MEETINGS

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 October 1934, Page 2

MEETINGS

HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

[OHB OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

HOKITIKA, October 20.

The monthly meeting of the Hokitika Borough Council was held last evening. Present: The Mayor (Mr G. A. Perry), Crs. T. W. Duff, J. Cuttance, Jas. King, A. C. Armstrong, A. J. Thompson, Dr. Teichelmann. Apologies for absence were received from Crs. D. P. Stuart, A. R. Elcock, and G. Heinz.

The following correspondence ..wds dealt with: — F. W. Chesterman, Borough foreman, Application for annual leave when convenient. —Granted. W. Connor, slaughterman, application for annual leave to be taken towards the end of November.—Granted. The Chairman No. 12 District Highways Council, Greymouth, wrote advising that the Highways Board are prepared to take over the work of preparation and sealing of the highway through the borough, a distance of 1 mile 54 chains, if the Council will undertake to pay an estimated amount of £450/10/-, plus about £l5, for supervision of the preparation and sealing. The sum of £lOO to be paid immediately, and the balance of the amount to be paid on demand by the Highways Board immdiately ' after March 31, 1935, so that the greater portion of the cost will be a charge against the revenue of the Hokitika Borough Council for the yeai- 1935-36. —Agreed. The New Zealand Alpine and Rock Garden Society, Inc., wrote, intimating that a small parcel of alpine plants had been forwarded for planting in the public gardens. —The plants had been placed in charge of Dr. Teichelmann.

The Secretary of the Municipal Association of New Zealand wrote, advising that the next annual conference of delegates will be held in Christchurch at the beginning of March, 1935. The Royal Humane Society of New Zealand wrote, forwarding particulars of the Society’s activities and balance-sheet for the past five years, and asking for a monetary grant.— Resolved to vote one guinea. ( The Minister of Internal Affairs wrote, advising that His Royal Highness, the Duke of Gloucester, will arrive at Hokitika by rail from Greymouth. on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 1935. The Government feel sure that it is the desire of the Council to tender a fitting welcome to our Royal guest, and invites the Council to submit as early as possible a draft programme of the Council’s proposals for his reception. The Government will subsidise and arrange' for the validation of any reasonable expenditure in connection with the visit, the maximum subsidy in the case of Hokitika being £ls.— Arrangements made approved. Mr F. W. Fane and four others wrote asking that the remaining portion of the footpath in Revell Street, on the w r est side to Park Street, be kerbed, and offering to provide five bags of cement towards the work. — Resolved that the work be done.

The Secretary of the Returned Soldiers’ Association wrote respecting the payment of half-rates for the current year.—lt was pointed out that the Auditor insists that full rates be paid in accordance with statutes, also that the license fee must be paid. This opened up the wider question of other halls, the Council decided that if these are let for outside purposes the license fee must be paid. It was resolved also that an inspection be made of all public buildings to see that they are in compliance with the regulations. A letter was received from the proprietor of Gold Band Taxis complaining that cars are often parking in Revell Street, obstructing the entrance to his garage, and asking that steps be taken to stay the nuisance.— On the motion of the Mayor it was resolved that application be made to the controlling authority to have notices put up at the garage mentioned, and also at Mr Coulson’s private garage which is similarly blocked when a ball is in progress in the Soldiers’ Hull.

The foreman’s report dealing with work carried out during the month was adopted. The' report stated that the average depth of water in the reservoir for the month was 9 feet 5 inches.

The Abattoir Manager reported: Animals slaughtered during September: 7 cows, 25 heifers, 72 bullocs, 278 sheep, 10 pigs, 2 calves; condemned: 1 cow, 1 bullock, 2 pigs. Fees received £6l/12/-; for same period last year £62/7/6. The Treasurer reported receipts amounting to £2282/0/5; payments £697/19/8; Credit balance £453 1/1. Accounts amounting to £1462 5/10 were passed for payment. An application flrom the New Brighton Municipal Band to hold a concert in the Princess Theatre on Sunday, November 25, on the occasion of an excursion from Christchurch. After discussion, the Council decided to adhere to its former practice of not allowing a charge to be made, but did not object to voluntary contributions. It was pointed out that, it was not stated the purpose to which the proceeds were to be devoted.

The bad state of the streets owing to the long spell of wet weather. The increasing heavy traffic was also giving cause for reflection. To save several sections of streets, the question of concentrating the heavy traffic to the main highway (Stafford Street) then down Fitzherbert Street to the Quay, was discussed, and probatly will be acted upon. In connection with the tar-sealing of the main highway, througn the town, a report was presented, dealing with the water mains, and household connections. It was subsequently resolved that these be inspected and repaired where necessary prior to the tar-sealing.