The Guardian And Evening Star, with, which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 1928. MUNICIPAL WORKS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 June 1928, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with, which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 1928. MUNICIPAL WORKS.

I The Borough Council at its meeting ! on Friday last adopted a report from [ the Public Works Committee enibrnc- ! ing a lengthy list of municipal works. | The aggregate cost is considerable, and ! it will not be possible with the revenue I available to carry out the programme | within the year. But the works are | to be put in band as circumstances perj mit, which means that as funds are available the jobs will be attended to. Two important drainage works are to be done, one is the Ben ley Street drain which will be completed very shortly. The major work is in Sewell Street, and the piping of the drain in concrete will be a considerable undertaking. A long length of the drain is in wood, but the wood work is in an advanced state of decay, and is a constant source of expense for temporary repairs. There is also an element of danger while the drain is in its present condition. This work will probably be divided into sections, as there are roughly about 900 yards of concrete piping to be placed in position. In order to prepare for the undertaking the making of the pipes is now in hand. In addition, the Council lias agreed to do a considerable amount of tar-sealing of roads and footpaths. The Couiicil has acquired the right to all .the tar at'the local gas works, and when the weather conditions are suitable, considerable stretches will be tar-sealed. Tn the meantime certain streets are to be reconditioned in preparation, by surfacing the roads and footpaths as may be required. Useful permanent work in regard to curbing and channelling is to be undertaken also and several sections will be done. It is evident the Council is l>ent on doing a good deal of work .systematically, and by the end of the year the general improvement to result from, the proposals should be noticeable. So far there has not been any mention of the town water supply, but it is understood this is not being lost sight of. The recent attention to the water works has resulted in a good storage of water being available daily at the-reservoir, so that in that respect there is a fair measure of safety. But it is intended, we understand, to devote some special attention to the pipe-line, from the intake at Lake Kanieri to the Kanieri Fork’. Some expenditure will have to lie faced in respect to that section, and the Council has the matter in hand. The ratepayers will be pleased to know that the 'programme of public works ■which has'been set down, as well as the i

improvements to the water-supply, although it is intended to carry them on out of revenue, it is not proposed to increase the. general rate this year. From the Estimates suggested for the financial year it appears to he possible to do what has been outlined within the funds accruing. This possibility suggests that the finances have been put iu good order, and that both income and expenditure will be watched closely to put through what must be considered a comprehensive programme of works. The matter of increasing the staff does not appear to have been broached, and unless something is done iu that respect i.t will mean that the regular staff will have a very busy year. Hie Council is proceeding evidently on careful lines, and will no doubt attend to the pressing works in their order of importance as the funds are available, and the works are within the capacity of the staff also available. The municipal year it is intended, will be kept within the liin.ts of thq finance accruing, and by that means a steady check will be kept on the works done. Hie care which is being evidenced in this matter should be reassuring to the townspeople, who will feel that their business is having very close attention from those responsible for its management,.