HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 12 January 1929, Page 3

HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL

FRIDAY, JAN. 11th. Th,e Council met at 7.45 p.m. Present : —Messrs G. A. Perry (Mayor), J. King. A. R. El cock, T. W. Duff, D. J. Evans, W. Jeffries, E. W. Heenan, A. C. Armstrong aim Dr Teiehelmann. An apology for absence was made for Mr Heinz. The minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approved. 1N WAR D CORE ESPONDENCE. From Health Department, forwarding Gazette notice containing result oi examinations under Plumbers’ Registration Act.—Received. From Medical Officer of Health, Christchurch, thanking Council for support accorded to his Department during the past year, and wishing Council the compliments of the season.— Received.

From New Zealand Refrigerating Coy., Christchurch, intimating that 74 sheep and 4 Inmbs were delivered into Hokitika during the month of November, 1928.—Received. From J. Cutbusli, permanent labourer, application for annual leave from the 2nd to the 15th January, inclusive.—Received, already granted. From Jas. O’Brien, Esq.. AI.P.. in timnting that the Hon. Minister of Mines would tour the Coast during the second week of this month, and asking if there were any matters which this Council desired to bring before the Minister.—Received.

From Secretary, Westland Hospital Board, forwarding a statement of adjustment of levy for 1929, and intimating that through the Government subsidy being 25s 2d in the pound instead of 26s in the pound, the total amount of levy pnvable by the Hokitika Borough Council should be £73? 9s 9d instead cf £715 17s Bd.—Received and accepted. From A. J. Thompson, application for authority to install septic tank at his property in Hall Street. —Tte

ed; to be advised the Health Officer refused permission. From Messrs M. Houston and Co drawing attention to the unsatisfactory condition of the footpaths in Wharf Street, and in Camp Street.— Received; referred to Works Comm tee.

From Corsair Social Club, Christchurch, application for use of Cass Square on Saturday, the 19th instant, for the purposes of their annual excursion.—Received ; request granted.

From A. MeM.ullan, Hokitika, application for a vendor’s sta'nd at the corner of Weld and Bealcy Streets whenever functions are being held in Cass Square.—Received ; granted under usual conditions.

From Department df Agriculture. Christchurch, intimating that amended regulations were being gazetted respecting fees payable for stock slaughtered in an abattoir or meat export slaughterhouse.—Received. From Messrs O’Connell and Caliari, Hokitika, application for permission to extend shop front, and erect a verandah at premises in Revel! Street.— Received ; request granted. From Arahura Tennis Club, application for approximately 84 gallons of tar for top-dressing the Club’s tennis court. —Received ; request refused. No tar to be sold till the sealing of roads completed.

From AA r . AViehlitz, application to he appointed to the permanent staff.— Received ; consideration deferred.

From Health Inspector, Greymouth, forwarding report of inspections lor the month of December, 1928, and repotting three cases of diphtheria.— Received.

From G. AVormihgton and 12 other ratepayers, North Sewell Street, asking that the footpath he formed from Tudor Street to the Town Belt, a distance of twenty chains, to give access to the houses in that area on the west side of Sewell Street,—Received. Public AVorks Committee to report or. cost.

From Hon. Secretary, Canterbury Automobile Association (AVesd.iad Branch), Hokitika, conveying resolutoin from Association to ask Council for assistance in arranging a camping ground for touring motorists.—Received.

From Managing Director, Westland Cool Storage and Dai 17 Cov., Ltd., applying, on behalf of the Vacuum Oil Coy., Wellington, for permission to erect a kerbside petrol pump in Sewell Street, in front of Mr P. Kinvan’s garage at the corner of Hampden and Sewell Streets. —Deceived ; request granted under usual conditions. From Hon. Secretary, Fire Brigade Demonstration Committee, applying (1) under Section 29. Subsection 1 (e). Public Reserves Act, 1908, for the use oif Cass Square for the purposes of the' Fire Brigade Demonstration on Thursday, February 28th, Friday, March Ist, and Saturday, March 2nd; and <'2) for permission to tap water service connection at Mr Walter Wrights, Revell Street, and run temporary connection intq No. 2 hire Station, so that visiting firemen can have the convenience of a shower bath alter piactices, which will be held in that locality.—Received; requests granted. From Miss M. Agncw, Stafford Street, asking for Council’s consent to the sale of Freehold Sections No. 1100 and 1160 A, Brittan Street.—Received; referred to Town Clerk. From Hume Pipe Coy., advising that 712 nine-inch water pipes and 712 collars were consigned to Hokitika on the 24th December. —Received. From 1). Dowell, applying for icecream stand at corner rif Bealey and Stafford Street.—Received; request granted under usual conditions. From George Rainc, asking for prevention of road access to beach at Park Street to prevent sand damage. Received; request for erection of a bauieade agreed to.

