RICHMOND

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 25 November 1943, Page 3

RICHMOND

BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING STREET SEALING TO BE curtailed The following were present at the fortnightly meeting of the Richmond Borough Council: The Mayor (Mr A. R. Tuffnell), Councillors 11. M. McGlashcn, H. Stratford, W. Houston, J. Hart, E. Lukey and T. Shackleton. Accounts passed for payment amounted to £662 3s 6d. FOREMAN’S REPORT The foreman submitted the following report:—Lower Queen Street, Methane’s Road, Oxford Street and Cambridge Street have been graded. Footpaths are being prepared for sealing and sand for this purpose has been screened, a further two loads being delivered to the yard. A further quantity of this will still be required. A r.:w concrete kerb in Cambridge Street is in hand to replace the old wooden one in front of the old school. One new water service has been fitted and one in Queen Street repaired. General maintenance has been carried out during the two weeks since my last report and the streets are in fair order. The reservoir was just overflowing on 19th instant. CORRESPONDENCE Mr G. M. Brooke, the newly appointed Town Clerk, advised that he would be able J ' commence duties on the sth January. The Waimea Electric Power Board wrote in regard to ventilating the Town Hall indicating that the Minister had granted permission for the purchase of an electric fan which was expected to arrive in a few days. It was decided that the necessary work for fitting the fan and the installation of the electric motor be proceeded with as soon as possible. Approval of a plan of subdivision of land in Hill Street was granted to Mr F. Staig. STREET SEALING Following a report by the Finance Committee on the extent to which the Council’s street sealing programme could be carried out this year, the Mayor stated that an inspection had been made by the Consulting Engineer whose report indicated that it would hardly be possible to get Wensley Road into a suitable condition for sealing this season. He advocated further shaping up of the road and a blinding coat of clay to consolidate the present rough metal and further metalling on the hospital hill. Similar treatment in Cambridge Street would be necessary but it was considered that a portion of Lower Queen Street and a length in UDper Queen Street could be proceeded with as soon as the spraying plant is available.

Speaking to the report Councillor McGlashen expressed keen disappointment that Wensley Road was not to fee included in the sealing programme this year. He pointed out that this was the street given first consideration when it was decided to do this work but it would seem that another year would go by before this was ready. Councillor Stratford took exception to the inference that the Works Committee had let the Council down in this matter. He outlined the preparation that had been carried out in order to improve the road and it was just unfortunate that there had not been sufficient time for the road to settle but he maintained that everything possible had been done to get the surface of the road ready.

Councillor McGlashen joined issue with the last speaker and asked what had been done since the heavy grader had been employed on the piece of road immdiately in front of the old vicarage? He challenged the Works Committee to show where one shovel full of gravel had been placed on this particular part of the road and drew attention to a hole that had never been touched opposite the vicarage gate in Wensley Road.

Councillor Hart supported Councillor McGlashen’s statement. He felt that at the present rate of progress it would be years before the road would be ready for sealing.

The Mayor said that everything possible had been done and that the present position was due entirely to the lack of labour. Other work h'ad to be attended to but all the time that could be spared had been put in on this job. Councillor Houston moved that {Tie recommendation of the Finance Committee that Lower Queen Street as lar as the Park gates and Upper Queen Street from Green’s corner to George Street be sealed” be carried out. This was seconded by Councillor Stratford. The Mayor who supported the motion pointed out that it would be more economical, when the plant was engaged, to do as much as possible at one time and he personally regretted that Wensley Hoad was not in a condition to be included. Councillor Hart moved as an amendment “that only Lower Queen Street be sealed at the present time, the other money in hand to be used, as far as necessary, for the preparation of the Hospital Hill and Wensley Road for sealing purposes.” This was seconded by Councillor Shackleton and carried. GENERAL BUSINESS It was resolved that if the necessary inch pipe was procurable the water supply be extended in Oxford Street to give service to a new house being erected and that if possible other services be laid for the sections where future building is contemplated. Mr J. Wells, Waimea County Ranger, was appointed ranger for the borough A resident who applied for permis-' sion to use a rifle for killing hares is to be informed that the Council cannot grant its permission for the use of a firearm in an inhabited area It was resolved that if Jubilee Park be required for patriotic functions that no charge be made for the use of the grounds. Councillor McGlashen expressed the hope that it would be possible at some time to erect some shelters m the park so that it would be more popular as a picnicking ground. Application was granted to the picture proprietor to show pictures in the Town Hall on holidays provided the hall is booked at least a month before.

Reference was made to the scheme for widening Salisbury Road and what effect this would have on the present footpaths. It was decided to write to the Public Works Department ,to ascertain how the proposal would affect the Council in this respect. The Mayor stated, in reply to Councillor Lukey, that provision had been made for setting the Roding water supply pipe line back to the boundary of the widened road.