HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 March 1925, Page 1

HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

FRIDAY, MARCH 13th,. The Council met at 7.35 p.m. Present: .Messrs 0. A. Perry (Mayor). J. King, W. Jeffries, W. D. Mae Kay, R. F. Perham, J. Lloyd and G. Heinz. Apologies were made for the absence of Messrs Wood, Evans and Coulson.

The minutes were confirmed and out ward correspondence approved. SPFCT.fi, MEETING.

The "District Electors list as prepared bv the Town Clerk for the approaching period of two years was received and certified as correct and approved.

Tenders were received for printing the roll and the tender of the Guardian and Times Gov. Ltd., at Ms per page was accented. ORDINARY MEETING.

From Westland County Council notifying Licensing Act receipts £SOO 11s 0; Knmara Borough Council £320; Ross Borough Council CPiO. —Received.

From Westland County Council stating at last meeting the Postmaster had advised that a continuous telephone service in Hokitika, could lie obtained if two-thirds of the subscribers were in favour, while the additional cost would he about Cl per annum. The letter had been received and it was resol veil to ask the Borough to take steps to endeavour to secure the approval of the telephone subscribers to the proposed improvement.—Received. Mr Jell lies moved that action he taken in accordance with the request of the County Council. The extension would prove a great convenience. Ihe Mayor seconded the motion, considering the proposal an advantageous one. The Town Clerk could draw up the necessary requisition for signature. - Agreed to.

From District Engineer of Railways, stating that the railway-crossings complained of had received the necessary attention.—Received.

From William Lohli enquiring it the Council would he prepared to allow him a further CSO on his contract which had involved a decided loss to him.— Received. Mr Heinz moved that no action he taken. Seconded by Mr Perham and carried.

From Taumaranui Borough Council asking for information on boiling down plant for abattoirs. —Received; referred to Abattoirs Committee to reply. From John Burns and Co., Christchurch advising pipes lor water supply for borough had been shipped at Onolumga. and enclosing charge lor cartage from Auckland to Onehunga.—Received.

From Ixanieri Electric Ltd., applying for a 12-iin main from the water supply for use at their works, Meld Street for fire purposes, and to use occasionally with their Diesel engine.— Received ; referred to Overseer lor report. From Department of Internal Affairs notifying Wednesday had been appointed the half-holiday for the year.—Received.

From Westland Branch ot Cantcrbnrv Automobile Association suggesting fixing the maximum speed lor motor ears in the town at 15 miles an hour, with It) miles an hour at corners and in Revell Street.—Received. Mr Perham said the Association had considered the question and thought the proposal a fair and reasonable one. that would prevent any danger to pedestrians and others. The Mayor said the Borough by-laws fixed the speed at S and 12 miles an hour. He did not think the proposal was excessive. He pointed out that some motor cyclists wore speeding through the tow* at up to fifty miles and hour, lie thought the time had come when they should exercise some restraint on motor cyclists driving at excessive speed and also to prevent cyclists using the footpaths. He moved that the Inspector he instructed to take action against offenders, without being unduly harsh. Seconded by Mr Jeffries and agreed to. From J. Paterson and others, residents of the east side of Davie Street between Stafford and Hampden Streets asking for the roadway in I rout, ol their premises to he gravelled and the footpath attended to.—Received, referred to P-üblie Works Committee for report. From W. Duncan and Go., forwarding two sub-divisional plans for town sections. —Received and approved. From K. J. Bade, applying to lease section near his property at £1 per annum.—Received and approved.

From Inspector of Health drawing attention to case of infectious disease in Tapered Street and pointing out the necessity to repair the drain to give proper facilities. — Received. From Minister of Internal A flairs copy of motor drivers certificates and regulations.—Received. From Dr Baird renewing former request for repair of drainage on west side of Tanered Street to enable proper drainage of the residences adjoining.— Received. From a householder making a complaint of action of sanitary contractor. —Received. An explanation to he asked from the contractor. REPORTS.

From Treasurer reporting receipts €227 17s Id, payments €370 Os 10il. debit balance €-118 la 7d. Loan account credit balance CIG2 Is Sd.—Received.

Accounts amounting to miOO 10s were passed for payment. It was resolved that 10 per cent additional he added to all rates outstanding on 31st March, 1925; and that unpaid rates for the years 1910 to 1923 he written off.

From Manager of Abattoirs (J. Jarman) reporting during February there were examined 25 cows, 53 heifers,. 45 bullocks, 277 sheep. 48 lambs, 75 pigs, 1? calves. Condemned 3 cows, 2 pigs. Fees for the month €O2 11s (record for a month). —Received. PUBLIC WORKS REPORT.

I have the honour to report that at n. meeting of the Public Works Committee held on the 12th. idem, it was decided to make the following recommendations. viz:— (a) That the following works, the Overseer’s detailed estimates of the cost of which are attached hereto, he proceeded with, viz:— I.—The reolacing of the present rotten wooden drain in Rolleston St. with a 2ft. Gin. concrete pipe drain at an estimated cost of £75. o.—Drainage and street formation in Davie St. from the top of the hill (near Mr Murdoch's new house) to Stafford St. at an estimated cost of £32.

