GREY COUNTY COUNCIL.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 9 July 1901, Page 4

GREY COUNTY COUNCIL.

A special meeting of the Grefy County Council was held yesterday afternoon. Present: Mr Marshall, (chair) Messrs Eyall, Larkin, McCarthy, Harris, Flynn and Hargreaves.

A general rate of six farthings in the £ was struck on all rateable property in the County, also a Charitable Aid levy of fd in the £.

The ordinary meeting was then gone on with.

A deputation consisting of Messrs Leech and Gregory then waited on the Board in regard to the ferry over the Grey River between Ngabere and Blackball and the Blackball streets.

Mr Gregory briefly explained the object of the deputation and read the following motions passed at a public meeting held at Blackball on Saturday June Bth: “ That the County Councilbs requested to convey passengers across the rii er from bank to bank, including all byewashes, and to take means to stop the present bye-wash, and that a boat be placed at the upper ferry to enable passtagers to cross until the dray trallic can be resumed, as the bye-wash at present prevents all cartage of mails, goods and food from the Ngabere railway station to Blackball.”

“ That the punt is unserviceable, and unsafe for the work.

« That the standing trees in the cemeery be removed. “ That tho streets of Blackball be put in a state of repair,” Tho Speaker said that when Mr Guinness was .at Blackball he said that £l5O was on the estimates for street improve* ments. He also read the following telegram from Mr Guinness "£IOO for Blackball streets, being all expended by County.

Mr Leech said that it had been ex pended on the main road, Cr Hargraves spoke in favor of all tho works being done. Cr Harris was also in favor of the works being executed. The Clerk said that £IOO was on the estimates, but the County had never got it.

Mr Gregory said the boat was dangerous. If anything went wrong with the punt, the boat could only carry about ten passengers. He thought the boats wanted overhauling. Mr Leech said that a jinkcr could not cross on tho punt. A boiler for the mine would be landed to-morrow, but could not bo taken over till the river wont down ; also, that ho had, the other day, to go from Ngahero to Blackball in the aerial tram—in a truck —because the punt people would not take him over the river during a fresh, Mr Leech asked if they could force the punt hands to take them across dry- shed Tho Council intimated that it would be necessary to get an opinion from their solicitor on the matter.

Mr Leech thought that tho Counci: should control tbe punt.

Tho Engineer thought that it would bo useless to expend money on a protection wall—to keep out tho by wash. Mr Gregory held that a crate should be erected about two or the chains above the aerial line.

Cr Harris said that the Council would give the subject matter of the deputation every assistance. The Chairman (Cr Marshall) said the matter would be fully considered. Ho said as for the cemetery it would bo done, and other works would be considered in due course.

The deputation thanked the Council for the patient hearing accorded them. Telegram from Sligo Bros in regard to road to Watersons offering to pay £B7. Received. From Postal authorities relative to telephonic communication to Dunganville, offering to erect line if Council guarantee some for five years. Held over.

From Secretary County Council’s Association notifying that the Conference will begin on July 16th. From Town Clerk (Groymouth) thanking Council for co-operation in erection of York lights. Keooived. From J. Galway, contractor for maintenance of Blackball road, asking Council to vote subsidies on account of heavy traffic on road. PiOceivcd. A number of letters were read concerning the Royal visit and erection of arches etc. Resolved that the Clerk obtain a solicitor's opinion as to whether, under the Employers Liability Act of 1900, the County are liable to their contractors. From J. Butler asking for allowance for removing log from across track at Healey’s Gully. Granted.

From Dr Scott in regard to the Bell Hill-Kotuku Track. Referred to the overseer.

From Mosquito G.D. Company forwarding final payment in connection with the road to claim. Received,

From Secretary New River G.D. Comgany, asking Council to assist them in making road and offering, with other companies, to pay half the cost. Referred to the Engineer. From Secretary AldingaQold Dredging Company, asking Council to assist them in extending the road from the Victory claim into their own claim. Stating that it would cost £25. Referred to the Engineer.

From G Russell (Marsden) asking Council’s assistance in construction of track from Camerons to Marsden No 1 pontoons. Received and referred to the overseer to see what repairs are necessary. From M Foster in regard to a drain constructed near her property. Referred to the overseer to have 'the repairs affected.

From H. Payman, (Coal Creek,) in regard to the Coal Creek road, stating that it was impassable. Referred to the overseer.

From J. Poison asking Council to con struct a drain near his property at Cob don. Referred to the overseer to report. Resolved that the clerk communicate with the Valuer-General asking reason why some people at Cobden are not rated.

Cr Ryall moved that the motion refer to the whole County. Carried. The action of the Chairman in granting a number of mining privileges was endorsed. .

The Coupcil then adjourned till 10 o’clock in the morning.