COBDEN MERGER

Grey River Argus, 5 October 1934, Page 12

COBDEN MERGER

borough readjustments. 'rhe (treymouth Borough Council, at its monthly meeting last evening, discussed the readjustments necessary through the amalgamation of the Cob den Town District with the Borough. In connection with the merger, the Finance Committee recommended as follows: — 'That the Borough Engineer’s report re reorganisation of staff after th-' amalgamation of Cobden and (1 revmouth as from the Ist October, be adopted. The report concerned three service's, namely: Night soil service, rubbish collection, and works, and is as follows: Night Soil Service. —The Grevmouth night soil service requires tin* service of one man lor six nights per week and an extra man for one night per week. The Cobden service occupies one man on five nights per week. Under the amalgamation it is proposed that the Cobden man take over the extra night in Greymouth and so have two men working six nights per week in the Combined Borough. The necessary vehicles are available but tin' Cobden man hires a horse, his own having died recently. The purchase of a suitable horse is called for. One of the general service horses is practically unfit for further work and it is advisable to dispose of it and to procure another. 'That is, two horses are required and it is suggested that the head stableman be sent to Christchurch to make the purchases. The wage of the second man for the combined Borough service has to be decided upon and to put him on the same scale as the present Borough man would appear to be equitable, that is £7 10s per week, less 5 per cent. Rubbish Collection. — In Cobden this service is performed by the motor lorry on one half day per week. half of the district being served on each alternate week. The Greymouth service occupies but four days per week, each street in the Borough being visited at least weekly. It will be seen, therefore. that the Grevmouth service can be extended to include Cobden, the Cobden motor lorry taking ••ver most of the auxiliary work performed by the Greymouth collector when he is not at present engaged upon his regular duties. Works. —Cobden employs a motor lorry driver who is also in charge of the workers under No. 5 Scheme. Occupying a dual position he has been unable to exercise due supervision over those men. Tt is proposed, therefore, that he be appointed subforeman in that area. and that he should confine himself to the supervision of, and working with, the No. 5 Scheme workers, and that a capable driver be engaged for the Cobden lorry. Such a driver is available in Cobden from amongst the No. ~ Scheme workers. That the services of Miss E. Davison, the present Town Clerk of Cobden, be retained until the end of this year—l 934. All of the above recommendations were adopted. On the motion of Cr. F. L. Turley, seconded by Cr. A. H. MeKane, it was decided that the Engineer (Mr A. .T. Fairmaid) should prepare a report to ascertain the cost of supplying the Cobden township with water, also the cost of installing drainage and sewerage systems at Cobden. Cr. Turley said that after the estimates were available the matter could be submitted to Cobden residents for their decision. The Mayor said the water supply estimate was available, but preparation of estimates of the two other items would take some time.