GREY BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 1 March 1901, Page 4

GREY BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The regular meeting of the above Council was held last night. Present Messrs Mathieson (Mayor), M'Lean, Bignell, O’Kane, Steer, Gicseking, Joyce, Asnton, Petrie and Sheedy.

COBDEN BRIDGE. Letter from Harbor Board, accepting terms for use of Cobden bridge to date from March Ist. COAL AND THE WEIGHBRIDGE. From Easson and Co. regarding weighbridge, stating that it was perfectly correct and had been tested by the proper authority. A discussion ensued. The Mayor was doubtful as to the accuracy of the weighbridge. Cr. Ashton said he had put a load of coal over the bridge and found it 3 cwt short.

Mr Sheedy held that all goods, especially coa', should be put over the bridge and Mr Easson had cause for complaint. Mr Steer said Mr Sheedy had the remedy in his own hands, by paying a sixpence for weighing.

Mr Joyce would willingly pay a sixpence to get his coal weighed.

Mr M‘Lean moved and Mr Sheedy seconded that all carters be required to paint bare weight of all vehicles, and that asphalt be put round weighbridge.

ALEXANDER AND HIGH STREETS. From Mr Easson, relative to cutting away hill near his residence at Alexander Street. Mr Sheedy thought it would be foolish to cut away the lull. Mr Easson had spent a lot of money and been subsidised by the Council. The Mayor said the street should be put through and Mr Easson protected at the same time. The hill was right in the way of a good main street. In reply to Mr Joyce, Mr Lord said there would be ample of the latter left. Mr Bignell agreed with the Mayor that the cutting was very badly wanted to improve one of the principal streets, and if put through at once Mr Easson did not object. Mr Petrie said the Council should decide to leave the hill as it is, or else cut it through at once. Mr Easson was quite willing to have the hill cut through and would put up with inconvenience, provided the work was not unnecessarily delayed. Section-holders, whoso property was damaged, would have recourse against the Council. The Mayor moved that the bill be cat through. Mr. Bignell seconded. Mr. Sheedy did not wish to be misunderstood, if the intention was to carry it through speedily he was with them. Resolution carried.

CLAIM FOB DAMAGES. Letter from James Ainsworth stating that he had sustained injuries through failing on the asphalt footpath in Gerald Street, which he said was too steep and dangerous. Mr. Lord said the footbpath was a good one. Mr. Sheedy could not see that there could be a claim and declined all responsibility, and be moved accordingly. Carried. From Mr. E. Ashton, relative to damage to his cab while crossing Gobden bridge. The injury was a broken axle the cost o£ which was £2 10j. Mr. M'Lean said the bridge was dangerous to vehicles. Besolved on the motion of Mr. Joyce that a lettorbe sent on to Harbor Board Seconded by Mr. M‘Lean auJ carried. NABEOW SWEETS.

Opinion of Mr. Hannan was adverse to granting permission to Mrs. Newsome to open right-of-way as asked The proposal was contrary to the Act and could not be granted. WHARF PROTECTION. Letter from Mr. Bonayne relative to retaining wall and condition of wharf was referred to the Harbor Board. The letter was as 1 follows “ The Public Works contract drawings and specifications have been examined. Id these it was provided that the backing to the wharf should be constructed with timbers not less than 3io. in thickness, this was done and generally the structure was erected in accordauc with the conditions of contract.

“ The curved portion between Tainui and Boundary streets was made sharper than shown on the original drawings, but in my opinion the curve is not sufficiently sadden to have any appreciable effect on the flow of the river.

“ The District Engineer has suggested that an outer row of piles should be driven at this point and the wharf widened, this would no doubt be an improvement, especially as owing to the securing of the river bed the existing outer row of piles is not altogether stable. “ Daring some past heavy floods a portion of tbs rubble stone at the foot of the timber backing was scoured out and this allowed a considerable amount of water to penetrate through the ground and scour out a large bole close to Johnston street, but if the backing and the rubble stone bo maintained as originally constructed there is no danger of the river breaking through and forming a new channel as surmised.*'

A proposal to send the letter on to Board, endorsing the recommendation, was opposed by Mr Petrie, who declared that it was adverse to the protective wall whiclx Mr Ronayne had previously strongly supported. The letter was then sent forward without any recommendation.

