GREY BOROUGH COUNCIL

Grey River Argus, 19 August 1944, Page 7

GREY BOROUGH COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING ' The Mayor (Mr. F Aham) presided over last evenings monthly meeting of the Greymbutn Borough Council. Also present were Caunclllors F. Blanchfieid, J. E. Stokes, H. Hutchinson, W. H. Herring, A. L. McKay, G. R. Harker, J. B. Kent, T. Caldwell, and F. F.. Boustridge, also the Town Clerk (Mr. F. H. Denton) and the Borough Engineer (Mr. A. J'. Fairmaid). The Borough Inspector (Mr. FI. Lane) said that several requests made in connection wth dumping rubbish in the streets had been complied with. The vacant section in Richmond Quay contained .part of a dilapidated building, but very little dumping was done there. He did not know whether the Council had power to compel the owner to remove the building and doubted whether it could be classed as dangerous. There was also a dump between Marion Street and Birchwood Lane and one behind Mr. C. L. Kettle’s office. Both of these were on private property and did not constitute a danger to health or much risk of fire. He was doubtful if he had the power to compel a dean up and asked for further instructions regarding these dumps, which were definitely an eyesore.

The Mayor said he thought an appeal should be made to the civic pride of the persons concerned and indeed to all citizens. On his motions it was decided to make such an appeal, the Mayor remarking that if persons would not clear up their premises they could be compelled to fence them. The President, Auckland Social Security. Pensioners’ Association wrote forwarding details of demands being made to the Government and asking for the Council’s support.—Received.

The Secretary 1 * West Coast Centre, N.Z. Amateur Swimming Association, wrote stating that at the annual meeting of the Centre it had been noted with satisfaction that the Building Fund now stood at £6lB Ils 6d., with a further £lOO budgeted by the Borough Council during the present year and £lOO from the Centre. Some discussion had arisen over the amount .of subsidy from the Council which was computed on a basis of £5 a week, older members claiming that the arrangement when the baths were handed over to the Council was that the Council should subsidise an amount which would cover the wages of the cartetaker. The Centre had asked that the matter be looked into, not with a view to augmenting the Centre’s bank balance but to speed the day when a' Youth Centre worthy of Greymouth might be erected round the present pool, assisted by the building fund, towards which the Council and the Centre jointly contributed annually.

It was decided to notify the Centre that the arrangement had been for a payment of £5 a week.

The District Engineer, N. Z. Railways, Ch. Ch. wrote regarding a request from the Karoro Ratepayers’ Association regarding the naming of the area between the Hospital and southern boundary, advising that the Karoro Railway Station, which for many years had been situated near Nelson Street, had always been known by that name, and stating that the Department had no desire to take sides in any controversy regarding the naming of an t area of land. It was decided to ask the Borough Engineer to make enquiries regarding the actual names in the locality. The Secretary Gas Association of New Zealand, wrote stating that the annual conference would be held at Wellington on September 21. The Engineer was granted permisson to attend the conference. It was decided to make a donation of £2 12s 6d towards the Greymouth sub-centre of the St. John Ambulance.

The Secretary, Greymouth Harbour Board, wrote stating that, as the Board no longer wished to have or keep a railway line laid on the Cobden traffic bridge, it would accordingly cease to be a party to the agreement allocating the cost of maintaining the bridge between the Board, the Borough Council, and the Grey County Council, and would consequently discontinue paying any portion of the maintenance cost or other liability provided for in the agreement. The letter was received and the Engineer was asked to consult with the Grey County Engineer regarding the reallocaton of maintenance costs. Mr. G. G. M. Mitchell, District Manpower Officer, wrote stating that a copy of the Council’s resolution regarding manpowering of girls had been sent to the Controller of Manpower. Mr. A. Beban wrote asking for a renewal of his lease of the Town Hall for a further period of three years from August 21, on the same terms and conditions as at present.

The Mayor’ sad that something would have to be done in the future about the concert chamber, the provision of extra library accomodation, and about the caretaker's quarters but it would be a considerable time before finality was reached in these matters, and it might be some time after the war before anything mucn was done. He thought it would be safe to draft a new agreement for three years, subject to the right to break the lease if and when the Council wanted to make a start wnb the alteration, renovation, or reconstruction of the Town Hall. He moved that the lease be renewed on the same terms as previously but with that provision. Cr. Herring said that the West Coast Cricket Association had applied to rent the Town Hall on Saturday nights for the purpose of holding a dance, nut Mr. Beban had refused on the ground that that would take patrons from his theatre He thougnt the matter had to be considered from all angles. Cr. Boustridge asked if anyone knew of another person who would pay the Council £4OO a year for the hall. He thought it would be unwise of the Council to refuse such a good offer. All of the money went towards the renovation of the hall. Cr. Harker said he thought the lessees ha'd been generous and he did not blame them for refusing to let the hall on Saturday, nights. Cr. Blanchfieid thought that no harm would be done by renewing the lease. The motion was carried.

