GREY COUNTY COUNCIL

Grey River Argus, 5 March 1937, Page 2

GREY COUNTY COUNCIL

monthly meeting. Cr J Ryall (chairman) was in the chair at the monthly meeting of the Grey County Council last evening, there also being present Crs. J. Muicare, H. G. Carter, A. McDonnell, A. Robinson, W. T. Ogilvie, A. Donnellan and G. Blair. Accounts amounting to £1679 17s llj were passed for payment. The State Forestry Department forwarded schedule showing' fifths and tenths for the quarter ended December 30 amounting to £568 14s lOd. The Transport Department wrote in reference to the registration of County garages and stating that an inspection wound be carried out at an early date. The 'District Engineer, Public Works Department, Greymouth, requested the Council to legalise portions of the Brunner-Blackball road—lt was decided to hold the matter over. The New Zealand Counties’ Assn, forwarder circular letter in reference to the status of Motor Drivers’ and Local Bodies Drivers’ Award, and stat, ed under which award drivers of all descriptions should work. Forest Sawmill Co. applied for permission to cross the road at Ngahere with a tram line and also with a sawdust flume. —Granted, subject to the Engineer’s approval. T. E. Coates forwarded plan of Omoto township for approval—lt was decidej to approve of the plan of subdivision.

B, E. Meade wrote in reference to the naming of streets at Karoro township, and suggesting Gloucester Street as a suitable name. —Referred to the Engineer for a report as the next meeting. A. Seebeck and several others asked for an extra light to be placed at Karoro. —Referred to the Engineer for a report. W. T. Blackmun applied for permission to erect a ear shelter on the road reserve at Slaty Creek. —Granted sub. jeet to the Engineer’s approval. The Maori Gully Gold Dredging Co., Ltd., wrote offering to assist with 'the labour for construction of a bridge across Waimea Creek. —Left to the Engineer with power to act. The Grey Life Saving Surf Club wrote thanking the Council for grant of £2 2s. P. C. Heaphy’s application to erect small cottage at Punakaiki was grant, ed. Grey Borough Council asked if County Council was prepared to assist with the elimination of the Australasian crossing by the construction of a new road along the western side of the present railway line. It was decided to refer the matter to the Engineer for a report. It w’as difficult to understand what the Coun. cil required, said the chairman. Cr. Carter said that it seemed the Council would have to assist financially in the matter. A number of Omoto ratepayers requested the extension of road at Kaiata to give access to several houses recently etrecttd at 'Owoto (Olifden Road). —Referred to the Engineer for a report. It was decided to agree to the remission of rent due by a syndicate, on the application of Guinness and Kitchingham. In reply to Cr. McDonnell, the Clerk stated that J. D. Brosnan’s claim for land taken had been settled at £5O. The following tenders were received for various County works, the lowest being recommended for acceptance in each case: Moore Creek bridge (Cobden—lkamatua Road) W. Arnott £525 6d 2d, F. Turner £584 4s, G. Burich £4lB 16s; Mitchells—Haupiri Road (Waterfall Creek bridge) W. Arnott £545; M. Vlahovich £494; Tube Creek bridge, W. Arnott £478 2s 7d.

On Cr. Mulcare’s motion it was decided that the Engineer prepare an estimate of the cost of tar-sealing in the townships of the County; and to request the Main Highway Board to expedite the tar-sealing at Ngahere. LOCAL BODY AMALGAMATION. Th e New Zealand Counties’ Association asked the Council to give an expression of its opinion in regard to the Local Government Amalgamation Schemes Bill,

The Clerk (Mr M. Keating) said that County Councils were moving in the matter in every place, Greymouth being an exception. The Chairman said that the Council could call a meeting of all local bodies to consider the question. On the motion of Crs Donnellan and Carter it was decided to request all local authorities to appoint delegates to such a meeting. Cr. Carter considered that it would be useless to call a meeting without having full data available. The Clerk said that the Government was asking local bodies to consider the proposals, and if local bodies did not take action, the Government might do so itself. The West Coast was peculiarly situation. The chairman said that there would probably be much local opposition to the proposal. Cr. Carter said that the opposition did not matter so much as the rating question. The onty possible form of amalgamation, in his opinion, would be between hospital boards, power boards and county councils themselves. Cr Muleare said that there were pos. sibilities with local bodies such as bor. ough councils, adjacent to each other. Cr Muleare and the chairman were appointed to represent the Council at the meeting. The Treasurer’s statement to March 1, was as follows, the estimates being shown in parentheses:—Rates (£7153) £3503 3s 9d; vehicle licenses (£2680) £2615 2s 9d; sundry licenses (£390) £4OO 12s; rents (£80) £52 5s 8d; refunds, comp., etc. (£300) £292 17s; sales and hire (£300) £475 11s 8d; Government grants . (£4568) £l7lB Is 3d; Main Highways (£9785) £6OOB 9s lid; halves (£1750) £2009 18s lid; State Forest (£1750) £1392 is 3d!*' goldfields (£5000) £5OBO 9s 9d; No 5 Scheme (£5000) £5311 6s 3d; Gold Scheme (£25,000) £17,750 4s lOd; sundry (£1000) £B4B 18s 3d; total (£64,756) £47,459 3s 3d.

Balance at bank £9032, less due by Treasury £374, State Forests £586, M.H. Board £1461, Employment Board £l6O, Goldfields £350—£2932; nett debit £6lOO.