GREY COUNTY COUNCIL

Grey River Argus, 7 May 1942, Page 2

GREY COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Grey County Council took place yesterciay, there being present Councillors H. G. Carter iCnairman), W. Fisher, T. G. Jamieson, J. Muicare, R. Clark, J. W. Hannan, Al. McDonnell, JRyan, the Assistant Engineer (Mr. 1-1. Higgins), and the County Clerk (Miss E. M. Heaphy). Accounts amounting to £1,347 os Id, were approved. A number of circulars were received. . m , Messrs Joyce and Taylor, on behalf of Mr. C. R. Coulson, Paroa, forwarded a plan of subdivision of Land to be taken for a road and then ci used.—Approval was given. The Randall Creek Sawmilling Co. applied for permission to lay a plank road on part of Reserve 16(16 at KoIpara for the carting of logs.— lhe Engineer’s reply, granting permission on the condition that the planks would be removed when it was intended to form a road on the area, was approved. Mr. Newman, of Kaimata, waited on the Council in regard to the condition of \a bridge on his son’s property. He said that the farm belonged to his son, who was a prisoner of war, and there was no one to look after it. The bridge was in a bad condition after the last flood. A few piles in the centre would make it last for years, so he had come to trv and get a little assistance from the County. As his son was a soldier, he might be able to get some assistance from the Government. The work woSdd not be a great expense, and he would contribute J/u and his labour towards the cost. The £arm was of 500 acres and could carry dairy cattle. The Engineer said the structure had formerly been a tramway bridge leading into the bush, but when the mill closed down it had been taken over by Newman to give him access. Some plies and two piers were very shaky and the bridge could hardly last another flood. It would cost £l2O to repair. In reply to Cr. Fisher, Mr. Newman said that the bridge did not give access to any other property. The Chairman said he was sure the Council would give the matter la sympathetic hearing when the estimates were discussed. The Engineer’s reply to a request from the West Coast Rugby League for the cleaning of drains near Wingham 'Park, stating that the work would be done after flood damage had been repaired, was endorseCJohn A. Quy, Rapahoe, wrote drawing attention to the danger threatening his property and the bridge at Seven Mile by the overflowing of the creek. If something was not done soon it would cost much more to have it repaired, he said, pointing out that his previous warning had been ignored by the Council. The Engineer stated that as the property was State land, he had referred the letter to the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Hokitika. The Chairman: In the meantime, we cannot do anything in the matter. However, something will have to be done eventually. The letter was received. The District Employment Oflicer advised »of the approval of the extension of the Scheme 13 authority on the present wages basis to June 27. The Council, if it desired a further extension, would have to apply within three weeks.—lt v/as decided to make application. The Department of Lands and Survey, writing in regard to the proposed closing of the unformed road lying between Scenic Reserve 1451 and Lake Brunner, in order that it might be added to the reserve, ask>ed the Council to reconsider its refusal of the first application. The Chairman: It seems to me that, the road they want closed is the only road leading to the 1 lake. I. don’t think it is wise for the Council to give up the road, which was needed for tourists, and as a place for them to park their, vehicles- J don’t think it wise t<y give up the road. The present track is over private property and this is the only road reserve there. It was decided that the Council adhere to its previous decision, refusing the proposal. Cr. Muicare suggested that the Commissioner of Crown Lands be invited to inspect the area. The Buller Licensing Committee wrote asking if the Grey County wished to have the fees paid for accommodation licenses reviewed. —

It was decided to advise the committee that a review of accommodation was not required. The District Public Trustee, on behalf of John Egan’s Agency, wrote accepting the Councils offer of L2OO for a Chevrolet Truck. The Engineer said he had bought th.e truck to replace the one at Greenstone, which had been impressed. The Engineer’s action was endorsed; JTie Inglewood County Council forwarded a copy of a resolution .suggesting that men in industries be brought back from home defence camps after a period of training, with their equipment, to form a militia in conjunction with the Home Guard, and asked for the Council’s views on the question.—The letter was received. It was decided to hold the annual meeting on June 3. A letter from Auckland in regard to the “Awake New Zealand Campaign,” was received. The report of the District Inspector of Health of work done in the Grey County during February and March, was received. The Engineer, reporting on the Runanga Fire Brigade’s request for a donation, said the Brigade could serve houses in the County and was willing to answer any alarm from the County.—lt was decided to grant £5 ss. Cr McDonnell referred to the menace of young men shooting deei' by spot light on private property. They shot at. the eyes of the animal, he said, and often cows and horses were shot. •

