MEETINGS

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 July 1937, Page 12

MEETINGS

' HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL. [our own correspondent.] HOKITIKA, July 9. The Hokitika Borough Council met last evening; present: The Mayor (Mr G. A. Perry), Crs. T. W. Duff, E. Teichelmann, A. R. Elcock G. Heinz, E. L. Park, H. L. Michel. Apologies for absence were received from Crs. A. H. Thompson and 11. T. Parry. Cr. J. King- was granted' a further three months’ leave of absence. The Council’s membership of the Canterbury Employers’ Association was made retrospective from 1936. The Town Clerk’s report on salaries and wages was received. It was decided that in view of the increased cost of running the cemetery, that the cost of each grave bo increased by 5/-; also that the sexton’s rental be fixed at 15/- per week.

It was decided to increase the salaries of the Borough inspector and typiste to <£4/8/4 per week and £9O per year respectively. The water meter reader is to be continued at 2/per day. The borough gardener’s hours were fixed' at ,35 per week and wages at £3/17/6 per week The Town Clerk’s report recommending an increase of 2d in the £ on the rates was adopted. The foreman’s reports were read and approved. The financial statement showed receipts £744/8/6, expenditure £678 14/8. Accounts amounting to £lOl2 11/7 were passed for payment.Abattoirs’ report: Stock slaughtered during month of June amounted to 42 cows, 32 heifers, 69 bullocks, 21 calves, 265 sheep, 8 lambs, 16 pigs; condemned, nil. Fees collected for month of June amounted to £7B/0/6. Fees for corresponding month last year £7l/16/6. The Secretary U.A.0.D., Hokitika, wrote asking that water be laid’ on to the lodge room.—Granted. Rev. W. E. Allon Carr, secretary of Ministers’ Association, applied for the use of the Town Hall from August 2 to August 6, and an option on the succeeding week, the hall to be available between 6.45 and 7.45 p.m. Also asking permission to hold a mass open-air meeting at the water well at the corner of Revell and Weld Streets on Fridays, August 6 and 13. — Granted. Wm. C. Campbell, Fitzherbert Street, wrote asking if the Council will remove a water service connection which passes through his property to supply an adjoining section. —To be attended to. R. A. Detlaf wrote stating that the owner of section 6263 al the corner of Revell and Park Streets is apparently fencing in part of the street and the encroachment should not be permitted.—Referred to the Town Clerk. R. G. Day wrote, asking that foot-

path be constructed at the corner of Fitzherbert and Tudor Streets to his section.—Granted. Messrs Park, Murdoch and James, agents for the owners of sections 16, 18, 20, 48 and 52, town of Hokitika, wrote, pointing out that these sections comprise the Occidental Hotel property, and it is necessary to erect a new hotel building, and asking whether the Council will close the existing right-of-way which separates sections 16 and 48 on the one side from sections IS, 20 and 52 on the other side and transfer the closed right-of-way to the owners of the aforesaid sections. As a considera-

■tion, their clients are prepared tc grant in lieu of the said right-of-way, a right-of-way from their portion of sections 52 and 20 as shown coloured red on the plan. The expenses will be borne by their clients. The width of the existing right-of-way is 12 links and the proposed right-of-way is 15 links.—Agreed. Mr J. O’Brien, M.P., wrote advising that the Employment Department is prepared to offer £3 for £1 subsidy for any work that local bodies decide to go on with, and in cases of smaller bodies whose revenue might prevent their supplying their share of employing men in their districts, an even more liberal subsidy might be forthcoming. The number of men who can be employed on this basis on the Coast is fifty. The Chairman of the Hokitika Fire Board advised that the Fire Board proposes erecting a new fire station

on the present site and asking that the necessary steps be taken to have the site vested foi’ the purposes of a fire station. The area required is a frontage of 50ft. in Hamilton Street and a depth of 80ft. —Referred to the Town Clerk. The Secretary of Westland Hospital Board advised that the Hokitika Borough Council’s proportion of the levy for the financial year ending on March 31, 1938, is £1,326/6/-, payable in nine monthly instalments of £147/7/4, commending on May 1, 1937.

The Secretary of the Hokitika Poultry and Pigeon Club wrote asking to use the Town Hall yard as an entry to .the club room for the forthcoming show. —Granted.

