HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 July 1926, Page 1

HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

FRIDAY', JULY 9th. The Council met at 7.30 p.m. Preesiit: —Messrs H. M. Coulson (Deputy Mayor) in the chan - , J. Lloyd, G. H. Blank, J. King, W. Jeffries, H. T. Parry j R. Orr. Tlie minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approved. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE. From G. H. Appleton asking for road access to Livingstone Street.— Received; referred to Public Works Committee to report. From Buller County Council suggesting combining in the purchase of a two-seater car - for the use of the traffic inspector.—ReceivJed. The Chairman supported the proposal, which was endorsed at the recent conference of local bodies at which he (Mr Coulson' 1 represented the Council. Mr Jeffries thought the Council should be advised as to the cost involved. Resolved to make further enquiries as to cost. From A. D. Archer and others protesting against the unhealthy drainage in Park Street. —Received; referred to "Works Committee to report From Hokitika Beautifying Society enclosing cheque and thanking Council for accepting reduction of contribution; stating the Society viewed with concern the proposal to out down the trees on Cass Square and raising a

strong objection thereto on the grounds that it would spoil the beauty of the surroundings.—Received. From Kanieri Electric Ltd. in reference to trees on Cass Square, pointing out the danger to the electric lines by the trees, which arc /continually causing damage to the power line.— Received. From Hokitika Fire Board notifying levy for year at £SOO, the Council’s share being £22s.—Received and accepted. From White New Zealand League asking for support to the objection to the admission of aliens to New Zealand.—Received; consideration deferred till next- meeting. From Public Trust Office notifying bequest under will of the late William Brown (particulars already published). —Received. The Chairman referred to tlie generosity of the donor. From T. Robinson Jr., asking for transfer of extra water right to T. Dann.—Received and request granted. From Park and Murdoch asking for approval of a mortgage of Borough reserve lease.—Received; no action taken.

From New Zealand Refrigerating Company, Christchurch, notifying 24 sheep had been sent to Hokitika during June.—Received. From Mrs I. Chesney and Miss O. Aitken, applying for permission to purchase a small section from the Borough to enable proper access to Rolleston 'Street from their property.— Received ; to be offered at the Government Valuation. From Westland Branch of Canterbury Automobile Association, in reference to tlie fines for motor cars, and suggesting that with a view of reducing tlie cost to owners, by eliminating the costs of court, another procedure be followed.—Received; consideration deferred. REPORTS. From Treasurer reporting receipts £94 6s Bd, payments £449 17 Od, credit balance £175 14s Bd. building account credit balance £llO 17s od.Received. From Finance Committee recommending payment of accounts amounting to £570 3s Id.—Received and adopted. RESERVE COMMITTEE’S REPORT. From Reserves Committee as follows :■— Gentlemen.—l have tlie honour to report that after careful consideration your Committee decided to recommend : “ That tenders be invited for tlie purchase for removal of the trees on thq 4 ; Brittan Street side and the Stafford Street (from Brittan to Hall Streets) of Cass Square, returnable for the next meeting of the Council.”

Mr Orr said the Reserves Committee had discussed tho subject and though there was not unanimity the Committee favoured cutting down these trees. At the present time the trees on the Stafford side prevent the liiglitwatchman from getting a. proper view. Lopping was of no use, as that would only make them, more unsightly. If would be better to shift them altogether, and have a better class of trees planted. On the Brittun street side there was a certain amount of green, but the trees were far too high for the street, which would always he wet, and they were a. danger to the gasometer and a nuisance to tlie howling green. An offer had been made by a gentleman to replace the present trees with a far better class of trees. It would be better to lace the position now and the new trees would become an ornament. Now the trees were getting uglier every year. He moved the adoption of the report.

