GREY COUNTY COUNCIL

Grey River Argus, 23 March 1928, Page 2

GREY COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Grey County Council was held yesterday, there being present Councillors J. Ryall (Chairman), D. Baybutt, A. Robinson, J. W. Hannan, ’A. Donnellan, G. Blair, W. Ogilvie, and H. G. Carter. The Engineer (Mr J. Higgins) and County Clerk (Mr M. Keating) were also present. Advices of payments for the following works wor received from the Government: —Black Creek Bridge £2OO, Greenstone-Lake Brunner, Road £39, Brunner to Kokiri £176, Main Highway £567, flood damage £617, Main Highway £1550, Forestry revenue (December quarter) £275 Ils Id, Goldfields revenue: December £666 7s 4d, January £569 7s sd, February ss; halves and thirds (December quarter) £3lO 16s 4d; total £4971 8s 2d. The Public Works Department forwarded authority for the expenditure of £lOOO on Bell Hill-Haupiri Road. The District Engineer, Public Works Department, wrote with reference to the maintenance by local bodies of roads metalled out of Government grants. Cr Carter said there seemed to be a reflection in this communication, whereas this Council had not overstepped the mark in any way. The Chairman said the Council had no trouble with the Public Works Department. The letter was received.

The Under-Secretary of Public Works forwarded a proclamation in connection with the exchange of land for road purposes in Block IV, Ah aura S.D. Received.

The Dominion Home Builders Supplies, Ltd, wrote re Three Mile Creek Bridge, and offering one-eighth of the total cost of construction of the bridge. They stated they maintained the road used by them, while others also used it, and thought the offer reasonable. On Cr Robinson’s motion, the matter was referred to the Engineer.

Mr A. R. Clark, Rutuherglen, wrote re residence site 95/09, stating that it is included in occupation license No. 132, and asking the Council to recommend the remission of the rent due as (tn residence site, which was due as from 1923 to 1928, at 5s per annum. Cr Hannan said the residence site should have been reconsidered, but moved, that the Council recommend that the residence site charge be remitted, and the motion was carried. The Engineer in Chief of Public Works Department wrote with reference to the Motor Vehicle Regulations, 1928, outlining the new ones, and advising that the motor lorry licensing period would be brought into line with that for other motor vehicles. Cr Carter mentioned that some lorries failed to carry reflectors, and delayed motor cars. Cr Ogilvie said the reflectors were defective, and quickly were lost or damaged. The Medical Officer of Health wrote stating an order for the demolition of the Union Hotel, Ahaura, had not been carried out, and asking the Council to see to it. Members pointed out that

the order was one made year after year, and the hotel had served the public

for 30 or 40 years, without any complaints, while the Licensing Committee had not interfered, so that if the Health Department wanted the place demolished, it could do the work itself. Messrs A. S. Paterson and Coy, Ltd, wrote with reference to the license fee due in connection with “Big Tree”

motor truck operating in Grey district, stating that the license was obtained in Nelson city, where the lorry was operating, but since December 31st, it had operated in the Grey district, and the Nelson Council had been advised accordingly. The owners considered that the Nelson Council could not claim for the period from December 31st to March 31st. The Clerk stated no reply had been received to the Council’s request for the fee here from December 31st to March 31st. Nelson Council advised that its attitude was that as the lorry was operating in Nelson when the license was issued, it was entitled to the full fee, and could not entertain the Grey Council’s request for a refund. The Clerk stated Patersons had returned their license to Nelson Council, and the point should be worth looking into. On the Chairmen’s motion, the matter was referred to the Clerk tn make further inquiries as to the position.

The Secretary of the. Blackball Miners’ Union, Mr W. Balderstone, wrote asking the Council to construct a permanent footpath from the Blackball Hotel past the new Miners’ Hall to the Dominion Hotel. It was stated that three chains of footpath were needed. On the motion, of the Chairman and Cr Robinson, the matter was referred to the Engineer to deal with. The same Union forwarded a petition by a number of ratepayers asking to have Blackball streets lighted by electricity. On the ('hairman’s motion/it was resolved that the petition lie on the table till next meeting.

