HOKITIKA COUNCIL

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 August 1928, Page 8

HOKITIKA COUNCIL

ORDINARY & SPECIAL MEETINGS

(Our Own Correspondent.)

HOKITIKA, August 25.

The Hokitika Borough Council met last evening. Present: The Mayor (Mr G. A. Perry), Crs W. Jeffries, T. AV. Duff, A. R. Elcock, A. C. Armstrong, Jas.' King, E. W. Heenan, E. Teichelmann, G. Heinz, D. J. Evans. A special meeting to consider and finally settle the balance-sheet for the year ending March 31, 1928, was held. On the motion of the Mayor, it was resolved- that the balance-sheet be signed as settled. The tender of the “Guardian and Times” Company for printing the balance-sheet was accepted. Miss Murdoch, and Messrs J. A. and John Murdoch, jun., wrote acknowledging resolution of sympathy. The Commissioner of Crown Lands wrote re gravel reserve No. 801, Town, of Hokitika.—Received and resolved that the necessary action be taken to have the reserve converted into an ordinary reserve. The District Engineer of the Railway Department wrote intimating that they had installed an electric pump, and will in future pump most of the water required for railway purposes from a well at the engine shed; and further, that the connection to the tanks near Weld Street will be disconnected, but that the other two connections will still be required.—Consideration held over.

Mr T. A. Breeze, Hampden Street, wrote asking that water* tables fronting his residence be cleared, and the footpath receive attention. —Referred to P.W. Committee to act.

The Hon. Secretary All Saints’ Hall Committee wrote asking for water service connection with the new social hall in Fitzherbert Street. —Request granted. The Valuer-General forwarded particulars of the values of rateable and non-rateable lands within the Borough as at March 31, 1928. — The Sanitary Inspector wrote asking that he be informed whenever wood-box drains in the Borough streets are replaced with concrete pipes, so that he can see that the connections of house drains are made in accordance with the by-law.

The Town Clerk, Mosgiel, wrote asking that in regard to Hospital and Charitable Aid Board levies and management, that this Council pass the following resolutions, which should be forwarded to the Member for this District :—l. “That the Government should devise isome new method of raising this rate.” 2. “That every contributing body should have more direct representation on the particular Hospital Board for which the rate is to be levied.—Received ; cannot get better representatives than on the Westland Board.

The Secretary of the Hokitika Harbour Board forwarded resolution striking harbour rates for the year ending October 1, 1927, and ending on September 30, 1928. The harbour rate struck is 2d in the £ on the unimproved value of all rateable property within the Borough of Hokitika, and is payable on September 26, 1928, and subject to 5 per cent rebate if paid within thirty days. Accounts amounting to £466 Is 4:1 were passed for payment. The Town Clerk reported that 11’ necessary notices had been given re striking the rates (ordinary and special). The Mayor moved that the rates be struck, whidh was carried.

DIAMOND JUBILEE. At the invitation of the Council a number of citizens, including ex-coun-cillors, were present at the Town Hall to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of the Borough. Included in the number was Mr W. A. Thompson, the oldest councillor in Hokitika. Apologies for absence were received from. Mr J. A. Murdoch, Hon. H. L. Michel, Mr Parfitt (ex-Mayors of Hokitika and Greymouth respectively) and Mi* J. Lloyd. The Mayor (Mr Perry) said this event took their memories back many years. There was only one of the old councillors there, viz., Mr W. A. Thompson, whom he heartily welcomed. It was pleasing to see him well enough to be present. The Mayor l ead a record showing the many duties o£ the Town Clerk in the eai-ly days. After referring to the quick rise of the town, he said if it had not made much progress lately it had not gone back. Gold mining, was not so prominent, but there were more staple industries. He trusted the town would continue to grow and prosper. Mr Seddon, M.P., said it was not too easy io get away from Wellington. He was very pleased to be here, as he had been associated with the town for a long time.’ He referred "to the correct spelling of the name of the town, wffiich some contend is “Okitika. ” The Maoris, however, say the former is correct. The .Government were endeavouring to find out the correct spelling of various Maori names. Mr Seddon referred to the pioneering of the town, and mentioned several of the men who did so much good in municipal work. He also referred to the test that is being made with New Zealand timbers for the malting of wood pulp paper. Many kinds of wood that are now discarded will be used in the manufacture of wood pulp, also the tops of trees and the tons of slabs that now get burned. The people of Westland should bestir themselves in this matter. Mr Seddon also referred to the farming ol Westland and its prospects. The scenic attraction of the West Coast, however, was one of its greatest assets, and. the Highways Board had instructed that the Bridges on the South. Road be constructed as soon as possible. He predicted that there will be a record number of tourits next year. He was pleased to see Air Thompson, as he represented the first councillors who did so much for the town.

Air E. A. AVelJs (County Chairman) tendered his congratulations to the Borough on attaining its Diamond Jubilee. Air Wells referred io the good services of Messrs Afichel ami I’erry (Mayors), who had never taken anv i emu aeration for their services.

Mr \V. A. 'Thompson, on rising, was received with applause. He said he was grateful to the Mayor and Councillors for giving him the privilege ol agaim sitting round the old table. They were strenuous days. -The Council had not the finances and could not do the works that were badly wanted. .During this -municipal day he made many friends. and also many enemies. (Laughter). The most valuable piece of work the Council did in his day was the Livingstone Street drain. Mr Thompson made mention of former

Mayors. Most of them were not orators but were good men. He again expressed pleasure at being present. Mr Bruce, former Mayor of Ross and County Chairman, said it was about 40 years since he came to Hokitika in the old Waipara. He had seen a marked improvement in Hokitika, more particularly in the people’s dwellings. There were other direetions in which the town had improved. The Beautifying Association was a very useful body and had done valuable work. The water supply also received his eulogy. He suggested that many ratepayers would rather pay extra rates than vote for another loan. Mr Bruce said that Hokitika had. been singularly fortunate in the men who had managed its municipal affairs. In conclusion, he wished the town continued prosperity. Mr H. M. Coulson (ex-Deputy Mayor) expressed his pleasure in being present. He had lived the best part of his life in Hokitika, and for twenty years of that time he had sat around the council table. At times some apathy had been shown by electors in elections. He had always found tire Hokitika Borough Council a clean and wholesome body, and had always done his best. He was pleased to have been associated with men who had sat around that table. He referred to the wonderful growth of the place in the early days and its subsequent rapid decline, but they now looked forward to steady progress. There was much one could say on occasions like that. While the council was continuous, each councillor was but a link of that continuity. He hoped when another Jubilee arrived the then councillors will be able to refer to the present councillors in a similar way in which they referred to the pioneers that day. The Mayor then moved a formal resolution to the effect that a record be placed on the minutes about the gathering, with the names of the old councillors present. The Mayor invited all present to Mclntosh’s club room, where an hour’s conviviality was spent.