MEETINGS

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 December 1933, Page 12

MEETINGS

HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL. [OUB OWN CORRESPONDENT.] HOKITIKA, December 9. The Hokitika Borough Council met last evening. Present: The Mayor (Air G. A. Perry), Crs. Jas. King, T. W. Duff, A. C. Armstrong, G. Heinz, iVt. McGavin, D. P. Stuart, A. J. Thompson, Dr. Teichelmann. A,n apology was received for the absence o! Cr. Elcock. Tho New Zealand' Refrigerating Co. wrote that the following quantities of meat were delivered into Hokitika during the month of October, 1933: — 84 sheep, 27 lambs. The Chairman of No. 12 District Highways Council, Grey mouth, wrote that in future no subsidy is to be paid to local authorities in respect of travelling allowances to grader drivers, etc.; also asking that in view of increased traffic through the holiday Season, that highways be maintained in good condition; also intimating that the Highways Board, will subsidise on the basis of ordinary maintenance subsidy rate, reasonable expenses incurred by local authorities or by recognised automobile organisations in erecting and maintaining certain traffic signs and signposts. The Town Clerk and' Treasurer applied for annual leave from December 21 until January 2,0 next. The Westland - Dairy Co., Ltd-, applied under, the Dangerous Goods Regulation 31 (b) to install an open compound depot for the storage of petrol on Reserve No. 630 at the corner of Weld and Brittan streets.—Approved, subject to regulations. H. L. Barltrop applied for domestic water service connection to Section 397, Rolleston Street North.—Work approved by the Town Clerk and completed by Foreman. . Mrs A. Veale wrote asking that the open drain in front of her residence in Sale Street, and the depression alongside, be filled in, so that a lawn can be made. The Secretary of the Hokitika Fire Board wrote, asking the Council to appoint a Commissioner under Section 35 of the Fire Brigades Act, 1926, to administer the Capital Expenditure Fqnd.—Resolved that the Mayor be appointed; also, enquiring when action will be taken in regard to the extension of water mains in Sewell Street and in Park Street. —Resolved that the necessary .steps be taken to procure the material for doing the work. The Hon. Secretary of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, Hokitika, forwarded a resolution passed by that Association, regretting the fact that no official arrangements were made for the observance of Armistice Day, and hoping that on future occasions the day will be fittingly observed. — The Mayor explained that hitherto official notice had been received to observe the two minutes’ ’silence, but on this occasion nothing had been received, therefore the bell w T as not rung.

The Certifying Officer, Hokitika, wrote that in regard to Unemployment Scheme No. 5, the amount payable in any week to single men is 51/11, to married men, with up to two children, 19/9; and to married men. With over two children, 29/8; and that where a worker through insufficient funds does not receive the maximum relief in one week, the maximum cannot be exceeded in any of the following weeks to make up the deficiency. The Borough Treasurer reported receipts amounting to £323/3/1, payments £599/8/6, credit balance £133 2/6.

Accounts amounting to £lO6B/11/were passed for payment.

The Finance Committee recommended that the Town Clerk’s holidays be from December 21 to January 20, and that Mr W. E. Gaylor be acting Town Clerk. The Borough offices will close from December 23 to January 3. The Foreman reported on the work done in the borough and on the pipe line, also that the average depth of water in the reservoir was 4ft. 2in. The Abattoirs Manager reported stock slaughtered; Four cows, 21 heifers, 60 bullocks, 304 sheep, 59 lambs, 7 pigs, 5 calves; condemned — 1 bullock, 1 pig.- Fees received £6l 17/6. compared' with £55/10/- for the same period last year. The usual resolution concerning the registration of dogs was passed, and the tender of Mr A. W. Yarrall for dog collars was accepted. The Town Clerk reported having received some samples of South African grass for planting on the beach.

On the suggestion of Cr. King, it was resolved that the footpath at the curve between Fitzherbert Street and the Quay be attended to, as it is flooded from water from the railway use there.

Cr. Thompson drew the Council’s attention to grass growing through one of the tar-sealed paths at the cemetery.—lt was resolved to have another coat of tar put on. Cr. Armstrong referred to an evilsmelling drain in Park Street, and suggested piping. It was pointed out that as there was no sewerage system there it would be unwise anti more dangerous to pipe the drain. Open drains are more healthy. Cr. Heinz pointed out that a drain from the Mental grounds falling over the side of the hill near the cemetery road is cutting away the hill and is a menace to the road. Cr. Thompson .also referred to the drain.—lt was resolved that the P.W. Committee confer with the Medical Superintendent of the Mental Hospital with a view to obviating the threatened damage. It was reported that Mrs Coyle was the successful tenderer for a supply of pit gravel for the swimming baths, and that the cost of timber and other material would be about £9. Cr. McGavin said he was a member of the Swimming Club and had not been consulted. He objected to any man giving his friends jobs on what is a borough property. He protested against a tomahawk carpenter getting the work when there were tradesmen out of Work.