TOWN SURVEYOR'S REPORT. The Town Surveyor’s report was read and considered as follows “1. Continuation of Shakespeare street and Marlbro’ street to complete the circuit to Cowper strret, “ The construction of Shakespeare street would open up 14 sections of £• acre each for building purposes. The whole of the sections are on the eastern side of the street, the land on the west being recreation reserves. In Marlbro’ street 5 building allotments J-acre would bo available for building purposes. The length of street required is 30 chains, and the cost of clearing, grubbing and draining for the full width of 1 chain would be £l5O, whilst the forming and metalling of a roadway say 20 feet wide would be about £3OO, or say £450 for the whole work. The ground requiries well draining.

“2. Abattoirs—As the Council will have to construct abattoirs within 12 months from March next, the time has arrived when the site for same should bo decided upon, and plans adopted. As for plans, 1 strongly recommend obtaining from Nelson copies of their plans and specifications, which, with slight modifications, would suit us admirably. His Worship the Mayor and myself inspected these works on our last visit to Nelson, and therefore we can speak from a personal knowledge of them. The site for the erection in this district will no doubt be a vexed question. To my mind the following conditions are absolutely necessary: — “ (a) Good paddocks for cattle to rest in. “ (b) Good drainage. “ (c) Good water supply, ii (,]) Good convenient position for muslin,, cattle and distributing the meat, •nd with regard to this last item the best high road is the sea beach and the best jueans of distribution, the railw iy. «• <j>he place that best fulfils all conditions is the north bank of ihe Toremakau t jj o Bea beach, for here there are ex-

tensive paddocks, good drainage and w»ter supply and both a railway and a beach road. Moreover, if Kumara and Hokitika joined in the scheme it is admirably adapted as a general abattoir. “ I beg to report that the water works survey is now sufficiently forward to call in the services of Mr Bell as a consulting engineer, and I suggest that he be written to on the subject. 4. The concrete sewer through Capt. Connor’s section in Tainni street is now ready for construction, and I ask the Council whether it is their wish to let it by contract or otherwise. “ 5. The survey of sites for the Sawyers Creek bridges are well in hand, and tenders will be called for them as soon as the contracts can bo got out.

“ G The outfall tunnell is nearly through, and as a large shipment of pipes will be to hand at an early date, there is every chance of the drainage works being proceeded with at a more rapid rate. “ 7. Mr Pochin has made application for about one chain of roadway in Buocleugh street to give access to a new house erected by him, the cost being about £l2, and I recommedd that the work be done. “ 8. The Town Hall Site Committee were not called together owing to Mr. Flannigan not yet having replied to the letter.”

In regard to the continuation of clause one. Mr Sheedy moved that consideration bo deferred, the work was not an urgent one. Mr Steer, in seconding, said the Council had not the money to undertake the work. The Mayor favored modified plans at a lesser cost. Mr Bignell moved as an amendment, that the work be proceeded with. The people wanted the land to build on, and could get no approach to it. Portions of the High Street vote could be derated to it.

Mr Petrie, in seconding, did not favor modified plana. There had been too much of temporary tinkering in the past. Either do the work permanently and well, or leave it alone. Mr Joyce twited Mr Sheedy with playing up for the coming election. He, (Mr Sheedy) would spend all the money on Mawhera Quay if he had his way. Mr Sheedy sharply retorting that there had not been £lO spent on the front street in the last two years. As to playing up the electors, Mr Joyce would find out all about that in April next. Mr Ashton supported the resolution

for adjournment. Amendment, that work be proceeded with put and carried on divisions. Ayes. —Messrs Petrie, Joyce, Gieseking, Bignall and M’Loan. Noes.— Messrs Sheedy, Ashton, Steer, and the Mayor. The proposed expenditure of £l2 on account of Mr Pochinwas thrown out, the street being made past his dwelling. Besolved that Mr Bell be written to asking when he would report upon M* Lord’s water works survey and at whaf cost.

In regard to the connecting Tainui with Alexander Street, Mr Bignell moved that it bo be done by day labor. White was quite competent to manage the lot.

Mr Petrie in seconding said it seemed ridiculous to call tenders for a small section that was to cost £3OO. The work was beinz done according to the engineer at estimated cost. What was wanted was more vigor and pushing on with the work And putting more men on. Eesolution carried. -<

Mr Joyce’s account was passed, as it was according to arrangement entered into.

Mr Lord was re-appointed a member of the High School Board. Application by Mrs Beresford to transfere section No. 15 to Mr Coaklcy was granted. From Mr Lutz applying for permit to erect stables, and that he had complied with the Town Surveyor’s instructions. Resolved on motion of Mr Bignell,. that Application be granted on compliance with Act.

From Mr Clough, offering his ground to the Council for £IOOO. No action taken.