GREY BOROUGH COUNCIL

Grey River Argus, 22 January 1943, Page 2

GREY BOROUGH COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING. The Greymouth Borough Council met last evening. The Mayor (Mr F. A. Kitchingham) presided and there were also present: Councillors H. Herring (Deputy-Mayor). J. Saunders, G. L. Truman, j. Stokes, G. R. Harker, J. B. Kent and F. F. Boustridge, and Messrs A. J. Fairmaid (Engineer) and F. H. Denton (Town Clerk). The Rev. E. S. Hoddinott, Minister of St. Paul’s Methodist Church wrote drawing attention to the 75th. anniversary of the opening of a Methodist Church -in Greymouth, and inviting the Mayor, Councillors and Town Clerk to be present at a special service of thanksgiving on Sunday. February 14.—Received, as many Councillors as possible to' attend. The Inspector of Police (Inspector D. L. Calwell) wrote, regarding the removal of corrugated iron shed from McLean Park, stating that enquiries had been made, but that no trace of the shed could be found, nor could the identity of those responsible be established. —Received.

Messrs Guinness and Kitchingham wrote forwarding Harbour Board sub-division plan for approval.—De vided to approve the clan. The County Clerk, Grey County Council, wrote suggesting that the proposed extension of the cemetery take the form of a lawn type.—Decided to receive the letter and note its contents. The > Mayor said that, a report on the whole question of the cemetery would be available at a reasonably early date. The Power Board 1 , .Engineer (Mr Sinclair Trotter) wrote, outlining the steps being undertaken to restore street lighting to normal, and stating that the opportunity was being taken to overhaul the installation, and also drawing attention to the fact that extra connecting cable would be repaired at several places if control of the lights from one point was to be retained when the full brilliancy of the lamps was restored. —Received. The Secretary. Municipal Association, wrote stating that the question of declaring municipalities an essential industry would be discussed with the National Sendee Department, enquiring what the Council’s attitude, and as to what scope there was for the employment of women; and enclosing a schedule as part of a survey of manpower employed by municipal authorities

Cr. Saunders moved that the Council approve of the idea of municipalities being declared essential. —Carried. i

On the motion of Cr. Kent it was decided to leave a reply to the question regarding scope for the employment of women in the hands of the Engineer. The Secretary, Rehabilitation Committee, wrote applying for the use of the Council Chambers for the committee’s fortnightly meetings.—Cr. Harker said that they should decide what to do with the Plunket Rooms when they were vacated, without having to use the Council Chambers for all purposes. It was decided to reply that the Council would provide either the Council Chambers or some other room. The District Manpower Oflicer (Mr G. G. M. Mitchell) wrote advising of the approval of extensions of authorities under Scheme 13 for a further 13 weeks. —Received. ' PRESTON ROAD BRIDGE. The Secretary. Greymouth Harbour Board, wrote advising that the Board was agreeable to planking being placed between the rails on the Preston Road and railway bridge, conditional on the Council indemnifying thu Board against any claims for damage arising .out. of the matter The Engineer raised the question ol the extent of the indemnity. Cr. Kent said that the bridge had been condemned and the Harbour Board would like the Council to accept the responsibility if any work was done on it.

The Mayor said that at present the Harbour Board had sole control over the bridge. Cr. Truman said that the bridge was in a bad state and something should be done immediately. The Engineer said that a new deck and handrail were all that were necessary. The Harbour Board might want provision made for them to use the bridge till the new one was built. Cr. Kent said that, from the Harbour Board’s point of view, the bridge was useless for all practical purposes, but it would have to remain till another one was out up. The Engineer described the state o: the bridge, and said that ho did nor think his original proposal for planking would now be sufficient. In reply to a suggestion by Cr. Herring lie said that asphalting would not be suitable in the present state of the bridge. Tne Mayor said that the whole position was mopt unsatisfactory. If there were an accident arising from the combined operations of the Board ano Borough, who would he resign si bio

Ct: Boustridge suggested ‘that cross-decking be land down, the rails to be lifted and laid aside where they could be put down agc.’.n if needed. ■ A motion by Cr. Saunders that the Chairman of Works and the Engineer meet the Harbour Board Engineer and members of the Board to discuss what should be done and report back to tiie Council, was carried. An amendment by Cr. Kent that the words “with power to act” be substituted for “and report back to the Council,” lapsed. The District Engineer, Public Works Department, Mr. E. F. Evans) wrote regarding exemption of Threadnee'd’e Street from the 33ft building line. The Mayor outlined the history of the discussions on this matter, which had gone on over a period of several \ ears.

It was decided 1o ask that the whole street, from Alexander Street io Soring Street, be exempted from the 33 ft building line of Section 12S of the Public 'Works Act. It was .decided Ito obtain the opinion oi the Municipal Association’s Solicitor regarding any difficulties that might arise if the ‘ building line position came again in the future. The Acting District Engineer. Pubbe Works Department (Mr. E. E. Evans) wrote regarding exemption of portion of Blackmore Street from Section 128 of the Public Works Act, 1928.—Decided io refer rhe question of a replv to the Engineer. Thfe Building Controller. Mr. JR. Williams, wrote stating that m the meantime n 0 building permits would be given except for work that, could be declared essential to the war effort.—Received. The Secretary, Blaketown-Preston Road Ratepayers’ Association wrote suggesting that the Reid Street rubbish dump proved an ineffective barrier to flood waters flowing to the lower end of Elaketown and suggesting the remedying of the position oy the raising of the lever of the area reclaimed by another eighteen inches to two feet. The Works Committee’s recommendation, that the Association be advised that the rubbish dump would eventually be raised to about the level of "the Harbour Board’s Railway embankment, was adopted. Mr. V. Tvrdeic, Cobden, wrote complaining of the dust nuisance in Lower Bright. Street, between Blackett Street and Richmond Street, and l suggesting the tar-sealing of this sec-/ tion of road. " ' The Works Committee - commended that the work be done this sea-

