HOKITIKA NOTES

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 March 1939, Page 14

HOKITIKA NOTES

HARBOUR BOARD MEETING |OUB OWN CORBEBPoNUKfiT.] HOKITIKA, March fl. Al tile monthly meeting of the Hokitika. Harbour Board, the following were present : Messrs. M. H. Houston (chairman), J. .1. Mclntosh, E. W. Heenan, and I’. E. L>. Renton. An apology for absence was received from Mr. VV. E. Richards. Mr. Taylor, on behalf of the Beautifying Society, waited on the Board with regard to beautifying the river bank below the combined bridge. He thanked the Board for its past assistance, and asked what suggestion the Board could give the Society with regard to improving the appearance of the river-bank. — ft was decided to notify the owner of a disused shed, to have it removed. Mr. 11. T. Parry wrote, resigning his seat on the Board, and also the position of chairman.— Accepted with regret. and it was decided to notify the Borough Council of the vacant seat. Mr. Houston was elected actingchairman. A letter was received fiom Mr. J. O’Brien. M.P.. regarding his proposed visit. The chairman reported that the Westport Harbour Engineer and the Engineer to the Marine Department had inspected the river-mouth, with himself and Mr. O’Brien, and were impressed with the necessity for early attention. —It. was decided to approach Mr. O’BVien. witli a view to having his support in having the Ministers of Public Works and Labour visit Hokitika while on the West Coast. The sum of one guinea was voted to the Shipwrecks Relief Society. An application for a section by Mr 'C. J. Burns was declined. It was stated that the land on the river side would probably be required for tram way use, and that no leases would be granted on that side of the road. Accounts amounting to £l3l/18/1 were passed for payment. It was decided to draw the atten tion of the Borough Council to the fact that the flood-gates on the water out lets on the river bank have not yet been fitted, and urging early attention

BUSINESS MEN’S ASSOCIATION An executive meeting of the Hokitika Business Men’s Association was attended by Messrs. W. H. Stopforth (ciairman), G. Bryant, W. J. Bruce, J. L. Turner. J. Preston, K. Reece, A. H. Lawn, A. Parkhill and W. J. Richards (secretary). A deputation (Messrs. J. R. Lawrence and A. Leslie) waited on the executive on behalf of the School Committee, regarding the holding of a picnic this year. It was unanimously agreed that the matter was one for a public meeting, and that as it was now too late in the season to make arrangements, the matter should be deferred until early next Summer, when a meeting of citizens should be called to form a special picnic committee. With regard to the Easter holidays, it was resolved that business premises should observe the Thursday long night, and remain closed on Good Friday. Easter Saturday, and Easter Monday, re-opening on Tuesday morning. April 11.

It was decided to close the list of contributors to the Cass Square Improvement Fund on March 20, bookholders to be notified to that effect. Plans and specifications for the proposed conveniences for Cass Square were presented and discussed at some length, the matter eventually being deferred to enable further information to be obtained. Mr. Bruce requested the chairman to define his attitude to the street improvement loan proposal at the last Borough Council meeting. The chairman replied that his vote was recorded according to his right as an individual Councillor. Mr. Lawn said the whole community looked to the new Council to get something done. The Association stood for progress, and he thought some explanation should be given. Mr. Stopforth said that, in his opinion. to launch out on an extensive borrowing scheme was not in itself a progressive move, but the simplest and most popular way in the eyes of the public. The Council had a large amount of rates outstanding, which should be recovered, and he was firmly of the opinion that if a progressive and businesslike works policy was carried out with modern equipment, the Council could work within its revenue and show a marked improvement in the town. The only extra rate which should be struck would be for the purpose of purchasing the necessary equipment. The Council had now a proposal before it to formulate a definite works policy on the lines stated. He felt certain that a considerable amount of improvement would be shown during the coming year. Mr. Bryant said that he was in accord with Mr. Lawn, that the Association stood for service and progress. He had every confidence in the chairman and suggested that the latter’s views should be made public through the Association.

The suggestion was unanimously adopted.