From State Collieries Picnic Committee, applying for use of Cass Square for picnic.—Received and request granted. REPORTS. The Treasurer reported receipts £248 14s lOd, payments £837 13s 7d, credit balance £92 lfis 2d. On fixed deposit £l2oo.—Received. Accounts amounting to £287 17s 3d were passed for payment. FOREMAN'S REPORT. I beg to report the following works were carried out during the month. ' Drains.—At Mrs A. Spence’s in Brittan Street and Mr H, Hartke’s in the same street drains were put across the fdotpath and piped with 4 inch earthenware pipes. Crossings.—At Airs Haile’s in AVeld Street was piped and gravelled and at R. Davies’s in Stafford Street. Footpaths.—Hampden Street between Hall and Brittan Street was chippeo and gravelled. Hie footpath between Eitzherbert and Sewell Streets liehr the railway crossing was cleaned and gravelled, and footpath around Gooch’s corner was also gravelled. A break in the footpath in Hampden Street near Aloynlhan’s bakery was repaired. Streets.—-The Public AYnrks grader was on for five days about the middle of the month, covering most of the streets, the spoil being used to fili up a low part of AVeld Street between Bealey and Brittan Streets, while seventy loads were carted into Cass Square and spread. ' u row til.—Along the length of Hampden Street to the racecourse on both .sides of the street, and along the drains on several by-streets growth was cut. A\ r ater.—4 chains of 4in. galvanised pipes wore laid on to the racecourse from the Hampden Street water main for fire purposes. This only requires the fire plug to ho put in, which will be done as soon as the casting is procured. Leaks in various parts of the town were attended to. , The average depth of water in the reservoir for the month was 6 foot. —Received. From Manager of Abattoirs reporting there were slaughtered during December 23 cows, 20 heifers, 48 bullocks, 222 sheep, 228 lambs, 11 pigs. 12 calves. Condemned—l bullock. Fees for month £73 18s Od (same period last year, £7O 19s 9d).—Received. AfAYOR’S REPORT. Electric. Lighting—Agreement between Hokitika Borough Council and the Kanieri Power Company, Limited. —ln accordance with the resolution of the Finance Committee dated the 14th September last, a sub-Committee consisting of C’rs. Jeffries, Teiehelmann and myself, interviewed All- Cranston on the Sth inst., and discussed matters in connection with the electric lighting. Fluctuation of Light.—ln regard to the fluctuation of the electric light, Mr Cranston stated that every effort was being made by the Company to improve the lighting, and to this end a new regulator had been installed, which it was hoped would improve the lighting. Air Cranston stated that his company were very anxious to give the best service, hut he explained that whilst the dredge was working off the same power line, it was very difficult to maintain an even standard of light. Air Cranston intimated that the matter of additional power was now under consideration by his principals, with every possibility of the proposals for additional power being approved. 11 this eventuates and when the works are completed, there will he ample power for lighting and for heating. Cost of Lighting.—The matter of the cost of lighting to consumers was next dealt with, and the figures obtained by the Town Clerk were placed before Mr Cranston, He intimated that he would obtain fuller information in respect of the charges for lighting in other centres, and then see whether any reduction could be made in the present charges. As members are aware, by Clause 2 of the agreement, the Council has tlm option of taking over the Company’s undertakings and obligations at valuation, and this option matures on the 21st August. 1929, and in this connection your Committee are of the opinion that the option should not he exercised, and that the matter of fluctuation and cost per unit can safely he left in the hands of the company. Received and adopted. In connection with the water supply the Council decided to visit the section near Kanieri Lake and make an inspection of the proposed work, the visit to be made on AYcdnesday afternoon next at 1.30 o’clock.

ORDER PAPER

Mr Evans moved That the short length of footpath on the eastern side of Sale Street, from Hampden Street, in a southerly direction, he completed as suitable spoil is available. Seconded by Air Duff and carried. Air Evans moved:—That the Public Works Committee carry out within the next two months the works authorised on the Alain Highways within the Borough, to ensure the subsidy of £2 for £1 available being earned within the financial period now drawing to a close. Seconded by Mr Heenan and carried. Air Evans moved:—That Cass Square be closed to all circus or similar displays where animals are involved, and the Overseer report on the cost of conditioning part of AA 7hitcombe or other suitable reserve for (a) parking place for touring motorists when camping; (b) site for circus or like entertainment. Seconded by Air Duff. Air EI cock moved an amendment that every application for a circus he referred to the Council and he dealt with on its merits. Air Jeffries seconded, saying lie was surprised at this lieing brought before the Council. It had previously been the subject of a bye-election and the public had shown that- they wore of opinion that Cass Square should be used for circuses as the circumstan ces warranted. They could get £2O to £25 by letting and it he wrong not to accept it. The ratepayers had not voiced any objections to letting Cass' Square and the use o p it could always be safeguarded. Mr Heenan said at- times a circus would make a mess of Cass Square. He was of opinion that it should notbe knocked about, and should only be allowed to bo used ,if the other places were not available. Air Evans said his'attitude on the subject was well known. He was glad to hear Air Heenan state that there was a changed attitude by the public as to the allowing of circuses to use the square. .The marks of the last visit were visible to the present day. He was quite satisfied to take the derision of the ratepayers at next election on his attitude on this subject. On the suggestion b ! l the Mayor, the motion was divided into two sections. The first section dealing with parking places was agreed to and the second section was lost, the amendment by Mr Elcoek to refer all applications for the use of Cass Square to the Council for decision, being agreed to. The Council rose at 8.30 p.m.