HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 March 1920, Page 1

HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

FRIDAY, MARCH 26th, 1920.

Tile Council met last evening at 8.10. o’clock. Present —Messrs G A. Perry, (Mayor), H. M. Coulson, G. Wood, N. Warren, A. Parkhill, ¥. McGregor, J. King, G. H. Blank. Apologies were made for Messrs Breeze and Thompson. The minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence was approved. IN WA RD COR'RESPONDEN CE. From Hon. J. G. Coates, thanking Council for congratulation on apuointment as Minister of Public Works. - Received. From Westland Chamber of Commerce conveying resolution of meeting in connection with the formation of a Power Board for the district, and asking if the Council, will arrange For the necesasry petition to be signed, : nd supply a canvasser for the purpose, the Chamber to supply the necessary forms. —Received; Mr Coulson moved that the request of the Chamber be complied with so far as the Council was concerned. He considered that eve'.* support should he given to the proposal.

Mr Blank seconded the motion iro forma. Ho asked how, seeing that ihe Council had arranged with the K‘inieri Power Coy., how could they get out of it. He thought the Council could not take further action. Mr Wood said he liad been present at the meeting on Saturday and reference bad been made to the failure of the Coined to act on a previous occasion.

Mr Warren supported the mot cn, considering it was in the best interest" of the district.

The Mayor said while he was in favor of the proposal, he felt that the Council was ill a difficult position, in view of already having arranged ior a supply of power and lighting, a ithout any possibility of taxation. He suggested holding over consideration till they found out the actual position. He felt that they should rot place the ratepayers in the position of being liable to be taxed while they had already arranged for the supply of power and light under very reasonable conditions. He thought it would nor |,o light to give the power to tax tv* ratepayers for the purpose of suppi'yi i„ other parts of the district. He thought it would be best to defer consideration until- they, found the actual position they wore in. Mr Coulson said he recognised the point that, was raised, tint the rating if necessary would cover the whole district. .Mr McGregor said he felt they should not go too hurriedly into the question and at least defer consideration till next meeting. Mr King moved that consideration be held over till next meeting, f-ccoud-ed by Mr Blank, and Mr Coulson’s motion being withdrawn. Mr King’s .suggestion was agreed to. ' From Sir Francis Bell, notifying itinerary of H.R.TT. the. Prime of Wales. —Received. From J. Timpson, asking for transfer of water right held by J. Marks. - Received and agreed to.

From Messrs Wild and Bassos, applying for a road crossing to their premises.—Received; request granted under usual conditions.

From Hokitika Motor Garage, a - ini'lar request.—Received; and agreed to on same terms. From Dunedin City Council forw ni Jing resolutions passed, in connection with the cost of living.— Received; to be support by Council, Mr Warren dr. seating . ... From J. Park, Borough Solicitor advising it would bo illegal to expend moneys in clearing out Mahinapua Creek. —Received From Council’s employees, than cmg Council for increase in salary made.— Received. REPORTS. From Treasurer reporting receipts

£164 14s lid, payments £304 10s Id ere dit balance £159 12s 5d.-Reeeived. From Finance Committee recommon iing payment of accounts amounting to £291 19s lOd. —Received and adopted. From Overseer as follows: I have the honor to submit the following report on work done during the past, month. Hie principal work done has been the repairing and top 4r ing of the asphalted footpaths along Gibson Quay, Wharf, Sewell and Hamilton Streets. When the weather was unfavourable for asphalting we mi /e gone on with the work of cleaning up the footpaths and water tables in various other Streets in the Borough. A number of the open drains in different Streets have also been cleaned out during the month. The usual maintenance works were also attended to during the month.—Received. ’Mr King asked that enquiries be made as to the cost of a concrete roa-i laid down recently in Auckland.— Agreed to.

Mr Warren asked that the Council draw attention to the Public Works Department to the very unsightly fence erected at tho police station. Hie Council adjourned at 8.40 p.m.

WHAT TO WEAR.

At a conference held at Nelson or Saturday, between Captain Tain Rhodes,' A.D.C. to tbe Governor-Gen . oral, and tbe City Council, tlio question was raised whether members of local bodies were expected to dress m “bell-toppers and frock coats” on the | occasion of the visit of tile Prince of Wales. Captan Rhodes stated that a | cabled inquiry in regard to dress to bo worn at official functions bad been made, and a, reply bad been received from tbe Prince that be would be delighted to see the people in anything they eliose to wear. This statement | (says the “Colonist”) was received with 1 general satisfaction.