HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 August 1923, Page 1

HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

FRIDAY. AUGUST 2-fth. The Council met at 7.35 p.m. Present-. Messrs G. A. Perry (Mayor), IT. M. Con Ison. W. Jeffries', J. King, R. F. Perham, G. Heinz, and AY. I). Alaekay. Apologies wore made for the absence of .Messrs Lloyd and Wood. Tbe minutes were confirmed and correspondence outward approved. IN WA B D CORR ES PONDENC E. From Tc Kuiti Borough Council asking for information in reference to aba ttoi l s.- Received; and ■information supplied. From. -W. Houston and Co., advising they were arranging for tbe erection of a concrete building for treating •skins, etc.—Received. From !!. Ar-hoson. Nelson, enquiry as to sections previously .in bis name. -Received, and replied to.

From Westland Chamber of Commerce enquiring as to attitude in connection with a continuous telephone service, proposal for tin*, town. Received. Mr Perham said he did not think the extra cost warranted the alteration. He would suggest, that consideration he deferred until jit was found if there were many of the townspeople in favor nf it and if so the Council could give their support if needed to have tbe proposal given effect to. Mr Coiilsou was of opinion that the continuous service would not be of much use to the Council. The Town Clerk reported that tho Borough officials and Fire Brigade were at present connected up each night front 11 p.m. .Mi* .lelfries said he did not feel a continuous service was warranted, hut lie approved of the suggestion of Mr Perham to defer consideration. Re thought that an extension to midnight would he of value. It was resolved to agree to the suggestion of Mr Perham to defer consideration meantime.

From Westland Branch of the Canterbury Progress League stating it had been resolved to hold a conference of local bodies at the County Chambers on .Monday evening for the purpose of considering the advisability of bolding a special function to fittingly celebrate the opening of Arthur's Pass Tunnel.— Received. The .Mayor said lie thought the tunnel had been well opened, on more than one occasion. He agreed witn Mr Coates that the tunnel should he Used for business purposes and diit not favor a special picnic. Mr -lellries thought they should accept the invitation nf the Progress League and appoint delegates to attend. The main object of the proposal was to give the children the opportunity of going through the tunnel. He moved that the Mayor and Mr Coul.son be appointed a.s delegate ro represent the Council.

Mr Heinz seconded, lie thought a monster excursion should he arranged. .It would he a distinct tieat for the children. The motion was agreed to.

Fiom 1). .1. Evans. stating that in view of correspondence lie had luul with the Auditor-General he desired to resign his position as Councillor.Received. Mr Perham moved that the resignation lie received with regret. Mr Evans had proved a live Councillor while a member of the Council. Seconded by Mr .lelfries. The Mayor said tliev would probably have Mr Evans back again shortly. T|u- motion was agreed to.

From J. O'Brien M.P.. stating lie had waited on tile Minister ot Railways in reference to the request for the Christchurch express to run through to Hokitika, and was awaiting the Minister's reply. Received. Mr (Vnilsnn moved that Air O'Brien be thanked for his attention. Air Coiilson complained ol the railway line being blocked at. Meld Sheet, for an unwarranted time, owing to trucks and carriages over the street. Much inconvenience was being caused to pedestrian and vehicle traffic by the want of consideration of the railway officials. Mr Heinz endorsed the inconvenience caused by t hi* railway arrangements, mentioning several occasions lately.

Air .1011 ric- said the previous remarks showi 1 1 what a great mistake had heen made in the itgi cement to the closing of Stafford Street. Now they were having Weld Sheet also blocked, and t' ev could not expect much consideration from the Railway Department. It was resolved lo refer the plaints to llu* Railway Department and to a-k to have them mitigated rs much as possible.

From Alagistratc’- Coin t notifying fees, lines and penalties for the quarter amounted to 222 IDs [arable to the Council. — Received.

Urom Department of Health notifying amendment to Act relating to [nthlie places ot amusement. Received, referred to Public Works Committee to attend to.

From .1. bock refusing to pay the charge made for alleged damage to garden at the abattoirs.—Received. Mr Lock was present and stated he. with ether butchers had not had a fair spin from Mr Jarman. He objected to the charge for repairs and positively declined to [lav it. Air Jeffiies suggested that the matt.M * be referred hack to the Abattoir Committee. The tumble afi eared to inve arisen through then’ not being anv definite rule as to the time that

cows whose calves have heen killed, (should he allowed to remain at the

Abattoirs. If a definite rule weie made then proper action could be taken to enforce them.

Mr Heinz moved that the present claim against Lock he dropped and that no charge he made: that regulations be drawn tip by the Abattoir Committee to govern future-operations. Mr Alaekay seconded. Mr King said a curious attitude had been taken up by some councillors. The Abattoir Committee had reported at last meeting and their recommendations had been approved. Now tlicy wanted to change that decision without anything fresh coming before them. It was unreasonable that animal should lie allowed to be kept at tbe abattoir for over a month. Mr Berliam said he fell that the recommendation of the Abattoir Committee had not been unduly harsh. They had not done anything out of the way. He did not think the Committee had used any pin pricks with the butchers and he thought they should not withdraw the charge made for damages. The Mayor said it was not fair or reasonable to keep an animal at the abattoir for a month. It really meant starving il as there was no feed there. Mi- thought that the matter was in the hands of the Abattoir Committee and they .should deal with it.

Mr Jeffries sa.id that had been his suggestion earlier. Mr Heinz then withdrew his motion and Mr .lellries moved that the matter be referred back to the Abattoir Committee for consideration. Seconded by Mr (milson and carried. REPORTS.

From Treasurer reporting receipts £ll I los lOd. payments £292 9s ‘2d. credit balance £3-f 12s lOd. Accounts amunting to £275 Us 2d. were passed for payment. The Mayor moved that application be made to the Governor-in-Cotmcil to appoint the Council a. leasing authority under the Leasing Act. '1 his would give them mere power to deal w ith the Koiterangi endowment reserve. .Seconded by Mr Coulson and carried The M nvor said it would not he advisable to deal with the notices of motion by Mr Evans, deferred from hot meeting. Mr Jeffries moved that the notices lie held over till the first meeting in October, and if Mr Evans was not then presr'nl he would move them himself. This course was agreed to and the ( mined rose at S. 10 p.m.