HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 June 1929, Page 3

HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

FIMDAY, JUNE SBtli.; 1929. The Council met at 7.30 p.m. Present: Messrs G. A. Perry (Mayor), J. King. E. W. Hoonan, !). J. Evans, T. W. Duff, J. L. Turner, and Dr Teichclniann. Apologies were made for Messrs Elcock, Armstrong and Heinz. The minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approved. MOTION OF SYMPATHY. The Mayor referred to the recent death of Mr A. H. M. Keller, a former valued member of the Council for many years and a very valuable citi-r zen of many years standing. He had suffered a long illness which be bad borne with remarkable fortitude. During the lengthy term of office as a member of the Council and Chairman of the Public Works Committee be had done spendid work for the town and district. His life was an example to follow. He had done his utmost to the best of his power. His death was a distinct loss to the town. He moved that the Council place 'on record its extreme regret at the death of Mr Kellen a valued former member of the of the Council, and that the sympathy of tin* Council be conveyed to the members of the family.

Carried in silence, members standing

TNWAR-D CORRESPONDENCE

From New Zealand Refrigerating Company, Christchurch, .advising quantities of meet delivered into Hokitika during the month of May, 1929, viz.: 77 sheep, 4 lambs, 1 cattle, and forwarding cheque for fees.—Received. From Secretary, Rotorua-Taupo Railway League, Rcporoa, forwarding copies of pamphlets giving facts relative to the abandoned Rotorua-Taupo Kailway.—Received. From Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, Christchurch, with reference to possibility of devising a scheme whereby a comprehensive policy of highway construction in the South Island might be utilised, and asking for data re highways. —Received. From Hallenstein Bros., Hokitika, application for water service connection.—Received; referred to Foreman. From W. D. Mackay, Weld Street, asking for attention to open drain at his frontage, Weld Street. —Received ; Public Works Committee to report.

From R. R. Ferguson, Davie Street, asking that gorse he cleared from his frontage at the corner of Weld and Davie Streets, as lie desires to erect ai building thereon, and gorse is obstructt ing cartage.—Received ; Public Works Committee to report.

From E. R. P. Ferguson, Davie Street, asking that drain in North Davie Street, he extended to his property, as water is at present draining from Borough Reserve on to his section.—Received; referred to Foreman. From State Fire and Accident insurance Office, intimating that in respect of insurance policy on kerbside petrol pumps, that it is now the practice to place the . insurance in the name of both the local authority and the service station proprietor, and quoting the new insurance rates, viz.: Joint Indemnity of £IOOO for any one accident, and £4OOO for period of policy (not exceeding 12 months), is £2 10s for one pump, plus 2s Gd for eacli additional pump, and that a separate policy in the joint names of the Council and the licensee will require to be taken out for each license issued for a separate location. —Received; referred to Town Clerk, the additional charge to he made against licensee. From Park and Murdoch asking approval of transfer from 31. Gooch to L. Gooch of Borough reserve lease. —Received and agreed to.

From L. Gooch applying for lease of reserve 520.—Received; and agreed to. ELECTRIC LIGHT. From Kanieri Electric Ltd. as follows : In reply to your letter of the 27th inst., we wish to advise that we have recently received a cable from Mr Robert E. Cranston, our Managing Director in Now York City. Mr Cranston states briefly as follows : Provided the present contract with the Borough is continued, arrangements have been made for the underwriting of £30,000 sterling, convertible bonds, or preference shares, to lie used in connection with the construction of a new and adequate power plant. He also states that the Company is ready to proceed with the construction of this plant just as soon as plans and estimates have been approved. Mr Cranston authorises the writer to assure you that the Company will furnish th * town with ample power for heating and lighting purposes within the next two years, and possibly sooner. The new power project, as outlined to you recently, as far as our Company is concerined, is now virtually assured, and as soon as plans and estimates for the proposed work have been satisfactorily approved, construction will bo commenced provided we have the cooperation of the Borough Council, and the continuance of our present existing contract.

Detailed surveys for estimates of the required dams and tunnels for tho new project are now under way, and there is no doubt that the work will he carried forward continuously from now on until the completion of tho units, which, according to our estimates in this office, should easily he completed within 18 months from the present date, at which time your town will

have an adequate supply of electrical energy, for all purposes.

Your co-operation to the extent ■ furnishing us with a resolution to the eflect that the existing contract v be continued and remain in force will mean an adequate and efficient lighting and power service for your borough. The Mayor moved that the letter he received and in consideration of the statements therein, the Council decide to waive the right to exercise tlie option of the lease, the Council agreeing to a renewal of the contract. Seconded by Mr Duff and carried. REPORTS. From Treasurer reporting receipts £624 Is 3d; paymon's £261 2s 7d; credit balance £239 14s 9d.—Received. Accounts amounting to £497 15s were passed for payment. TENDERS. Tenders for trenching work for the Borough water supply at Lake Kauieri were received as follows: P. F. O’Brien, sections 1 and 2, £SB ss. J. D. Hutchison, sections 1,2, and 3, £132 os. T. Walsh, sections 1,2, 3, and 4, £l9l 17s Gd.

The tender of T. Walsh was accept ed. Mr Evans moved that the Foreman bo empowered to arrange with the Chairman of Public Works to put on another man and dray for improvement to the roads. The Mayor seconded and the motion was agreed to. It was further resolved to use the road roller on a section of Stafford Street as an experiment. EA J? Tf-TQU AK E SU F FERER S. The Mayor referred to the recent disastrous earthquake and expressed his pleasure at tlie knowodge that locally though some damage had been done they had not .suffered to the extent that the unfortunate residents ilurtlicr north had done. Their deepest sympathy should go out to those and he moved that the Council express its deep sympathy* with the sufferers by the recent earthquake disaster in tlie north. Seconded by Mr Evans who said no one could read unmoved the record of the suffering and losses sustained by the earthquakes.

Mr Hecnan mentioned that there were luckily only a few in town who would need assistance. The motion was then carried. The Council rose at 8.30 p.m.