GREY COUNTY COUNCIL

Grey River Argus, 4 June 1943, Page 3

GREY COUNTY COUNCIL

Annual Meeting

OR. W FISHER NEW CHAIRMAN

At the annual meeting of the Grey County Council held yesterday, Cr. W. Fisher was elected Chairman io the coming year. On taking tne chair he thanked the Council for the honour, and refering to the record of those who had preceded him sa d that he would do his best to follow in their lootsteps. _ Cr. Fisher wa s nominated by Li. R. Clarke, and his nomination was seconded by Cr. J. Ryan. The retiring Chairman, Cr. J. JViUicare, thanked the (Councillors and staff for their co-operation and referred especially to the work of Miss Heaphy (County Clerk) and Mr J. Higgins (County Engineer). Miss Heaphy had taken much work oft ms shoulders and had carried the extra burden cheerfully. The same could be said of Mr Higgins. He expressed aporeciation of a very pleasant term of office. He hoped that by the time the next annual report jwas s>resented, things would be very much brighter—that the war would be ended, and labour in abundance available, and that it would not be necessary to report deterioration of roads. The whole Council was elected the finance committee. The Engineer’s annual reports were received and adopted. The Miss Russia campaign was discussed, and all Councillors were urged to do what they could to assist activity in their own districts. MONTHLY MEETING. Mr J. Mulcare presided over the ordinary monthly meeting of the Council. Also present were: Councillors A. McDonnell, J. Ryan, W. Fisher. H. G. Carter, R. Clarke and J. W. Hannan; also the County Clerk iMiss E. M. Heaphy), and the Engineer (Mr J. Higgins). The Taramakau Branch of the Farmers’ Union wrote drawing attention to the dangerous condition of the running boards of the Taramakau bridge at Kumara. The Engineer said that the Kumara Borough Council wa s responsible for the maintenance of the bridge. It was decided to forward a copy of the letter to them, asking that the matter be attended to.

Mr L. J. O’Leary, Kotuku, wrote, applying for a grazing license over a County Reserve about half a mile up ■Brown River. —The matter was left in the hands of the Engineer, with power to grant the license. Mr Ernest Mackley* and Mr A. McVicar wrote .asking for permission to erect cattle stops at Waipuna.— The matter was left in the hands of the Engineer, the usual conditions to apply. , . Mr S. A. Coburn wrote applying for a rebate of a heavy traffic fee for one month during which his truck wa.s off the road for repairs. —lt was decided to allow the rebate. The N.Z. Institute of County Clerks wrote advising that a general conference would be held at Wellington on July 27.—The Chairman remarked that it was four years since the County had last been represented at the conference, and moved that the County Clerk (Miss Heaphy) attend. This was agreed to. An application by Messrs Hannan and Seddon, on account of the Barrytown Gold Dredging Ltd., for approval to a reduction to 2s 6d a share as from July 1, 1943, until twelve mont.h s after the war on Special Dredging Claim No. 171/41, was granted. The Medical Officer of Health wrote regarding the Blackball water supply, forwarding a copy of the an-1 alytical findings on a sample of water taken from the water race at Ford’s Creek on March 30, stating that the water was of a satisfactory quality. Messrs G. Gibson and Sons, Ngahere, wrote, enclosing a report from Mr T. Learmont, Registered Engineer, and an alignment plan of the proposed road up Red Jacks Creek required to bring timber from a mill, which it is proposed to erect, to Ngahere. The estimated cost of the work is £1,232. Further information on the same matter was supplied m a letter from the County Engineer to the District Engineer. Public, Works Department, which stated that the estimated annual output of the mill would be one million superficial feet of timber.—The matter was held over to enable further information to be obtained. Mr T. Learmont forwarded on behalf of Mr P. Morley a scheme plan of a sub-division of a part of Sections 2782 and 3003, Clough Road, Block XVI., Greymouth S.D., for approval.—lt was decided, to grant consent.

In reply to a question raised by Ci’. H. G. Carter regarding the erection of a waiting shed at the Red Jacks Creek road crossing, it was stated that the usual conditions would apply, the Council providing the material if the settlers did the work.

Cr W. Fisher drew attention to the danger caused by heavy trucks going through Nelson Creek township while the school, attended by more than sixty children, was being conducted in the hall. He said that there were no footpaths or playground, and suggested that signs be put up and heavy traffic reduced to a reasonable speed. The Engineer said that ordinary school signs could be erected, but a restriction on speed could be decided on onlj' by the Main Highways Board.

On the motion of Cr. Carter, it was decided to approach the Main Highways Board, suggesting a restriction on speed for a quarter of a mile on each side of the hall until the new school is finished in about four months’ time.

The following statement of proposed Main Highway Board expenditure for 1943-44 was approved:—-Westport-Greymouth Main Highway (Punakaiki to Greymouth), 26 miles 34 chains, maintenance £4000; £lOOO to be provided by the County; flood damage £600; £450 to be provided by the County. Ngahere-'Blackball Main Highway, 3 miles 40 chains, maintenance £400; £lOO to be provided by the County. Ngahere-Hau-piri Junction Main Highway, 14 miles 54 chains, maintenance £1334; £344 to be provided by the County. Ku-mara-Haupiri Junction Main Highway (Kumara to Mitchell’s). 12 miles 16 chains, maintenance £1500; £375 to be provided by the County; flood damage £240; £6O to be provided by the County. The Treasurer’s statement for the period ended May 31, showed that receipts had amounted to £1,635 2s 7d, made up as follows: —Rates £135 0s lid; Vehicle licenses £361 6s 6d; Sundry licenses £l2 17s 6d; Royalties and rents £7B 8s; Sales and hire £6 3s 6d; Compensation refunds £ll 13s 2d; “Halves" and “Thirds" £126 5s sd; Employment schemes £7BO Ils lOd; Sundries £122 15 s 9d. The payment of accounts amounting to £1,709 0s Id, were approved.