BOROUGH COUNCIL

Grey River Argus, 7 August 1937, Page 4

BOROUGH COUNCIL

ORDINARY MEETING. At the monthly meeting of the Greymouth- Borough Council on Thursday evening there were present the Mayor (Mr. W. Meldrum), and Crs. A. H. McKane, J. B. Kent, P. Blanchfield, A. M. Carroll, C. Neville, R. J. Williams, G. R. Harker, and A. H. Paterson. Messrs Hannan and Seddon forwarded leases of Part M.R.51 Council to M. E. Bellamy and others for execution. —Granted providing everything is in order. The District Public Trustee wrote regarding dedication of road and forwarded plan of subdivision of Joyce estate for approval.—Granted subject to a bond being entered into and to the satisfaction of the Engineer, and Works Committee. The Sanitary Inspector wrote drawing attention to breaches of by-laws by S. Sharman. It was decided to serve the notice required calling upon Mr'. Sharman to carry out the provisions of the by-laws. The Military Secretary, GovernorGeneral wrote expressing appreciation of arrangements for visit of' His Excellency to Greymouth. The Town Planning Institute of New Zealand wrote inviting the Council to become a member of the institute. —It was decided to become a member. Mr. T. Jones wrote regarding flooding of his property in Kilgour Road. The Mayor stated that the matter was dealt with in the Works Committee’s report. The Greymouth Eistedfodd (Mr. R T. Bush secretary), wrote reqesting Council to arrange for heating of Town Hall for annual festival. Commencing on August 16.—Granted. The Grey Hospital Board forwarded statement of levy for year 19371938, which was approved. The Greymouth Technical High School advised that nominations for members of the Board closed on Saturday next, and that Crs. McKane and Kent were eligible for -re-elec-tion. Crs. McKane and Kent were renominated for the position. The Greymouth Technical High School wrote complimenting the Council on the formation of Children’s section at the Municipal Library. The Reefton School of Mines wrote requesting a donation towards its funds.—Referred to Finance Committee. The South Island Travel .Association of New Zealand, Christchurch, wrote regarding publication of book covering South Island scenic reserves, and asking for the Council’s support of the publication. The West Coast Basketball Association wrote requesting assistance inproviding playing grounds for members. It was stated that there were 33 teams taking part, approximating 350 girls, and it was desired to have hard courts constructed at the Main School grounds to play on in the interests of the players.—Referred to Finance Committee. Cr. McKane thought that the representations of the Association should be met by the Council, and an effort made to offer borough grounds which could be asphalted, instead of a private area. The Westland County Council wrote requesting co-operation in their efforts to have the railway extended to South Westland.—lt was decided to co-operate. Mrs. M. Rundle, 33 Alexander St., wrote regarding the serious flooding of her property in that street. The Engineer, in reply to Cr. Carroll, said that it would no doubt eventually be a liability of the Council. The’ Engineer was requested to prepare a report on the matter. Mr. T. S. Willis wrote regarding flooding of his section in Collins St., Blaketown. Cr. Blanchfield said that there had been serious flooding of streets in Blaketown and he would like to see something done as soon as possible. The matter was referred to the Works Committee for immediate attention.

Mrs. Harries, Mount Street, requested that a street light be erected in that street. —Referred to Lighting Committee. The West Coast Rugby Union wrote requesting that business people be asked to close for a half day on the occasion of the Springbok match at Greymouth on August 25. It was decided to comply with the request. Mr. L. McGlashan, wrote requesting that kerbing and channelling be carried out on the south side of western Franklyn Street.—Referred to Works Committee. Mrs. E. Gore requested that a street light be erected at west end ot Perotti Lane. —Referred to Lighting Committee. Mr. John McNeill, wrote requesting that a footpath be constructed into his property in Ashmore Avenue Cobden.—Referred to Works Committee. The Minister of Internal Affairs wrote requesting co-operation m the celebration of Arbor Day on August 11. The Mayor stated that necessary arrangements were in hand. Cr. McKane said that the schools had been communicated with and trees would be planted on the Recreation Ground. Mr. A. T. Webster, Preston Road requested consent to transfer Lot 13 of Sub. 24, M. R. Reid Street to S. R. Moreland. —Granted.