Miss J. Hall wrote asking that footpath at front of section 6263 Revell Strceet be cleared and levelled.—Referred to Public Works Committee. The Director-General, Department of Agriculture, forwarded a copy of suggested Bill dealing with the slaughter of animals and asking for constructive comments. —Referred to Town Clerk and Abattoirs Manager.

A. Fleming and other residents wrote 1 drawing attention to the menace * through the removal of sand along the sea side of North Revell Street, and ’ stating that during spring tides the 5 water comes through to the street level. —Inspector to prosecute if necessary. W. H. Shannon and other residents wrote, drawing attention to the lack of drainage for the residents of Revell 1 Street from Hampden Street northwards and asking that a pipe drain of ; adequate dimensions be- laid through ’ Cameron’s paddock.—-Referred to the ' Public Works Committee. A. R. Elcock, agent for W. Wilson, wrote for transfer of lease of reserve ' to Dr Aitken.—Application granted'. HOKITIKA R.S.A. [our own correspondent.] HOKITIKA, July 9. The quarterly general meeting of tho Hokitika R.S.A. was held last evening in the Soldiers’ Hall, at which Mr W. E. Brown presided. Tho meeting was principally called for the purpose of extending a welcome homo to Mr W. Eastgate, the representative at the Coronation and to hear a report of the recent Dominion Conference from Mr R. Paterson, who attended as delegate from this oranch. The President referred to suggestions that were made for ventilating the hall and the heating of the supper rooms, both matters being authorised by the meeting. Mr R. Paterson then reported on ■ the conference. At the conclusion of Mr Paterson’s’ address, Mr Paterson was unanimously accorded a vote of thanks for his services at the conference and for his report. The President extended a welcome to Mr Eastgate, who gave an interesting address on his experiences' while with the Coronation Contingent. He *

presented to the U.S.A, a piece of bunting; representing the King’s colours, that had been suspended across the Strand on the Coronation Day. Mr Eastgate said they had a wonderful time. He particularly mentioned Lord. Nuffield and General Godley, both of whom did everything possible to entertain them. He said that the General was with them nearly every day, and. seemed to take great prido iu his association with the N.Z. troops. The training of rhe men in England comprised principally of a nine-mile march 'each morning. The food, in camp was the usual army issue,’and was quite satisfactory. They had plenty of leave in the afternoon, amt at night, and so long as they were back in camp for Reveille, they were not put “on the mat.” The Coronation [Day was a. strenuous time, and' the New Zealand and Rhodesian troops were the only two contingents that did not lose any men during the day. The

| day was commenced at 4 a.m., and the i troops wero kept going all day until [about 5 p.m. The rain in the latter [part o£ the day made them all wet through, and they did 1 not get back to quarters until 6.30 p.m. After that they joined in the revels in London. The next day all the colonial troops I —l4oo in number—were paraded at Buckingham Palace, where they were inspected by the King, and then presented with the Coronation Medals, after which they were then inspected by the members of the Boyal Family. In Mr Eastgate’s opinion, the Canad-

ian .Mounted were the show troops of the Coronation. They were a smart body of men. The uniforms of the New Zealand troops was a sore'point with our men, and were a decided contrast to the tailor maue uniform ot all the troops in the procession. It was just the regulation- issue and.' regulation boots and while the English' papers complimented them on their bearing, much criticism was levelled at the dress of the New Zealand men. •After the Coronation the contingenti I was taken to various parts of England land Scotland. Mr Eastgate was very [lavish in his praise of the entertaininiont they received by the people of i Edinburgh. The Provost Marshal -was! their host there and he gave them a wonderful time, mey also viewed tho Naval Review at Spithead, and he said 1 it was a wonderful and inspiring [sight. The ex-servicemen of the contingent were very disappointed that their tour did not extend to France, i and 1 the only satisfaction they could' I get to their representations in this respect,’ was that lack of finance would not permit it. They were also disappointed in not seeing anything of Mr Savage during their stay in England. They did expect to be used asi 'a guard of honour to New Zealand’s [Prime Minister at some of the ceremonies, or at least to receive a visit from him. Mr Eastgate could not speak too highly of the kindness showered 1 upon them on every possible occasion, and he felt very proud and honoured to have taken part in the Newi Zealand representation at the Coronation.