HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 March 1926, Page 3

HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

FRIDAY. MARCH 20. The Council met at 7..’10 p in. Present Messrs G. A. Perry (Mayor), 11. M. Cottlson, J. King, A. R. Kleoek, AV. .Jeffries, .1. Lloyd. F. Orr, G Heinz, H. T. Parry and G. TI. Blank. 'l iie minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approved. INWARD COBRKSPONDUNCE. Erom District Council of Main Highways Board, asking for particulars of claim for upkeep of main highway in the Borough.—'Received ; Town Clerk to supply. From AV. Berry and Sons agreeing to the conditions of the Council in

connection with drainage connection.— Received.

From AV. Robinson stating he understood that the Council proposed replacing the Sewell Street drain with an IM-ineh pipe and stating Ik* would hold the Council responsible for any Hood damage resulting therefrom.—•

Received. Mr Blank moved that no action bo taken. The Works Committee had gone fully into the question and had decided that an IS-ineli drain was sufficient. It was not a question of flood water, as it was the tidal waters that flooded the drain at high spring tides. Air Lloyd thought before going on they should consider whether tho 18-ineh pipe was sufficient for the purpose.

.Air Perry seconded the motion pro forma. The objection of Mr Robinson was a reasonable one. If a section was put in and watched as suggested by Mr Blank he thought that would be a satisfactory course to follow, and then they would be able to guage the position. Tho box drain was in a very rotten condition and the work was urgently necessary. Something must bo dotu* or the whole drain will coll,'ipse.

.Mr Heinz said flit* Park Street drain that connects was a 9-im'li pipe and that was quite large, enough to carry nil the storm water, so that tho IS. inch pipe should he fully ample for Sewell Street. Mr Jeffries said the Council had entrusted the AA’orks Committee with authority and lie was -alisliid to leave it to them and to carry on if they were prepared to do so. The motion was agreed to. Mr Robinson waited on the Council in support of bis letter, pointing out that when his place was flooded as if often was in Hood time, it would take much longer for the water to get away if an LS-iuch pipe were put in instead of tlio present 4ft hv 3ft drain. It was resolved that the Council complete the section now in hand and then wait a test during a Hood before going on further with the work. From If. Park, asking for a gravel path to his residence. Fifzhorherl' St.— Received.

Front Newmans Motors Ltd applying for permission to erect a petrol kerbside pump at their garage.—Received and request granted, subject to the dangerous goods regulations being complied with. From AV. E. Gaylor applying for annual leave from April Ist. Received and request granted. From AV. Connor, .slaughterman, npplviug for annual leave.— Received and request granted. THE RECENT EIRE. front Hokitika Eire Board, referring to till* recent lire, and forwarding resolution passed asking that the o'' rials responsible for the turning on of the. wafer supply lie coimecled with the night fire alarm system.—Receiv-

frotii Hokitika Eire Brigade to the same effect, pointing out the damage that had been caused liy the delay in turning on the water at last Sunday morning's lire. Received. Mr Cottlson moved the reception of the letter. As a representative of the Council on the hire Board ho had heard all tin* discussion. As a result lie agreed it would be advisable to have Mr Gaylor’s house connected with the hell tower. Ifc was astounded that a representative of the Hokitika Borough Council on the Board should have made such a charge against the Council as he had. The Chairman of tho Board had stated that .Co,ooo of damage had been done as a result of the fault of the Borough Council. He (Mr Cottlson) had said that it was probably due to some fault in the alarm system, and on Wednesday night he arranged to have a test made and the test was a very unsatisfactory one. He was convinced that had the proper alarm been given the water would have been ready when the firemen required it. The system was faulty and some alterations had id ready been made, while the engineer of the Telegraph Department was coming to Hokitika to look fully into tho position. It has been practically proved that the alarm given by the nightwatclnuan was not sufficient owing to the generator being too weak to give a clear ring. He moved the request of the Board he acceded to. Mr Blank seconded the motion. He thinigi.t it was requisite that proper facilities should he given so that tho water could he turned on as promptly

