HOKITIKA

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 March 1922, Page 7

HOKITIKA

j (Own Correspondent.) The ordinary meeting of th eHokitika. Borough Council was held last night. Present: Crs IL M. Coulson (Deputy Mayor, in the chair), G. A, Wood, Jas. Kinfi, A. G. Pilkington, H. Blank) A. Parkhill, F. McGregor. The absence of the Mayor and Cr Perham was apologised for. A letter was received from the Beautifying Association, recommending Mr H Haile to the position of caretaker and labourer for Cass Square, etc., and enclosing suggested conditions. Cr Blank said that no appointment could be made without calling for applications. Applications should certainly be called. The Chairman concurred with Cr Blank. Cr Blank moved that applications be called for the position of caretaker. Cr Parkhill seconded. He said Mr Haile was away and knew nothing of the conditions, and he did not make the application. Cr Pilkington said he agreed with the motion. It was fair and would save-a good deal of trouble. Cr McGregor considered the position should be given to Mr Haile as recommended by ihe Society. The appointment would be monthly only. Cr King said a, monthly appointment would be no good to a man. His position would not be sate. Cr Wood said it wdukl be better to make the appointment. If applications are called they may be compelled to give the appointment to someone who was not qualified. If a returned soldier applied they would have to give it to him whether he was qualified or not. The Deputy-Mayor said if applications were called he would certainly vote for a returned soldier in p eference to anyone else, providing he could do the vvoik. The motion to call applications was put and carried, with two dissentients. The conditions of appointment having been considered clause by clause, were fin-

ally approved. A letter was received from the Westland Chamber of Commerce asking the Council to establish an accommodation bureau, and that, the licensed victuallers be urged to provide as much accommodation as possible in time for the opening of the Otira, tunnel.

Cr McGregor said the best way to get better accommodation was to assist the licensed victuallers in getting their hours extended. It was agreed to do as suggested m the

letter. The water question was again introduced on the reception of a letter from the Chamber of Commerce.

Cr McGregor moved and Cr Pilkington seconded, that the Council inquire as to the cost of meters—This motion was

carried. Another letter from the same body suwsted that the Council co-operate tn cleaning up the sea beach, build dressing shetri, provide seating accommodation and a. life line. the. Council t<> subsidise the subscriptions raised by the public.—Referred to the Finance Committee. The formation of a tourist bureau at the Public Library was another suggestion by the Chamber of Commerce. The Acting Mayor moved that the committee room at the Library bo placed at the disposal of a tourist bureau and that the Council assist in the organising of such bureau.—Seconded by Cr McGregor am

carried. The same bodv suggested the raising ot a public works loan for street, improvements. —The Chairman said he had urged this repeatedly and would again do so — He moved that the report on the streets, etc., asked for by Cr Pilkington some months ago be presented a. month hence. -Seconded by Cr Pilkington and carried. The residents of Sale Street petitioned to have, the public pound removed to some less populated part of the town, and stating the pound was a nuisance to re dents living in the immediate vicinity. r l he matter was referred to the Chairman of Public Works and Chairman of Reserves to report at next meeting. A. Dctlaff wrote stating that owing to the increase in population ho could not renew the contract at the present price — On the motion of Cr Wood it was resolved to increaseQthe contract price by £2 per month. '

A. Tulloch wrote asking the Council to assist him in keeping the sand drift from getting on his property in North Revell Street—Left xith the Public Works Committee to inspect ami report. The Druids Lodge wrote asking that repairs be done to the roof, and offering to renovate their meeting room if the Council would give them a lease of ten years free from rent, etc. —Cr Parkhill reiterated what he had said about the building on a previous occasion. Cr Blank corroborated what Cr Parkhill said. Other Councillors also referred to the state of the roof. —'The matter of leasing the room to the Druids for ten years was left with the Finance Committee to report at next

meeting. R. Adamson applied for the lease of a small reserve in Davey Street at 10/- per annum free of rates. —Granted. A letter from the Secretary of the AVestland Memorial Committee giving the amount available for the erection of same, which was £2OO short of the required amount, and suggested that the Hokitika Borough and the Westland County provide £75 each ami Kumara and Ross boroughs £25 each.—Resolved that the matter be referred to the Finance Committee to re-

port. The Finance Committee recommended that meters bfc installed at the Mental Hospital and .Westland Hospital at the hospitals’ expense and that 1/6 per 1000 gallons be charged. Re the collection of Harbour Board rates the Committee recommended that the Council charge the Board the sum of £52 per annum to collect its rates.—Resolved that the Council adopt the recommendation, Cr Blank objecting to the Town Clerk collecting harbour rates during borough hours; recommending also that meters be placed at Mandi s Brewery and that 1/- per 1000 gallons bo charged. Cr Blank asked why the hospitals were to be charged 1/6 and tho brewery 1/-? — It was pointed out by tho Chairman that the hospitals were outside the borough, but the brewery was not and the owner was a ratepayer. Re tho water used during the past year the Town Clerk, was authorised to interview the manager of tho brewery. Cr Wood referred to the bad state of Fisherman’s Creek.—Jt was resolved to have it put in order* as soon as possible. Cr Parkhill drew the Council’s attention

to the neglected state of the Cemetery. —• It was resolved to leave the matter to the Reserves Committee. Cr Pilkington agajn referred to the spoil from drains being left at the side in heaps instead of being spread; he also drew attention to the state of a. lane leading off Revell Street near Johnston’s corner.

The Deputy-Mayor reminded the Council of the great amount of bicycle riding on footpaths that is done in the town to tho danger of pedestrians. After a. little discussion it was decided to rigidly enforce the by-laws dealing with this matter, and the public are to be notified to that effect.