HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 June 1923, Page 1

HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

FRIDAY, JUNE 9th. The Council met at 7.30 p.m. Present: —Messrs G. A. Perry (Mayor), Coulson, King, Evans, Jeffries, Perliam, Alaekav and Heinz. Apologies were made for the absence of Messrs Lloyd and Wood. The minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approved. IN WAR D CORRESPONDENCE. From Director of Forestry, Wellington, advising that enquiry by Council for suggestions for improving the sea beach and stating the Conservator at Hokitika had been instructed to supply the information asked for.—Received. From W. Connors, -Manager at Abattoirs, applying for extra assistance.—Received ; referred to Abattoir Committee to report. From Afrs Wormington, drawing attention to state of drain at her property.—Received and referred to Publit- Works Committee to report. From A. Cedermnn, complaining of overflow of water at Davie Street drain.—Received; referred to Public. Works Committee to report. From A. Spence, asking for crossing to property.—Received ; request granted on usual conditions. From Department of Health, drawing attention to necessity of appointment. of sanitary inspector.—Received ; the Town Clerk to reply. From State Advances Office, stating they had agreed to make a loan of £SOOO over a term of 30J years at 4) per cent. —Received. The -Mayor said the terms of the loan were very satls-fac-tovv. Mr Evans moved that on rising Hint evening the Council adjourn to Monday evening at i o clock to decide on the proposed loan expenditure.—Seconded by Mr t nulsoit and carried.

From District Engineer of Railways, (Trevmonlh, as follows :—- HOKITIKA STATION YARD REARRANGEMENT. In January 1922. after a discussion between your Council anil District Trail’ll' Mnneeror and Acting Disiriel Engineer. Railways, it was understood that your Council would consent to the closing of Stafford Street across the railway yard. The conditions given hereunder were agreed to: —

I.—That a foot overbridge be provided over railway tracks at Stafford Street.

2.—That Fitzherbert Street from Weld Street to Hampden Street, Hampden Street from Fitzherbert Street to Sewell Street and Sewell Street from Hampden Street to Stafford Street he made lit for main road i raffie. i.e., metalled to a width of 40 feet. I understand the renewal of a timber drain in Fitzherbert Street was also mentioned.

I referred these proposals to my Head Office and advised you oil 7th .March last of the conditions acceptable to the Department and requested your Council's formal consent in writing to the closing of Klaflord Street. In view of the disett-don in January 11)22 a formal consent was anticipated, but on the 2‘Uh Match last T received a schedule of works that your Council wished carried out by the Railway Department. These are much ill excess of the matters mentioned in the first discussion.

Weld Street has been added, als-t Sewell Street from Stafford Street to Weld Street. Formation of footpaths, kerhing and gravelling is asked for. Several drains are suggested in the streets. Removal of clock tower to another site is proposed. I have to inform you in reply t" ill*' Council’s amended proposals that [he Railway Department is not prepared to form kerb and gravel footpaths. provide street drainage and move clock tower.

The Department considers that the original proposal to widen the metalling on certain streets was reasonable. 1 have to again request that your Council will give formal consent lo the closing of the Street on the conditions conveyed to you in my letter of 7th March last.

1 enclose for your information a plan upon which 1 have shown (lie present yiotpafiis in the vicinity of the railwav vard.

You will note that there is lit lit kerhing in these streets and that Stafford Street is without kerhing.

In my opinion, more traffic on the foot paths through the closing of Stafford Slrco! to vehicular traffic, could not he anticipated, seeing that a loot overbridge with easy ramped approaches will he available at Rlafford Street.—Received. The Mayor said the first meetings with the Railwav officials were of an informal nature. The Council had staled they would agree to the closing of the street'subject to certain terms which the Department promised lo put in writing, but that had not been done. Mr Jelfries said he was not on (lie Council when the closing of Stafford Street was agreed to, or lie would have opposed it. He was opposed to the restriction of their roads. He thought they .should ask for better station

accommodation than was being proposed, something Unit would not. ho inadequate in 10 or 15 years time. Ho would certainly have opposed the closing of Stafford street, the main street in the borough.

The Mayor said the matter had gone too far. The last Council had approved of the proposal. If that had not been agreed to then the station would he placed a considerable distance out of the town. Air Jeffries said he felt it was a short-sighted policy, that had been agreed to by the Council. Air King moved that formal consent he given, subject to the conditions suggested being carried out. Tlie Afavor suggested that the Traffic Alanager (Air Kent) lie invited in visit Hokitika and discuss the matter with the Council. This being added to the motion, was seconded by the ALiyor and agreed to. From A. Robinson, complaining of condition of drain running through his property and stating if pipes were supplied he would lay them.—Received ; consideration was deferred.

From Canterbury Progress League, 'Y-stlind Committee, fowardlng provisional syllabus of the winter school. —Received. REPORTS. From Treasurer, reporting receipts £'l-15 9s Bd, payments £2BO 11s 3d, credit balance £457 13s 2d.—Received. From Finance Committee, recommending payment of accounts amounting to £478 2s s(l.—Received and adopted. From Manager of Abattoirs (Mr .1. Jarman) reporting for Afay there were examined 10 cows, 23 heifers, 91 bullocks, 299 sheep, 07 lambs, 10 pigs, 11 calves. Condemned 1 cow, I heifer, 1 bullock. Fees for period, £79 3s (id. Received. AfTSCFLLAXEOUS. Afr Jeffries moved that the Clerk prepare for next meeting a return of receipts and expenditure in connection with (he abattoirs.—Seconded by Air King and carried. Air Heinz moved that arrangements he made with Afr Parkinson to give the necessary attention at the intake to the water supply at the Lake.— Seconded by Mr Coulson and carried. On the motion of Afr Evans, it was resolved that access he arranged by the Public Works Committee, on the

it -pal terms, as required by the Cool Storage Coy., who were very shortly carrying out building operations on the corner of Brittan and Weld SE, idj,oiuing the Bowling Green. It was resolved that the Public Works Committee enquire and arrange duties and salary and advertise for an assistant labourer and driver, returnable at next meeting.

Air Heinz (Chairman of Public Works Committee' reported against an extra light in Stafford Street east, and in favor of a light at the rear ol tiie buildings. Air Evans favored the light in Stalls! Si root being erected and also one at the north end of Sewell street. After discussion it was resolved that authority he given for two extra ligiits to he erected, one in upper Sewell street, and the other at the rear of the buildings.

Air Evans asked wTiat was the position in regard to the removal of the pound. The Town ( lerk said the last Council had agreed to the removal oi the pound to the rear of Whiteombe Square, hut nothing hud so far been done. Mr Heinz said the matter was nol of a very urgent natui'e and it had not been decided whether the work Would he (lorn* liy (lie staff or by others.

The Council then adjourned tinli! Alomlay at 7 p.m. when matters in connection with the loan will he dealt with.