HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 September 1922, Page 1

HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL .

FRIDAY, SEPT 29th

Th Council met at 8 p.m. Present: Messrs G. A. Perry (Mayor), H. AT. Coulson, ,T. Lloyd, G. Wood, G, H. Blank ,R. F. Perliani, F. McGregor. A. Parkhill ,J. King, and A. G. I’d kington, ’ The minutes were continue! and outward correspondence approved INAVARD CORRESPONDENCE. Front AVestland branch of the Automobile Association, drawing attention to the had state of Stafford St. and asking that repairs he effected.—Received. The Mayor said motor cars and lorries tvero causing all the damage of the roads. Mr Blank asked if action had been taken to frame a chnroo for motors. Mr Perliani said it was not the cars but the motor lorries that were doing the damage ln cutting up the roads. Tlio Mayor moved that the ma-ttei be referred to the Public A\ orbs Lommittee to do what was possibfo Seconded by Mr McGregor and earned. The Mayor moved that the 1 üblic "Works Committee consider the question of drawing up a scale of taxation for motor vehicles to meet, the increased cost of upkeep of the roads. Seconded bv Mr Lloyd and earned. From Rev J. Jack, asking for use of Town Hall on Sunday afternoon.— Received and request granted on usual terms. .... , From AVestland Sub-Union forwarding Council’s percentage of gate-mon-ey £9 2s fid for receipts from matches on Cass Square.— Received. From Land and Income lax Depailment asking for information.—Received and attended to. From J. AV. Fox, secretary of Druid’s Lodge asking for a tenure of present lease for 5 to 10 yoars.—Received - the Town Clerk to reply that at the present it was inopportune to extend the lease as desired. From P. R. Amberger. AV. Jones. R. Cropp, and H. Monk, applying for renewal of hose of municipal reserve. Received. ‘ . From "Department of Industries and Commerce, Christchurch, asking for supply of copy of coat of arms. Received. .

From Hokitika Beautifying Association applying for use of Cass Square for a Paddy’s Market on 4th Oct. - Received and request granted. From same, asking for permission to have a refreshment buffet in the pavilion on Cass Square during holiday occasions.— Received and request granted. From Hokitika Cricket Club asking permission to make improvements to cricket pitch on Cass Square. Received: request- granted.

From 11. .1. Kearns drawing attention to the' danger from gorse in Jollie Street,—Received; referred to Public AVorks Committe. REPORTS.

From Treasurer reporting receipts £302 13s <3d, payments £153 13s 8(1; debit balance £lfifi 1 .‘ls Del. —Received. INSPECTOR'S R EPORT.

For the half year just ending I have had 52 convictions and fines amounting to £2G 5s Od under various sections of your by laws.

Water supply..—For the same period T have kept a close 1 watch on the reservoir and also the line to town etc. and although a very considerable number of new connections have been made, I am pleased to report that both the reservoir and the whole service is verv satisfactory.

Public Buildings.—Be Section Id of your by-law, dealing with Public buildings, I have to report that fire escape requirement notices have been printed and posted wp in the Princess Theatre and Westland Opera House. Tho passage ways of the former have been kept clear of obstructions such as scats, etc.,-but during the last three weeks seating accommodation oil the floor has been taxed to such an extent, that the management, on occasions has found it necessary to accommodate patrons upstairs to relieve, the overcrowding in the above mentioned passages.

Sanitary.—A good number of sanitary matters have been attended to, including constant attention to the rubbish duinjKS. This is caused through carters depositing on Hie read side instead of tho extreme end, which if done, would in a very short time cause a good tip to be formed. General.—All rate notices have been made out and served and all ‘.be fire plug indicators throughout fhe town have licoin renewed.—Received. A discussion took place on the i eformii e to overcrowding at the Theatre. ! SFCOXI) .LOAN PROPOSAL. I

Mr Wood moved:—“That simultaneously with the poll to be taken in respect to the £f>ooo Drainage and Street Formation Loan, a poll of ».l e ratepayers lie taken on a proposal io borrow the sum of £OOOO fa a low Town Hall and Municipal olliee; at a

rate of interest not exceeding fi per cent.”

Mr Lloyd said ho was in favour of the proposed loan for public woks, but he thought the present time was suitable and opportune for the p-o----posal . Mr Lloyd seconded the motion considering the proposal a sound one, and it had his support. Mr Coulson said he was not opposed -to the motion, but lie objected to the proposal being brought before the ratepayers at the same time as the public works loan proposal as he thought it would jeopardise tho loan. H.o moved nJi amendment that the proposal be held over till tho next elections. Ha felt that by doing this there would he more chance of both proposals being ultimately agreed to. Air Perhnm seconded the amendment, feeling this second proposed loan will jeopardise the public works loan. There were a number of mnttirs to bo considered. There were a couple of halls here who would enter into competition, while the estimated cost would not he borne out by actual cost.

Air Pilkington said he was afraid tho proposal would prejudice the public works loan. There were those who would not lie- prepared to authorise a £12,000 loan at the present time.

Air Perry said in view of the exhibition committee requiring the use of tlio Town Hall .and other adjacent buildings for the proposed exhibition, he thought it would he worthy of consideration by tjie Council and the exhibtion committee whether tlio proposal could be jointly considered.

Air AlcGregor was not altogether in accord with the proposal. They should endeavour to have an improvement to their streets first before they thought of erecting a new Town Hall. He wanted first to get the drainage and streets put into an improved state. Air Blank supported the amend meat. He did not see the necessity for a new Town Hall at present. The amendment- was put and lost on divison. Ayes.—. Messrs Coulson, Pifkington, Blank, Perliani, Parkhill, AlcGregor and Atayoi 1 . Noes —Alcssrs King, Wood and Lloyd. Becoming the substantive motion, it was agreed to. Air Pilkington referred to a number of reserves, and asked the Council to look- into the matter with a view to obtaining legislative authority to dispose of them for residential purposes. The Mayor said lie thought it better to bold the reserves. Ho favoured if the town progressed, the cutting up AVliitcombo Square for building sections.

Air Coulson suggested that the Town Clerk draw up a list of; reserves and rentals. This was agreed to. Air Blank asked that attention he given to a blocked drain in North Rcveil St, Air Lloyd said he had already looked into the cause of the complaint. The Council rose at 11.15 p.m.