HOKITIKA

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 June 1922, Page 2

HOKITIKA

(Own Correspondent.) HOKKITIKA, June 17. The Hokitika Borough Council met last evening; present: The Mayor (Mr G. Ferry), Crs. H. M. Coulson, G. A. Wood, F. McGregor, F. Feiham, G. Pilkington, Jas. King, H. Blank and A. Parkhill. The Department of Health wrote respecting a couple of hotels.—Received and no action taken. The Westland County ■ Council wrote stating that Arthur’s Town road had been completed and enclosing details of cost.—Received. The Westland Chamber of Commerce wrote reminding the Council of a resolution to float, a small loan for improvements to streets. —Received. r l he Westland County Council wrote stating the charge for use of the County lorry was £6 for a day of eight hours.— The matter was referred to the Public Works Committee. J. McQuilkin wrote asking for a transfer x of water right from T. Robinson to himself.—The request was granted at a fee of £2 per annum. R. Lynn wrote giving particulars of the town clock being out of repair and in a dangerous condition.—Resolved that the Borough Overseer inspect the clock and report. The Government Statistician wrote asking that a uniform permit for building be enforced.—Held oyer. Cr J. Lloyd wrote resigning his position as Chairman of the Public Works Committee, owing to ill-health.—The Mayor and Councillors expressed regret, and Cr Lloyd was given three months’ leave of absence, and the resignation to be deferred, Cr McGregor to act as chairman in the meantime. John V. Hall wrote applying for a second-hand dealer’s license. —License to be issued. The Westland Acclimatisation Society wrote asking for £lO 10s promised last year. —Amount to be paid. The Hokitika Harbour Board wrote stating that the Board had agreed to adopt the system of rating on unimproved values.—Received. The Manager of the Abattoirs reported having examined the carcass of 10 cows, 26 bullocks, 296 sheep, 9 lambs, 11 pigs, 10 calves, condemned nil; fees £73 5s 6d. The Overseer reported having located several leaks in the water mains on Tucker Flat. These were repaired and the flow is now normal; also reporting on borough works. Cr Woo/l reported that the sub-com-mittee rec’ommended it was inadvisable to go in for motor traction at present. Cr F. McGregor moved" that the Borough Council undertake the raising of a loan of £5300, spread over four years, for undertaking permanent works. The ordinary revenue was not sufficient to carry on maintenance work ana undertake other necessary work. Cr Coulson seconded the resolution and said it may be necessary to tabulate the works to be done before the loan can be raised. Posterity should assist in paying for those works. As the total amount is not to be spent at once, the burden on the ratepayers would be very light. Cr Perham supported the resolution. If works are undertaken, he said, it will assist in finding employment for men. Cr King would support the loan if the list of works were tabulated.

Cr Blank also supported the motion. Cr Wood supported the motion, and thought that a new town hall should be included in the list of works. A mandate had already been received from the people for the new municipal building. Cr Pilkington had pleasure in supporting the resolution. Regarding the scheduling of works for the loan he recalled difficulties in the way of this. However, a general list would let the ratepayers'see what they were voting for. The Mayor said that a tabulated list was necessary. He- did not believe in expecting posterity to bear the burden they should bear. He thought it would be better to increase the rates, say a halfpenny in the pound and thus raise another £4OO and put this to repairing footpaths, etc. A special rate will have to be struck if a loan were raised. The motion was put and carried unanimously. It was resolved that a sub-committee consisting of Crs.' Coulsqh, Pilkington, and King go into the matter of obtaining a loan or issuing debentures. * OP3 McGregor, Wood, Coulson, King and Blank were elected a committee to compile a list of works required. Cr Blank brought forward the matter of having a drain made in Park Street, also a lamp erected there.-It was Resolved that the lamp be erected and the drainage work done for £l5. ■ Cr Wood moved that the Council write to the Mental Hospital authorities stating that the price of water from the Borough supply will be 1/3 per 1000 gallons.Seconded by Cr King and carried. Cr Coulson asked if there were anything governing the traffic on the road - such as driving on the wrong side.—lt was resolved that the attention of, the police and. the Borough Inspector be drawn to the matter. , Cr Parkhill again drew the Councils attention to the state of the cemetery.— It was resolved that the Reserves Committee draw up a contract for urgent work to be done and call for tenders for same. ,