HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 August 1920, Page 1

HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 27tli. The Council met at 7.45 p.m. Present—Messrs G. A. Perry (Mayor), H. M. Coulson, G. Wood, J. J. Breeze, N. Warren, 'II. A. Thompson, A, Parkhill, F. McGregor, J. King, and G. H. Blank. * The minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approved. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE. From Minister of Education, acknow-' lodging resolution of Council re technical education and enclosing newspapaper cutting containing his views—Received. From District Traffic Manager N. Z. Railways acknowledging resolution of Council urging attention to railway timetable and promising reply later.— Received.

From Napier Borough Council enclosing motion urging compensation bo given by the Government to gold miners for losses suffered during the war.— Received; Mr Breeze moved the Council support tlic motion. Seconded by Mr Warren and carried.

From Wnitaki Hospital and Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, forwarding resolution, urging that all public health work, local and general should be carried out by the Government Department of Public Health and not by local bodies as proposed in the new Public Health Bill.—Received; Mr Breeze moved that the resolution be supported. Seconded by Mr Coulson. Mr McGregor moved an amendment that consideration be deferred till next meeting. Seconded by the Mayor. The motion was withdraw# and amendment and agreed to. From A. MeGlasban, Greymouth asking for list of registered motor ears in Hokitika.—Received; referred on to the loenl authority, the Westland County Council. From Westland Automobile Association asking attention to surface of Fifczherbert Street; as far as the north town boundary.—Received; referred to Public Works Committee to attend to

From District Health Officer notifying alterations required to a residence in Sale Street.—Received ; referred to Borough Inspector to attend to. From W. H. Shannon asking that a tree in cemetery be removed.—Received ; referred to Cemetery Committee to give attention to. REPORTS.

From Treasurer reporting receipts £49; payments £72 2s. 4d; debit balance £541 18s 2d.—Received. From Finance Committee reporting n view of the straightened position of the finances there being an actual debit (counting outstanding accounts and available assets) of £978 14s 5d that in order to tide over the present financial: strain all casual labor be retrenal.i.ed and that the Council curtail its expenditur as much as possible.—Received; Mr Coulson moved the adoption pointing out that the cause of the present .stringency was that, 'expenditure on street maintenance last year had cost £I2OO, £SOO over the estimate, the Prince’s visit £l5O, peace celebrations £SO and upkeep of reserves £IOO over estimate. Mr Blank seconded the motion.

Mr McGregor did not see any advantage in delay now in completing the Hall Street drain. They should go on with it. u Mr Coulson Said the resolution only meant the cutting out of one labor man. They would get the drain done by the permanent bands. Mr Parkhill agreed with Mr McGregor’s attitude. He thought the drain should lie gone on with. Mr Blank said the question of finance had been thrashed out in Committee and this was the decision come to.

Mr Warren said if only one casual hand was affected the saving would be a mere bagatelle. He thought the importance of the work justified its completion as soon as possible. Mr Thompson said it would be the best way to = continue the open drain to take the flood overflow and the laying of the concrete pipes would be completed later when more cement was available.

la answer to a question the Overseer stated that there remained 8 chains to complete the drain and there were 5 chains of pipes on hand and the 3 chains could be made an open drain for the time being. The Mayor thought it would be dangerous to have a deep open drain, and it would require to be lit up at night. Mr McGregor then moved that the drain be gone on with expeditiously as far as the pipes would allow and that the remainder be made an open drain. Mr Coulson raised a point of order that the drain was not referred to ’ll the report. This was upheld. It was then stated that it was agreed to go on with the drain with the permanent staff. The adoption of the report was then agreed to.

TOWN HALL COMMITTEE. Messrs King, Thompson, and Wood reported as follows: We have tho honour to report that a. meeting of the Town Hall Committee was held' on the 25th. idem., and after inspecting the Town Hall, it was decided to recommend as follows: “That in view of the fact, as per estimate prepared by Mr D. Stevenson that it would cost at least £4OO to repair and paint the Town Hall, the Council consider the advisability of giving the ratepayers an opportunity of deciding upon the question of erecting new Municipal Offices and a Town Hall capable of seating from 800 to 1000 pervsons. Tlie Town Hail and Municipal Offices to lie erected in a more central locality than the present one.”—Received ; Mr King moved the adoption. Seconded by Mr Thompson and carried. Tho Mayor moved that the Committee investigate as to ways and means, the nature of the building and the proposed site. This would give the Council something to definitely decide on when it held its special meeting to decide the course of action.

Seconded by Mr Parkhill. The Mayor further stated that if the Council did not move in the matter they would find someone else doing so and get ting in before them and then it would be too late. He did nob see why the proposal should not be a self-support-ing one, and oven paying its way enough to pay off the capital cost. At the same time, in view of the great difficulty of getting bricks and other building material lie was afraid they would have to build in wood. Members objected to this suggestion, the motion for a further report then being agreed to. CEMETERY COMMITTEE. From _ Cemetery Committee recommending the. request of Mr H. Cassidy for authority to extend liis grave fence at the cemetery as desired.—Received and agreed to. PUBLIC WORKS. Air Blank reported on Air Cederman’s complaint as to the flooding of bis orchard.—Received; After discussion it was resolved that th Public AVorks Committlfeo ifnspect and report at next meeting. The Council rose at 9.10 p.m.