Seconded by Mr Jeffries. He did not consider that there was any reason, in the statements of the Beautifying Society, why the trees should be kept. They are an ugly eyesore, not at all symmetrical, and had been lopped and topped, and some blown out. They had the complaints of the night watchman, from the gas works, from the Kanieri Electric and the Bowling Club. It was just as well to make it clear to tlie townspeople that the proposal was not made out of pure vandalism. A donor, who wished to remain anonymous at present had offered to supply and plant free of cost to the Borough some 360 shrubs including cypresses, Japanese cedar and other ornamental trees, and such a. generous offer .should lie accepted. In two or three years these shrubs would afford more shelter that the present piebald shelter does. Mr Blank supported and drew attention to the condition of Weld St. at present, in the vicinity of Cass Square due to these trees. Mr King asked why they wanted to cut down these trees if they were at once going to plant others. Mr Coulson moved an amendment to hold over consideration of the report for a full meeting of the Council. He differed from the previous speakers. These trees have a very high and sentimental value. There is in those trees a rugged grandeur that is their beauty. They would not come down with bis vote. Those trees make Class Square the beauty spot it is. The amendment was seconded by Mr King who did not consider tlie arguments brought forward held water. He was against the motion.

Mr Parrv supported the motion, the cutting down of the trees would do no harm, as they were no ornament. The" amendment- was put and lost— Aves. mover and seconder.

I lie motion was then put and carried. . FOREMAN’S REPORT. I beg to report the following works have been carried out (luring the month— Laid two and a half chains of 6in. earthenware pipes in Weld Street, connecting Berry’s with Sewell Street drain and 45 feet of 4in. pipes connecting Baty’s garage also with Sewell Strrot drain, laid 3 chains 45ft of 4in wooden pipes in North Revel! Street to drain the surface water from the west side of the street, connecting with the drain railing through Cameroii’s paddock, laid 25 feet of 9in pipes at the corner of Park and Bealey Streets the overflow wooden drain having collapsed. During tlie month we chipped and gravelled Sale Street footpath from Hampden Street to Gibson’s Quay on the west slue, Rolleston Street from Stafford to Weld Street on the west side, a part of Stafford Street near tlie Gas Works and Brittan Street on the east side from Hampden to Stafford Streets, and cleaned out the drain on the west side of Brittan Street between Weld Street and the Quay. The gravel used being .screened for the foothpaths, we used the rough forming the foundation of the street on tho east side of Cass Square between Stafford and Weld Streets, to complete that portion of Brittan Street. We lifted 150 ft of wooden pipes ill Gass Square, the worst of them we used in North Revell Street, while some which appear to lie ill good order, we intend to repair the line on Gibson Quay. AYe repaired several leaks in parts of the town during the month, one bad one on Hau Hau Kill, and one on the Lake road near McKay’s Creek. AVe connected Air Folley’s residence with water and repaired the fireplug at the corner of Stafford and Brittan Streets. Aln do 9 1-foot- concrete pipes during the month. The water in the reservoir averaged S feet for Hie monli. —Received. ABATTOIR REPORT.

From Manager Abattoir (J. Jarman) reporting there were examined during June—24 cows, 30 heifers, 60 bullocks, 252 sheep, 29 lambs, 13 pigs, 22 calves. Condemned—l cow, 1 bullock, 1 sheep. Fees for the period £74 Is (£7B 5s Od last vear).—Received.

Mr King recommended the outside sheep pen he concreted. Supported by Mr Jeffries and approved. Afr Coulson moved:—“That a Committee be appointed to consider the advisability. and if it sees fit to frame by-laws dealing with (a) The control of motor traffic within the Borough; (b) Tlie issuing of building permits for the whole or am- specified part of the Borough ; (c) To revise the existing bylaws. The Committee to consist of Messrs Elcock. Jeffries, Orr, Mayor and mover.”

AI r Coulson thought the time had arrived'when the by-laws should be revised. Seconded by Air Jeffries. It was time something should be done to prevent speeding, also the erection of unsightly buildings in the town.” Tlie motion was agreed to. The Council rose at 8.45 p.m.