HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 July 1920, Page 1

HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

FRIDAY, JULY 9th. The Council met, at 7.55 p.m. Present:—Messrs (I, A. Perry, (Mayor), H. M. Coulsoii, N. Warren, A. “Parkhill, F. .McGregor, G .H. Blank, and J. King.

The minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approved. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE.

From Grey County Council, inviting attendance of representative at conference on Grey Harbour Board matters.— Received.

From Manawatu County Council urg. ing in view of accidents through motors that support be given to proposals for drastic regulation thereof.—Received and supported on the motion of Messrs Coulson and Warren.

From Westport Borough Council stating they did not have any, water meters for sale. —Received. From Hokitika Fire Hoard notifying allocation for year was £550, the Borough Council’s share being £250. —Received.

' From Hokitika Fire Brigade asking that the suroundings of No 4 stand-pipe bo cleared away.—Received; already attended to.

Form Hamilton Borough Council in connection with cement shortage and urging the removal of the import duly on cement. —Received; Mr Blank moved that' the request be supported. Seconded by Mr King and carried.

From Westland Chamber of Commerce asking the Council to arrange to have stands placed in position for gun trophies, and that the guns be painted. —Received. Mr Coulson thought they should be properly displayed. The Mayor said the Council had never been notified that the guns were in their

charge. Mr Warren thought they should he shifted to Whitcombe Square. The Mayor thought they ought to be placed in a

uscum. Consideration was deferred for fur-

ther enquiry. From Department of Industries and Commerce, Wellington, asking Council to deal with all applications for all building operations in tbe district., and the granting of permits, so as to assist in controlling the supply ol building material.—Received and request acceded to.

From Eltham Borough Council, nsking for support of resolution asking lor restriction of the admission of aliens to New Zealand. — Received. Mr Coulson in urging that our Dominion should he kept for our own people as much as possible. The Mayor said they were on perfectly safe ground in objecting to the admission of Asiatic races who

were likely to causo continual con Diets with the white races. Air Warren sup-

ported, considering their standard o( living was a lower one than that ol the white race. The Council resolved to support the agitation. From Hon AV. H. Merries, acknowledging resolution in favour of a statutory Saturday half-holiday and promising conideration to suggestion.—deceived. From j. Ivavauagh, pointing out the disgraceful condition of . the approaches to his residence, upper Seweli Street.— Received; referred to Public, AVorks Committee to deal with. From Kanieri Power Ltd., forwarding plan of poposed lighting of Hokitika streets; comprising 14 100 candle power and 36 60 candle power lights.—Received; referred to Public A\ 7 orks Committee to attend to. From Thos Marks, offering to lease reserve in Hall Street, almost opposite Technical school building, at £1 per year, free of rates.—Received and accepted. REPORTS. From Treasurer reporting receipts £lO5 11s Od, payments £2OO 8s 3d, Dr. balance £77 34s 4d.—Received. ' Accounts amounting to £405 6s lid were passed for payment. OA'ERSEER’ S REPORT.

D u r rg last month heavy gales were experienced which resulted in large quantities of sand being deposited in Revolt street between Stafford and Tudor streets. Owing to the large quantites of sand thrown up it took some considerable time to clear the footpaths and road of the debris. Four concrete crossings for various business firms, also a number of pipe and wooden approaches were put ™

during the month. Particulars of these including cost etc., have been supplied to tbe Town Clerk.

Owing to the weather conditions becoming unfavourable we were uable to finish the work of asphalting the lower ends of the footpaths in Sewell Streets. This work will now have to stand over till next season.

A large number of water tables and footpaths which had become over-run wero cleaned out during the month.