The Director of Housing Construction Mr. A. Tyndall, wrote regarding formation of streets, Keeney’s block Cobden. The Mayor stated that the Engineer had ascertained that two section frontages were not right and the road was not a chain in width. It was decided to reply stating that plan did not comply with the by-laws, and ask what was intended to be done in the matter. Cr. McKane pointed out that this would eventually be a Main Street. The Engineer was instructed to supply cost of forming roadway to the Director of Housing. The Union Steamship Co. wrote requesting permit to renovate shed on wharf near yards.—Granted. Miss M. L. Cunliffe, librarian, was granted annual leave. Messrs Hannan and Seddon wrote regarding dedication of street Perotti estate to Council; re dedication of land Herbert Street, Native Trustee to Council.—Held over for report of Works Committee. Messrs Hannan and Seddon wrote regarding lease, Council to Greymouth Aero Club.—Approved. Messrs Hannan and Seddon, wrote regarding subdivision and transfer, G. E. Laing to J. W. Moore.—Approved. Messrs Hannan and Seddon wrote regarding lease Lot 3, Section 26, M.R. 51 Council. Io D. Coburn.—Approved. ■ I The local Bodies Employees’ Union |

wrote regarding holiday for Springbok match. It was decided to grant a holiday as specified in the award. The Engineer explained that provision was made in the agreement for two days holiday each year to be mutually arranged. The Greymouth Harbour Board wrote regarding Borough sewerage scheme, the letter being received. The Borough General Staff and Gas Works Employees Industrial Agreement was approved. Cr. Blanchfield said he wished to draw the Engineer’s attention to the state of footpaths which had oeen opened up to get at drain pipes. These had not been properly filled in and the Council was leaving itself open to claims for damages to limbs of pedestrians. Cr. Carroll asked if the Council was getting a proportion of the cost of the Housing Survey from the Government. The Town Clerk said he thought there was provision for a subsidy in this respect and he would make further inquiries. It was decided that the work of drainage of the Perotti estate subdivision at an estimated cost of £7l be carried out. An application by J. M. Eadie for a permit to erect a garage in Franklin Street to house commercial vehicles was referred to the Town Planning Committee with power to act. Cr. Kent said that the new hours in the reading library were not satisfactory, and he moved that on Saturdays the hours be extended to 9 p.m. and that the Sunday hours be changed from 9 a.m. to noon to 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. He stated that it was in the afternoon on Sundays the people preferred to do their reading. The motion was seconded by Cr. Paterson. Cr. Harker said that he considered Cr. Kent had taken a high handed attitude in not referring the matter first to the library committee. Cr. Kent said that he was sorry that he had been unable to call a meeting. The library was there for the public, and they had to do their best for the public even if they put an extra man on. Cr. McKane thought that the caretaker had too much work now, having to work seven days a week, and he thought that it should be referred back to the library' committee for further consideration. Cr. Kent said that in order to give the caretaker a day off, there were several members of the public willing to take charge of the library on one day. Cr. McKane suggested that provision be made for relief of the caretaker in allowing him a day off. An amendment moved by Cr. Neville that the matter be referred to the Library Committee was defeated and the motion by Cr. Kent carried.

WORKS COMMITTEE’S REPORT Cr. Williams (chairman) reported: —Your Committee met at the Town Hall on Wednesday, present Crs. Williams (chairman) and Kent. Visits were paid to Cobden, Omoto Road, the southern area of the Borough, and Blaketown. With reference to matters referred to your Committee the recommendations are as follows, namely:—(l) Concerning the request for a light in Pitt Street, Cobden it is recommended that no action be taken at present. (2) Concerning the representations of the Blaketown and Preston Road Ratepayers’ Association it is recommended (a) That an endeavour be made to continue the tar sealing of Blake Street northwards to Collins Street, (b) That when the present programme of concrete kerbing and channelling is completed (that at present being attended to being near completion) such work in part of Blake Street and in Preston Road be included. The Borough Engineer having pointed out the areas affected by heavy rainfall in the vicinity of Kilgour Road and Alexander Street, it is recommended that the following steps be taken to deal with the situation, namely:—(l) Lay a nine inch storm water relief sewer from the inter-section of the roadway on the southern side of the Town Belt North and Tainui Street to Sawyers Creek. (2) Continue the storm water sewer, which discharges to Sawyers Creek in Heaphy Street, and which at present terminates at the boundary between Mrs Volheide’s and Mr. Gleeson’s section between Shakespeare and Perotti Streets, to Perotti Street to provide additional storm water outfall from the Kilgour Road area. (3) Continue the nine inch storm water drain through Mr. T. Jone’s property in Kilgour Road to the drainage system in that street. As the proposal (2) above can at present be carried out with the minimum of inconvenience to the property holders it is recommended that this work receive the earliest possible attention. When the Works Committee’s report was read, a motion by Crs. Carroll and Harker that the matters contained therein be referred to the Finance Committee and the Engineer to furnish estimates of the cost of jobs mentioned, was carried. The Chairman of the Reserves’ Committee (Cr. A. H. McKane), reported that matters referred to the committee were considered and it was recommended:-—