son on tne existing suriace. it was , pointed out, nowever, tnat when me miage was erected, mere would be some modification of street levels. j.ne recommendation was adopted. The Rehabilitation Board wrote en--1 regarding proposals which ' meal aiitnorines may nave for de- ' veiupmemai or otner work connectleu v/.ui me rehuounation of returnleu men. j rue Works Committee recom'mcnued men the uoruUgn Hligmevi' prepare est.mates tor, and suoimt I.iupv.stus lOf me following works;— u-ouden sewerage; iu) atorm ty.uier uramage, Alexander street ■ anu v.ciiiny; iu? Resurfacing oi root'patns ana streets in rue central area; iai? wravitauon water supply seneme; lie; triages m bngnt, ward, Bridge, land ivlarmorough streets. i .me committee recommended that |in submitting mis programme or ■works me matter of me availability 'oi labour and nnance oe stressed. ' r urtner, it considered tnat tne reuitorestation or suitaoie country areas snouia receive the attention of tne rtenaoilitation Council. cr. Boustridge pointed out that the Engineer wouid need assistance in preparing these necessary senemes. cr. Kent said that some of tne proposals were framed in rather vague terms.. The gravitation water supply scheme had been discussed many times before but the price was prohibitive. The Acting-Chairman of the Works Committee said that this proposal had been included at the instigation oi. the engineer. Cr. Herring said it was not necessary to have blue prints for all tne senemes. Cr. Harker suggested that work oi a more permanent nature should be looked for. He would like to see the men started in industries. Cr. Herring said that the present proposals were designed to get the men back into employment immediately. Tne Mayor drew attention to tne comerence' of local bodies which he had called on the question, saying that these matters would be dis-] cussed. The Committee’s recommendations were adopted. It was decided that the 10 per cent, penalty be added to all rates that remain unpaid at 4 p.m. on March IS 1943. The Mayor raised the question of the cutting of street corners to improve visibility, saying that difficulties had arisen in the case of Crown iand where an expensive survey had been demanded. He expressed the opinion that there was something wront with a community that could not cut ten teet off a'street corner | without expensive surveys. It was, decided to take the matter up with the Municipal Association. The Mayor also raised the question of an attempt that had been made by Mr Peters to set up a factory for the manufacture of children’s shoes and sandals. Representations baa been made to Wellington, through Mr O’Brien regarding suppl.es of leather, but- so far without success. It was stated that if Mr Peter could not set permission he would go elsewhere or sell his machinery. The Mayor pointed out that rhe West Coast badly needed industries. it was decided to get in touch with Mr O’Brien, stating that it was in the interests of the town that Mr Peters should get a supply of suitable leather. |

Cp Kent asked a question regarding a sum which had previously been set asid>e for increases in certain salaries. It. was stated that the sum had not been used. Cr Herring moved that when the question of the future use of the Plunket. Rooms was discussed, first consideration should be given to the possibility of making them available as living quarters for the caretaker. The. present rooms ,he stated, had no opening tn the outside by. either door or window. Such conditions should not be tolerated. Cr Stokes supported the resolution, saying that he was surprised and astonished at council employees livn.g in these conditions. He suggested that the council was setting a bad example. Cr Kent said that the matter had been brought up many times. There should be some improvement, but it. was absurd to suggest that the rooms be taken from library purposes. Part of the present library rooms upstairs might, be utilised. Cr Herring said he recognised that ■t was not a new matter, but now there was an opportunity to do something. If part of the Carnegie building could be taken for Plunket rooms, why not for other purposes? The motion was carried. ENGINEER’S REPORT. . The Engineer’s report stated: The works staff has been on annual holiday over the Christmas and New Year period and beyond quite necessary maintenance there has been lit tie work in progress. A commencement has been made upon the season’s tar-sealing programme which this year will necessarily consist largely of maintenance coating. The Bedford lorry has been fitted with the tipped body procured some time ago and is now a most useful and handy item of plant. Since recommencing work on the main outfall sewer across Erua Moana, 176 feet of pipes have been laid on the piers, of which a further three have been constructed. Piers yet to be constructed number 27 and 416 feet of pipe have to be laid. Given reasonable weather conditions the work will be completed by the end of March and the estifnaTed cost of completion is as follows: Labour, 27 piers at £2 10s, £67 10s; material, cement, 131 tons at £7, £94 10s; steel. 27cwt. at £1 10s, 840 10s; aggregate 75 cub. yds at 10s, £37 10s; pipe laving, 416 Ln. ft. at 3s. £62 8s; contingencies GO per cent, approx.) £3O 12s; total £333.

In December thp reservoir was kept iufl by an average daily pump ol 16.57 hours, The damaged air vessel and sluice valve on the electrically driven plunger pump set has been made good and the plant is again in working order. When taking the repaired parts back to rhe pumping station, on Wednesday, December 2.3, two lorries were caught by the tide while they were stuck m the river bed. fl’he lorries were repaired as required following complete immersion of mechanical parts and were again in operation on Christmas Eve. In reply to a question ra sed by Cr Saunders regarding the large number of days taken to do certain work on the sewerage scheme, the Engineer slated that part of the time had been spent on other work,