GREY BOROUGH COUNCIL

Grey River Argus, 23 March 1945, Page 3

GREY BOROUGH COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING HELD The Mayor (Mr. F. A. Kitchiugham) presided over last evening’s monthly meeting of the Greymouth Liorougn Council. Also present were Councillors F. Hlancniieid, W. H. Herring, A. c. McKay, G. ri. Harker, and J. B. Kent, also the Town cierK iMr. F. H. Denton) and tne oorougn engineer (Mr. A. J. Fairmaid). ihe District Band Registrar, Hokitika, wrote asking wiiether Gumer Dane was recognised us a public sueet under the Council’s control, used by the public and on which public money had been spent. The Mayor said that there was no doubt about the matter. It had been shown on maps since 1889. it was decided to reply stating that the Council recognised it as a public street and to supply the necessary certificate.

Tne Westland District Progress League wrote asking that the iratfic Committee of the Council make a comprehensive survey of Greymoutn bus services and give consideration io the following: (.1) A service for Marsden Roaa-Sinnott Road area, which, would also piovide for Boddytown; (2) services for ail areas catering for workers beginning work or catcning buses or trams at i. a.m. and 8 a.m. and ceasing at 6 p.m. on. Weekdays and 9 p.m. on Fridays; (3) Extension of terminal points on certain runs; (4). Publication of a combined time-table showing, inter alia, connecting services; <o) Return services to Runanga etc., alter hospital visits (three nights a week - ); (b) Cobden, ulaketowii, and Grcymouili bus services generally and connections on Sundays to hospital and church services; (7) Extra buses at peak periods; (8) A bus service to cater lor Kumaia, Kurnara railway, Taramakau, Camerons, Gladstone, and Paroa -workers, school children, and shoppers similiar to the services provided in the Blackball-Ngahere-Btill-water district. On the motion of Crs. Harker and McKay the letter was referred to the Traffic Committee. Mr. C. Biggs, Regional Timber Controller, wrote advising that the appraisal on the board’s reserve at Aratika had been completed and the compiliation of the figures was approaching completion. Attention was drawn to the fact that no person could sell or contract for the sale of timber without the prior consent of the Timber Controller.—Decided to make application for consent. The Commissioner of Crown Lands Hokitika, forward tracing and description of an area of road in reserve 193, Block IV, Hohonu Survey District, and asked that these be sent to the Under-Secretary of Lands with a request that a proclamation be issued.—lt was decided to make the necessary application. Tlie Charleston Advancement League wrote asking for the Council’s' co-operation in having a full survey of Charleston and other sites suitable for a deep-sea harbour and of a railway extension, from Rapahoe to Cape Foulwind via the coal areas en route—lt was decided to reply that the matter of a deep-sea harbour was being investigated by the Government. The Commissioner' of Crown Lands wrote regarding the stopped portion of Boundary Street stating that the Land Settlement Board was prepared to offer the sum of £l5O for the area provided an undertaking could be given that the buildings would be removed within a reasonable period. The Mayor said that Mr. J. W. Greenslade had valued the area for the Borough at £420. The proposal of the Lands Department was to put a new street in from Johnson Street to Arney Street. Unfortunately the sanitary dumps and the transformer station were on the line of the street. However the sanitary dump would not be there very many years and the transformer station could be moved. He could not see any objection to the street being narrow for a number of years when it would be righted ultimately. The matter of the valuation was a serious one. To say that almost half an acre of land in that locality was worth £l5O I was ridiculous. He did not think the Council should concede anything in that direction. It was decided to leave the matter in the hands of the Mayor. The managing-secretary, Westland Laundry Ltd. wrote regarding a complaint made by the Blaketown Preston Road Ratepayers’ Association that the laundry created a smoke nuisance, stating that tlie Association would well-advised to check up on tlie amount of smoke coming from the tug, the dredge, railway yards, shipping, and from the hydraulic station. The only time tnere was excess smoke from the laundry was when steam was being got up. Between three and four tons only of coal were used each week, which it was considered was a small percentage considering the amount used by other sources in the same locality. Prevailing winds, it was stated in conclusion were from the north and south. —Decided to send a copy oi the letter to the Ratepayers’ Association. J Mr M. J. Phillips and twelve othei residents of Buccleugh Street and locality wrote asking that attention be given to the portion of the street between Shakespeare and P alm erston Streets.—Referred to the Works Committee. . •Mr. A. Beban and 18 other residents of Town Belt and vicinity wrote asking the Council to lai' <-• drain to Sawyers Creek capable ol delivering the water deposited m and around their properties which it was maintained, made the use _oi loot paths impossible after heavy uun This was also referred to the Works Committee. . A ,-onnn Mr E Martin, Ashmore Avenue, wrote asking for an investigation into the building of a garage on the section next door by Mr. R. Hall. M . Martin stated that the afternoon sunlight was shut out from the rear or his house by Mr. Hall’s house and considered that the garage would obscure the view and practically eliminate afternoon sunlight from me front of the house. The Mayor said that the Woiks Committee had previously inspectect the site and given a perimt tor tne garage, which was in practically tne only position in which it could no built. However the issuing of ine permit had been deferred when tne letter from Mr. Martin was received. The engineer said that Mr. Halls bouse had been up first and did not shade Mr. Martin’s house. Jnt garage would shade the front POfi-'O but would not cut the light oft tne the windows. . It was decided that the Council inspect the site next week. f Mr. W. Meates wrote on behalt o himself and other residents of kluo Lano that attention be given to tne Lane. ~ T nniP The Mayor said that Eldon u , was not a street and legally he a not think they had the rl S“’- a spend money on it. There. W“ s danger of establishing a princip e ’ there were a number of such. pnt • Cr. Blanchfield said he though Council should help; they had drawing rates from the people cerned for a number of y eai ’-- t j q e The matter was referred to Works Committee with P o 'Y e c„rvices’ The Greymouth Returned s ®gp m j S . Association wrote asking toi sion to conduct a carnival at . , ley Park during, the Easter P . no rted The Borough, engineer soC j a . that representatives ol tne nnoS ite tion had visited the . are ?: was ! conKennedy’s garage, which K sidered might be suitable cne gested I purpose, but had j ate n r Jon t he the use of a triangular ar

south side of Swainson .Street, He had approved of this suggestion and had had the grass cut. The engineer’s action was approved. The position of caretaker of the Municipal Buildings, shortly to be vacant, was considered when Mr. Kent moved that application be called for a caretaker at a salary of £3OO.

This was seconded by Cr. Blanchfiold. The Mayor moved an amendment that applications be called and that lhe salary be the same as that which Mr. and Mrs. Garner had been receiving. Il: looked almost like a slur on Mr. and Mrs. Garner, he said, that the moment their resignation had been accepted applications were called from some unknown persons at an increased salary. The salary had been £283 14s up to the present. Cr. McKay seconded the motion, saying that Mr. and 'Mrs. Garner had been doing great work. Mr. Kent said that stabilisation had prevented the Council increasing the caretaker’s salary, but it could be done now, and if Mr. and Mrs. Garner had been staying on it would have been increased. He thought the Council should be model employers and did not think they would get lhe best applicants for the positions if they were underpaid. The amendment was carried, Crs. McKay, Herring, and Harker and the Mavor voting for it. Cr. Kent asked that his objection be The secretary, West Coast Centre, New Zealand' Amateur Swimming Asociation, wrote stating that the centre was again prepared to place <lOO to the credit of the baths building funds if the Council would do likewise, thus raising the amount available for new baths surroundings to well over £Boo.—Decided to advise that the Council was prepared to contribute £lOO.