HOKITIKA NOTES

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 September 1924, Page 4

HOKITIKA NOTES

BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING (Own Correapondent) HOKITIKA, September 13. The’Hokitika Borough Council met last evening. Present: The Mayor (Mr. G. A. Perry) and Crs. H. M. Coulson, Jas. King, D. J. Evans, W. Jeffries, R. F. Perham, W. D. Mackay, G. Heinz. Letters were received from Mrs. Fitzsimmons, asking permission* to erect a verandah at Westland Opwa House.—Granted on usual terms. Residents South Tancred Street, wrote complaining of incomplete drainage in that locality.—Cr. Heinz said that the present drain was' blocked and recommended blowing it out. The Mayor said that he found the grating choked with paper and rubbish, and once it was cleared the water got away. The matter of draining Tancred Street would be attended to later. The Westland Branch, Canterbury Automobile Association, wrote requesting that parking places for cars be selected.—Cr. Evans said cars should not be parked in front of the theatre, because it was a danger in case of a stampede. Cr. Perham said there should be more parking places in the town. Cr. Coulson supported the request, but would like to Anow if a light was required on a car in a parking place. Cr. Evans moved that Crs. Perham’ Coulson and Heinz be a committee to go into the matter respecting parking places, and confer with the police.— Carried.

The Valuation Department wrote asking resulC of report on revaluation of South Hokitika. —Cr. Jeffries moved that after repeated requests the Valuation Department having failed to grant a revaluation of the Hokitika Borough with valid reason the Council now appeal to the Prime Minister for a revaluation. —Seconded by Cr. Perham and carried. A letter was received from the N.Z. Refrigerating Coy. Christchurch, objecting to pay 1/6 per carcase of sheep; to send them into the Hokitika Abattoir district. A later letter agreed to pay 1/- for each carcase sent into the Hokitika Abattoir district. This was accepted by the Council. Mr. W. Houston, South Hokitika, wrote thanking the Council for repairing the road and enclosed £2 2s towards the cost. —Received with thanks.

Cr. Perham asked that the South Spit road receive attention, and enumerated the sections of the com- J inunity that use it. Cr.'Perham succeeded in obtaining authority for the' expenditure of £2O on the road. The Diggers’ Sawmilling Coy. Ltd. wrote asking the Council to move in the matter of getting the permission of the Minister to allow sawdust to be run /into the river. The'letter stated that the Company had been prosecuted for doing so, and pointed out that the industry would be retarded if permission is not given. Cr. Evans moved that the letter be sent on to the Minister of Marine With the Council’s recommendation for favourable consideration. The Mayor seconded .and said that Westland was different from other parts of the Dominion. Sawmilling was one of its chief industries and would be„ because the Forestry Department are carrying out reafforestation. Cr. Coulson said the Council should move very carefully in the matter. The sawmills were not going to be crippled because they cannot run sawdust into the river. The value of whitebait caught was considerable. He was not sure that the Council was . acting wisely in carrying such a resolution. The Inspector of Fisheries had now the matter in hand and he was the best judge to know if any injury would be done. The Mayor said that he would like to disabuse Cr. Coulson’s mind on the question of sawmills. Most of the mills were doing no more than paying expenses. Their financial troubles were many

Cr Perham said that there was no earthly reason why sawdust should not be put into the river The sawmillers were harassed enough already. The motion was carried. '

A request was received from the Westland Rugby League Committee, for the use of Cass Square on September 20, at 3 p.m. to give an exhibition League match. Proceeds to go to the hospitalz-j-Cr. Jeffries moved that the request be granted. Seconded by .the Mayor. Cr. Coulson said he thought the Rugby Union had two fixtures on that afternoon.

The matter was subsequently left with Cr. Coulson (a membei' of the Rugby Union) to arrange. The Treasurer reported receipts amounting to £427 6s 8d; payments £612 4s 7d; debit, £540 Us lOd; Cr. Loan Account, £975 6s 6d. Accounts amounting to £703 18s 8d were passed for payment. The Manager of the Abattoirs (J. Jarman) reported animals slaughtered during the month: IS cows, 13 heifers, 67 bullocks, 88 sheep, 11 pigs, 9 calves; condemned: 2 cows, 1 sheep. Fees received £56 17s. The sexton’s report was received and adopted. Cr. Heinz suggested that specifications for the contract for the Bealey Street drain be prepared at once. .. The Town Clerk stated that the engineer had gone into the matter and reported to him.

Cr. Jeffries objected to a verbal report. It should have been put in writing. The Council had nothing to refer back to if the occasion arose. It was finally decided to ask thfe engineer to prepare specifications and that tenders be called immediately they are ready. Cr. Coulson drew the Council’s attention to the state of the Town Clock which would collapse if something were not done to it soon; also the clock has been going; slow which was a serious matter for people going by train. He knew of instances where passengers missed’ the train through the town clock being slow. It was resolved that the P.W. Committee have repairs carried out immediatqlyi

A vote of thanks was recorded to Miss M. Davies for a weeping ash for Cass Square. The matter of the public pound was brought up by Cr. Evans, and on his motion it was resolved that the pound be demolished and the material stored until required on a new site.