The Managing Director of the Briandale Collieries wrote with reference to the maintenance of the Seven Mile to Ten Mile Road, and forwarded a cheque for £l7 ss, being amount of royalty in connection with the cartage of coal, also advising as to fluming and other work carried out. The Company learned that the Council was responsible for this piece of road, and desired to assist with the other collieries in the main tenance. The Chairman said the letter was a satisfactory one, and he moved that the matter be referred to the Engineer to have this section of road put in proper order. It was stated that no other mine in the locality had yet sent

in a return as to royalty for the past year. This payment was at the rate of 6d per ton. Cr Donnellan seconded the motion. Cr Hannan asked if there were not other coal concerns there under an agreement as to royalty returns. The Clerk said some had got out little or no coal yet, and one party were exempt. The Chairman said Mr Lynch’s party had got a good deal of coal. The Chairman’s motion was carried, also one by Cr Ogilvie and the Chairman that the other parties be asked to forward their returns.

Messrs Fauth and Party wrote for permission to remove portion of the handrailing on Ten Mile Creek Bridge, to allow of a road being constructed to their bins on south yid</ of Ten Mile Creek. The Engineer abated that the

party wore opening up a. seam in the 1 valley of the Ten Milo Creek, and there- was no objection to granting the request, under certain conditions. The Chairman and Cr Donnellan moved that, subject to compliance with the Engineer’s conditions, the request be granted. Cr Ogilvie said a condition should be that royalty be fixed on the coal coming from the State Mine reserve. It was decided to hold over the matter until the royalty question had been settled. Mr P. Smith, Ahaura, forwarded an account for clearing out drain, and also asked for permission to box and cover in same. Cr Baybutt moved that permission be deferent until the Engineer had reported, and this was carried. Mr V. C. Palmer wrote asking to be paid for three days clearing water tables and placing culvert, and also asking for assistance towards the erection of a light traffic bridge over first crossing of the Brown Grey. The Engineer said payment for the work could be made, but the ejection of a bridge was quite another matter. It was agreed to make the payment for work done, but the other request was not granted. In response to a letter from the Mayor of Wellington, Mr T. Troup, it was resolved, on the motion of the Chairman and Cr Blair, that the Council cp-oper-ate for the raising of the MoncrieffHood fund, and open a subscription list. The Minister of Labour forwarded a schedule in connection with the weekly half holiday.—Received. The Medical Officer of Health wrote re the administration of the Health Regulations by local bodies. —Received. The Registrar of Motor Vehicles wrote with reference to the registration plates for 1928-29, stating motor vehicles exclusively used in road and street construction and maintenance work were exempt.—Received. The Auckland Branch of the N.Z. Farmers’ Union wrote asking the Council’s opinion on several questions relative to the control of the main highways, several questions being submitted, as, for insatnee, whether it would be better to hand over to the administration of the Highways Board all national highways, and whether boundaries should be readjusted to avoid duplicating staffs, and as to charges. The letter was referred to the Engineer, on the motion of Cr Baybutt and the Chairman. The Hannan family wrote thanking the Council for message of condolence. —Received. Mr G. 11. King, Atarau, advised that he had purchased the property of Mr D. W. Mclntosh, and asking that, as the buildings had all been destroyed by fir?, he be allowed some consideration in the way of a reduction in rates. The Chairman said that application needed to go to the Valuation Department, and the Council would offer no object io a. On the motion of Crs Baybutt and Blair it was decided to forward the application for the Valuation Department’s favourable consideration. The Secretary of the N.Z. Counties’ Association, in reply to Council’s letter re motor lorry regulation, stated that fines are payable to the # Local Authority only if th? Minister so directs. —Received. Mr R. M. Stewart wrote objecting to a gate being erected across Burke’s Road near Baily town.- —Received. Mrs I. Cannon, Totara Flat, asked for permission to build on a road reserve near Totara Flat Saleyards. It was stated that applicant’s house had been recently dee ii eyed by fire. On the motion of Crs Baybutt and Blair, it was resolved that the Council offer no objection, Mrs Cannon to be asked not to build too close to the road. Transfers of property were notified «nj follows: —Mr W. J. Joyce: W. R. V. ooton to C. R. Wooton at Blackball, E. Rae’s estat? to G. C. Rae, Blackball; by Messrs Guinness and Kitehingham: Frederick Jackson to E. Myers, Blackball, and Mrs Mclntosh to Mr G. H. King. See 15, Blk 16, Waitahuna S.D. Mr J. R. Hampton wrote re transfer of property from Messrs Ball Hiles and Baker to Mr G. H. Shaw, Rotomanu. Cr Robinson asked how Mr Shaw’a share of rates was to be ascertained. The Clerk said the rates had all been paid for this year. The Council decided to accord its consent in connection with a road deviation in the Grey Valley, in which plans were forwarded by the Crown Lands Commissioner.

