HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 August 1927, Page 2

HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

IRI RAY. AUGUST 12. The Council sal tit 7.30 p.m. Present— His Worship the Mayor (G- A. Perry, Esq), Dr Teichclmami, .Messrs ,1. King. (B Heinz, A. Armstrong, 1. AY. Ruff, A. R. El cock. D. J. Evans, and E. W. Heonan.

'The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The outward correspondence was approved. Mr Evans apologised tor no reply from the Princess 1 heat re Coy.. Ltd., owing to the indisposition of Mr .1. .1. Mclntosh. 'I lie matter referred was being taken in hand its soon as possible. MOTION OF SYMPATHY.

The Mayor moved a vote ol sympathy to Mr H. M. Coupon and family in the loss sustained by the death of .Airs Cotilson. He recalled .Airs ( oulson’s splendid work at the time of the epidemic and remarked on the practio.nl wisdom and energy tlie Indy put into her work on that occasion. The tragic circumstances of Mrs Cottlson’s deatii aroused all their sympathies for Mr Cotilson who hail been a councillor for so long, and had tilled the office of Deputy-Mayor so well. Mr Eleoek seconded the motion, which wtis carried, the members standing in silence.

The Mayor's action in cabling to Alt' Cotilson on behalf of the citizens was also approved. IN\YARD CORRESPONDEXCK.

From A. and T. Burt, Ltd., Christchurch. furnishing quotations for water mains.—Received and filed subject to further information. From. Secretary. Hokitika Fire Board, notifying that Council s contribution to Fire Board from Ist July to 31st March, amounts to £173 ss. to lx* made in three payments.—Received.

Front Department of Labour, forwarding copy ol award to apprentices in carpentering and joinery industry. Received. Front Geo. AY. Bell. Path Slrci r. asking that drain on north side ol Park Street he cleared out. as it is flocked with weeds, etc., and lortlier that blockage > s causing water to get under applicant's reside nee.— Received. Mr Evans explained the Overseer was to attend to the matter as nmn as

possible. From •). Aland! and Co., asking permission to instill a drain on their premises, tFitzherbert Street, to connect with main drain.—Received and granted subject to Overseer’s approval. From Mis Daisy Thomas, Sewell Street, asking for water supply connection ut her residence, Sewell Street. Received anil granted on the usual conditions.

From X.Z- Laykocd Ltd. AA’e'llingtoil forwarding particulars of "Baykoed Emulsified Asphalt” process lor footpaths.—Received. From Department of Labour, AAellington. asking:—t Tj Number of men placed liv Council since Ist March to relieve unemployment; (2) whether Council purposes further special works for relief of unemployment, and number of men and dale ol commencement; (3) intimating method ol Government subsidy and rate ot wages, and drawing attention to Local Authorities Extension Act. viz:—raising loans for relief of unemployment without necessity of a poll.—Received.

From Valuer-General, AAellington. intimating that “List of Alterations to Valuation Roll" for year ended 31st March, was being iorwarded.

From J. Kriikowski. Gibson’s Quay, asking for water supply to his new residence. (Gibson's Quay.—Received amt granted on usual conditions. From Branch Secretary. AV.C'.T.I .. Hokitika, thanking Council far use oi Town Hall for meeting, and appreciation of preparation of Hall by Borough Inspector.—Received. Trout L .Reid. Hygiene Fish Man. Revel! Street, asking Council’s charges for water connection for window cooling. Approximately 200 gallons a month would be used. —Received and referred to AA’orks Committee to act, charge IDs per annum.

From J. Conning and five other ratepayers of upper Gibson s Quay, urging Council to instal a fire-plug in the vicinity of Jollie Street and Gibson’s Quay as the nearest plug is at Davies’ Brewery.—Received. Works Committee to report at next meeting. From Win. Smith, Hampden Street, intimating that drain in front of his residence is blocked, and that his place is flooded in wet weather.—Received and referred to the Overseer. From Wise’s Directories, Dunedin, forwarding revision slip for correction. Received and referred to the Town Clerk.

From FT. Palmer, Bealey Street, asking for drain connection with the storm water channel.—Received and referred to the Works Committee with power to act, and bring up a report for future guidance. REPORTS. The Acting Clerk reported the liaise far the still at the tar plant required renewing.—Received and referred to the Overseer and Cr. Heinz to have the still dismantled, not lieing required for future use. The Mayor reported regarding further leave for the Town Clerk (Air Andreives i v.-lm was not well enough to resume duty at present. He moved an additional three months’ leave he granted at reduced pay of £ls per month from the lith. in.st. Dr Tcii-h----elnianu seconded. Carried. The Treasurer reported receipts £252 (is’Od. payments £BO2 14s 2d. Loan account credit £io Is Od. district account debit £203 10s 3d. Accounts to the amount of £BO2 12s 4d were

passed for payment. The abattoir report stated 31 beasts had been slaughtered for the month, of which three were condemned. The fees wore £f>3 2s Od as against £73 11s for the corresponding period last year.

