HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 February 1925, Page 1

HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

FRIDAY, FEB. 13th. The Council met at 8 p.m. Present: Messrs H. .M. Coulson (Deputy -Mayor, in the Chair), G. Wood, J. King, D. Evans, W. Jeffries, IF FPerham, Y\'. D. .Maekay, J. hlovd and (J. Heinz. An apology was made for the absence of the Mayor, who was out of town. The minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approved. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE. From Greymouth Borough Council conveying resolution protesting against the removal of the Railway offices from Greymouth. and against the importation fo coal for use on the railways.--Received. From Park and .Murdoch asking lor permission for the closing ol untormed roads on the Borough Endowment reserve at Koiterangi, and forwarding a formal resolution for the Council to carry to put the request into effect, so as to replace other portions of the teserve taken for a road.—Received. Air Wood moved the formal motion. Seconded by Mr Evans and carried. From Westland Branch of the Canterbury Progress League, asking for support of Council towards the cost of tho booklet Scenic Beauties of WeslInml. which was being widely distiibuled.—Received. Air Evans moved that £5 he donated. Seconded by Mr Coulson and carried.

From Westland Branch of the Canterbury Automobile Association, complaining of the condition of the railway crossings in Hokitika and asking for attention.— Received and referred to the Railway Department, who aye responsible for the upkeep of the l ailway crossings in the town. From X.Z. Refrigerating Ck>v. and Christchurch Freezing Coy. forwarding returns of sheep sent to Hokitika.—Received.

From Dominion Analyst, Wellington, stating the sample of water forwarded for analysis was too.small for the purpose and asking for a larger sample.Received.

From I). J. Evans, stating that at the conclusion of the International Exhibition it had been decided'to erect a memorial of the exhibition, and this had now been decided on to take the form of an .allegorical statue of vsimi/nor, and it was desired that permission he granted to erect it in Afneantlrow Square.— Received and request

granted. From C’. Cederman applying for a second-hand dealer’s license.—Received. The police report was a very satisfactory one and the application was granted. From W. Connors applying for 1-1 days’ leave in Alarch.—Received and request granted, subject to a suitable substitute being provided. ' - REPORTS. From Treasurer reporting receipts £3oo 10s 9d. payments £GiM 7s Gd. dr. balance L'2l9 9s 2d, loan account £3SO Us (.Id. Accounts amounting to £-177 9s 2d were passed for pavment. t) VERSEE R’ S REPOR T. 1 have the honour to report tho following works have been carried out during the. month of January. Roads and footpaths.—Jolly St. bridges have been removed and the channels piped with eighteen-inch pipes and filled in with river gravel up to the footpath level. Water tables have been formed, and the footpath cleaned oil the East side of Sewell St., between AYeld and Hampden streets, ’flic level pegs have been put in for the formation of a new length of footpath from the Convent school to Hampden St on the western side of Sewell st. Crossings have been put in giving access to Air Duff’s garage on Stafford St., and to Afrs Fane’s on AYeld St. The footpath and water tables have been cleaned on Rcvell St., north of Stalford St.

The gravel pit on Sale St. has been stripped, making available for road formation approximately 39,009 cubic leet of gravel, or about 1800 dray loads. WATER WORKS.

A considerable amount of time has been given to the overhaul of the pipe line. The track ha.s been cleared the whole distance from the reservoir to the lake. Several air calves have been unearthed, and others cleaned where the pressure would permit of it being done. Leaks along the line have been attended to. The work lias reached a point when nothing further can he clone "ithbut breaking the .line for investigation. This is not advisable under the existing circumstances. The pipes on Gibson Quay under the railway crossing have given considerable trouble with leaks. Two lengths were removed and new ones replaced. A new pipe lias also been fitted on Stafford Street at the corner of Hall

The drains at tile abattoirs paddocks have been cleaned out. The yards have been weeded and portions of the fence painted with wood preservative. Cass Square has been mown twice during the month and sand carted lor lop dressing and Idling in depressions. 1 beg to bring before your notice that considerable damage is clone to the tin 1 hv the letting of the .Square as a site

for merry-go-rounds etc. 'l'iio Sexton has been engaged during the month in cutting grass mu. blackberry and cleaning the- paths in the Cemetery. I would re.s|>eetfull,v. recommend the removal oi a large hr tree, and the preparation of more ground in the Roman Catholic area. .1. Culbu.sh was absent on annual leave and resumed duty on Monday. January 12th. RF.I'GRT OX MAE HAU AUXILIARY WATER. Sl l’t'i.Y. As directed by 11 is Worship the Mayor | lmv.e inspected the site of the water supply on the terrace at Han I lan and have measured the quantile of water available. After taking several tests T find the actual quantity equals |G gallons per minute. Comparing the amount with I head of water which equals 37b gallons per minute it v. ill roaidly he seen that, the quantity available is very small. The distance from the source of supply to the reservoir is approximately Tl chains in a direct line. Tile line passes over a deej gully from 2) to 3 chains across, and about 00 feet deep. This would be a serious obstruct ion should it he decided to carry water by limning. I have taken the levels from the top of the reservoir wall to the water level of the dam at Warren ami Feeney's mill. Ihe dam is situated eleven chains from the intake tunnel and allowing 1 inch per chain for fall is approximately 1 loot lower than the intake. The levels taken from the reservoir wall to the water level at the mill dam prove the water to he G0..9 feet higher than the reservoir. r l he total fall lrom the- source of supply would he 01.7911. The average fall over the distance of -It chains would he 1.38 inches per chain. Should it be decided to use lluming it will be necessary to take a series <»l levels and to chain the distance accurately lor the construction of the The timber required to construct a Hume Sins, x Sins, is: gins, x 1 in. —290-1 running feet or 1930 .super feet. <j j i , . ; s 1 in. —SBOB running ft. or -IGoG super feet. Scantling for c arrying Hume, say 10(h) super, feet. Deviations from straight line would equal 10A. 729 super, feet. Total 8021 super, feet. 8021 super, feel heart of riniu at 18s fid per 100ft.—£7 10s. approx. The cost of labour can hardly he estimated without a more detailed level survey showing the amount of cutting etc., necessary.

