LAGOON DOCK AREA AND TOWN PLANNING

Grey River Argus, 7 October 1948, Page 3

LAGOON DOCK AREA AND TOWN PLANNING

Harbour Board Awaiting Railway Plans

The effect of possible harbour improvements upon town planning was the subject of a letter from the Borough Council’s Town Planning Committee, received at its ordinary meeting last evening by the Greymouth Harbour Board. The letter enquired if the Board had agreed in principle with the suggestion contained in the report of the Committee of Engineers on harbour improvement. The engineer, Mr D. S. Kennedy, stated 'that the Board had adopted the report pro forma but that this alone was not sufficient guide for the Town Planning Committee. The Bard now awaited from the Railwav Department detailed plans on he future railway facilities around the lagoon dock area. When thes? were forthcoming, said the engineer, it would be possible for the Board to complete its plans of the layout in the port area. The complete plans would then be forwarded to the Town Planning Committee. The engineer said that he had already notified the Borough Engineer to this effect.

The action of the engineer was endorsed.

Mr F. Williams presided, also present being Messrs M. Wallace, C. Coxall, J. Clayton, E. W. Heenan, and A. Barrow.

Letters were received from Mr J B. Kent. M.P., and Hon. J. Ryall M.L.C., advising, in reference to the Coal Act, 1948, that, although the Board no longer owned any coal, royalties would be paid as at present. The Secretary of the Marine Department wrote regarding the appointment of Board’s signalmen to positions as pilots. It was decidea that, as the men concerned had passed their examinations in compliance with the latest regulations of the Department, it would be in the Board’s interests to appoint them as pilots. This' would take effect in due course. The Secretary of the Westland District . Progress League advised that it was proposed to seek legislation in order that local bodies could contribute to the funds of the League. Mr Wallace said that though he was sympathetic towa’rds the aims of the Progress League, he did not believe in the Board’s funds beino- used to make contributins towards all kinds of organisations. The chairman said he also felt that calls for financial assistance would be too great. It was decided that no action be taken but that the usual donation of £2 2s be granted. ENGINEER’S REPORT The following report for the month of September was submitted by the engineer:— At the South Break-water three 20-ton blocks and an old boiler filled with concrete were tipped at the end. The contractor on the Town Hall demolition carted 400 tons oi broken concrete which was placed by the Board’s staff. A further 150 tons of rock from McLean Park was also placed, bringing a tota’ of about 651 tons of material placed in the flank on the river side. This appears to b? holding quite well in spite of heavy seas, but it is too early to cement yet. At the North Break-water about 240 tons of broken concrete from ’the Town Hall was delivered for use. The dredge Mawhera operated on seven days, and 9,500 tons of spoil was discharged. The vessel wa used for sounding on one occasion during the month. The annual survey of the tug Kumea was carried out and maintenance and repairs were attended to. The petrol crane, which was in use throughout the month proved satisfactory. The half-tide light was completed, and is now operating satisfactorily. A floodligh was fitted on the slipway to facilitate work carried out at night. Owino- to the shortage of materials, and the need for men on more urgent work, the completion of the petrol local has been delayed. Detailed drawings have been mad? of the South Break-water fender pilino- and relevant works. The new workshop machinery lay-out and alterations have been prepared, /it tne end of the month Messrs Beasley and Lenihan, Senior Officers of the Railway Department, visited Greymouth and carried out a detailed investigation on the future railway facilities around the lagoon dock area. Satisfactory plans of a tentative nature were drawn up and the final decision should be available at an early date When these are availale it will be nossible to proced with the lagoon schemes and finalise thesurveys and plans. FINANCE

The Finance Committee reported that the following accounts had been received since the previous last meeting:—Wharfages, £llBl 7s lOd; royalties. £1787 J2s 6d: shipping dues, £273 19s 8d; rents, £lO3 Is Id: hire and sale plant, £47 13s lOd; accident compensation. £44; refund sales tax. £l6 2s lid; total £3453 17s lOd. The harbour fund had a debit balance of £7498 8s 2d. Accounts amounting to £4OOl 7s were passed for payment.