HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 March 1919, Page 3

HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

FRIDAY, MARCH 14th

. The Council met at 8.15. p.m. Present—Messrs H. M. Cbulson (Deputy Mayor), Wood, Blank, McGregor, Preston, Parkliill, King and Thompson. Apologies were made for the absence of the Mayor and Mr Stapleton. SPECIAL MEETING. The Town Clerk presented the District Electors List for approval.—Re. ceived and adopted. Tenders for printing same were opened from W. E, Richards at 11/3 and Guardian and Times Coy., Ltd., at 12/- a page. The tender of W. E. Richards was accepted. ORDINARY MEETING. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed and correspondence outward approved. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE. From Devonport Borough Council conveying resolution in reference to the repatriating of all alien prisoners of war as soon as possible.—Received; Mr Preston was entirely in favour. Mr McGregor thought the matter should not be lightly passed over. He moved that the letter be approved and the Devonpor.t Council be supported. Seconded by Mr Preston and carried. From Minister of Labour- notifying that Wednesday had been gazetted the weekly half holiday for okitika.—Re. ceived. From N.Z. Town Planning Conference conveying conditions of competitions.—Received. From C. J. Nightingale, notifying the lack of facilities in keeping the gates on Cass Square closed and asking that alterations be made so that they automatically close —Received; already being attended to. From R. F. Perham offering to lease Whitcombe Square for a term.—Received ; it was resolved to invite tenders for lease of same. From Westland Charitable Aid Board forwarding copy of balance sheet for year ended 31st., March, 1918.—Received.

From J. Mclntyre thanking Council for appointment as sexton.—Received. REPORTS. From Treasurer reporting receipts £290/3/10, payments £269/10/-, credit balance £269/1 5/11. —Received. Accounts amounting to £l6l/16/7 were passed for payment. From Town Clerk reporting on Library conditions land appointment of joint committee. —Received; Mr King

moved that- the attention of the Library Committee be drawn to the rules.—Seconded by Mr Parkhill and carried. From Manager Abattoirs reporting during February there were examined 10 cows, 56 bullocks, 153 sheep, 84 lambs, 15 calves, Condemned, I cow. Fees for period £4B/15/3. —Received. OVERSEER’S REPORT, The water mains throughout the Borough were given an overhaul and repaired where necessary. A number of new washers were put in at the fire plugs and the valves that were leaking have been repacked. The water tables in all the main streets have been clean ed out and the footpaths put in order. The gorse and blackberry is being cut down on the roads in South Hokitika.

The Cemetery was duly taken oyer as instructed by the Council and handed over to Mr Mclntyre the new sexton, who has been given all tire instructions and assistance necessary in the carrying out of his duties 5s sexton. During the month the reservoir was tested for leakage. In my previous monthly report I predicted that the amount of leakage would be small as nothing but the best of materials were put into ttie job besides great care taken in the carrying out of the work. The test was taken with a lull reservoir for a period of eight hours and the amount of l leakage was nil, the measuring board showing the same at the- end of eight hours as when at the beginning of the test, which must be' considered very satisfactory when the condition of tbe reservoir is taken into account previous to repairs being carried out. Cost of widening Hampden St.— I have gone carefully into the matter of getting over the' difficulty of regulating the traffic in Hampden Street during race meetings, After giving various routes due consideration ] would suggest the adoption of one of the following proposals, First; to widen Hampden Street an extra 12 feet from Livingstone to Sale Street a distance of 30 chains at a cost of £126.

Second : To widen Hampden St. from Livingstone to Rolloston St. at a cost of £l4O.

If the first proposal is adopted it will lie necessary to improve the grade in Sale St. between Stafford and Hampden St. If the second proposal is adopted it will he necessary to complete the unfinished portion of Itolleston St. between Stafford and Hampden streets. In the event of going on syith this work it will be necessary to open a gravel pit in Sale Street at the terrace off Shallow Hush road. Received —A ft A- discussion consideration was deferred till next meeting, in the meantime the Council to visit the ground.

GENERA E. The Town Clerk stated flint Mr Brough, The new sanitary contractor had made a personal request that his contract he extended from one to two years.—After discussion, Mr King moved the request be granted. Seconded by Air Preston and carried, Messrs Blank Thompson and Coulson voting against. Air King moved that, the Inspector make a personal inspection of the town as to any nuisances.—-Seconded by Air Parkhill,*who referred to a number of matters that the Inspector should have seen to in his daily round.—The motion was carried. Air King referred to 'the suggestion that the Grey Harbour rating area be extended to include Westland therein He moved that a strong protest he made against the proposal—Seconded by Air Preston and carried. Air Rarkhil! complained 'that the authority given to have portion of Fitzlierbcrt street kerbed had not been given attention to, Gounicllors aired a number of grievances in a mixed sort of discussion on various works that- should he carried out including some enquiry as to why the grader was ,not used for cleaning up the streets instead of. using day labour •

| During tlio discussion Mr McGregor referred lo file disgraceful state ol Cass Square am! !>v leave moved that file '•Reserves Coniimttc. I»«» onijionored to spend up to £SO in putting it in order. —Seconded by Mr Blank and carried. \yes Messrs Wood, Blank, McGregor, i

* find Coulson. Noes—Messrs Preston, Parkhill, King and Thompson. Mr Coulson gave his casting vote in favour of the motion and declared it carried. Councillors opposing did so bo caused they thought that Hall Street drain and other works in hand should be completed first. Mr McGregor said he would give notice of motion for next meeting that the Overseer put- in a- time list of all the time lie spent in connection with the water supply. The Council rose at 9.15. p.m.