HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 June 1927, Page 1

HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

FRIDAY. JUNE 24th. The Council met at 7..'11) p.m. Present:—Messrs G. A. Perry (Mayor), T. AY. Duff, D. J. Evans, J. King, A. C. Armstrong. A. R. El cock, G. Heinz. E. W. Heenan and Dr Teichei'mann. The minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approved. .MOTION OF SYAIPATHY.

The Alavor moved that the Council convey to Airs Robinson and family their deep sympathy in the loss they had sustained by the death of AllThomas Robinson, a former member of the Council. Soeondc d by Dr Teiehelmami and carried, the Council standing in silence. IN WA R I) COR R ESPONDENCE.

From Canterbury Automobile Association. Westland branch, drawing attention to the present unsatisfactory state of Hokitika railway bridge for motor trallie. Received ; it was reported the Railway Department were giving attention to tho necessary rc-

From X.Z. Refrigerating Coy., Christchurch, reporting g:i sheep and 0 lambs had been sent to Hokitika during .May.— Received. From W. Parkinson and Co.. Auckland, in reference to removal of clock tower, stating it would be a difficult job and difficult to estimate.—Received ; consideration deferred.

From Westport Town Clerk enquiring particulars of charges made for water, etc. to public schools. Received ; to he supplied. From .James Park, in reference to retaining- fee. and suggesting that the retainer he allowed to drop and that lln: legal work he distributed among the various solicitors of the town.— Received. .Mr Finns said he would give notice of motion for next meeting to rescind the previous motion. From A. F. Hacked, asking to he allowed to surrender lease of reserve. Weld Street.- Received and accepted. From Alls .1. Stevenson. Hall Street. applying for several loads ol soil for the front of her premises, and staling the frontage would then he kept in order.—Received and agreed to. From R. Herring thanking the

Council' for appointment as caretaker. Received. From G. Anderson, Sewell Street, complaining of disgraceful state of lootpatli near Ids property.—Received ; referred to Foreman for attention. From John Peake, drawing attention to unsafe crossing in Briltan Street. —Received : referred to Foreman. From Inspector of Explosives in rolerenee to fee for licenses for petrol.— Received ; referred to Town Clerk to report.

From Westland Cool Storage and Dairy Coy., drawing attention to state of road approaches in trout ol their factory and asking tor some gravelling. Received and referred to Foreman to attend to. From 11. G. Coles, thanking Council for appointment as Acting Town Clerk. —Received. REPORT’S. From Treasurer reporting receipts LAOS (is Ad. payments £G?2 10s lid. loan account credit CII7 7s -Id.—Received. Account aniuiiimnsg lo L 217 L lid were passed for payment. A recommendation by the Finance Committee Ihat Air Gaylor he granted CIA for extra services as Acting Town Clerk was agreed to. The question of estimates was referred to l a special meeting of the Public Works Committee to report to the Council at next meeting. WATER SUPPLY REPORT. From Foreman Chesterman: - I hereby tender a report on the condition of (lie water main supplying the Town from the Kanieri Lake. The condition is such as takes lip a good deal of the time of the staff in keeping it in repair. The pipes which arc made of wood

(Oregon Pine) bound with wire do not seem to be .suitable for tbc object they were intended, as they are .stave pipes, and one faulty stave or a part of one renders the pipe. practically useless. Quite a number of these liave been renewed of late, also the wire which binds the pipes, has been found to be of inferior quality, and the life of the pipe depends on the wire: when the wire rusts through, the pipe naturally bursts with the pressure of water. Where this has occurred iron bands, or clamps have been used to keep the staves in position.

The main from the Reservoir for about two miles is exposed in many places, and the condition of the wire is such, as to warrant serious consideration at once. This part goes through Tucker and Constitution Flats, close up to Stoney Creek, from thence on to the Kanieri Forks. The pipes are buried oil an average of eighteen inches, and it is difficult to tell the condition on this part, although there have been numerous repairs done, the i rouble chiefly has been with the collar.-. some of thorn are partly rotten, which have been repaired with clallips and occasional bad staves which are plugged.

