HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 January 1920, Page 3

HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Tills Council met last evening at 7.45 o’clock. Present—Messrs G. A. Perry, (Mayor) G. A. Mood, J. J. Breeze, N. Warren, F. McGregor, J. King, G. H. Blank, and LI. M. Coulson. I Apologies were made for the absence of Messrs Thompson and Parkhill. The minutes were confirmed and correspondence outward approved. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE. From Greymouth Watersiders Picnic Committee asking for use of Cass Square on January 21st.—Received and request granted. | From Runanga Picnic Committee, ' asking for use of Cass Square.—Reeeiv- j ed and date required, asked for.

I From Graham and Johnston asking that road at north end of Sale Street the repaired as they proposed erecting a sawmill there.—Received; The Mayor said the Borough was in a peculiar position as regards sawmills. The County Council received a royalty for the timber cut while the Borough got nothing. The cost of upkeep as a result of the- cartage of timber was considerable and he did not think the Council could put in the road asked for (Shallow 'Rush Track). It would cost the Borough a considerable amount to keep

the roads in order, that were now made with the increased traffic from the sawmill. He was not in favour of the request being granted. Mr King suggested making an application to the Government for assistance in the upkeep of the roads where sawmill traffic caused increased upkeep nnrl frnm wli.mli Hie 'Rnroitffh received

no'revenue. Mr Warren thought it was not fair to the party to turn the application down. He moved that the Public "Works Committee report after consultation with the applicants. Mr Blank thought that the Council could not afford the expense. He would favor a grant of £5 towards the work. ]Mr Perry said in his opinion it would be an outrage to the ratepayers to incur the expense that the work would

involve. Air AlcGregor said lie would bo iti favor of a grant of £2O towards the work. He seconded the motion. The motion was agreed to. From Mrs P. Stephens notifying she had made a connection with tlie Borough sewer in Tancrcd Street.—Received ; The Alayor moved that instructions be given to take action for connecting with the Borough sewers without first asking permission. Seconded by Air Blank, who stated no application had been made till the work was done.

Air Warren said it appeared to be a hardship to take such action in the present case. Air Coulson also thought it was a drastic step to prosecute. Air Breeze was totally against taking drastic action against, what was apparently done in ignorance. His AVorship agreed to withdraw his motion, and Air Coulson moved that

a letter be sent stating the action was against the bye-laws, (but that it will be overlooked if the drain was opened up for the Overseer’s inspection and if he approved thereof, the 'Council would allow it to remain. Seconded by Mr AlcGregor and agreed to. From T. Pollard, stating he had been continually refused permission to show pictures on Christmas night and asking why another picture showhad been allowed to show ,—Received; The Tywn Cly.rk’s letter stating the Council had no jurisdiction on Christmas night, was approved. From Al. AI. Dawson, in connection with notice for improvements and asking for an extension of period.—Received ; granted for three weeks as from date of letter.

From Department of Labor re fixing of weekly half holiday.—Received.

From Westland branch of Canterbury Automobile Association asking attention to Kanieri vend in borough and roadway at ten( of Cemetery Hill. —Received; referred t» Public Works Committee with power to act. Mr Warren thought that attention in any event should lie given to the road at the foot of cemetery hill. From R. Wild, asking for assistance of Borough Staff, in the event of shortage of labor for loading vessels in event of necessity.—Received; referred to Overseer to attend to in urgent necessity if no other labor, was

offering. From Mrs R. Robinson stating r«quest for attention to premises in Revell Street would be attended to ns soon as labor- was available. —Received, REPORTS, From Treasurer reporting receipts £-130 16s Bd., payments £328 5s fid, debit balance £162 18s lid. —Received, The Finance Committee recommended payment of accounts amounting to £sll* 3s lid.—Received and adopted. From Manager of Abattoirs (Air J. Jarman) reporting for month ended 31st December there were examined, 8 cows, 68 bullocks, 214 sheep, 232 lambs, 2 pigs, 12 calves, Fees for month CTO 2s 0d.—Received .

The Mayor moved tligt dog registration fee lie the. same as last year, 10/- and 2/6. Seconded by Mr King. Mr Con Ison moved an amendment that the fee be 5/- and 2/6. Seconded by Air Breeze. The amendment was put and lost- on the easting vote of the MayorAyes, .Messrs Coulson,- Wood, Breeze, ami Blank. Noes—Messrs War von, McGregor, King and l’cvry. The motion was then agreed to. notice of motion.

Air Warren moved t-hat- the wages of casual laborers he increased to 13/- per day. Seconded by Air Breeze. - The Mayor moved an amendment that the whole question be referred to the Finance Committe lo report. Seconded by ATr King. The amendment was put a-ml carried, Merht-3 Breeze and Warren dissenting. Air Coulson asked for a report from the Public Works Committee, as to, tho. most suitable place, fpr the erection of a urinal in the vicinity of Princess Theatre.

Air Coulson also referred to the question oi the power of the Council in connection with the controlling of motor traffic and moved that the Town Clerk clhtain legal opinion on the question of the powers of the Council in the matter. He referred to the action of some motor drivers on race days refusing to abide by the directions of thq Borough Inspector and he felt

that if they had the power the Council j should take action. The suggestion j was agreed to, the Alayor stating a j new bye-law would 'he the easiest way to deal with the matter.

NOTICE OF AIOTTON. Air Coulson also gave notice to move jat next meeting—That a poll of the ! ratepayers be taken on a proposal to borrow £3OOO for public works in tbe Borough interest and sinking fund not to exceed 7%. The said loan not to exceed £IOOO per annum and that a committee consisting of the Chairman of Public Works, Alayor and mover be appointed to allocate in a .general way such expenditure and report at iiext meeting of the Council. The Council rose at 8.45. p.m.