GREY COUNTY COUNCIL

Grey River Argus, 19 January 1940, Page 11

GREY COUNTY COUNCIL

ORDINARY MEETING The monthly meeting of the Grey County Council was held last evening, when there were present Councillors J. W. Hannan (chairman), J. Mulcare, A. McDonnell, A. Robinson, H. G. Carter, J. M. Eadie, W. Fisher and G. Blair. Mr F. Donovan, Ngahere, . wrote asking for access to the main road by way of Duggan’s Road, or Camptown Road. ' . ~

The Engineer (Mr J. Higgins) was asked to report on the possibility of providing access. The Westland Provincial PatrioticCouncil wrote notifying of allocation of the £3OO contribution to the Patriotic Purposes Fund, ■ based oh the population of the various districts. The Grey County’s share was £57 10s. The amount was passed for payment. Mr J. Smith, Nine Mile, wrote complaining that fences there were encroaching on the road reserve. The Engineer was asked to report on the subject for the next .meeting. The Health Department forwarded report of the District Inspector for the month of December, 1939. It was decided to agree to a proposal by the New Zealand Counties’ Association to refund one-third of drivers’ license fees to the Government, for the purpose of meeting the cost of traffic control. Crs. Eadie and Blair, and the County Clerk, Miss E. M. Heaphy, were appointed representatives on the Westland Patriotic Council. Accounts totalling £3584 2s 2d, already paid, were approved, and accounts totalling £246 15s Id were passed for payment. The Public Works Department forwarded authority for £740 free, for Brown Grey River bridge, second crossing. The chairman said that the vote was made available following an interview with the Minister of Public Works on a recent visit. The Greymouth Surf Life Saving Club was voted £2 2s. The Board’s representative on Jhe No. 12 District Highways Council advised that full powers of control over the Ngahere-Blackball main highway had been delegated to the Council. Cr. Mulcare moved that the Board be written to asking what the position was and whether the Board was going to provide the usual grant for tar-sealing. Other towns had been tar-sealed and they should urge the completion of this work through Blackball. ' Cr. Hannan seconded the motion, asking for authority and the necessary grant. The motion was carried. The Department of Agriculture wrote notifying that the plant Echium Vulgara (health plant) had by Order-in-Council, been added to the Noxious Weeds Act, 1928. Cr. Fisher said that it was troublesome’ in Marlborough and in the Rotorua district, but there was no sign of it on the West Coast. It was decided to add it to the list of noxious weeds in an endeavour to prevent any possibility of its growth.

Mr Jas O’Brien, M.P., ■ wrote enclosing letter from the Minister Of Public Works, Hon. R. Sempia, in regard to the restoration of the approaches, brought before him by a deputation from the Council on October 30 last, and stating that he was agreeable to the granting of a sub? sidy of £25(); £2 for £l. The Engineer said that £6O was promised by the sawmillers and this would leave £65 to be found by the Council.

The Engineer was requested to submit the necessary proposals to the Department foi- the carrying out of the work.

The West Coast (5.1.) Sawmillers’ Mutual Accident Insurance Coy wrote regarding the matter of indemnity of the members in regard, to tramway crossings, and notifying acceptance of claims in the meantime, until the approval of the Supreme Court was obtained.

Messrs Guinnes and Kitchingham, writing on behalf of the Insurance Company, the Sawmillers’ Association and on their own behalf, wrote in regard to the same matter, and pro-, testing against unfounded criticism at the delay in the completion of the indemnity proposals, and stating that the matter had been pushed on with the greatest possible expediency. The chairman said it was eighteen months ago when the Council first asked for this indemnity and there had been ample- time in which to fix it up. He felt they were entitled to some criticism from the Council. Cr. Mulcare said his opinion of the matter was that it had been totally ignored. ■; Cr. Hannan said he saw no occasion for a provocative letter 'of that nature. If arrangements could not have been made sooner then the firm could have written and told the Council so, but the letter was uncalled for, he said.

The chairman said there was no adverse criticism and any delay was due entirely to the sawmilling interests and their agents. " \ Cr. Hannan said he thought they should ask them to complete the policy forthwith. Cr. Carter said it appeared as though they were still, sparring for time. It was unfortnate for Hahn Bros, that the Council had had to turn down their application, but it had no option.

On the motion of Crs. Hannan and Carter it was decided that Hahn Bros’, application be granted, subject to. the policy, being completed. The matter of having the policies completed was left in the hands of the chairman and Cr. Hannan.

The Department of Agriculture wrote relative to the Council’s application for assistance in the eradication of ragwort, stating that the late application by the Council had been taken to mean that it was not participating in the scheme.

The chairman reported having interviewed Hon.. R. Semple, and stated that Hon, P. C. Webb had been communicated with, in an effort to have the subsidy restored.

Messrs Joyce and Taylor, County Solicitors, wrote in connection with the matter of the Coal Creek flood protection loan. The Manager, State Advances Corporation of New Zealand, Ltd., also wrote on the same subject, and advised that 3J per cent, holding fee was owing, due to the delay, lifting the loan. The amount was passed for payment.

Messrs Joyce and Taylor wrote enclosing, copy of statement of claim for damages against the - ’Bundi Tin Dredging Co., for damages occasioned to the .Camerons road by ' the operations of the dredge. The case

was set. down-.forb earing, on Janu. ary 22, and over £6OO was claimed. The Engineer said the terms of a bond had not been complied with by the dredging, company. The com' pany had since sold its dredge and he believed it had let a contract for the making of the road. This would have to. be legalised. When the came on, they would have to apply for an adjournment until the road was completed. The purchaser of the dredge could not take it away, until the County’s claim was satisfied. The action of the Engineer in the matter was endorsed.. The assistant secretary, Department of Labour, wrote in reply to the Engineer!, request for a ruling on the questijn oT wet time for Scheme No. 13 workers. It was pointed out that there were no special conditions, so long as the award conditions were complied with. The Engineer said a lot of things cropped up in connection with the award, and they could get no interpretation for it. It was decided that the letter be referred to the Union secretary. The New Zealand Counties’ Association wrote in connection with the enforcement of regulation.: weight restrictions in respect of timber carting in Westland. The secretary, Westland County Council wrote oh the same subject. The matter, "which was stated by members to present many difficulties, was referred to the Engineer to confer with other local bodies.

It was decided to offer no objection to the application of Elvezio de' Michiel for a water race license, 5 heads, 11 Mile Creek, 21 years, Greymouth-Westport road, subject to the appplication being in order.