HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 July 1928, Page 2

HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

FRIDAY, JULY 27th., 1928. The Council met at 7.30 p.m. Present:—Messrs G. A. Perry (.Mayor), W. Jeffries (Dejjuty Mayor), D. J. Evans, T. W. Duff, G. Heinz, A. C. Armstrong, E. W. Heenan, J. King, and Dr Teichelmann. An apology was made for the absence of Mr Elcock. SPECIAL MEETING. The Chairman moved that the minutes of the special meeting re motor by-laws be confirmed. Seconded by Mr Duff and carried. The Chairman moved technical amendments to prevent conflict with the existing law. Seconded by Mr nvans and carried. Mr Evans moved that the resolutions as amended be now confirmed and adopted as a special order. Seconded by Mr King and carried. It was further resolved that the order come into force on 16th August. ORDINARY MEETING. The minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approved. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE. From the Inspector, Kanieri Electric Limited, advising necessary alterations to lighting installation, Town Hall.—Received and attended to. From New Zealand Refrigerating Company, Ltd., Christchurch, asking for particulars of stock slaughtered at the Municipal Abattoirs during the twelve months ended the 31st March last, and also of private slaughterhouses in tho Hokitika Abattoir District.—Received; to be supplied. From Secretary, Canterbury Progress League, asking for grant of £lO towards publicity campaign.—Received and grant made on- motion of Messrs Jeffries and Heinz.

From Mrs Bessie Thompson, relinquishing Alunieipal Reserve No. 534, Weld Street.—Received and accepted, subject to conditions. From Precision Engineering Co., Ltd., Wellington, re standardised Steel Traffic Signs under Motor Regulations, 1928.—Received. From Mercantile and General Insurance Company, Ltd., Christchurch, asking for share of Council’s fire insurances.—Received.

From Town Clerk, Timaru, forwarding copies of “ Timaru Herald ” and “Timaru Post,” containing copies of Diamond Jubilee issues.—Received with thanks.

From New Zealand Refrigerating Company, Ltd., Christchurch, advising quantities of meat delivered into Hokitika during the month of June.—Received. From Secretary, Returned Soldiers’ Association, advising that Association lias £3O (accrued from the sale of poppies available), and offering this amount to the Council, subject to its being subsidised pound for pound in providing work for unemployed soldiers.—Received; Mayor and Chairman of Public Works and Mr Evans to re-

port at next meeting. It was mentioned that the golden jubilee of the Council eventuated next month and the Mayor, Chairman of Finance Committee, and Town Clerk to make arrangements for a suitable celebration of the event, l'rom A. Ivrakowsky and G. and D. Davidson, re reserves.—Received. From Australian Performing Rights Association, re performance rights.—

Received; Town Clerk to supply. From Convent of Mercy,•asking for attention to footpaths in vicinity of convent. —Received ; referred to Public Works Committee. From same, in reference to reserves for rental.—Received; referred to Reserves Committee. REPORTS. " .

The Treasurer reported for period, receipts £126 5s 7d; payments £lB6 17s sd;. credit balance £967 12s 3d.— Received. Accounts amounting to £593 14s 6d were passed for payment. It was resolved to obtain £IOO worth of wood pipes for repair purposes. It was resolved the Foreman report on supply of pipes and number required for Sewell Street drain. The Mayor moved that enquiries he made for the supply of pipes from Hume

Ripe Coy. and that a committee be appointed consisting of Messrs Armstrong, Jeffries, Evans and Teichelmann to attend to this question. Seconded by Mr Duff and carried. THE ESTIMATES.

The estimates of receipts and expenditure as submitted by the Treasurer were received. The proposals include the striking of a rate for the same amount as last year, a total of Is 4d (including 2d, Harbour rate). The principal item of expenditure is in connection with the,.water-supplyi £IOOO being allocated for renewal of a section of the pipe line. I have endeavoured to effect a reduction in the rates, but find that if any appreciable reduction is made, it will lie necessary to raise the funds for renewal of the pipe line by loan. This, in my opinion, is not desirable this year, and I suggest striking the total rates on the same basis as last year, and doing, as far as funds will permit, sections of the pipe line out of revenue. The total amount of rebate allowed last rating year on borough rates amounted to £ll9 Is 2d (the amount of £2726 being collected during the rebate period). The bank charges for interest on overdraft for the year amounted to £6 3s 6d. Against the rebate can he “set off” the amount of £SO, penalty on rates collected during the same period. The increased expenditure on pipe line out of revenue will necessitate the rates being paid promptly, and I, therefore, strongly recommend that the 5 per cent rebate be granted this year. The recommendations were approved. RESERVES COMMITTEE REPORT. The Reserves Committee met at 4 p.m. on Thursday, the 26th instant, and I have to report as follows: — We recommend that the application rfom Air A. Krakowsky to relinquish Reserves No. 452 he accepted without prejudice to the right of recovery for arrears of rent.

In regard to Messrs G. and D. Davidson’s application for conditions of leasing No. 48S, Bealey Street, We recommend that they he granted a 21 years’ lease under Section 8, Sub-sec-tion 7 of “The Public Bodies Lenses’ Act, 1998,” the lease to be determinable by the Council by six months notice; rental to be £3 10s per annum ; o per cent on unimproved value at £7O, plus rates and taxes. We further recommend that seven reserves lie let by public tender undei Section 5, Sub-sections (e) or (f) of the Public Bodies Leases Act, 1908, at an upset rental of 5 per cent of Unimproved value of tlie land. The. lessee shall covenant, to pay the rental half-yearly in advance, pay rates and taxes, not to carry on an offensive trade without leave, assign or sub-let without consent of the lessor, maintain fences in a reasonable state of repair. All the provisions of the Land Transfer Act are implied, except that reentry may be made on 31 days default. We also suggest that when advertising these reserves, the Town Clerk publicly notify that there are other unlet reserves, which are available for leasing, either on a tenancy or for a longer period. —Received and adopted. Tlie Foreman was requested on the suggestion of Pf Tfichelmann to report

on necessary attention to .Jollie Stret. Air Heenan drew ntentiori to necessity of repairs to Gibson Quay. To be attended to. The Council rose at 9 p.m.