The Secretary of Punakaiki School Committee wrote thanking the Council for conveying the school children from Punakaiki to Greymo-uh m connection with the Jubilee Celebrations.

Mr R. W. Poschieh asked the Council to have road running past his property at Rapahoe straightened. The matter was referred to the h nginecr. The Secretary of the Rotomanu Farmers’ Union wrote asking that tin' water tables on Grey \ a iie’,-Taramakau road between Slatey Greek and Rotomanu be put in a better state of repair. Referred to Engineer.

The County Clerk, Reefton, forwarded a copy of a letter sc: t to the Minister of Public \Vorks with referenc to Maruia Hot Springs, and asked this Council’s co-operation. It was agreed to co-operate in the matter. Messrs Hannan and Seddon forwarded a copv of an application by the Honiara Sawmill Coy, Ltd, for permission to lay a tramway along Payne’s Gully Road. The Council decided to accede to the request. Messrs Guinness and Kitchingbani for warded a copy of an application by William Goss, Ltd, for renewal of tram license. It was decided that further information be requested. The Conservator of Forests asked for particulars of trees planted by Council during 1927.—Received.

In connection with the road construction work between Haupiri and Haupiri Junction, a communication from the District Engineer was considered, staging that on all road works for which the Government granted £250 or upwards, the local body in charge of the road must pass a resolution guaranteeing to metal and maintain such roads efficiently, and in accordance with the District Engineer’s requirements. The Council’s Engineer said no local body would let a road get out of repair if it had funds, whereas if it lacked funds all the resolutions imaginable would make no difference. However, in the case of the Haupiri Road it was advisable to pass the resolution, which was done, on the motion of the Chairman and Cr Robinson. Regarding the offer of the Dominion Home Builders Milling Coy, Greenstone, to pay an eighth of the cost of constructing a now bridge on the road they used to transport limber, the Engineer said he thought the offer fair. The Company stated bad paid

£2OOO royalty, and their offer would mean a payment of £6O to £7O. It was 1 agreed to accept the offer. The Engineer said the old bridge would do except for the timber traffic. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The Engineer, Mr J. Higgins, reported as follows: —Re GreeiistoneBlaekwator bridges: The dry weather has accentuated the position here. The tailings and mining debris from Hohohu Diamond Terrace goldmining claim have befen discharged into the Greenstone Creek at right angles to its course, and for its full width, so that the stream is dammed, and a miniature lake lias been formed for about half a mile above the point of discharge. The dammed up water has covered the deck of the higher bridge to a depth of 21 feet, while the lower bridge had six feet of water on its deck. On March 20th the water was three inches deep on the higher bridge, and 3 feet 9 ins on the lower one. This causes a stoppage of all traffic, even pedestrians cannot pass. The sawmill of Connel’s Flat, formerly owned by Mr Baxter, has been purchased by a new Company, who are anxious to commence milling, but are unable to get the sawn timber away. For more than a year I have been getting walls of scrub and stakes put in to hold back the tailings at the lower bridge, and the tailings were soon built up to 'a height of eight feet over the bridge deck. The road could be connected with the tailings at Marsden end, and a road formed on the same, with a short embankment at the other end to connect with the high bridge. This would enable traffic to be resumed, for it is very seldom that the watei- is deep enough on this bridge to cause a stoppage. At another point about 30 chains at the Marsden side of the bridge the dammed up water covers the road for a short distance, and this would require embanking also. Many years ago Greenstone Creek was proclaimed a sludge channel for the deposit of tailings and running debris, and the mining company is clearly within its rights in what it is doing. The only objection that could bo taken by the Council would be if the tailings were being discharged within five chains of the bridge. The distance, however, is considerably greater. Cr Robinson suggested that a Committee from the Council should visit the Hohonu and seek an understanding with the sluicing company. It was resolved that the Council visit the locality to investigate the blockage of the Blackwater Road. -