HOKITIKA NOTES

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 March 1939, Page 12

HOKITIKA NOTES

BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING. [OIJK OWN OOKItEBroriOBNT.J HOKITIKA. March 21. The meeting of the Hokitika Borough Council was attended by the Mayor (Mr G. A. Perry), Crs. D. P. Stuart, J. Turner, F. D. E. Freitas, A. R. Elcock, 11. T. Parry, C. Caliari. and W. H. Stopfortli. Apologies for absence were received from Crs .1. Fox and G. Heinz.

The financial statement showed receipts amounting to £1949/15/-, and expenditure £1392/16/-. Accounts, amounting to £735/11/7, were passed for payment. The Abattoirs’ report stated that stock slaughtered during February comprised 33 cows, 30 heifers, 51 bullocks, 317 sheep, 176 lambs, 5 pigs, and H calves. One cow, two bullocks and one sheep were condemned. Fees collected during the month amounted to £B2/0/6, compared with £74/7/‘during the corresponding month last year. The Director of Housing Construe tion, Wellington, wrote stating that the Housing Department was debarred by law from expending money on dedicated streets, and must look to the Council to improve the access to State houses, and asking the Council to provide a metal road and footpath to the houses fronting Weld Street and Davie Street, in the Botanical Gardens block.

The Mayor explained that, when the negotiations with the Housing Department were under way, the Borough Council handed over the ten acres o£ the Botanic Gardens to the ‘Department, tree of cost, on the distinct understanding that the Council would be under no obligation lor reading and draining. Now the Department wanted to back out ot its agreement, on the ground that, it was not legally responsible. It was unanimously decided to write to the Department to this effect, also mentioning that there were no funds in hand for the purpose.

An application by National Signs Ltd. to erect advertising signs on two shops in Revell Street, was granted.

The Valuation Department. Christchurch, wrote, stating that it was expected that the revised valuation notices for the Borough would be issued during April, that it was quite likel.l’ that an Assessment Court would be needed, and asking the Council to take steps to appoint an assessor to represent the Council. —The Town Clerk was instructed to attend to the matter.

Mr W. Smith wrote, asking that the frontage of his property in Park and Hadi Streets should be cleared, and that he would then undertake to keep it in order. —Referred to Works Committee.

The Pu,blic Works Department, Hokitika, wrote, stating that the Department was now occupying the Customs building, and asking that owing to the section flooding the Council raise the footpath, along the frontage, approximately two feet, at the entrance to the Customs building, so that the Department could construct a raised footpath inside the section, above the flood level. —It was decided that no action should be taken. Miss E. Ward wrote, pointing out that there was no footpath along the frontage of her property, and asking that some attention be given to the track leading thereto, and further that, from 1868 onwards, the maintenance of the track had been paid by applicant. —The matter was referred to the Works Committee.

Cr. Freitas was appointed to represent the Council on the Hokitika Harbour Board, in place of Cr. H. T. Parry, resigned. An application of Mr A. Broome, Stafford and Davie Streets, to instal a septic tank on his section was approved, subject to conformity with the Health regulations. A similar application from Mr R. Davies was also granted, with the same proviso. It was decided to take no action in the case of an application from Mr C. H. Ross and nine other residents of Lower Bealey Street, asking that the footway on both sides of Bealey Street, between Weld Street and the Quay, be kerbed and channelled, as this part of the town was subject to flood water. An application from the Returned Soldiers’ Association, to hold a sacred concert in the Regent Theatre, on Anzac night, with permission to charge an admission fee, was granted, subject to the usual conditions.

HOKITIKA BRIDGE. The Minister of Mines wrote, that he had brought the matter of the turn-outs on the Hokitika traffic bridge, under the notice of the Minister of Public Works, who had replied as follows: —-“With reference to the representations, which were made to you at Hokitika, on December 9, by the Mayor, Mr G. A. Perry, and Mr G. E. Chapman of the Automobile Association, in connection with the passing places on the Hokitika combined road and railway bridge, as you were advised by the District Engineer, the Westland County Council and the Hokitika Borough Council were offered a grant of £550 (£1 for £1) to assist with the cost of providing two turnouts, but neither authority would agree to contribute its share of the expenditure, with the result that the item was deleted when the Estimates for the present year were being considered. After giving the position full consideration I would be prepared to renew the grant of £550 ( £ 1 for £1), ami I suggest that the two Councils concerned confer with each other and' arrange to provide their share of the funds required to obtain authorisation of the grant I have offered.” —It was decided to take no action in the matter.

CT Parry asked if precautions had been taken to see that new drains being laid down were not dangerous to health. —The Foreman and Town Clerk reported that precautions were being taken. The Health Inspector reported that he had made 37 inspections for the month, there being a clean sheet. Applications for sheepskin-curing licenses were granted. providing green skins are cured at the tiphead, and no nuisance is caused. An application for assistance in the formation of road access in Brittan Street, by Mr Stewart. v»as referred to th? Works Committee. Arrangements for Anzac Day were referred to the committee of the Borough Council and the Returned Soldiers’ Association. The Chairman, Mr Stuart, reported on the Centennial Memorial Committee’s deliberations. The suggestions

for a local memorial were rest rooms in Cass Square, tepid baths, and memorial gates in Cass Square, in memory of pioneers. The report was received, and it was agreed that the question of cost should be gone into by the committee which was given power to add to its number. It. was decided that Crs. Barry, Freitas and Stuart comprise the subcommittee to investigate the type and cost of motor truck most suitable for the Council’s use.