Hokitika Borough Council.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 January 1917, Page 3

Hokitika Borough Council.

Fix' DAY. J .1. 12

The Council mot at 7 .55 p.tn. Basest: -MAiara G. A. Parry ( Mayor), Gnu!son, Richardson, J Aeries, btapieton, Richards and McGregor. A further three months’ laavo of absauC9 was granted to Mr I. Brown owing to his continued illness. Leave of absence was also granted to M-ififirt* J. and 8, King. The minutes cf previous meeting were read and confirmed and outward correspondence read and approved.

INWARD CORRESPONDENCE

From Brunner Excursion Committee asking for use of Caas Square on SUnrday FAj 10. b, for the annual excursion. —Received, and request

granted. From D, J. Evans, Coroner, conveying complaint by police and others at fhß absence of a morgue in the town, and asking that steps be taken a? early as possible to fill ft very nacesearv want.—Received , referred to Chairman of Works Committee to confer with Harbor authorities to fix a site for the morgns, the erection of which had already been approved by the Council.

From District Health Office, Chrißfchnroh, re fly nuisance.—Received ; referred to Inspector to attend to. From Commissioner of Crown Lands Hokitika, acknowledging loiter dealing with weir at Laka Kanieri and stating that the clearing of Mahiuapua Creek would receive his early attention.—Received.

From A. B. Spiers, Kumara, complaining as to action of Borough Inspector in collecting licensee fees for three oars on race day?.—Received, After hearing the Inspector tho Council decided to take no action. From W. Jeffries and M. H. Houston applying for auctioneer’s license?. —Received ; certificates to be issued. From Westland Chamber of Commerce pointing out that at the Otira tunnel they were now piercing the lasi mile, and that the big question to be dealt with would be thß electrification cf the tunnel and urging that Government be a3ked to take the necessary steps to arrange for this work and also for the vigorous prosecution of the tunnel to a apsedy completion.

—Received. Mr Richards thought that the Council should support the Chamber, He moved that the Council give its support to the proposals and the Minister of Public Works be ■written toon the subject. Seconded by Mr McGregor.

The Mayor approved of the motion but fait that it would be unwise to approach the Government with any definite request in view of the present troublous times. The motion was agreed to.

From Sims, id connection with increase! through train connection from Ohri-tchurch, stating that it was deeired to have through connection from Christchurch to Hokitika on Tuesdays and Thursday?, This could be done by having the evening train from Greymcuth delayed from 515 p,m. to G. 15 p.m. and a through connection outward on Saturdays fiom Ross could also bo obtained if tho train from there slatted earlier. They tsked if the Council had any objection to the suggested aireratioua to the train timetable. —Received. The Council agreed to support the enggest can made.

From a large number of Borough and County Councib approving of resolution passed by public meeting re carrying out of Military Service Act. —Received.

From Treasurer reporting recoiota £348 15/10, payments £146 0/4, credit balance £lB 1/ —Received.

From Fiuano9 Committee recommending payment of accounts amounting to £294 5/2. Received and agreed to. From Manager Ahattrrs reporting for December i here were examined 9 cows, 43 bullocks, 202 sheep, 131 lambs, 8 pigs, 6 calves, There ware condemned 1 bullock, 1 pig and 1 ca'f. Fees for mrn*h £49 9/3. —Received.

From Borough Inspector reporting having comploted an inspection of the town, stating over 2000 taps were examined and that the back yards generally were in a clean condition, That he had carried out the Coucch’s instructions to regolata traffic on rac9 days, but a local driver had not completed with the instructions. Fens collected for license to run for hire £33. —Received. It was resolved to write to the local driver complained of pointing out that failure to obey the instructions would endanger the renewal of bis license,

The Mayor moved the formal resolution fixing the dog tax for the year at 10/. —Seconded by Mr McGregor.

Mr Ooulson moved that the fee he 5/. —Seconded by Mr Stapleton.

Mr Jdfriea moved that the fee be 20/. Seconded by Mr Richards,

Both amendments were lost and the Mayor’s motion was carried, Mr Richardson took the opportunity of referring to the water supply. He quoted figures showing that there should be a supply of 150 gallons wif water per bead available, and expressed the opinion that there was a great leakage somewhere. He moved that the Overseer make a thorough test of the water supply from the intako of the reservoir and the town reticulation to endeavor to find oat where the heavy leakage occurs. The Council discussed the question at some leDgth, the opinion beiog geu'

e-alJr 'xnr?Ffed that the amount cf

water com eg info the r.-Sai v > r * outri be moie .ban ample to the snp.ly of the town, hut that it was going somewhere by leakage or wtvto to an extraordinary extent. After cons durable dircaisi.tn in wlroh the Overbear explained hia view?, tha motion wai seconded by Mr S’aj.letoa and agreed to.

Mr Richard* said he desired to make a personal explanation in reference to Mr McGregor’s remarks in hia

absence at 'ant clearing, in connectma with Charitable Aid makers, Mr Richards $a d hu did not accept any instruction from tho Borough Council as to his notion on tho Board. Ho thought it would h ive been better for Mr McGregor to have made his remaik3 when he (Mr Richards) was. present.

Mr McGregor, in reply, said he h *d been directed by-the Council to make every endeavor to reduce expenditure by the Charitable Aid Board and he had always done bis best to put this into effect. He wis prepared to repeat hia remarks wVn Mf R cba ’ds was present. After gome farther dis-cus-ion the matter dropped. The Council rose at 9.10 p.m.