HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 December 1920, Page 3

HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

FRIDAY, DEC. 17tb. Tho Council mot at 8.15 p.m. Present.—Messrs H. M. Coulson,' (Deputy Mayor in the chair) ; Parkliill, Blank, Thompson, King, Warren, Breeze and McGregor. The minutes were taken as read and confirmed and outward correspondence approved. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE. From Department of Internal Affairs approving of balance sheet only.—Received. From Automobile Association asking for a few loads of gravel to be put on Fitzherbert and Stafford Streets.—Received ; nlrcady attended to.. From, same asking for improvement in the condition of the roads in the borough generally.—Received. The Chairman said ho recognised that the roads in the Borough required attention and a publio works loan for that purpose was gettng more of a necessity every day.

Mr Warren pointed out that the private motor ears paid no taxes. Ho thought that instead of making repeated complaints tho Association should do -some of the repairs theinselve*.

Mr McGregor said if they put a tax on motor cars then they could spend that money on the improvement of the roads.

Mr Warren moved that a reply be sent stating the Council were doing their best to keep the streets in order, and suggested the association should assist the Council in the upkeep of the roads. » Seconded by Mr Parkhill who- considered that there was a necessity for a public works loan.

The motion was agreed to. From Department of Labour, Wellington notifying necessity to fix the wekely half holiday for the year.—Received. Mr McGregor moved that a meeting of the ratepayers be called for the the purpose of considering Saturday as the weekly half holiday. Seconded by Mr Coulson and agreed to. From District Health Officer, notifying that the new Health Act comes in-, to forco on January Ist and stating the Department was willing to take over the carrying out of the Act in small centres and asking what course the Borough intended to take.—Received. The Chairman moved that consideration he dq£errcd till next meeting. Seconded by Mr Warren and carried.

Mr Warren moved that the attention of the Health Department bo drawn to tho recurring outbreaks of typhoid at the Mental Hospital and ask that steps be taken to control same and take urgent steps to prevent a recurrence. Seconded by. Mr Breeze, supported by Mr Parkhill and carried.

From District Healtli Officer, Christchurch, notifying alterations required at a private residence and also agreeing to ho'ldng over of action against a condemned building.—Received! • From W. G. Keller complaining of soft state of tar on footpath in front of hotel and asking for attention.—Received ;• already attended to.

Front West Coast Caledonian Society asking for use of Cass Square for sports, on New Year’s Day.—Received and agreed to.

From T. W. Brown asking for crossing into residence at South Hokitika, Received; request granted subject to usual conditions.

From Grey County Council, notifying difference in the price of gold and asking for support to their resolution to draw the matter under tlio attention of the Minister of Mines to the difference to the price paid at homo and in New Zealand. —Received. Mr Breeze moved that the Council give its support to the matter ns one of great importance. Seconded by Mr Coulson and carried.

' From A- Scott, thanking Council for offer to keep grave at cemetery* ■ in order for £2O and offering £ls.—Received. It was resolved not to change tho price of the Council’s offer. From Graham and Johnston asking for connection with Borough’ water supply with their mill for boiler purposes. —Received. Mr Breeze moved the request ho granted if the water was available. Seconded by Mr Warren and carried.

From Minister of Internal Affairs notifying application for loan of £6,000 was approved and appeared in the last Gazette.—Received. Mr King explained that the suh-committee on the Town Hull had as the first move, made an application for a loan to the Government. Now this was approved they could advance a further . step which wduld be to place the matter before the ratepayers. REPORTS. From Treasurer reporting receipt of £352 12s 4d, payments, £225 12s 9d, debit balance £450 12s 3d.—Received. Accounts amounting to £282 7s 8d were passed for payment. From Manager of Abattoirs. (Mr J. Jarman) reporting there were examined during November 17 cows, 85 bullocks, 235 sheep, 8 lambs, 5 pigs, 4 erilves. Condemned 1 cow, 1 pig. Fees for November. £SB 15s.—Received. INSPECTOR’S REPORT.

I beg to report that I took control of tho water system on the Ist of the month, I presume during the absence of tho turncock. Since the above date a very dry spell has set in and -it has been necessary for mo to visit the reservoir more frequently. On Monday the 13th I was called out at about 11.30 a.m. as a very bad leak was discovered on the lino to the Westland and Mental

Hospitals. This section was cut off until repairs were affected the next morning when the pressure was restored. | On tho following day the Borough Staff | had to remove‘the pipes on the 'lake | l oad to enable bridge repairs by the County Staff. This caused the supply to tho reservoir to be cut off for about four hours, the result being a considerable drop in the, reservoir, as a very largo quantity of’ water is being used during the dry* spell wo are now experiencing. However, with the attention to tho pressure (which is necessary at night aj)d early morning) tho reservoir is keeping up to expectations. THE SWIMMING BATHS. It is my duty to report that during an inspection of tlio abovo I found that the same is in a very bad state. During the recent spell of wet weather, the water was forced into the baths through a number of places. On the south wall cracks etc. from the outside. This is in

tho gravel proves to be absolutely dry and can be easily rejnoved with the bare hand. At tho end of last season it was found impossible to fill tho baths permanently. Since then the defects have become in a serious state and it is quite impossible to fill the baths even with double the pressure now existing.—Received. Mr Thompson moved the Council make a . personal inspection of the baths. Seconded by Mr Breeze who considered if possible they should hr/ made available at once, as they were urgently needed. Mr Blank said tho bath was in a very bad state and it would take £IOO to put them in repair in order to hold water. The motion was agreed to, members to meet at 11 a.m. on Sunday at the baths.

Mr Blank drew attention to the shortage of water and urged that every step possible be taken to prevent leakages and that the Inspector be empowered to cut off the water where »o notice is taken of complaints of wastage. Seconded by Mr Warren and carried. Mr McGregor drew attention to the condition of Upper Revell.St. which required the sand removing from the footpaths, and also the removal of filth, and prevention of the dumping of it in future. Supported ljy Mr Parkhill. Mr Warren moved tho complaints be attended to as soon as possible. Seconded b.v Mr McGregor and carried. Mr Warren again referred- to the necessity of improving Cass Square and moved that the Council arrange for the supply of hot water for pienicers, in a temporary way at least, for tho coming season. Seconded by Mr King and carried.

The Chairman extended to Councillors the compliments of th o season, and wished them a merry ’Xmas -and a happy New Year. The Council rose at 9.15 p.m.