At the Forks the main is supplemented by a line of pipes from the Penstock of the Electric Co. waterrace; this is of great benefit to the

supply. From the Forks to Butcher’s Hill the pipes are trenched, the same as from Stoney Creek lo the Forks, and are much in the same condition. From Butcher’s Hill to about two and a-lnilf miles from the Lake, the line runs through the hush. The pipes are more or less exposed. This section seems to he in a better condition, except a section on Hie Lake side of a short syphon, which are very bad. the wire being; of bad quality, and very badly put on. From thence on T> the Lake l tin' pipes are buried, and may be regarded as fair, as this part lias caused very little trouble, having very little fall, ami consequently there being very little pressure.

In respect to the Town supply from Ibe Reservoir the main comes down Hampden Street, which carries the lull pressure (1001 b.) with brunch lines leading into tho various streets, regulated with valves to (501 b). sufficient tor domestic purposes. In case of fire the full pressure can be put on the branch lines in two or throe minutes.

In several parts of the town, during I lie last twelve mouths, pipes have been renewed, the ones taken out being beyond repair, while on some the wire has rusted through and been repaired with clamps. In renewing or repairing pipes tin' water lias to he {.limed off. which causes inconvenience to users of which complaints have been made, but must he put up with as repairs are carried out as quickly as possible. Again, it is hard to tell the general condition of the pipes in the Town being buried. Where the leaks show on ihe surface repairs are carried out. It is chiefly the collars, for when the staves are gone the repairs moan a new pipe, ot course the pipes a length away may be good or otherwise, it is quite impossible to tell unless examined.

Judging from the amount of attention required during tho last twelve mouths, and from what I have .seen wlh.-ii repairing, in my opinion the trouble will considerably increase us time goes on. F. AY. CHESTERAIAX, Foreman. - Received. A lengthy discussion took place and ultimately on tho motion of Air Fleoi-L. seconded liy Air Evans, a committee was set up consisting of the .Mayor, .Messrs Jellries, Klcock and Heinz, to make' enquiries and report to the Council on the whole position of finance.

pipes, etc. Received and adopted. REPORT’ OF RESERVES < OArAHTTFF. I. Your Committee has the honor lo report that the repairs to Cemetery Hill road have been carried out in a workmanlike manner. The work undone by arrangement with the SurgeonSiiperintendem of the Aleiital Hospital after consultation with the Alavor, Chairman of Public Works Committee, and the Overseer. On heliai'f of the Council it was agreed to supply the institution with a number of concrete pipes for drainage purposes and in exchange the road has been repaired and will he maintained for a period of three veers.

2. The drain which is being put in by the authorities of the institution will tap a considerable quantity of the surface drainage within the cemetery grounds, and it is recommended the Overseer should take levels and open up serviceable drains to take the drainage of Hie grounds, much of which now finds its way towards Rcnlev Street.

The main drainage from Sea View Hill will then find its way into the sea beach drain along the North Town Belt, and the Borough laborman and the sexton have been detailed to re-open the drain referred to. The stops, which are being taken under the approval' of the Overseer, should do much to solve the problem of the Sea View Hill drainage.

■L With the clearing of the growth on Cemetery Hill road, the need for renewing parts oi the protecting fence is apparent, and it is recommended the Overseer procure silver pine posts and have the work attended to for the public safety.

.A. An inspection was made of the creek passing through the Botanical Reserve which carries flood waters from Livingstone drain overflow. The creek is badly blocked in places with growth and requires clearing, as also the small piped crossing nr Jollie Street, near AYeld Street. ii. A further review of the reserves leased within the Borough has been made. The rentals in most cases appear very low. A- most of the holding- are on a. yearly basis, it is recommended a revaluation he made where considered necessary. In order to secure better titles for the occupiers and permit of building improvements where it appears the increased rental or value would warrant a change, the legal position in regard to an extended lease or a freehold title might he ascertained. If the Council will authorise the steps suggested, a. further report. will he made i’nter for final determination as to the disposal ot the areas. D. J. EVANS. Chairman. —Received. The Council rose at 8.45 p.m.