MEETINGS, Etc.

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 August 1925, Page 2

MEETINGS, Etc.

S.I. MOTOR union, - ' (Per Press Association.) . ‘ ( UMARU, Au'guo.2& ' At 'the quartenly' meeting ’of the South Island Motor Union held here to-day, delegates- were present representing the districts, from Manoorougn io Invercargill. .Mr S. ; Hawkes presided. , A. letter .from, the,Minister cf. Internal-/Alfaips stated that the system of annual number plates had been carefully considered, and it had been decided to continue for anotner year- It was decided to leave the matter in the hands of the executive. Nelson Automobile Association wrote complaining of the inadequacy oi the trucking arrangements for cars at Otira. It was decided to ask the Railway Department to supply a hoist. The executive was instructed to arrange an insurance scheme for members of the Union, A suggestion from the North Island Motpy Union that inotor taxpayers should have equal representation to that of local bodies «n the Main

Highways Board, and that the latter be given power to compel local' bodies to bring main highways to the standard required by the Board, was approved. On a remit from Southland, it was decided to ask the Government for legislation making it compulsory tor drivers of vehicles to allow traffic approaching.,on the right at intersections, to have the right of way. On the suggestion of the South Canterbury Automobile Association it was decided- to adopt the Californian system of headlight adjustment. It was decided to hold the half yearly meeting at Dunedin on November 27. HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL. (Our Own Correspondent.) 4 . HOKITIKA, Aug. 29. The Hokitika Borough Council met last evening; present: The Mayor (Mr G. A. Perry). Crs 11. M. Coulson, Jas. King, A. R. Elcock. W. Jeffries,

F. S. Orr. ,G. Heinz, H. A. Blank. Apologies were made for the absence of Crs. Evans and Parry. The. Valuation Department advised that the Valuation Roll was ready and was being bound. The Secretary of the Rugby Union wrote, requesting the use of, Cass Square on September 16 for the match with South. Canterbury. The request was granted on the usual terms. Mrs Bade wrote asking permission to construct a gate across East Tudor Street, and complaining of carriers depositing rubbish along this street. —• Leave to erect a ten-foot gate to the satisfaction of the Overseer was granted. 1). Lynn and others, East Brittan Street, wrote asking to have a footpath constructed, and a light erected at the comei’ of .Brittan and Park Streets. — Or. Coulson thought this matter should be held over until, the Borough’s finances were considered. There were many things that should be done, but they would have to go slow this year.—Or. Heinz moved that the footpath be made.—This was supported by Cr. King, but the matter was ultimately held over. The Secretary of the Rugby Union

wrote enclosing £5/19/- , ten per cent of the takings at the gates at Cass Square. The Borough Treasurer reported receipts £lO6/8/10 ; payments £l3l/3/9 ; debit £BO5/0/8; credit loan account, £785/14/4. The Treasurer read the estimates for the ensuing year, and reported that by the new valuation the capital value of the Borough had been increased from £204,662 to £354,464, and the unimproved value increased from £60,810 to £82,801. lie recommended that the total rate struck be 1/2 in the B, being 2d less than last year, but with the increased valuation would bring in £7OO more. Cr. Coulson, in moving that the estimates be adopted, again counselled the Council to be very careful. Last year, he said, the Council started with a credit balance of £B5O. but ended with a debit of £l5O, which means that £lOOO more was spent than the revenue received, not including loan

money, of which £2500 was spent. Times were hard, and the Council would have to show enough stamina to say no to the numerous requests, or the rates would become a burden on the. ratepayers. Cr. Jeffries seconded. It was quite true, he said, that next year the Borough would have to pay a little more to the C.A. rate. This was no fault of the Borough, but the system of making the valuations, at different times by local bodies contiguous to each other. Matters would eventually right themselves. Like Cr. Coulson, lie believed the town would be “up against it” for the next year, and he endorsed his advice to go slow with expenditure. The increase in the capital value of the town was a cause for congratulation. It proved that the Borough had more than held its own. He thought the Town Clerk’s esti mates fair and equitable. The said the new valuations were very fair. Very few objections were being made. That was evidence there was substance in the place. T t was the duty of the Council however, to sen that the ratepayers were not over-burdened with taxation. The finances were not in a bad condition, but they could not go on at the same pace as last year. The motion was carried. \ telegram was- received from Cr. Evans suggesting that £lOO be put on

the-estimates for representation at the Dunedin Exhibition.—Cr Blank moved that the telegram be received, but no .action be taken, as all the other local bodies on the Coast had withdrawn their support. The Mayor pointed out that the Council had decided to meet the W-stland County Council and dis. cu-s the matter. Cr Jeffries referred tn the fluctuating light and asked if the sub-commit, tee appointed had any report to make on the lighting.—The Mayor said he, had seen the manager, who admitted that the light was erratic, but he was doing his best to rectify the matter, the company having installed other machinery. Cr Coulson expressed his pleasure in the f let that steps were being taken to regulate vehicular traffic. He moved that half a. dozen ‘‘silent policemen” be procured to assist in this direction. — Cr. Heinz seconded.— Cr. Bl ink reminded Cr. <'ouFon of the financial stringency.—Cr.‘Coulson re-nlh-d that if the “silent- policemen” preym-itM only one accident in ton years they were worth while.—Cr Orr supported Cr. Jeffries’ objection, saying if the by-laws were carried out there was no need for them.—Cr. Elcock supported, and the motion was carried. Cr. Elcock refe”red to the. bad milwav crossing in Weld Street. —Cr Orr paid the crossing was a disgrace to the town and be had only a, few days ano broken a snring at the crossing.—It roeclvel to write to the Railway Department concerning the crossing.