3.—The widening of Livingstone St. by six feet, between Stafford St. and Gibson Quay at an estimated cost of '£69.

(I>) Your committee carefully considered the matter of replacing about 101- chains of the present earthenware pipe drain in Tailored St. from where it joins the 18in. concrete pipe drain to the river, with an 18in. concrete pipe drain at an estimated cost of £283, but finally decided to leave this work for the decision of the whole Council.

(e) Your committee recommend the purchasing of a tar-sealing plant at an estimated cost of £79. ROLLESTON ST. DRAIN.

Tn making a report on Rolleston St. drain and in estimating the cost of piping the same, it will he necessary to point out that the 18in. concrete pipes now being made by the Council are of insufficient cross sectional area to carry the amount of water passing through the box drain during storm weather. The present drain has a section of 2ft. Oin. east iron piping crossing under the roadwav on Gibson Quay at the outlet. It will be necessary to use a pipe of equal carrying capacity, so that the storm waters may discharge quickly into the river. The cost of making concrete pipes 2ft,. Gin. diameter with Tin. walls would he about 14s each. There is also the cost

As directed by the chairman of the Public Works Committee I have looked into the question of drainage from Air Murdoch's property on Davie St. west. The present drain is formed in an embankment above the road formation. The bank contains approximately 17G cubic yards and by removing a further 41 cubic yards on the eastern side, the street could be made the full width and the whole of the material used to widen the formation towards Stafford St. The drain could then l>e deepened and piped with Gin. discarded water pipes down the terrace and connected to the drain crossing Stafford St. by about 51ft. of 18in. concrete pipes. The estimated cost of the work would ho. £ s. d 51 ft. of ISin. pipes ... 713 0 Excavating 217 cub. vds. at 2s per yd. ... 21 11 0 Making drain and laying pipes 3 0 0

Total 32 7 0 LIVINGSTONE STREET. Estimated cost of widening Livingstone St. a further Oft.:— Distance from Stafford St. to Gibson Quay. 8-151 t.; proposed extra width 6ft.; filling required 10,701 cubic It. equal to 510 ilrav loads. ,C s. d 510 loads pit gravel at

2s -Id tier load ot) 10 0 Allowance for setting, and labour to spread gravel 10 0 0

Total cost OS) 1.0 l) Coder favourable conditions the work could he completed in 18 days. Estimate of cost of piping 18iu. concrete pipes a distance of 10 chains 37ft. on west side of Tailored Street. Size of excavation 3f. Oin. at ton. 2ft. Oin. at bottom, depth Bft.; cubic feel, 8 x 3 xG6—lsßl cubic feet, or approximately 59 cubic yards per chain in length. Cost, of excavating and refilling, -Is

Cost of one day for tar sealing— £8 equal to sav 2s Id per sq. yard T would bring before your notice th. necessity of making provision for stilling quantities of suitable beach gravel as it becomes available. Such depots would enable the gravel to dry. thus ensuring the best results. 'I he question of securing stocks ol tar in iU V UKO should not lie overlooked, as there is an ever increasing demand for this commoilitv for road making. —Received and adopted, subject to Luther consideration hv Council at next meeting as to ways and means and that meantime the Overseer report on the s .„st of carrying out the renewal of Sewell Street drain.

OVERSEER’S REPORT

PERIOD ENDING, FEB. 28th. 1925

I hog to report that the following works have been carried out during the month of February. . The site of the auxiliary pipe line at Kanieri Forks has been cleared anil tlie ('round graded and made lent x lav in er the pipes. When the pipes come to hand, even- effort will lie made to have this work, completed in the shortest possible time. Some small leaks have lieen attended to in the line, including two breaks of a more serious nature on Tucker flat. The footpaths have been cleaned and water-tables re-openeil on both sides of Park st. west of Sewell St. The drain has been deepened and the footpath cleaned on Hampden St from Sewell St. to Tailored St. Several mids of gravel were spread at the north cnnf Tanned St. ... c . The fl liming on Livingstone St. diain. previously reported defective, was defrayed by-fire, and has been rephiced by 18in. concrete pipes ;ln( ' wav improved. . , , _ The wooden box drain on the low.r end of Rolleston St-Jias fallen m length of about 24ft. 1 bare eicded a fence round the ilangero is • and have supported the sides , j drain with timber pending the dee . of the Council respecting repairs The open portion of Bealex St. lira has been cleaned out, an estimate of the cost of piping same is attached to this report.

The sundial has lieen erected in Maeandrew Square. Cass Square has been mown once during the month. The ruts on Livingstone St. anil the upper part of Gibson Quay liavc lieen raked in with the drag. An estimate of the cost, of widening Livingstone St. is also included in this report. I have examined the inner structure of the memorial clock tower anil found that the four iron pipes, which act as pillars to support the mechanism ol the clock have been rusted through and some sections have fallen completely out. Part of the angle iron bracing is also liiully corroded and there is a grave danger of the collapse of the clock mechanism. I would suggest that the clock be put out' of commission and the internal iron work removed and replaced by concrete pillars built up to the present platform level. The weight of the clock could then lie carried on horizontal girders set into the concrete pillars. The work could be carried out without in anvwny altering the design of the tower. The work of removing the clock should bo entrusted to a skilled artisan. The sexton has been engaged during the month in cutting grass and blackberry and in weeding paths. Burials for the month of February—3. The addition ol two wheel-barrows and a small portable forge to the Council’s plant is recomended for your favourable consideration. —Received.