—Received. OVERSEER’S REPORT. The drain on the North Belt was finished, carrying the drainage water in that part out on the Beach. Spencer Si. drain between the railway and Sev.ell St. was cleaned out. -Lillie St. an 1 Davie St. drains, between AVold St .and Gibson’s Quay was cleaned out on the east side. Rolieston St. drain between Weld St. and Gibson's Quay was finished with three feet concrete pipes, the number put in being forty. Sewell St. drain covering broke down in two places which was repaired. The footpath between Park and Tudor Streets was chipped and a portion gravelled. The footpath between Davie and Jollie Streets on Gibson’s Quay was cleaned, and the upper portion of Gibson’s Quay was cleaned of growth, and the water tables cleaned out.

The blackberries were cleared in Rolleston St.. Hall and Erittan Sts, between Weld St. and Gibson’s Quay, and the growth cut down in Livingstone St. facing Mrs Boyd’s property. During the month twenty-three eighteen inch and nine one foot concrete pipes were made. Several leaks were repaired in various parts of the town. The water in the Reservoir averaged seven ft. .six inches. —Received. ANNUAL RATE AND ESTIAfATES.

Adverting to the matter of the Estimates of Expenditure for the year 1027-1928. which were considered and

passed on tho Bth. July last, since Mr Andrcwes has returned to Hokitika, I have discussed with hint the matter of Loan Account, Xo. 7. which I had pointed out in my report was underrated. The total rates approved in the Estimate* amount to Is 3Jd in the £. AVc both agree that No. 7 Loan Account should bear another £ d., making that rate Jd, which would yield a total of £255 per annum, and reducing tho annual deficiency on that loan to £25.

It is also necessary for accounting purposes that tho total rates should not bo a fraction of a penny, and T would suggest increasing the General Rate from 7id to fid. making the total rates Is 4d in the £ instead of Is 3RI ami allocating the extra revenue (Jd yields £109) to Water Supply Expenses Account. Fresh Estimates on this* ■basis are submitted herewith.

As you are aware it Fins been tho custom to allow 5 per cent, rebate on all rates paid within 30 days of issue of this rate notice. The amount of rebates allowed during 1920-1927 is £lO7 0s o<l and it w ill he necessary for the Council to decide at the next meeting whether the usual rebate is to Tie allowed on rates now about to ho struck. The amount of rebate is fairly large, lint if the rebate is cancelled a number of ratepayers who have hitherto paid early will defer payment. 1 would suggest that the rebate of 5 per cent, ho continued. The rates should he struck at the meeting to ho held oil the 26th. inst. hut as I I days public notice of intention to strike the rate must he given. T would ask authority to defer that meeting until Monday. 29th. inst. or Tuesday, 30th. idem. Yours obediently, G. COLES. Acting Town Clerk. Statement showing rates required to bo struck and levied for the year ending March 31st. 1928. ESTIMATED EX PEXDITUR E. £ Salaries 158 Streets Maintenance ... 1200 Drainage maintenance 750 Reserves 150 Fire Prevention 200 Printing and advertising . ... 80 Free Public Library 150 Hokitika River 'Combined Bridge 90 Westland County Council (final instalment) ... ... ... 150 AYater-snpply expenses 719 Street, lighting 2f."Y Grants in aid 50 Miscellaneous 1-50 Total expenditure £4107 ESTIMATED RECEIPTS £ General rates arrears (3 years—£ss3, allow 50% recoverable) 27(5 Licenses 750 Reserves 240 Extraordinary water-supply ... 400 Hokitika Fire Board 50 Registration of dogs 34 Fees and Fines 20 Miscellaneous 00 Heavy traffic ... 250 Total £2OBO Balance proposed to lie met liv a General Rate of eight-pence on unimproved rateable value of £09.811. which yields £2327 Total receipts £4407 SEPARATE RATE. AA'e.stland Hospital Board—The amount of levy for 1927-1928 is £824. hast; year’s rate of 2t<l in the £ yielded £054. If is proposed to meet tho increased levy hv increasing this rate to “two-pence throe-fa (Things (2fd)” in tho £—£Boo.

Hokitika Harbour Board rate at 2d in the £ —£{)l(i. Sanitary fees—Cost of service, £4BB. 543 pans at 18s per pan yields £4BB. Total rates in £—On. rateable unimproved value, one .shilling and fourpence (Is -Id) as against Is 3d last year. Received and adopted. The Mayor moved : ‘‘That estimates of expenditure 1027-19*28. passed on Bth. ultimo, lie amended by increasing General Rate to 8d in £. and Special Rate on Loan Account No. 7 to Jd in £. making the total rates Is 4d. instead of Is 3Jd.” —Air Eleor-lc seconded.—Carried. MISCELLANEOUS. It was resolved the next meeting of the Council he on AYrtlnesdav, Aug. 31st. On the motion of AD- Heonan it was resolved the staff attend to the painting of the morgue. The Council rose at 8.15 p.m.

ANNUALLY RECURRING! SPECIAL RATES. Rato 1ntore yields. ami Sinking Interest and Sinking Fund Account No. 3— 1 Jd in C £263 £392 No. 4— Id in £ 218 199 „ • ,, ., „ No. 5— ’d in £ 101) 07 j j ,, ,, ,, ,, No. 7— -;d in- £ 2V> 280 £945 £968