Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star TUESDAY, JUNE 22nd, 1920. CIVIC WORKS.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 June 1920, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star TUESDAY, JUNE 22nd, 1920. CIVIC WORKS.

The rejected schedule of work for Bor. ough improvements detailed in yesterday’s issue contains several matters which are really of pressing importance. The exterior appearance of the Town Hall, for instance suggests the modest expenditure proposed for this ornamental building front, is well worth doing. As the chief building in the town if is being permitted to fall into disrepair and to wear a very dilapidated appearance. It is high time, loan or no loan, that the repairing and painting of the exterior were taken in hand, and apart from saving a valuable structure from hastening to decay, give the resident a lead in smartening up the appearance of their premises. Another item of suggested expenditure certainly worth while is that proposed for Cass Square, the better to fit it for picnic resorts. Something better than the primitive arrangements now carried on for boiling water for picnic parties i s certainly necessary, and seeing that the Square is responsible for thousands of extra visitors to the town during the year, the expenditure is justified from a business point of view alone, and again, loan or no loan, the work of supplying the conveniences should be taken in hand. And additional attention to the embellishment of the appearance of Macandrew Square is worth while also. It is a notable beauty spot, much patronised and admired, and the expenditure earmarked for the plot is certainly most necessary, and carried out would have a fine effect. Regarding the street work s they speak generally for themselves. The Hall Street drain should be carried to completion without delay. It is at a point now where it is useless for the purpose it was undertaken —lo tap the Whitcombe area, where so much storm water overflows at times. After every flood it must be costing pounds to restore the damaged streets resulting 1 from the flood overflow. If Hall Street drain were taken the further block still remaining, it would tap the flooding area, and relieve the lower portion of the town considerably. Councillors were very anxious to have the work done at the outsot, hut their enthusiasm has cooled down, despite the fact that recurring damage is done to the streets

for the want of the almost completed extra water course. In regard to road works, the widening and improving of Hampden Street is of the greatest importance. At certain times 0 f the year there is a great congestion of traffic' along the road, and the volume of traffic will increase rather than otherwise. To ovoid the present liability to collisions and accidents the in need of widening, and it is reasonable that a work of this nature, should be done out of loan money and so defer the payments over an extended period. The street and foothpath improvements generally could be extended ad lib. Asphalting and concrete channelling would add to the comfort and convenience of pedestrians, besides giving tlie> town a better kept appearance. The list of works could be arranged in detail alter the councillors made a special inspection of the town to view the requirements. It is clear from the foregoing that. £2,000 or £3OOO could be spent advantageously and this modest sum does not present any difficulties to finance. The ratepayers would reap the extra benefit from the expenditure.