The Chairman said they would have to be more careful or their privilege would be taken from them. Cr. McDonnell moved that the attention of the Police Department be drawn to the menace. The motion was carried. BUILDING BY-LAW. Messrs Joyce and Taylor wrote regarding the alterations mado to a building owned by Mrs. Olliver, at South Beach, without a permit, and recommended that the by-laws be amended to meet the position. Mr. E. B. E. Taylor, writing in regard to the same matter, said that Mrs. Olliver had bought a shed for her section, where she could store tools, etc., while she was working there. She eventually decided to make a small addition and put a verandah on the front and side of the shed. She had no intention of living there. The Chairman; It seems if the matter is closed, for we can go no further on account of the byelaws. It is just a- question as to whether the by-laws can be amended Cr. Jamieson: “At present anyone can add a room to his house without a permit.” The Engineer suggested that for alterations costing less than £25, a permit be issued without charge. The Council would get the benefits from the rates.

Cr. Jamieson moved that the bylaws be amended so that in matters pertaining to building or rebuilding, the building inspector must be contclCt/CCI Cr. Mulcare said: “I still think there will be hardships.” Cr. Hannan, seconding the motion, said there was a hardship clause in the by-laws which would satisfactorily cover hardship cases. That clause would protect anybody. The Engineer said it was very unsatisfactory from his point of view. He did not know what procedure to take. The motion was carried. RATE REBATE OR REDUCTION? The following notice of motion, submitted by Cr. Jamieson, and held over from the last meeting, came up for consideration:—“That provision be made to allow a rebate of 4 per cent, on rates paid within 14 days of the demand for the 1942-43 rates.”

The Clerk said many replies had been received from other Councils, who ha'd been circularised as to the result of the rebate in their districts, but none were in favour of it. One Council said it had not given a rebate for some time but had done so in the past. It was found to assist only very financial ratepayers and was not so much assistance as it at first suggested. Cr. Hannan said that from the point of view of the individual ratepayer, the rebate was all right, but from the point of view of the Council it was very bad financing. Cr. Ryan asked if there was any chance of a reduction in the rates during the present year. The Chairman: That depends on

the Councillors. Cr. Ryan: I am in favour of a reduction in rates instead of a I'ebate. Cr. Jamieson’s motion, that tne question be held over until the estimates were brought down, was carried. “I think most Councillors are in favour of a small reduction in rates instead of a rebate,” said the Chairman. RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURE. The following of the receipts and expenditure for the year enaed March 31, 1942, was approved (the estimated sum being in parentheses): — , _ Receipts:— Rates and Subsidy, £11,483 7s 3d (£10,500); Vehicle Licenses £3,873 6s lid / Sul L'censes £452 6s 9d (£o00); Royalt.es and Rents £133 7s 0d (£50); Sales, Material and Hire, 9s 11 (£100); Compensation Refunds £3tW 7s lid (£200); State Forests £2,590 15s 6d (£3,000); “Halves’ and “Thirds” £415 0s lid (£500); Goldfields £6,054 4s lid (£4,000)S Emnlyoment Scheme Refunds £11,329 bs 7d (£15,000); Main Highways Refunds £6,275 4s 8d (£8,046); Government Grants £776 16s 2ci (£2,176), Sundry Receipts £9?2 8s ’ Hire Accounts £4,883 18s od (£5,000), total £49,853 3s 7d (£53,222). Expenditure: — Main Highwayo £9 468 3s lOd (£10,977); Mam Roads £7:313 11s 3d (£7,488); Government Grants £1,258 16s 10d ( f’ S57 1 / Works, Generial, H.S 3 ? . 4s ri // (£1 200); Machinery Petrol H.bJc 18s 4d (£2,000); Machinery Maintenance and New Plant, £1,147 14s Id (£2 000); Employment Schemes £ll,101 13s 7d (£15,000); Hospital Levy £4,366 18s 10d (£4,366); Interest and Sinking Fund £B2B 5s lid (£850), Heavy Traffic Apportionment £1,615 9s lOd (£1,700); Salaries £1,716 6s lu (£1,550); General Expenditure £4,074 0s Id (£3,683); totals: £46,232 2s Jd Treasurer’s statement °£ pe " ceints for period ended April 30th., 1942 as follows, was approved: Rates, £222 16s lid; Vehicle Licenses £lO 14s 0d; Sundry Licenses, £l5 izs 0d- M.D.L.O. Rents, £6B 15s Od; Royalties and Rents, 1 Sales and Hire £2BB Is Id; Compensation ReJS, 162 Is 4d; GoldfieMs Revenue, “Halves and “Thirds -- . “TTifths” and “Tenths” —~ , Employ men! Schemes £335 Ils Od; Sundries £ll 9s 8d; total £1,015 Is od.