The Chief Surveyor, Department of Lands and Surveys, wrote stating that the list of street names submitted had been approved with the exception of Brick Street. It was suggested that to avoid confusion in the future one of the names be adopted for the full length of the block between Tainiu and Alexander Streets, but not both names as at present. It was also suggested that Gerald Street (Convent Lane) be added to the list and it was requested that a’ name be given to the formed street at the western end of Gresson Street, near the wharf. The Mayor read the list of streets concerned as follows: —Achilles Street, (Reid Street to Blake Street); Ashmore Avenue, Blackmore Street, Elizabeth Street, Eva Street, Firth Street, Joyce Crescent, Kerr Avenue, Leith Crescent. Lynch Street, Morice Street Rochford Streep, Tindale Road, Bidgood Street, Geraldine Street, Josephine Street (replacing Young Street). Taylor Street (replacing Palmerston St., Cobden) Robinson St. and Curtis Road to become part of Bright Street, Ngarimu Street. He stated that the street at the western end of Gresson Street was Gilbert Street. It was decided to approve the name

O’Donnell Street for what is noy/ known as Brick Street and O’Donnell Lane, and of Convent Lane rather than Gerald Street. On the recommendation of the residents of the northern end of Sinnott Road it was decided to name this Tasman Terrace, and on the suggestion of the Mayor the hill section of Town Belt North was named Churchill Street. T'he Karoro Bowling Club wrote regarding the proposed site for a bowling green, suggesting that the Council grant the Club a 20-year lease, with right of renewal. It was deeded to grant a lease for 21 years with permanent right of renewal, the ground not to be used for any other purpose than a bowling green, and 1 not to be transferred without the Council’s consent.

Mr. J. Linford, Inspector of Health, wrote stating that he was leaving the preparation of a report on old dwellings in Whall and Willis Streets to his successor, but suggesting that immediate action be taken regarding the demolition of one house with part of the roof off and one wall partly demolished. —On the recommendation of the Works Committee it was decided that the required steps be taken for the removal of the building on Section 304 1, Block 31, Willis Street. Messrs Hannan and Seddon, Borough solicitors, wrote stating that in their opinion the Council was entitled to call on property owners to pipe at their own cost storm water to water tables or a storm water drain, so aong as the water tables or drain were not more than 100 feet from the land to be drained. If the owner failed to comply with notice from the Council to carry out the work the Council was empowered to have the work carrien out and to recover the cost of the work and supervision, plus interest, from the property) owner.—On the recommendation of the Works Committee it was decided that the Borough Engineer be authorised to require provision of storm water drains to the water table in the street where ever the discharge of storm water on to the street from private property is considered to cause a nuisance.

The Secretary, West Coast branch, Canterbury Automobile Association, wrote drawing the Council’s attention to the followng matters: —1. Kerblng near the Cobden bridge requires another coat of yellow paint; 2. that consideration be given to placing white centre lines from the junction of Mawhera Quay and Railway Station road past Cobden bridge turn off, as it was consdered that these were invaluable to motorists at night; 3. owing to the shortage of tyres, that an endeavour be made to fill in all pot holes and repair worn portions of the Borough roads so that truck and car tyres might be protected.-—The Works Committee’s recommendation that a white traffic line be nainted in Mawhera Quay from opposite the north eastern end of the Ralway Station platform to beyond the approach to Cobden Bridge, and that all traffic lines in the Borough.be repainted, was adopted. Mrs. R. Glen, Bright Street, Cobden wrote asking that something be done regarding the drain at the side entrance to her residence. —It was decided, on the recommendation of the Works Committee, that the open dram be cleaned out and that the crossing over the drain be put in a proper state of repair. Mr. Hartshorne, Cobden wrote drawing attention to the trouble caused by wandering stock and by the way stock was driven in Cobden. Mr. S'tokes said he thought the complaint was a just one, and on his motion it was decided to ask the abbatoir committee to consider the question of defining a stock route through Cobden. The queston of wandering cattle was referred to the Borough Inspector.

The Borough Engineer’s report on the water supply was again before the Council, the Ma'ypr asking Councillors to consider the matter which would be more fully discussed at a later meeting. The issue was between a gravitation scheme and a new pumping scheme. The present plant was almost reaching capacity, and if there were a' breakdown the position might be very difficult. The Council had to give a lead to ratepayers as to what improvement was to be effected.

On the motion of Cr. Boustridge it was decided to make arrangements for councillors to visit the source of the suggested gravitation supply at Roaring Meg Creek. Some discussion took place on a' motion by the Mayor that the bylaws committe considers the question of laying down standard conditions for the use of balconies where such are premi tted-. The Mayor said he thought that washing should not be dried on balconies which were over public property, nor did he think that balconies should be used as permanent sleeping quarters. The motion was carried.