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Grey River Argus, 14 March 1941, Page 6

mwlßily MEETING. Mr J W. Hannan (Chairman), presided at the monthly meeting of the Grey County Council, last evening, when there were also present; Councillors W. Fisher, J. Mulcare, E. McDonnell, H. G. Carter, W. Blair, A. Robinson, Messrs Jno. Higgins, 0.8. E., (Engineer) and R. Pollock (Acting-County Clerk). An apology was received from Hon. J. Ryah, M.L.C. Accounts amounting to £2,209 13s 4d were approved Accounts amounting to £749 16s lOd were passed for payment. A special order confirming the resolution passed at a meeting on February 6, in regard to the altering of the Ridings, was passed on the motion of Crs. Carter and McDonnell. The Public Works Department forwarded for approval plans of land required for a road and of a road to be closed on the Greymouth-Westport Coast Road. The plans were approved. The United Sawmills wrote regarding land taken for a' road in the Te Kinga Survey District, asking that the Council take all responsibility for accidents which might occur on the tramway. The request was granted. Messrs Guinness and Kitchingham on behalf of Messrs Gilbert and Toma'si and United Sawmills, Ltd., forwarded copies of applications for tramways Nos. 74/40 and 20/41, submitted to the Warden. The applications were approved, subject to the conditions laid down by the Engineer, being complied with. The Engineer suggested that the charges for issue of tramways permits apply only to those which were new. Cr. Mulcare moved in that direction and the Chairman seconded the motion, which was carried. Runanga’ Borough Council wrote on behalf of County residents in the vicinity of the township, asking that water be laid on to these houses, or that this portion of the County be included in the Runanga Borough. The matter was referred to the Engineer for a report. William Brown, Rewanui, wrote asking the Council to give access to ihis section at Rapahoe. The Engineer suggested that the work be done by Scheme 13 men. The matter was left to the Engineer

The Inspector of Police (Mr W. E. Packer), wrote, stating that complaints had been received from County residents about noise, etc., made by dances during Sunday’ morning, and he asked if the Council would pass a resolution that dances continuing into Sunday mornings be prohibited in the County. The Chairman said that a special by-law would have to be made to prohibit such dances. Dances could not be continued on Sunday mornings in the Borough, but there was no law restricting them in the County. Cr. Mulcare said that he knew of one Borough where dances continued to Sunday mornings. The Chairman said that permission must have been obtained from the Borough Council concerned. A bylaw would be required stating that the County would not allow dances to continue to Sunday mornings without the Council’s permission. The matter would be referred to* the County licitors to draft a by-law for the Council’s consideration. It was accordingly decided to refer the matter to the County solicitors. Kumara Goldfields wrote asking the Council for a remission of rent amounting to £2l, for the year. The Chairman said that the request was reasonable. The Engineer stated that a considerable amount of money had been spent on works and quite a large i amount had been paid in rates, etc. The request was granted. The Sanitary and Traffic Inspector’s reports for the month were received. Barrytown Gold Dredging Co. Ltd., forwarded tracings and asked for the Council’s permission to dredge the old Greymouth-Westport Road The matter was left in the hands of the Engineer. The District Highways Council advised that the estimated cost of sealing three chains of highway in the Blackball township was £550, the Council’s share of which would be £137 10s. Approval was given to the action of the Chairman in applying that the additional expenditure would be met in the present year. The District Highways Council advised tha tauthority had been issued for £2OO for improving the waterway in the vicinity of the Ngahere bridge. Mr P .A. Cornish wrote in regard to road access to his property, asking what was the position. The Engineer said that the position was that the road had to be legalised before any work could be done. In the legalisation of the access road, a little snag had been struck, the Survey Department finding that part of the road had been taken over by the Railway Department in 1901. He could not remember when the road had been taken over and he would like a chance to look the matter up in the records. In the meantime the job would be held up. Cr. Blair moved that th eletter be sent to Mr Cornish, informing him of the position,; and stating that the Council would do all it could. —Carried.

Letters were received, from the Director of National Service -and the Dominion Lighting Controller in regard to reduced lighting and warning signals, suggesting that a committee comprising the Chairman, the Engineer and the Inspector of Police represent the County. On the motion of Crs. Carter and Mulcare, it was decided to adopt the suggestion. The South Beach-Paroa Ratepayers’ Association wrote suggesting a discussion between the County and the Association, in regard to the rating systems. The chairman said that a decision to rate on the unimproved value must be made by a poll of ratepayers. The. matter should be referred to th e candidates for the incoming Council. Nothing could be gained from a conrt-vence with the present Councillors as they would be> going at th e end of the month. Cr. Carter said the Council should adhere to their previous resolution. Thia incoming Council could take; the epurjse whip.h was open to them. The chairman suggested that the views of other Ratepayers’ Associations be heard and if they all wanted a discussion the position could be explained at the next meeting. The Director of National Service wrote in regard to the local body “key” men. The Home Guard Adjutant, Mr G. G. M. Mitchell, wrote asking if the