(1) That an application from Mr. J. A. Hart, Contractor, io build a garage in Herbert Street for Messrs Schaefs, Ltd., be granted subject to any conditions that the Borough Engineer may impose. (2) That an application from B. Steele, for grazing rights over Sections 1 to 8, Reid Street, Blaketown, be granted over Sections 4 to 8 inclusive, with a year to year lease at a rental of £1 per annum and subject to the usual conditions for such leases. (3) Complaint from Health Department re converting sheds into dwellings. On inspection we found the shed complained of in Mr. Blacktopp’s property is now being used as a workshop; re Mr. S. Southam’s property, Boundary Street, we found that the shed is now occupied as a dwelling arid has had additions recently added. In view of other complaints it is recommended that the Inspector of Nuisances be instructed to report on all dwellings in this locality that do not comply with the by-laws. (4) It is recommended that the necessary fencing be done at the horse paddock to keep the horses off that portion of the reserve adjoining the swimming baths. (5) That the water be laid on to the glasshouse at the nursery. The report was adopted. It was decided that clause be dealt with under the hardship clause. COAL CREEK PROTECTION WORKS. With reference to lhe request ol tlie deputation from the land holders of Coal Creek Flat, which waited

upon the Council at its last meeting concerning the question of the Council’s interest in the proposal to construct certain river training works on the right bank of the Grey River al the eastern end of Coal Creek Flat, I have to report having visited the site in company with representatives of the Harbour Board, the Grey County Council and the Public Works Department, the scheme having oeen drawn up by that Department, stated the Engineer, Mr. A. J. Fairmaid, in a special report on the subject. The water supply for the Borough is drawn from the Grey River at a point 28 chains upstream from Cob den Bridge and the security of the intake works is intimately associated with a change which might occur in the course of the Grey River as a result of the river breaking its banks at about the site of the proposed training works and cutting a channel across the southern end of Coal Creek Flat.

Whilst the course taken as a result of such a break through might, be more directly towards Cobden Bridge, and thus clear of the intake works, there is an equal possibility of’ the break through occurring on an alignment which would throw a heavy current on to the left bank of the River in the vicinity of the intake and create deep water where at present are shingle beds in which are sunk the intake bore holes. In the event of the latter possibility the Council would be faced with considerable expenditure to maintain the supply of water to the Borough. The Mayor said that no doubt the Borough Council was interested as it was likely to affect their waterworks, and a grant would be an insurance against risk of danger to Borough property. Cr. Neville moved that provided the County Council granted an indemmity, a grant of £lOO be made, £5O this year and £5O the next financial year.

Cr. McKane seconded. Cr Kent said that they might be doing a disservice to the town, as if there was a flood it levelled out on •the flat and if a breakwater was put in it was to his mind going to turn the water into this side of the river He would like to have some further opinion as to the effect of the breakwater.

The Engineer said that the stopbank was simply to prevent a heavy current passing over the pastoral land of Coal Creek flat but there would still be dead water laying there. The motion to vote £lOO was carried.

