cost the Borough/from 10/6 per 100 to £1, similar timber could I>3 purchased two years ago for G/- and 10/-. Again the Council could not get casual labor for. drain work under 1/6 to £1. In fact every work undertaken cost double the amount we could get it done for previously. Councillors a.lso had to rcnfeinber that they were rating up to the limit and with all the increases on the above, they could not impost a higher .rate then 1-J in £ capital value which only brought in . the same amount before the increases took place. He doubted if there was a BoTough in New Zealand similarly situated as Runanga. Thc^people wSre taxed for the upkeep of the town- but the only industry that was deriving any benefit, the State Mines, refused to recognise rates, and refused to contribute to the upkeep of the Borough. After a great deal of pressure and deputations the Undcr-Secretary agreed to place on the estimates £250 for streets, three parts of this would fte taken to repair roads badly damaged and made almost impossible by heavy haulage fronij one mine to the other. Again the wandering : cattle nuisances Qifl huge • damage to drains, and instead o± cleaning drains the workmen- work. i& lots of eases cutting practically, new drains. After . a iengthly discussion the advisability of appointing a jxsrmancnt roadman was held over till after the New Year. : : POJJNDKEEPER AND KANGI-JR. Cr., McTaggart moved and Cr. Gore ' seconded that tho Clerk advertise for 1 a pound-keeper and Ranger and person appointed to retain all .pound foes. — Carried. His' Worship tho Mayor stated it should be tho last meeting for the year and took' the opportunity of wishing all members a bright and . prosperous New • Year. * "H.B.'s" have a few suggestions in their change advertisement of . this issue. Man -appreciates a gift of wearable nature, especially if it bears the famous* <'H.B. ;> brand. You may rest assured; that, they will .he .received. The local branch 'of the New Zeaiand Clothing Factory is making special window" and interior- displays .for tne Christmas season. ..Gifts suitable for the men. folk are given prominence. Before making your Christmas purchases, a .walk, through., the <'H. 8." store will prove for you both interesting and profitable. — Advt.