Council was prepared to finance the Guard in regard to stationery and stamps, and petrol for travelling of N.C.O.’s outside three miles of the training base. The amount would not be above £5O a year. Cr. Mulcare said that it was a national matter which the Government shou.d take up. The chairman said that tne Government had placed the onus on local bodies. Th e accounts did not amount to much. Cr. Biair moved that the Council agree to meet expenditure up to a limit of £5O a year, and for only the three items. The motion was carried. The appointment of Messrs Noel Spiers and R. A. Innes to the Barrytown Home Guard Committee were approved, and the resignation of Mr Gillaly was accepted. The resignation of Mr A. E. Jlawtins from the Karoro Home Guard Committee was accepted, and the appointment of Mr A. F. Fairhall was approved. The appointment ot Mr H. McGrath to the Gladstone Home ' Guard Committee was approved The resignation of Mr A. L. Haste from th e Rotomanu Home Guard was accepted. A letter from the Barrytown Home Guard in regard to the cost of lighting for the drill in the Barrytown Hall was referred to the Power Board. Th e chairman moved that the Power Board be asked to supply electricity for Home Guard manoeuvres in the hall. The motion was carried. The following Home Guard Committee for Te Kinga was approved: Messrs W). Gray, C. Hooker, J Hahn and J. W. Hannan. The Greymouth Automobile Assn, wrote suggesting that the Council place depth indicator gauges on the roadside between Aratika and Kotuku to advise the depth of water at flood time. The chairman said that it would only cost a few pounds, and he had authorised the erection of the gauges. The chairman’s action was approved. In reply to a letter from the Assn, regarding the placing in order of the old Marsden Road, it was advised that the work had been done. The Deputy Valuer General wrote stating that the cost of the revision of the valuation roll was £6lO. The South Beach-Paroa Ratepayers’ Assn, wrote regarding the installation of a spot light in the district. A reply had been sent from both the Council and the Power Board that in view of the reduced lighting -t'he .light was not now necessary. An application by J. J. Shannahan for th e refund of £3 8s heavy traffic license was approved. The Engineer, reporting on the sealing at Blackball said that the cost would be £1240, The Main Highways Board was willing to sudsidise on a three to one basis, making £3lO for the County and £930 for the Board. / Cr Mulcare moved that the Engineer be congratulated on his report and that the work be commenced immediately, .owing to the bad condition of the road. He also moved that the Engineer endeavour to make a start on the work and apply to the Main Highways Board for the money to be paid over a number of years. The Engineer said that the work could not be started before March 31. Cr. Mulcare said that the preparatory work could be started before that date. The Engineer said that the Council must first have the authority of

the Board to see that they would find their share of the money. Cr. Blair seconded Cr. Muicare’s motion, which was carried. Tne chairman said mat the cost couM not be met in the present year’s expenditure. The Engineer reporting on the proposed footpath at Marsden said that it would cost £156 tor a gravel footpath, but if Scheme 13 men were used it would cost £7O. Cr. Carter said that the work was most necessary. Cr. Blair said that th e Council should do the work, as it was most dangerous to the children without the footpath. The matter was left in the Enginer’s hands to see if Scheme 13 men could be used. Cr. Blair, referring to the need of reafforestation on the West Coast, said that most members had read newspaper articles on th e subject, which was one most important for the future of Westland. Ther e were thousands of acres of land in the district which were useless for anything else but reafforestation. He would like to see a letter from the Council sent to the Director of Forestry, pointing out to him the seriousness of the position. Cr. Carter seconded the motion, saying mat the need for reafforestation was most marked. In other countries provision was being made for reafforestation and the same should be done in New Zealand. Cr. Mulcare said that the river fiats were going owing to erosion and to mining. Cr. Fisker supported the motion, and gave some examples of successful reafforestation on the West Coast. The motion was carried. The chairman said that the electorial. rolls would close on April 2. It was usual for the Council to have a meeting before that date to make any necessary alterations. His motion that the meeting be held on Tuesday, April 1, at 2.30 p.m., was carried. Cr. Carter said that the Red Jacks Creek had been the cause of many complaints to him. The creek overflower at every heavy rain. One resident had often had his property inundated. The Highways Board should be approached to see if the bridge could be widened. The Engineer stated that the bridge had been widened many times. Cr. Mulcare suggested that the Engineer or some other officer of the County view the area when it flooded if possible. The Treasurer’s statement of receipts for period ended March 12, 1941, was as follows: —Rates £5287 13s lOd (estimate for year £9000), vehicle licenses £3953 7s 9d (£3500), sundry licenses £552 18s (£450), royalties and rents £2B (£5O), sales and hire £384 15s 5d (£150), compensation refunds £l4l 19s (£100), main highways £3817 8s 8d (£7400), Government grants £1619 19s 7d (£2221), “halves’'’ and “thirds” £625,. 8s 8d (£800), “fifths” and “tenths” £2524 Is 7d (£2750), goldfields £4058 13s (£5500), employment schemes £13,796 14s (£13,000). sundries £B3O 12s lOd (£800); totals £37,621 12s 4d (£45,721).