MEETINGS

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 February 1939, Page 5

MEETINGS

HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL

[OI.TR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

HOKITIKA. February 21

A meeting of the Hokitika Borough Council was attended by the Mayor (Mr. G. A. Perry), and (Ts. A. R. Elcock, .1. L. ’l'lirner. W. H. Stopforth, F. D. E. Freitas, C. Caliari, D. P. Stuart and' J. Fox. Apologies for absence were received from Crs. G. Heinz and 11. T. Parry. The financial statement showed receipts .£1,084/17 /2 and expenditure £1,471/1/1). Accounts amounting to £ 1,528/16/- were passed for payment. The report on the Abattoir gave the folio wi n g details; — S took slaughtered during January: 45 cows, 8 heifers, GO bullocks, 271 sheep, 181 lambs, 12 pigs, one calf. Condemned. 2 cows and one sheep. Fees collected in January totalled £74/8/-. compared with £B5 2/- in January last year. The secretary of the Hokitika Beautifying Society wrote forwarding the following resolutions passed by the association:—(l) That the Council be written to suggesting that they consider the question of raising a loan to tar seal the roads from the kerbside, form asphalt footpaths, and close the open drains. (2) That the Council be written to with a request that, improvements to the streets be made by removing left-over material and heaps of weeds and soil from the roadsides. Cr. Freitas suggested the Society should be asked how to raise £20,000 or £BO,OOO at a reasonable interest.

The Mayor said that, owing to the weather, the tar-sealing programme had been considerably hampered. Cr. Turner said it could be done—that too much time had been wasted on patching work. He moved that the Town Clerk be instructed to enquire from the Loans Board the possibility of raising a loan of £5OOO for street improvements, and to obtain the approximate cost 10 Hie ratepayers.

Cr. Pox supported the motion, saying that a great deal of the previous rates had been misdirected. Cr. Freitas suggested that £5OOO was entirely inadequate, ami suggested £lO.OOO or £20.000 as more appropriate. Cr. Turner altered his motion to make the proposed loan £15.000. The Mayor suggested caution on the matter of public spending as pushing a heavy burden on to the ratepayers. The motion was lost on the casting vote of the chairman —Crs. Turner. Freitas. Caliari and Fox voting for the motion, while Crs. Stuart. Elcock, Stopforth and the Mayor voted against it.

The matter of removing material from the roadside was referred to the foreman.

It was decided that the Council wait on visiting Ministers with a view to having attention given to the river, because of the danger to the town and aerodrome. It was decided that flood gates be placed on all drains into the river.

A resolution was passed authorising the impounding and destruction of stray dogs. The question of numbering houses in the Borough was held over, pending the passing of the necessary bylaws.

On the suggestion of the Reserves Committee, it was decided to camber the side of the centre grass plot in Cass Square, facing the pavilion, this to be done with No. 13 Scheme labour. With reference to proposed restrictions. on the use of motor-cycles, it was decided lo inform the Commissioner of Transport that the Council was in favour of prohibiting pillion riding, the abatement of noise, and the control of speed. Crs. Fox. Stuart and Stopforth were appointed a committee to go into the question of a Centennial Memorial for the town. CORRESPONDENCE. The Returning Officer of Westland wrote advising that nominations for (he Westland Licensing Committee elections close al noon on March 1, submitting a copy of proposed polling places and asking for aiitbority to

make all necessary arrangements at Hie cost of the local bodies concerned. —The necessary authority was given. The Director-General. General Post Office, Wellington, wrote advising that the sketch plans of the new post office at Hokitika, were receiving consideration and that there would he no avoidable delay in erecting the building.

The N.Z. Insurance Co.. Ltd. wrote advising that the late Dr. Teichelmaun had bequeathed his library to the Hokitika Public Library and that arrangements were being made to hand over the books. The secretary. Westland Hospital Board, wrote advising that Mr. H. T. Parry bad tendered his resignation as a representative of the electors of Hokitika on the Board, and asking I hat some other qualified person be appointed by the Council. —Cr. Turner was appointed to the position. The Hokitika Beautifying Association wrote asking for information regarding the appointment of a stock inspector. The letter stared that numerous complaints had been received by Hie association regarding stray cattle on the roads causing; damage to the work which had been performed on the roadsides by residents. —It was decided to inform the Association that Mr. N. S. Wilson had been unpointed stock inspector.

A letter was received from the Chief Traffic Officer. Transport D<part men!. Christchurcb. advising that during January there were no motor accidents reported within Hie Borough of Hokitika. Traffic 'vas light and. alihougli several minor warnings were given by the Traffic Inspector. Hie conduct of traffic was generally satisfactory. One conviction was obtained on a traflic charge, and two further eases connected with speeding were siill wailing hearing. During th<‘ month the Traffic Inspector spent the whole of each Friday in Hoklrika. and was attending to traffic in the Borough on 11 days in the month.

A letter from Hie Distriei Engineer. Post and Telegraph Dena it men f. 9iiiborised Hie croi'i igii o; “xo Par King iraffic signs on telegraph polos on ’he cast side of Revell Street, on the following conditions ill Signs to bo erected not less than 9 feet above street level. (2) To ho placed in a position where they will not interfore with (hr operations of the Department. i3i Tital the signs will bo removed upon demand. (4) That the Conncil accepts all responsibility for accident, or claim for damage that may arise as the consequence of fixing the notice to the Department’s poles. The Clerk, Westland County Coun-

oil. advised ibai the County Council had consented io iho Fire Board being granted Hm area in Reserve No. 725 for Hie purposes of eroding a new Fire Station, and further advised that the County Council proposed to lake steps to erect Chambers on the available area between the Public Library and the portion granted the Fire Board