The seheVno of lluming has several ■disadvantages, the principal ones being : - (;i) —The csmfjil quantity of water available. (hi—The length of lluming required to deliver same. The loss by leakage. (dt The liability of damage to the lluming by fire. (e) Damage by cattle. (f) The cost of maintenance. An alternative scheme would be to carry water by din. galvanised iron pipes from AVarren’s mill. T understand that Warren and Feencv will he using the water for another month at least. -Received. Mr Heinz moved that consideration he'deferred and that the Public Works Committee meet at once and draw up a

report to ho brought before a special meeting of the Council at an entlj date. Seconded by AI r Coulson, who emphasised the danger to the community by tho lack of water. Air Evans supported but expressed regret at the delay already. He suggested that tho meeting should he hold next week as early as possible. He also suggested that tho Treasurer abo report on the facilities of the Council in connection with finance for ways rod means to carry out such suggestions as may be agreed upon. Air Jeffries supported the motion as Air Evans had stated the matter had come up over a month ago. It was up to the Council to realise the grave danger to the town. He also wished to mention that last week there had been a visit of the Resident Engineer to the water works and he thought all Councillors should have been invited to he present on such an important occasion. He was sorry his Worship was not present, as he had intended to tell him that a slight had been put on those Councillors, by their not being informed of the visit. Air Evans explained that lie hail occasion to ring up Air AVntkinson on a County matter, and ho had been informed that Air AVatkinson was coming down, and lie had then rang up the .Mayor and told him the position. Next morning Air AVntkinson had gone out with the Borough Overseer. Later Air AVatkinson had seen the Alayor and a personal visit was made to tho supply of water near AVarren and Feeney’s mill. Their visit was a very hurried one and there was no intention to slight any of the Council, and it was only u brief opportunity of which advantage was taken when it offered. Air Alnckay endorsed the explanation. The Chairman said the explanation was satisfactory, though ho endorsed Air Jeffries’ view that the occasion was a very important one. Afr Jeffries accepted the explanation as satisfactory but reiterated the necessity of every Councillor being fully informed on such an important matter. Tin 1 motion for a special meeting of the Council was then agreed to, to take place nil AYodnesday at J p.m. Front Manager of Abattoirs (J. Jarman) reporting for the month of Jannary there were examined 8o cows. 33 heifers, -t fi bullocks, 2-17 sheep, 07 lambs, 20 pigs, 21 calves. Condemned, 1 cow, 1 sheen. Fees for the period amounted to £7O Os 9d (corresponding period last year £B7 10s Gd).—Reeeiv-

Tho Sexton’s report was read and received.

Air Coulson said he felt the time had arrived for the Council to regulate traffic in tho town. There was a grave danger, especially in the cutting of corners. TTo thought the Borough inspector and police should be asked to enforce the bve-law. He moved to that effect. Seconded by Air Lloyd and carried. ATr Heinz moved that, the instructions of the Council that, all resolutions to the Overseer be supplied in writing be given elfeet to.—Seconded by Afr Maekay and carried. Air Jeffries wanted to know what the Council was going to do in reference to far-sealing. Tic was a tar-sealing candidate and the supporters of that proposal were wanting to know what was going to ho done in the matter. Air Heinz explained that the delay was due to water supply troubles. When tintL was fixed the far-sealing would he tackled. Air Barham, expressed the views that flic Public AVorks Committee had done excellent service. Afr Jeffries said he was glad to hear the explanation and he moved that the sum of £IOOO of the loan money he retained intact until such time as the tar-sealing policy was approved by the Council. .Seconded' by Air Coulson. Air Evans suggested the addition that the Public Works Committee report definitely al noxl meeting. This was approved ami I lie amended motion was earned. Air Evans drew attention to the state of the footpaths where the telephone lines had boon laid down. Some of (hem required immediate attention. [I was resolved to take the necessary action. Mr Coulson moved a vote of £2O bo passed to the Swimming Baths Commitlee. Seconded by Air King and carried . Mr Wood moved that 03 3s he passed In Air O. Fowler ill comieei inn with the cutting of grass on Cass Square. Seconded by Afr King and carried. The Council rose at 9.10 p.m.