HOKITIKA NOTES

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 May 1925, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING. (Our Own Correspondent.) .- t j f- rk • HOKI’fIKA, May 9. The Hokitika Borough Council met last evening. Present: The Alayor (Air G, A< Perry), and Crs. J. King, A. R. Elcbck, D< J. Evans, W. Jeffries, D. IL Orr, G; Heinz, IL T. Parry, H. Blank abd H.-. At. CotilsoiL . Thb /Cduficiilors lidvihg made the usual debliti'atiofl, the' Alayor welcomed the previous coimcillors back again aiid the new councillors. • The Alayor referred to' the straitened finances of tile Council, and advised going warily (lifting the year. There may be a little increase in tlie rating value; which would be a little assistance. The water supply had been a drain on the finances during the past j?ix or eight months. The Council should apply itself to obtaining a superabundance of gbod waieSi-j wliitih wafe necessary for household; fife and health purposes. Hei trusted all woilld wOtli with the utmost good feeling. Cr Coulson congratulated the Alayot on his return to the civic chair. He had' sat under him at the table for 18 years, and the Alayor had always had the respect and esteem of the rate; payers liild Council. Reiierring to the finances he-? said that the Council should live within its means. There was not much left of the loan to be expended, but he hoped that it would be expended.on works originally intended. The Council resolved itself into a special meeting, 'When it was resolved that the balance-sheet be finally settled and printed: On the motion of the Alayor, it was resolved to place on record the appreciation of the Council of the services rendered by retiring councillors, viz., Crs. J. Lloyd, G. A. AVood, R. F. PerJiam and AV. D. Alackay. The Secretary to the Prime Alinister wrote thanking the Council for telegram of sympathy in the Prime Alinister’s illness.

P. Devaney wrote applying for license for a billiard room.—'Granted. The Kanieri Electric, Limited, wrote thanking the Council for their request re water supply. T. Johnston, wrote asking that the footpath in front of the Opera House be asphalted. —Referred to 'the Public AVorks Committee, with power to act. • ■ T. AV. Duff wrote applying for right of occupancy reserve previously held by i the late Airs Neilson. —Granted. J. Gieze, K. AVallace, AV. L. Shand, and AV., J. Rowe each wrote agreeing to pay £1 per annum for portions of the reserve. —Offers accepted. The Aledical Officer of Health wrote stating that samples of water for analysis from the borough water supply would be taken. The Buller Progress League wrote asking co-oepration in having the road from AVestport v>a Brighton completed as early as possible. Cr Jeffries moved that the Council support the proposal. The matter was very important, as it will put HokL tika. within four hours’ reach of AVestport.—Seconded by Cr Parry and carried.

Drs McKibbin and Telford wrote asking to meet the Council to discuss sewerage, etc., at 4 p,m. on Monday next.

Cr Parry asked if the estimates and plan of a sewerage scheme were prepared by an export?—The Mayor replied in the affirmative. The Buller County Council wrote suggesting that a conference of local bodies be held to decide as to what is to be done with motor license fees. Cr Evans said it was not advisable to do as the Buller County suggested. He suggested that a committee be set up 'to coitfer with the County to consider how -the fees are to be divided. The Mayor approved of this suggestion.

It was resolved that the matter be referred to a committee consisting of the Alayor and Crs. Coulson and Orr. The Secretary of the Rugby Union wrote applying, for permission to erect a. barrier between the playing fields Io prevent people crowding and getting in the way.—Request granted. AV. Groufsky and several others wrote complaining of the bad state of a drain in North Street. —Referred to the Public AAforks Committee, with power to act. The Sexton wrote applying for his ann-ual holidays.—Granted. The Treasurer reported receipts £256 5s 6d, payments £586 0s 6d, debit £437 10s Id, Cr. Loan Account £lO9B 2s sd. The Abattoirs Alanager (Air J. Jarman) reported carcases examined during the month, 31 cows, 56 heifers, 40 bullocks, 267 sheep, 37 lambs, 23 pigs, 18 calves; condemned 2 cows, 1 pig; fees received £B3 Ils 6d, compared with £B5 16s 6d for the same- month last year. The Overseer reported on work done at the pipe line and throughout the tow ii.

It’ was decided that the Overseermake arrangements with someone at Kanieri Forks to remove leaves, etc., li-om the intake there. Ci- Coulson was re-elected DeputyM a yor. Hhe Mayor moved that the whole Council be the Finance Committee. . Cr Evans suggested a small committee, as also did Crs Heinz and Parry. Cr Coulson seconded the Mayor’s motion, which was also supported strongly by Cr Jeffries. The motion was carried on a division, Crs Evans, Heinz and Parry dissenting. Cr Evans moved that the Council meet the night before each meeting to Consider finance. Cr Heinz seconded, and Cr Parry supported. It wa sultimately resolved to meet at 7 o’clock on the night of the regular meeting. The following committees were elected:—public Works—-Crs Blank, Heinz, King, Orr, Cr Blank chairman. Reserves —Crs Evans, Heinz, Orr and Elcock, Cr Evans chairman. Fire Board representatives—Hon. 11. L. Michel, Crs. Coulson and Elcock. Library—Crs Evans, Coulson and King. Cr Coulson chairman. High School Board representative—Cr King. Cheque-signing—Crs King, Blank, Elcock and Jeffries. Cr Evans referred to the departure of Dr Buchanan and to the splendid work he had done at the Mental Hospital both in the surroundings and for the benefit of the patients. He moved I hat a letter of appreciation be sent to ,Dr Buchanan. —Seconded by Cr Coulson. who said he was associated with Dr Buchanan in rousing public indignation at the state that existed on the doctor’s arrival. The motion was carried unanimously.