BOROUGH COUNCIL

Grey River Argus, 27 May 1938, Page 7

BOROUGH COUNCIL

SPECIAL MEETING Cr. Herring Elected Deputy-Mayor A special meeting of the Greymouth Borough Council was held last evening when there were pi esen c the Mayor (Mr. F. A. Kitchingham), and Crs. H. Herring, F. Boustridge, J. R. Anderson. J. B. Kent, J. Saunders, A. H Paterson, R. J- Williams, C. Neville and G. R. Harker. The Mayor said that this was the first public meeting of the new Council He was hopeful that at all meetings they would be able to expediate the business by strict adherence to the rules of debate. He hoped that, on all occasions, members would be as brief as possible, pointing out that oratory did not sway business men to any extent. The Mayor moved that Cr. Herring be appointed Deputy-Mayor, _ stating that it was in accordance with precedent. Cr. Kent seconded the motion. There were no other nominations and Cr. Herring was declared elected. The Mayor stated that Cr. Williams had expressed the wish not to be reelected as Chairman of the Works Committee. In the suggested committees, it would be seen that each of the old Councillors were Chairmen of such committees. Cr. Herring though as Deputy Mayor, he was entitled to a chairmanship, had decided that he would not have one. As far as possible, the suggested, committees comprised all the Councillors, with some on two and three Committees. It had appeared that the townplanning could be more easily worked with the Works Committee than with the Reserves Committee, whilst the waterworks had been put in with the Gasworks Committee. These, he said, were re-arrangements. He thought that the Chairman of other committees should co-operate with the Town Planning Committee, as there was a lot of work involved. COMMITTEES APPOINTED. The following committees, as sug gested, were appointed: — Works (including Streets, Drainage and Town Planning): -Crs. Boustridge (Chairman), Williams, Herring Anderson, Saunders. General (Library and Traffic);—Crs. Kent (Chairman), Paterson, Neville, Boustridge and Harker. Reserves (including Cemetery)Crs. Neville (Chairman), Harker, Kent, Boustridge and Paterson. Gasworks, Abattoirs and Waterworks:—Crs. Harker (Chairman), Herring, Saunders, Williams, Kent. Outstanding Revenue: —Crs. Paterson (Chairman), Saunders and Anderson. Sub-Committee to sign plans, transfers, leases, agreements, contracts, etc. —Any two members of the General Committee.

Finance Committee: All members of the Council, with the Mayor as Chairman.

The Mayor is to be a member, exofficio, of all committees. The Mayor said that it was hoped to get an inspection of the town by the Council at an early date. An extensive report, he said, was being prepared by the Engineer (Mr. A. J. Fairmaid), in connection with various works _n progress in the town, or contemplated. The report would be typed and posted out to Councillors. It was decided that an inspection of the Borough be undertaken on Monday afternoon next, leaving the Town Hall at 1.15 o’clock. “FROG POND.” The Blaketown frog pond came under discussion, Cr. Kent pointing out that the Harbour Board desired to meet the Council on the site on Wednesday, June 8. The Mayor said that a letter had been received from the Board. He asked if the Council desired to acquire the area as a recreation reserve.

Cr.' Boustridge suggested going to the Harbour Board and getting it to fill up the pond, the Council to complete the road. The Council could pay its share and the Harbour Board its share, as agreed, leaving the question of purchase over to a later date. He suggested that as agreed upon formerly, the pond be filled to the 98 level, thereby abating me nuisance. He moved that the Council accept the invitation of the Harbour Board to meet them on the site on June 8: that the Council take up the attitude that the ground be filled to R.L. 98;; that the question of purchase be held over till the completion of the workthat the Council meet one third of the cost, which was estimated at £600; and that the Borough Council offer £6O for the Harbour Board’s interests when the work is completed. The Town Clerk (Mr. F. H. Denton,), said that the valuation on the area was £6O. The Engineer said that the estimated cost was £6OO four years ago, hut he would say it would now cost £BOO. Cr. Boustridge’s motion was carried. RESERVES. The Mayor said that the question of reserves was becoming an acute problem. The Basketball Association now required four courts, covering an area of approximately three quarters of an acre. He thought that the frog pond should be made into a playing area. McLean Pari: which the Harbour Board desired the Council to take over, was not suitable as a playing area. Cr. Herring said that there was a good piece of ground behind the Police Station which was not used, and was being overgrown with growth. He suggested approaching the Justice Department or Police Department to see if this area could be used as a sports ground. The Town Clerk said that, <n the event of the rebuilding of the Police Station, a small portion of ground at this end of the section was required by the Department for building on and possibly an exchange might be possible.

The Mayor said that the idof. of the Council was to shift the existing Borough stables, and possibly, when this was done, they could nlfse Jonnson Street.