The. Town Clerk said the only labour found by the Council was a Couple of unemployed men. The Swimming Club found their own labour.

Cr. McGavin again protested that he had not been consulted, and said the job was an eyesore. Cr. King considered good work was' being done. The Mayor said it was out of the Council’s hands. LOYAL GREYMOUTII LODGE. There was a good attendance of members at the fortnightly meeting of the Loyal Greymouth Lodge, M.U.I. 0.0. F., last evening, N.G. Bro. Fairhall presiding. -A large volume of correspondence was handled, and reports on sick brethren were received. <

Seasonal greetings were received from D.G.M. Bro. A. D. Robertson. Blackball, and from the Loyal Greymouth Junior Lodge. Arrangements were made for the annual Christmas Tree and the dispensing of cheer to necessitous cases. The installation of officers for the ensuing term was carried out by P.D.G.M. Bro. F. Congreve, with P.G. Bro. E. R. Fell as conductor, the following being installed: N.G., Bro. H #

Lindbom; V.G., Bro. V. D. Stevens; E.S.. Bro. J. Larcoumbe; G.. Bro. J. R. Brailsford; W.. Bro. J. Allen; I.P.N.G. Bro. Fairhall; Financial Secretary, Bro. J. F. Laing. s P.G. Bro. J. Robertson was appointed as sick visitor. Au honorary member was elected to membership. Subsequent to the transaction of business, an enjoyable social was held. The principal toast was that of the retiring Financial Secretary, Bro. Ashley Warnes, and Mrs Warnes. In presenting the toast, P.G. Bro. W. A. Clark paid a tribute to the enthusiasm Bro. Warnes had shown in caring for the interests of the Lodge. His undoubted ability had been proved on many occasions, and lie had given of his best in open lodge and he had rendered yeoman service behind the scenes on committees. A wide knowledge of the affairs of the lodge and! Ordei- had been brought to the work and the best thanks of the members were due to Bro. Warnes, and also to Mrs Warnes, who had sacrificed much in her home life to the interests of the Lodge. Bro. Clark bespoke the same support for the new secretary (Bro. Laing) as had been given to his predecessor. P.G. Bro. Robertson, in supporting the toast, referred eulogistically to Bro. Warnes an an Oddfellow, who was imbued with the highest ideals of the Order. A man of infinite patience, tactful and generous to a fault, Bro. Warnes had endeared himself to the visitors who came into contact with him. Personally, the speaker was more than grateful to Bro. Warnes for many kindnesses shown. Oddfellowship in its deepest sense had always been exemplified in the retiring secretary, and his many friends in the Order regretted exceedingly his resignation.

P.G. Bro. L. S. Green referred to the pleasant associations members who left Greymouth, had with Bro. Warnes.

P.D.G.M. Bro. Congreve spoke of the ability Bro. Warnes had shown in dealing with. agreements and the private work of tlie Lodge. The past few 1 ypars had been difficult, but the tact, sympathy, understanding and geniality of the secretary had surmounted many obstacles. Only those most intimately associated with Bro. Warnes knew anything of the volume of work he performed for the Lodge, and all regretted his resignation. P.G. Bro. 11. Seddon dealt with Bro. Warnes’ service to the sick and the needy. Many a member had gone to the secretary and had received a cheery smile, a happy lift and the road had always been made easier by I the easing of the burden. Bro. Warnes was inclined to hide his light behind a bushel but Kis greatest monu-

ment. was in the cherished memories many a “lame dog” would ever retain. Bro. Jackson referred to the pleasure it gave outside associations and organisations to deal with Bro. Warnes. The toast was honoured with verve and the musical ode of the Order. Bro. Warnes thanked the members for • their tributes, and assured the Lodge that he would continue to take an active interest in the meetings. Pressure of work had compelled him to relinquish the secretaryship and it was hard to break the happy tie between himself and the members. He would assist his successor to the utmost and he appealed to the members to rally round and support Bro. Laing. Other toasts honoured were: “The Officers,” proposed by P.D.G.M. Bro. Congreve, and replies by the officers: “The Junior Lodge,” proposed by P.G. Bro. L. S. Green, and reply by P.G. Bro. Robertson; “New Members,” proposed by Bros. Congreve, Green and Seddon, and replies by Bros. E. Brailsford and O. Jackson. Musical items and stories were interspersed in the programme and a pleasant function concluded at midnight.