MEETINGS, Etc.

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 September 1925, Page 2

MEETINGS, Etc.

HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL : The Hokitika Borough Council met last evening. Present: The Mayor, (Mn Cj< 4'. Perry), Crs. H. M, Coulson, JaS.' Kiilg, A, H. Elcock, D. J. Evans, W, Jeffries, Orr/ dr Heinz, H. A. Blank. Cr. Evans apologised for the absence of Or. Parry, .; • ’ The Kanleri Electric Limited wrote stating that the Company is doing everything in its power to improve thft ( lighting r .of the town.—-The Mayor said the reply was. very satisfactory. The light. Had been much improved. ' The Marine' Department wrote stating that the charge tor shingle on the beach had been reduced to 4d per yard and 6d for sand, and it was advisable that shingle be not removed at the rear of the town; A. Nancekivell wrote complaining of the drainage near his residence, Stafford Street—Cr. Blank said that something should be done. £5 should be sufficient for the work.'. The matter was referred to the Public , Works Committee. ‘ R. K. Blair wrote asking for use of Town Hall for evangelistic services. —Granted op usual conditions. The Secretary Harbour Board wrote giving permission to dump rubbish in hole behind Wharf screening.—Reference was made by Cr. Evans to the bad state of the rubbish dump. The Mayor aaid .it was not half so bad as the rubbish dump at Greymouth.— Cr. Qrr: “We do not take a cue from Greymouth.” The District Engineer Railways, wrote stating that the question of Water supply was receiving consideration. Mrs. Kavanagh wrote re leas.eof reserve. The Treasurer reported receipts amounting to £5OO/9/2; payments £6l/10/6; debit £479/12/6; credit loan account £614/3/9. The Finance Committee recommended that in order to give effect to the resolution of the Finance Committee, the P.W. Committee recommended that the staff be reduced to three, with the following salaries: Working Foreman (instead of overseer) £2O; horse and drayman £lB, one permanent labourer £l7/10/- (all per calendar month), anil that in order to give effect to the recommendation Mr. Gibbons be given one month’s notice of the termination of his engagement; that casual labour he employed but only on the authority of the Public Works Committee through its chairman, that a neW schedule of duties be drawn up for the staff including the sexton and gardener. Cr. Coulson said the step was not meant as a reflection on the staff but to conserve the revenue of the Council. The loan money was almost expended. The retrenchment would mean a saving of from £360 to £4OO a year.—The recommendation was approved. Cr, Coulson said the Sewell Street drain had been again caving in, and was in a worse condition than he thought. Cr. Blank said the drain was costing more than .a new drain would cost. They had saved £lOO by pot spending it on the Dunedin Exhibition. Cr. Jeffries: “Well call it the t Exhibition drain, then.” On the suggestion of Cr. Evans it was resolved to obtain an estimate of the cost, and ascertain if 18in. pipes will, carry the water. Cr. Heinz said it was decided to do the work months ago, but the waterworks required the attention and finance of the Council, therefore it was shelved. Cr. Jeffries objected to any of the loan< money being used for the work as • what remained was ear-marked for tar-sealing. The Mayor said that the Council had the right to raise another £lOOO but thought the drain could be done out of ordinary revenue. Cr. Coulson reported he had conferred With the police re a parking place convenient to the theatre. The sergeant approved of cars being parked on the south side of Gibson Quay being Fitzherbert and Tancred streets. —It was resolved that the report be adopted and given effect to. The said that he would take steps to see that cars are not left in front of the Princess Theatre. Cn. Evans referred to the need of a lamp half way up Cemetery Road for the benefit of the Mental Hospital attendants. The Mayor said that no revenue was obtained from the 'mental hospital. The Council could give permission to ■the mental hospital authorities to erect a lamp at the corner half way up.—This suggestion was agreed to.‘ Cr. Heinz referred to the state of the footpaths, which he said were in a worse state than eVer. Cr. Blank vigorously resented the statement, stating that during Cr. Heinz’s chairmanship, he had spent all the money and showed nothing for it after depleting the finances. Cr. Heinz again rose and he and Cr. Blanlc showed some hoat, both talking simultaneously. The Mayor called them to order and the wrangle stopped. A tender of £2O was received from J. Coyle for the gravelling of a footpath in Brittan Street This was accepted as also was his tender of £22/10/- (the only one in each instance) i'oij the construction of footpath and drain in Davie Street. Cr. Blank asked if the Council bad any power to prevent smoke nuisances; if offenders could be compelled to erect smoke stacks? The Bowling Club objected to the nuisance from the Central Dairy Factory, and a letter was to have -been sent to the Council. Sonic two years ago the

manager had promised, to put up a stack, but nothing had been done. The Mayor said the Council could do nothing but persons aggrieved could take action if they desired. Cr. Jeffries asked what had become of the “silent policeman.” Cr. J. Coulson said he was perfectly serious-about the matter. It was to prevent accidents. Cr. Blank referred to a narrowescape he had at the clock tower by a car taking the wrong side. (