BULLER COUNTY

Grey River Argus, 29 November 1944, Page 3

BULLER COUNTY

COUNCIL MEETING. WESTPORT, November 28. “Discussion on harbour improvements has already taken place, and I don’t know whether we should press the matter or take the view that the Government has it in hand.” said Cr. F. Connew, at yesterday’s meeting of the Buller County Council. The Council should not embarrass the Government. He considered that something should be done to ensure facilities for coal to be taken away. “Coal is in such great demand,” said Cr. Connew, “that we cannot afford to lose any shipping space. There is a big demand for bituminous coal. We want to see that the harbour is capable of handlist shipping to take it away.” -The Countv Clerk-Engineer (M’r. C. F. Schadick) said that no, further advice had been received. The matter was dependent on Mr. F. W. Furkert’s report' coming to hand. He understood that an advisory committee, comprising representatives of the Railway Department, shipping companies, Trades Council, local bodies, merchants and representatives of the Waterside Workers’ Union would be set up. Cr. Connew: I am glad to hear that something may be done, and that an advisory board may be set up. Following representations /made at the previous meeting of the Council regarding the establishment of a radio broadcasting station in Westport, the chairman (Cr. J. Ward) said that he had ascertained that there were over 2,000 radio sets in, the Buller district. Cr. S. Johnston drew the Council s attention to a recent statement of the Minister of Broadcasting in Parliament that certain sums of money had been placet! on the estimates for the establishment of stations. The ißuller district was not served by a radio station. The nearest satisfactory one being Wellington. Reception from the Greymouth station was very poor. On the motion of Cr. Johnston, it was decided to write to the Minister of Broadcasting and circularise local organisations, in an endeavour to obtain a broadcasting station for the Buller district. Cr. W. Gourley .urging the need for harbour improvements. at KaraCr. W. Gourley, urging the need of timber was cut annually at Karamea. When harbour conditions had been satisfactory timber could be landed at Wellington for 12s Id for 100 feet. To-day, with the poor harbour conditions, the timber had to be carted to Westport for shipment to Wellington, and the cost is 18s lOd. It cost the Government about £7,500 annually in subsidies on the output of timber alone. Besides the timber, Karamea district annually exported 1,500 pigs, 1,500 calves, and 320 tons of butter. Recently a privately-owned flax mill had commenced working there. These facts showed the urgenay of improving Karamea harbour, and of making a decent road from Karamea to Mokihinui to link up with the railway at Nikau. The Council decided to request the Works Department to make a survey of the position. Advice that the Council had to provide a supplementary levy oi £619 10s 7d towards a new ambulance and boiler for the Hospital Board was received. The Chairman said the new ambulance would arrive shortlv. The present boiler and steam plant were inadequate, as with the new laundry, more steam was required. The Board had agreed to purchase a boiler from the Nels" Hospital Board at a cost of £650. Cr. M. Durkin said , levies came whethei they were wanted or not. This was in addition to usual levies. Fie was complaining about the Council having to foot the bill. “The Council will soon be acting as debt collectors for the Hospital Board rather than functioning as a County Council,” he remarked.

Cr. W. Gourley, considered that the State should be responsible for hospital finance. He asked if the Council could force the State to take over the hospital administration. The chairman: The Counties’ Association is trying to do that now. The Engineer-Clerk said .that a .select Parliamentary Commission was investigatino- local body administration and it was expected that some adjustments might result regarding hospital levies. The supplementary levy was an addition, but 11 would have to be met. Cr. Connew said that if the Social Security Fund could take over the liability, it would relieve the Counties.

Mr. Schadick: The money has to come from somewhere. The chairman: At the moment I do not know whether anything could be done, but I think that the State should provide more relief for hospital finances. A motion that the Council endeavour to find the levy, and hoping that the Counties’ Association would place the matter firmly before the Government, was carried. The chairman said that in regard to the Council’s finances, and the recent legislation passed through Parliament, details of the proceedings woulp be submitted to the Council He thought the Council would be able to convince the ratepayers and the general public that for a long time its finances had had the greatest possible attention, and were administered in the best interest of the ratepayers. It was necessary to go back a long way, which would take time, before a full statement could be made.