The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, MARCH 12, 1928. TOWN IMPROVEMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 March 1928, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, MARCH 12, 1928. TOWN IMPROVEMENT.

It is very satisfactory that the .Borough Council is setting out on a definite policy of town improvements. It was reported at the Council meeting last week that the stall' was fully occupied at prescit with a. list of works to I be accomplished. Ratepayers will rather appreciate this activity, more so as to combat the Jist, the overseer lias been insructcd to add to his staff temporarily as occasion may require. The Council appears to have resolved that • a good deal of tar sealing is to be done. This class of work is now part of a definite policy, the Council having resolved to acquire the output of tar from the local gas works for the work | in sight. As time advances it will he possible therefore to do many streets and footpaths, to inaugurate a system of town improvement which should he greatly appreciated. It is further proposed to do several sections of concrete channelling as well as carry out as circumstances permit, the piping or several drains which it will then be possible to fill in. On top of that there is the contingent liability with regard to the Sewell, Fitzherbert and Bealey Street wooden drains, a. very present contingency, and sooner or later the Council must face the liability involved therein. This is a very considerable programme, more so with the water works expenditure always in sight, hut the Council appears confident of carrying on steadily, the staff being well organised and led, and under efficient control, it should be possible to carry out the major portion of the work proposed without an undue strain on the rates. It is understood it is not intended to increase the rates, except under dire necessity to grapple with the water works. It is believed if the pumping scheme can l>e carried into effect that it will not l»o necessary to add to the rating burden, which should be good news for the ratepayers. With the co-operation of the Beautifying Society the Council should be able also to do much this year with the improvement of the town reserves, and also the Ocean beach frontage. Cass Square is a very fine asset tq the town, and anything which can lie done to add to the amenities , will be of further value in attracting more visiting parties to the town. Alacandrew Square is more of a garden and should be developed as such, and kept as a special beauty spot. The sea beach it is hoped will he improved | Steadily. The nuisance caused by thoughtless ]H?ople depositing rubbish and debris on the beach is being abated—and not before time. Now that considerable growth is taking place * along the bench the Council will be • assisted greatly by nature and if trees can be induced to grow, later an esplanade can lie kept in view. The L municipal spirit which is abroad at c present- is a very encouraging one, and . indicates that with a little extra effort _ impTQYfnwnts can ho rnrrted ont ,

which will bo creditable to the town and all concerned. It is well to see so useful a civic spirit demonstrated, and we hope the Council will bn able to make the greatest use of it for the public betterment.