FINANCE COMMITTEE’S REPORT. The following report of the Finance Committee was adopted by the Greymouth Borough Council at Thursday’s meeting:— I have to inform you that a meeting of the Finance Committee of the Greymouth Borough Council was held in the Town Clerk’s Office. Town Hall, Mackay Street, Greymouth, at. 7.45 p.m. on Thursday, the 15th day of July, 1937, the following members being present, viz;—His Worship the Mayor, W. Meldrum, Esq., Chairman and Crs. Paterson, McKane, Neville, Blanchfield, Williams, Harker and Kent. The Committe now submits the following recommendations for your approval, viz:—That accounts amounting to £1569 14s lid, be passed for payment and accounts amounting to £3303 12s Id, paid since last meeting, be approved; that the Treasurer’s report be received and adopted; that the Gas Manager’s report be received and adopted and appreciation expressed of the procedure adopted in laying gas service pipes, to supply prospective consumers in Cobden, in the water main trench; that a letter from Mr. J. O’Brien, M.P. covering advice from the Hon. the Minister of Labour that a subsidy on the basis of 10 per cent of the actual labour cost of proposed addition and renovations to the Town Hall and a subsidy cn the basis of £4 per married man pe> week in respect of full time employment of eligible men on the. laying out of the grounds, be received, and the thanks of Council be conveyed to the Minister; that a letter from H H. O’Grady, Buccleugh Street, Greymouth, thanking tile Council for remitting a portion of his overdue rates, be received: that an invitation from Grey Returned Soldiers’ Association to the Council to attend its 21st Anniversary Reunion Banquet to be held on Saturday, 7th August, at S p.m. be accepted with thanks; that a letter from the Timaru Borough Council asking the Council’s opinion of its suggestion that beacons be used at pedestrian crossings on busy intersections instead of painted lines, be

referred to the Traffic Committee with power to reply; that requests from the Grey River Argus Coy., Ltd and the Greymouth Evening Star Coy., for a reduction in the charge for gas used for melting metal, be held over until the Gas Committee goes into the matter of gas charges; that a letter from the Commercial Union Assurance Coy., Ltd./ Greymouth Agency, regarding accident cover for the caretaker of the aerodrome—who is also an employee of the W.C/ United Aero Club—be referred to the Engineer for a report; that a letter from the Acting Minister of Labour, confirming grants of subsidy in respect of Sewerage and Storm Water Drainage; Gas Reticulation, Blaketown; improvement of Omoto Road and establishment of Civic Square, be received, and the Minister be thanked for his information that in connection with a request from the Medical Officer of Health, Christchurch, that W. S. Howson be required to acquire proper premises for storing of pelts and skins, Mr. Howson be given two months notice to vacate Victoria Park and comply with the Health Department’s regulations; that the Director of Housing Construction be thanked for bis advice that the Government will be responsible for the payment of rates under the Housing Scheme and that the work of giving proper access to the houses to be erected in Cobden be put in hand at once; that a request from the Westland Football Association that the Council remit the sum of £1 10s, charged for the use of the Recreation Ground for days allotted to it but not used, be referred to the Superintendent of Reserves, Mr. R. G. Cooper, for a report; that an account from Messrs John Duthie and Coy., Ltd., Wellington—insurance adjustment be paid; that the proprietor of the Goodrich Service Station be written to drawing his attention to the practice of heavy lorries going over the footpaths to fill up at petrol pumps and advised that it will have to be discontinued; that the notice of Ihe Traffic Inspector be drawn to to the stacking of bicycles outside the National Bank biulding in Mackay Street —also in front of Woolworths Ltd., and J. R. McKenzie Ltd., and that the firms in question be written to; that it be left in the hands of the Town Planning Committee to discuss with the Grey Electric Power Board the question of taking over the morgue in Johnston Street for use as a sub-station; that books on horticulture, as per list submitted up to the value of £5 be purchased for the Reference Branch of the Library; that tenders for the removal of nightsoil be called, the Borough Engineer to draw up conditions. A special meeting of the Finance Committee was held on Thursday, the 22nd day of July, 1937, at 7.30 p.m. for the purpose of considering a provisional estimate of receipts and expenditure for the year ending 31st March, 1938. The following members were present:—His W'orship the Mayor, W. Meldrum, Esq., Chairman and Crs. McKane, Blanchfield, Harker, Carroll, Paterson, Williams and Neville. The committee recommends: That the provisional estimate of receipts and expenditure for the year ending 31st March, 1938, by approved. Cr. Neville recorded his vote against the recommendation. The question of giving the Greymouth Bowling Club some sods from the Recreation Ground was left in the hands of the Borough Engineer to attend to.