COBDEN TOWN BOARD.

Grey River Argus, 20 May 1921, Page 5

COBDEN TOWN BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. lh© Cobden Town Board met on Wednesday evening. Present; Commissioners Billett (chair), Packer, Walker, Excell, and Sotheran, Leave of absence was granted Com. Tomlinson. Mr. F. H. Denton (Town Clerk of Croy Borough Council) wrote enclosing copy of letter received from the Grey County with reference to arrangement whereby the Borough and County Councils maintain two lamps each on Cobden Bridge notifying the Grey Borough Council to the effect that as the lighting was mainly for the benefit of the inhabitants of the Cobden Town District the County < ouncil did not feel justified in con. inning the present arrangement bevond the end of the present month. Mr C. Uddstrom wrote asking pernusion to lay pipes across Nelson Quay for draining purposes.—Grantid. 'I he Works Committee reported as follows: As directed the Committee mVe considered the various matter ylaeed before them lor consideration. Rubbish Dump. — Recommended (hat the hole near Board’s Office be used as a rubbish dump as long as the drain is Kept open. Re Mileage of Streets, approximately seven miles. —Commissioner • of Crown Lands states that the cost would be .£5O per mile. General.—The roadman is still engaged metauing streets. Beach road and lower end of Bright btreet are completed. 1 he metamng of roads was somewhat retarded owing to broken service ul the carter. It would be advisable lo have the work completed as soon as possible. The ( vinetery » *iow cleared of blackberries. It is necessary to have undergrowth burnt, when it is dry. A day should be sufficient io complete the work. It was resolved that the rubbish dump be approved, that the survey or the township be held x n abeyance. The Chairman stated that Lie had bee.t assured the carting of material tor metalling .streets would be proceeded with without delay. It’ was decided that the matter be left with the Works Committee, with power tu Commissioner Billet reported an interview with the I'ire Brigade with reference to subsidy. 1 he 1* ire Brigade receipts for the year had been ;£SU os 8d and expenditure L 73 14s id, leaving a debit balance of approximately L 22. The idea- of approaching the Board was to receive a tmb sidy, which was lor the Board to consider. Commissioner Excel considered ,*he Fire Brigade was ahead of itself. It had a plant, but no water by which it could be used. Cunimisisoner Sothcran moved that Lo be granted lor the present year. —Commissioner Packer seconded. Carried. Some discussion ensued upon thi disposal of (lie manual engine and hose and proc uro a chemical engine • n its stead. Ultimately on the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Commission Excel, the Town Clerk was cmjxnrered to oftecl a sale of useless plant. Messrs Guinness and Kitchingham, \V. C. Mirfin and the Public Trustee wrote re transfer of properties.— Approved. The State Advances Office wrote dedining to liquidate the Board’s liamlity to the Grey County Counc'l—ceived. A letter was received from the Grey Hospital Board stating that the Board’s levy would be £4Ol 4s 3d on a. capital valuation of £94,027. The Chairman moved that in view of the fact that the valuation roll of the Cobden Town Board is not yet avail- . able from the Valuer General and the C.R.V. used for the purposes of, allocation is only assumed, the Grey Hospital Board be informed that the Board will pay its proportion of levy in accordance with the official valuation. Further, that the Grey Hospital Board he notified that provision is

not yet made for representation of the Cobden Town District on the Board. Speaking of the Hospital levy on all local bodies concerned the Chairman said there had been an advance of £4OOO. Providing of course, for an advance in prices of coraomdities it should not amount to an increase of 50 per cent. There was need lor the Board to show why. Outdoor relief also required investigation regarding increased cost. Outstanding liabilities showed an increase. Some local bodies were evidently behind. Commissioner Walker seconded and the resolution was carried.

Four Light £39 per year, Board’s proportion £l9 10s. —The Chairman moved that the Grey Borough be informed that the Cobden Town Board being a third party interested in the use of Cobden Bridge, this Board

agrees to pay its proportionate cost of lighting.—Seconded by Commissioner Walker and carried. The Chairman brought forward the question of purchase of a. typewriter. A secondhand machine in good order and found suitable by the Town Clerk could lie had for £lO. Commissioner Sotheran moved that the purchase be made. Seconded by Commissioner Walker and carried. The Finance Committee’s report showed credit balance to date as £205 15s 4d. Sundry accounts amounting to £43 18s 6d were, on the motion of Commissioner Packer, seconded by Commissioner Excel, passed tor payment. —Report adopted. TThe Chairman mentioned that the Mayor of Greymouth had asked Mr Turner (engineer of th<s Christchurch T r win ways) to address the Borough the Borough Council and others interested on hydro-electricity. Mi Turner had no hesitation in saying that the Coast to be up-to-date must have hydro-electricity. At the installation of the Christchurch scheme he months’ trial of it completely chang was opposed to it, but two or three ed his ‘mind. Gas would not suffer, hut rather extend its operations. A petition was being circulated among the interested bodies. It was wise firs to ascertain where the power was to come from, anti not bother with tin.pot opinions. They would be wise to secure the best advice. The people required educating on the matter. Round Christchurch films were shown