GREY COUNTY COUNCIL

Grey River Argus, 2 August 1940, Page 2

GREY COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING. At last night’s meeting of the Greymouth County Council there were present Councillors J. W. Hannan (chairman), G. Blair, J. M. Eadie, W. Fisher, J'. Mulcare, A. McDonnell and A. Robinson. The chairman, who apologised for the absence of the Hon. J. Ryall, moved a motion extending the Council’s congratulations to him on his appointment to the Legislative Council, which was carried. Accounts amounting to £1,695 18s lOd were passed for payment. The treasurer’s statement of receipts for the period ended July 31, 1940, was as follows:— Rates £312 16s 7d; vehicle licenses £1,374 2s lid; sundry licenses £418; royalties and rents £2B; sales and hire £B3 14s 9d; compensation refunds £29 15s Id; main highways £368 7s lOd; Government grants £345 4s 3d; “halves” and “thirds” £348 8s 7d; goldfields £1,226 13s 9d; sundries £319 Ils sd; employment £4,767 17s lOd; total £9,622 13s. The Treasury forwarded a copy of an Order-in-Council consenting to the raising of a loan of £1,467 10s towards the construction of the Barrytown deviation the loan to be for live years at no more than 4 per cent., and to be repaid in equal annual instalments.

Applications were( received from four applicants for the position of roadman at Atarau. After some consideration, it was decided to let the matter stand over till the next meeting.

Mr P. A. Cornish wrote pointing out that the bridge across the Arnold River had not yet been built. Cr. Fisher said that a bridge was definitely needed there. The chairman stated that the Engieer would deal with the matter in his report. Mr F. Donovan wrote regarding his access to the Camptown Road. The chairman said the Council was satisfied that Mr Donovan’s property had other road access, and his motion that Mr Donovan be informed of the decision of the last Council meeting was carried. The Principal of the Greymouth Technical High School advised that the term for local body representatives on the School Board of Governors expires this week, and asking nominations for thee risuing term. It was decided to notify the Principal that the chairman would attend if it were necessary.

Arthur’s Pass National Park Board wrote for a donation to assist in the maintenance and development of the Park.

The Mayor of Greymouth, Mr F. A. Kitchingham, wrote regarding the reclamation of waste materials and the question of forming a board for the Grey district. It was decided to appoint Cr. Blair as the County representative. The Greymouth Borough Council wrote asking if arrangements could' be made for a deputation to meet the Council to discuss further contributing to the Centennial Memorial Fund. Cr. Mulcare pointed out that although it was a worthy object, there were many such bodies in the county, and there were also more important works. “No good can come of such a meeting,” he concluded'. The chairman said that it seemed to him that it would be as much a benefit to the county as to

the town, but the county did not have much money. Cr. Mulcare said the Council would like to help them, but there were other important things. Hj was decided to [inform the Borough Council that the County Council regretted but nothing could be gained from a meeting, as the Council was in no position to assist them. Reports were received of a meeting of the Emergency Precautions Committees. - It was decided to hold tfle matter over until the next meeting, when all the school committees would have .had their meetings. The Minister of Internal Affairs wrote outlining the scheme for the transferring of British children to the Dominion for the duration of the war. It was decided that if any applications were received they would be forwarded to the Borough CounThe Engineer (Mr J. Higgins) reported that if a grant could not be secured from the Government, nothing could be done about the proposed bridge across the Arnold Rivei. The Council’s portion of the cost of the Haupiri protection works was to be £833, but the Public Works Department was reported as to have provided a subsidy of 30s in the £, leaving £467 for the County to find. The Public Works Engineer had stated that the subsidy was not quite 30s in the £. Cr. Mulcare pointed out that if the Council gave help to some people it would have to give it to others, and he asked if the county could stand the strain. Cr. Blair: “We have no money to spend on these things. ’ The Engineer reported on C. Rogers’ application to cut flax between the Grey River and Barrytown. His recommendation that Mr Bogers be advised to make applica tion for rights to the Lands Department was acted upon. The Engineer reported that in order to provide access to J'. Priests’ property at Deep Creek_ Messrs Jack Bros, had offered for sale a strip of land half a chain wide, for £5, around which fences would not be required if the gates were kept closed. It was decided to accept Jack Bros’ offer. The Engineer stated that there were thirty-seven county street lights altogether—3l in Blackball, 5 in Karoro and one in Cobden. An application for a street light in Blackball had been received from J. Hartshorne. Cr. Mulcare’s motion that Mr Hartshorne’s application be granted was carried.