ns possible. t„ reply to Air Lloyd, the Town Clerk said there was Oft 0m on Sun-

lav morning. Mr Perry said with all Councillors lie was much upset by the mishap. Unfortunately they had an unsatisfactory water supply and it had to bo carefully conserved. The matter had been discussed before and as a result they had gone to considerable expense t„ add the auxiliary supply at the Kanieri Forks, but they recognised that the supply was far from perfect The time was coining when they would have to face a new system of approved pipes, which he estimated to cost £30,000 to £-10.000. There were a miniher of matters that could he carefully considered with a view to giving effect to his remarks. He suggested that the Council should hold a meeting and go into the question of ways and moans. The matter would have to he faced at a very early date. Mr Heinz said the supplementary supply was not working satisfactorily because the water from the Kanieri power supply was not running into the town pipes except when the power company’s race overflowed. When it was first put in Mr McTvor had cut an opening to give a free supply, but this had boon boxed up hv the company and only the overflow went into the Council’s pines. When the Chairman of the Hoard spoke tip about the danger of the fluctuation of the water in the pipes, lie spoke quite eighth ns the diffidence in pressure was a

grave danger to the pipes. He pointed out that if there were a full supply allowed to pass into the nine from the penstock at Kanieri Forks there would lie an ample supply, hut the Kanieri Company were continually blocking the

supply. Mr Jeffries said the question of the water supply had engaged their attention on many occasions and they recognised that it was of vital importance to the Town. He o.uite disagreed with Mr Coulson that the Chairman of the Board had thrown a stigma on the Council that, was not. deserved. It was quite true wliat Mr Michel was reported to have said. The water supply was not satisfactory. Only a month ago he had asked why the water was off on a recent Sunday morning and he was told that it was done to conserve the water for the night. and now when the fire arrived

they found the water was off during tho night. The shortage of water was a. momentous question that deserved their very best attention, affecting as it did the whole of the ratepayers in tho town. It was a very serious matter to find frequent outbreaks of fire in the town and it was the duty of the Council to see that an efficient water supply was provided. He thought they should adopt the suggestion of the Mayor and lace the position. If they did not have something done soon they may find a larger conflagration might wipe out nail the town.

.Air Blank said the life of the pipe line was only for 18 or 19 years, so how could they expect the pipe line to ho in the same good condition as when it was first laid down. He thought the whole trouble the other day was the failure of the telephone alarm to work properly. Mr Perry said it must be recognised that the water supply was deteriorating very rapidly and they must he prepared to face it. They had been told this some time ago by the Chairman of AA’orks and so had full warning.

Mr Coulsun in reply to various speakers said he had • board it stated that there was a possibility of the insurance rates being raised owing to till* insufficiency of the water supply. the real cause was the many fires that iTnd taken place in the town of late years, lie pointed out that the cause of the present trouble was due to a faulty telephone system and tbo Council was not to blame. The motion was then put and agreed to. reports. The Treasurer reported receipts £029 Ids, payments £240 3s Id. debit balance £2OO 10s lOd : loan account credit balance £230 10 s2d.—Received. Accounts amounting to £IBO IS.s 3d

were missed for payment. MOTOR BYE-LA AY'S. .Air Jeffries referred to a. recent police prosecution l’or motor car speeding and asked what was the position of the Council. The Mayor said the Borough livelaws allowed for a speed liy motor vehicles up to 8 to 10 miles an hour in the Borough, but lie thought that this bye-law would be ruled out as ultra vires, as it was not reasonable. Since the bye-law Lad been drawn up tho conditions had changed, though that speed had t-lien been put in by the advice and with the approval of tlio Automobile Association.

Mr Jeffries said he thought the police authorities should lie commended for their elforts to prevent the speeding up that was carried on in various streets of the town. One of these days there would he a very serious accident. He instanced a. ease in which iie luid seen a very narrow escape from an accident. Unfortunately there were a number of road hogs who do race in the streets.

Mr t’oidson agreed that something would have to lie done to stop the speed menace, though he agreed that the 8 to 10 miles limit was absurd. Afte.r further discussion Mr Jeffries moved that the Council commend the police authorities for their efforts to prevent undue motor-car speeding in the town. Seconded by Mr King and carried. The Council rose at 8.40 p.m.