HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 February 1922, Page 1

HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

FRIDAY, FEB. 17th

The Council met at 7.45 p.m. Present.—Messrs G. A. Perry (Mayor), Blank, King, Perhnm, Parkhill, McGregor and Pilkington. The minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approved. VOTE OF SYMPATHY

The Mayor moved the Council place on record its deep sympathy with Councillor Parkhill in the loss sustained by the death of his wife He felt ho was voicing tho opinions of members in conveyfing their deep sympathy in the sad loss suffered. The Council rose and passed the motion in silence. Mr Parkhill briefly acknowledged the vote.

INWARD CORRESPONDENCE tt was resolved to convey to Mr J'. Lloyd the Council’s best wishes for his speedy recovery to good health. From Katiieri Sawmill Company, declining offer to lease recreation reserve, owing to the poor tenure offered.—Re-

ceived. From Ross Borough Council stating the licensing act receipts for the year veto £2oo.—Received. From H. Lawn and others asking that the drain in Bealey Street o »st he cleaned and improved.— Received; referred to the Public Works Committee to attend to.

From Beautifying Association conveying the following resolutioas passed at'a recent meeting:-(l) That a caretaker he appointed for the care of Cass Square, and that the Association would be prepared to find half the cost; also that 10 per 1 cent, of the gross takings by sports bodies using Cass Square be charged; that if the Council approved a conference could be held to consider details.—Received. It was resolved to confer with the Association in connection with the appointment of a caretaker, the Reserves Committee to represent the Council, and that the Council approve of a charge of 10 per cent, of the gross gate receipts being made.

From M. Wilson, asking for road access to her residence Brittan Street. — Received and agreed to on usual terms.

From Chief Electrical Engineer, Wei lington. re testing of electrical installa tions.— Received.

From Paroa School Committee asking for use of Cass Square on Saturday Feb. 18th.—Received and agreed to. From Hokitika Harbor Board, asking if the Council would be prepared to collect the harbor rate for the borough.— Received; referred to the Finance Committee to report at next meeting.

From Hon Minister of Health, re piecautions (already published).—Received. Mr Perhnm said the offer for rats made previously was ridiculously low and lie thought ft should be increased to a fair amount. Ho moved that 3s per dozen lie offered for rats.— Sceonded by the Mayor and carried. From Hokitika High School Board, pointing out. that the rates were being charged for sections not leased, only one section, being leased.—Received: referred to Town Clerk to enquire into.

Mr Berlinm referred to the fact that the rubbish of the old building in Revell St. previously the Royal Georgo Hotel, had not been removed ns ordered. Tt was resolved that the Borough Solicitor take immediate action as previously resolved hv the Council. REPORTS. The Treasurer reported receipts £649 2s 9d, payments £643 14s Id. debit balance £352 3s 3d.- Received. Accounts amounting to £797 11s lOd were passed for payment. INSPECTOR’S REPORT.

On the 24tli of last month 1 arranged for an inspection of the gauge at 3 «.m. This was followed up until the morning of the lilltli. After setting the pressure to 2oll>s. each night, the gauge showed a variation as follows:- On the 24th a lift of 5 His. On the 25th. 501h5., (note: this was on the night, of the meeting of local bodies dealing with the water supply). On 26th. 15 lbs; on 27th. 25 lbs. Here a notice was published threatening prosecution re wastage. The gauge continued to show improvements and lifted 4.3Uis on the morning of the 30th. This variation indicates no serious leakage in the reticulation service. I have visited the reservoir every morning at about 7 o’clock since the 24th, of last month. Since the press notice appeared the water steadily rose and by the morning of th'e 3rd had reached the overflow, the first occasion, I understand, for over seven years. This remained so for twelve days, alid to-day (17th) it stands at 1 Oft. fiin. I might here state that the Staff repaired a number of leaks along the pipe line, which I believe helped considerably towards the improvement. Yesterday T tested the resrvoir and for a period of II hours it dropped about I in. Oil the morning of the Bth. at the Public Buildings fire, three lends of hose wpro in use, while a plug in Fitzhrbert. St. had got out of control causing a very large waste, for about two hours.

At 5 o’clock that morning T inspected the reservoir, and found the water to he only 3ins. below the overflow. While engaged repairing leaks that have sprung up on the Han Han hill. T discovered that the timber waggons are running directly along the pipe line in the cutting. No more than 2ins of soil is covering the pipes in places. This requires early attention. The meter readings at the abattoirs showed 10.600 gallons for fourteen days, during the improvement, as against 25.000 gallons for nine days during the shortage. On Tuesday lart T had occasion to inspect faulty taps at the wipe store on the corner of Fitzhorhort and Hnrnndon Streets. In dealing with this T discovered that the supply, which comes from the Hampden Street main, and which is always full, continues past the wine store to the bottling factory of the

Westland Brewery. Here the water is used for various purposes including the working of a machine for bottle cleaning; a tap is also running I understand, continuously for cooling purposes. Hose iq also in use here leading from Jin. pipe. This wate r does not pass throiigh the meter, whifch is placed on the Fitzherbert Street side of the premises, and which has been installed for the past eighf years. The malt house in Weld Street also uses a large quantity of water during the year. This also is through a Jin. pipe and used for trade purposes. This is not metered, and, I understand, no extraordinary water rate is charged. Arising out of the report, the Mayor said that he understood that there was now enough water available to supply the baths with sufficient water, if they were put in order. Perhaps it would he too late this season, but the baths could be got ready for next season. In reply to the Mayor, Mr Gibbons stated that since the date mentioned in his report, wh t >n the reservoir was full, there had been sufficient water to fully supply the baths.

The Mayor said that in view of there being enough water available, the baths should be made usable. It would cost about £l2O to put them in order, and he moved that the Council find up to £69. subject to the Swimming Club finding the other half.

Mr Perham seconded the motion. A general discussion followed on the subject of water supply, the motion being ultimately agreed to. Annual leave was granted for two weeks to the abattoir manager (Mr Jarman). It was resolved that the question of the charges to he made for supply of water be referred to the Finance Committee to report, and that matters in connection with the supply referred to in the report he also considered, including a. suggestion by Mr McGregor that the wind mill on the river bank he removed to the baths enclosure and a well be sunk there to supply water and one by Mr Blank that a pelfon wheel bo installed to pujnp water, using the borough supply and the water so used could go into the baths. ABATTOIR REPORT.

The Manager of the abattoirs (Mr J. Jarman) reported there were examined during January, 12 cows, 68 bullocks. 230 simp. 189 lambs, 8 nigs, 5 calves. Condemned 1 bullock. Fees for period £67 9s od.—Received. The Council rose at 8.45 p.m.