INSPECTOR’S REPORT. General House Inspection:—Having visited the premises in the following streets so far for the month, viz: Beach, Revell, Sewell, Fitzherliert Park, Bealey and part of Hall streets, I found that most parts of the premises were in a satisfactory condition with the exception of several residents whom I have warned to clean their premises up, which has been done. Cattle nuisance was troublesome at the beginning of the month but by careful attention to the matter I am sure it has materially decreased. Poundings for the month are: Horses 2, ponvs 2, cows 8; also two cows impounded by the N.Z. Railway employees of which I have one to be sold on Monday, by authroity of a Justice of the Peace under the Impounding Act of 1908.

Dogs to the number of 55 have been registered for the month. Bicycles—Two without lights, 1 riding on footpath. There were also two cases of wandering cattle. Water inspection—l found several householders with leaky taps of whom I warned to repair at once. On my return visit 1 found those repairs had been carried out.

Re night soil—-There have been numerous complaints from householders re this matter. Under the existing conditions of health 1 consider a warning should lie given by the Council to 'he contractor for a , more diligent application to his duties.

RESERVES COMMITTEE REPORT. The Committee begs to report that various suggestions have been made to the Overseer for a number ot minor works about Cass Square, Maeandrew Gardens, the Clock Tower, the Pioneer’s monument, and. the memorial..trees in Stafford St. These matters are to have attention as circumstances permit.

Witli regard to the suggestion of Ihe Council respecting the sand drift in North Revell St. and co-operation with the Public Works Committee in the matter, the position has been inspected uni! certainly needs attention. Steps should lie taken to plant marram grass roots as liberally as possible, and the Overseer should arrange for dl. Haile, with some assistance from the works staff, to carry this out at the right time. The roots can he secured from other parts of the beach in generous quantity. It was suggested that the wall barricade erected by the residents is silted iiji. The suggestion is made that il the residents will (■'i-operaie in raising the barricade, and also in extending it northward, the Council should provide the material lor the work and authorise one of the stall’ to take the lead in the work of erection. The Overseer should as far as possible keep the foot pal h clear of sand,' the material requiring removal to he carted from time to time hv the Borough dray to upper Sewell St. footpath where there is considerable filling in required to give residents access along the west side, between the intersections of Tudor and Spencer Streets. Messrs Cagney and Adams of the Lands Office are kindly co-operating in having the sun-dial in Maeandrew •Gardens so adjusted that it will record true local time always. Tin’s will lie different from standard or New Zealand mean time, lint owing to the latitude it is the only reasonable setting to give. At various periods of the year true and mean time will approximate according to the daily position ol the sun. But there will he periods when the difference will amount to 10 or 17 minutes more or less. The Council is indebted to the Government Officers lor their assistance in Ihe matter. —Received. FREE LIBRARY.

Mr A. Wilson reported that repairs to the ceilings in the Library would cost in fibrous plaster sheets £320; timber £320; .zinc £4OO, with an additional £4O for painting.—Received. The Council rose at 9 p.m.

of the moulds to ho added. ,C s. d Distance of 3 chains at" £10 12s per chain ... 19 10 0 farting and laying pipes K\-carating 170 cub. yds. 9 0 0 at 2s per yd 17 12 0 Total 75 S 0 DAVIE ST. DRAINAGE.

por cubic yd. £ s. d. 50 cubic yards at 4s Cost of supporting sides 11 16 19 0 0 of trench at Is cub. yd. 2 •' j,t 15 <1 Cost por chain oNcavalinj g and refillinp Jill i:> 0. c S. d. 101 chains at, £1-115 Timlior foundation for 117 10 0 pipes, heart red pine. 700 snp. ft. at, 20s por 0 0 100ft < Cement and sand KH chains ISin. concrete 1 10 0 pipes at. CIO 7s per eh. ins 13 c> Labour of laying pipes to 15 0 Man hole and cover ... 3 0 0 Total 283 8 G Estimate of Tar Boiling Plant and cost per square yard of tar son!in C s. a’. Boiler shell Cut 1 inp: out tubes, stays. O 0 0 rivetting, patching and fittings 22 0 0 Tar carrying lank mounted on wheels, with shafts and boating apparatus 35 0 0 Cost of erecting plant, ... -0 0 0 Two tanks 10 0 0 Total cost of plant 7!) 0 0 \nnnmt of surface completed in 8 hours - 7130 sip yards. Xj s. d. {Tsiuo; 82c;al. of tar at 7d. per gnl 0 7 1ft ft 2 0 loads of fine gravel ... Wages 1 4 12 8 0 0