£3,000 EXCAVATOR TO BE PURCHASED BY GREY BOROUGH COUNCIL

Grey River Argus, 21 March 1947, Page 4

£3,000 EXCAVATOR TO BE PURCHASED BY GREY BOROUGH COUNCIL

The long disputed question of the provision of a mechanical excavator for the Greymouth Borough Council reached a climax last night, when authority was granted the borough engineer (Mr A. J. Fairmaid), to secure a suitable machine for the Council, after submitting his findings to the Mayor (Mr F. A. Kitchingharn), and the chairman of the works committee (Cr. F. F. Boustridge). After a long discussion, a motion by Cr. J. B. Kent that advice concerning the purchase of a new machine be received, was fhe amendment being carried by four votes to two. Present at the meeting were: The Mayor (Mr F. A. Kitchingham), Crs. J. B. Kent, J. E. Stokes, A. L. McKay, H. Hutchinson, and F. F. Boustridge. The matter arose for discussion following advice from a Wellington firm that it would be able to supply a Priestman “Wolf” excavator (10 cubic feet capacity), at the following price: Excavator with shovel attachment, £3150; trench shovel attachment, £225 10s*; skimmer attachment, £l9B. The prices quoted included erection costs by one of the firm’s engineers. Cr. Boustridge: “I feel that the Council is acting slowly in this matter. We had an opportunity to secure delivery of a machine in six months’ time, but failed to take it, and the machine has since been sold.” He moved an amendment that the engineer be authorised to place an order for such a machine as he considered suitable for the Council’s work. “We can not go ahead with our work unless we have mechanical aid”, continued Cr. Boustridge, “and if we do not get a machine, we will be dragging behind for many years to come”.

The amendment was seconded by Cr. J. E. Stokes, who referred to the progress of borough works since the County Council excavator had been made available to the Borough Council.

Cr H. Hutchinson: “There is not enough work in the borough for a machine of this type. It would be idle nine-tenths of its time”. He contended it would be more economical for the Council to hire a machine for necesary works. Cr. McKay; “The way things are going it will not be long before it will be impossible for us to hire a machine”.

C'r. Kent: “There would be something wrong with the borough if we had work for such a machine. In any case, we would not Have the labour to keep up to it; we are short of labour now. I’ll be no party to granting permission to purchase such an expensive machine”. The Mayor (Mr F. A. Kitchingham), expressed the opinion that the Council would have to get away from man power. If it had not been for the hiring of a machine, works already completed within the borough would not be done for years to come. “Even if the price is high, it will get the work done, and will save future councils untold worry”, he concluded. Cr. Boustridge added that the Council already had £l,OOO set aside for machinery, and it would be able to provide an additional £l,OOO next year, leaving only £l,OOO for the next council to pay.