Owing to the continued wet weather a number of breaks took place in the wooden drains. These have all beon attended to and the damage repaired. The usual maintenance work has also been, attended to during the month. Our ordinary house service was connected to your water supply. At the presented time we are going on with the construction of the Hall 'St. drain though the weather conditions since starting ave not been too good for this class, of work. Attached to this report you will iind an estimate of the cost made by Mr D. Stevenson and myself as to the cost of painting and putting the Town Hall into good repair. The estimate was: Repairs £310; painting, £180; a total of £490. Mr McGregor moved that the report lie received and-consideration of repairs to Town Hall be held over. Seconded by Mr Parkhill and agreed to. Mr King moved that a committee consisting of Messrs Coulson, Ward, King and Thompson be set up to consider the question of ways and means for the erection of a new Town Hall and suitable offices. Seconded by Mr Warren and agreed toFrom Manager of Abattoirs, (Mr J. Jarman) notifying there were examined for period ended 30tli June:—22 cows, 07 bullocks, 190 sheep, 88 lambs, A pigs,' 8 calves. Total fees for period, £SB 1.75. Received. ( ELECTRIC LIGHTING.

Mr King asked if the Mayor could inform'him as to tbe actual position ol the electric lighting of the town, in view of what bad recently appeared in the press. The Mayor said the position was fairly clear. The Borough Council had arranged with the Kanieri Power Ltd. for the supply of, electrical energy tor lighting and power purposes for hie town, and they were now awaiting the carrying out of the agreemnet. He had not found any inclination 0 n the part ol the Company to shirk their contract. The first delay was caused by the difficulty in getting poles for the service. The next part of the trouble was the difficulty in getting material for the installation. They now have word of the shipment of the material sufficient for Die installation in the town and he hud been informed that the light 11-111 he available within three months; that already some houses in Hokitika were he. ing fitted up, Mr King’s being actually the first one in the town to receive attention He had found on enquiry that the. standby plant was now being erected, and everything in their power was being don e by the Company to expedite matters.

So far as the contractors were concerned there was"nothing to find fault with and that they were doing their utmost to carry out their part of the conaro. The Kanieri Power Ltd. had practically been absorbed by the American Company, but that only made the position stronger. Under the circumstances the Council coaid not go to the rate payers and ask for a loan. As it stands now we have already a contract for the supply of electricity and it would not be fensable to ask support for a second company to be brought into existence. The Borough was in a good position, as they had the prospect of having electric power installed at an early date. Mr Blank asked if the poles were to be in spec ted and passed by a Government inspector.

The Mayor said lie was not clear on the question of inspection, but the whole line had to be inspected by the Government Department, which he understood was a very strict one.

Mr Warren said it had appeared in the press that the members of the Council who had attended the Conference had bound the Council, but that_ was not so. Mr Coulson said it appeared because the Borough was satisfied with their own arrangements, they might bo acting in a parochial manner. He thought that it would be advisable to go to the ratepayers and give them the opportunity of voting on the question ol a Power Board.

The Mayor said they could not break faith with tlie Kanieri Power Ltd. Mr McGregor considered there was nothing to discuss further they should leave the position as it was at present. CONDITION" OF PAVILION.

Mr Blank drew attention to the dL graceful condition of the pavilion on Cass Square. It was resolved to write to the various football clubs and draw their attention forcibly to the matter and to ask them to take action to prevent a recurrence, failing which the pavilion will have to be closed to their use. ATTENTION WANTED. Mr Blank drew attention to the flooding of portion of Rolleston Street during heavy rain. Ho urged that attention should be given to relievo the residents in the vicinity. After discussion the matter was referred to the Public Works Committee and Overseer to report. It was resolved that tlio agreement with the Railway Department for the supply of water be approved and signed

ARBOR. DAY. Mr Coulson stated that Arbor Day was now approaching, and he suggested that the opportunity bo taken advantage of by planting some trees in the wider streets of the town.

Tlie Mayor said while he agreed that the trees would look nice, the climate on the Coast was too damp and lie was entirely against the proposal ns it made the roads damp and soft.

Messrs McGregor and Warren spoke against the suggestion, and the matter was allowed to drop. The Council rose at 9.15 p.m.