HOKITIKA NOTES

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 July 1939, Page 11

HOKITIKA NOTES

BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING

[OHB OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

HOKITIKA, July 17

The monthly meeting of the Hokitika Borough Council was attended by the Mayor (Mr. G. A. Perry), and Crs. G. Heinz, D. P. Stuart, W. H. Stopforth, J. L. Turner, J. Fox, A. R. Elcock, C. Caliari, and F. De E. Freitas. An apology for absence was received from Cr. H. T. Parry.

Mr. S. J. Preston, on behalf of a number of citizens, waited on the Council with an offer to subscribe a substantial sum for the renovation and preservation of the Tokn Hall, until such time as a new building was put under way. On the motion of the Mayor and Cr. Turner, the offer was accepted with thanks. Mr. Preston also asked, on behalf of the Beautifying Association, that the Council supply a quantity of soil for the work being carried out by the association along the waterfront on Gibson’s Quay.—The request was referred to the foreman.

The financial statement showed receipts, £227/16/8, and expenditure £1,087/6/3. Accounts amounting to £943/14/7 were passed for payment. The Health Inspector reported 10 inspections of houses, one of nuisances, and two samples of water taken.

The. Traffic Inspector reported two convictions for speeding, and a number of Verbal warnings.

Abattoirs report showed that during June, stock had been dealt with as follows: —-34 cows, 45 heifers, 59 bullocks, 436 sheep, 64 lambs, 20 pigs, IS calves. Condemned, one cow, four sheep, one lamb, one pig. Fees collected for month of June amounted to £94/16/-, as compared with £BO/12/6 collected for the corresponding month last year.

Mr. A. H. Summer was granted permission to instal a septic tank at his property in Sewell Street, and Mr. W. P. Schroder to instal one at his property in Revell Street, subject to the health regulations being complied with. The Public Works Department was given permission to instal a septic tank for two police houses, subject to the same condition. Mr. J. A. Roberts wrote stating that the culvert on the north belt was blocking, and causing water to flow on to his land, and asking that the matter be remedied; and further asking whether it would be possible to have the drain from the front of his section in Spencer Street to the road, a distance of half a chain, filled in.— The letter was referred to the Works Committee for immediate attention.

Mr. F. M. Singer wrote asking for assistance in clearing the east boundary drain, and that another pipe be placed under each roadway, as there was not sufficient drainage for his sections. —The matter was referred to the overseer for attention.

Mr. Arthur Appleton applied for permission to transfer his interest in tenancy of part Municipal Reserve No. 446 to Arthur Huia Appleton, and (hat the latter be permitted to sub-! divide the area of land held and be granted a 21 years’ lease with right of renewal. —It was pointed out that the Council was unable to grant the request, until applicant had supplied survey plans. Mr. H. E. Bonar wrote asking that growth be cleared from the grave of the late Hon. J. A. Bonar, and inquiring at what charge annually the Council would keep the grave in order. —It was decided to reply that the Council would keep the grave in order for £1 per annum. The Kanieri Electric Ltd. advised that the necessary arrangements had been made at the Borough Pump House so that members of the Council stall could now switch the electric equipment on and off for pumping. The secretary. Transport Department, No. 3 Licensing Authority, Christchurch, advised that the Gold Band Taxis of Hokitika had applied for a passenger service license to operate a local service in Hokitika, the route set out by the applicants being as follows: —Leave garage, up Weld Street, via Gibson Quay to Stafford Street, down Stafford Street to Town. .Town up Sewell Street via Fitzhcrbert Street, via Park Street, to Hampden Street and down Hampden Street to town.—The Council decided it had no objection to the proposed service. Subject to the usual conditions, Mr. H. J. Seebeck was granted permission to instal a septic, tank at his property in Brittan Streel. SANDSPIT AT RIVER MOUTH The secretary, Hokitika Harbour

Board, wrote stating that the estimated cost of removing the sandspit across the mouth of the river was £3,000. and that the maximum amount which could be raised by the Board was £1,700, leaving £1,300, which the Council were asked to provide.—lt was decided to refer the matter back to the Board for further particulars.

The secretary, Westland Hospital Board, advised that the Council’s proportion of the levy for the year ending March 31, 1940, was as previously stated, £2.299/17/4. The Auditor-General wrote pointingout debit balances in the interests accounts, and drawing attention to Section 23 (1) of the Local Bodies Loans Act, 1926, which authorised the Council to increase a special rate, so that the annual produce thereof was sufficient to meet the charges on a loan. —It was decided that the matter should be adjusted accordingly. It was decided to grant a request of Mr. J. Macrey that Hoffman Street should be formed north of Stafford Street, so as to provide reasonable access to his property. Mr. A. E Hackcll and other residents wrote stating that, in wet weather the surface water from Harper Street flooded their sections; and asking that the drain in Harper Street be cleaned out so as to provide an escape for surface water. —The letter was referred to the Works Committee.

Mr. W. H. Nicol wrote asking that instead of the depression in front of his shop being resealed, that the footpath from Spier’s shop to the Tancred Street corner be levelled and resealed as the footpath had subsided in places.—The request was granted.

Mr. James Mackey wrote suggesting that the watercourse, which runs through various properties between Spencer and Tudor Streets, be paved with stones to prevent cattle from stopping it from running.—The matter was referred to the overseer for attention.

. The secretary, Hokitika Beautifying Association, writing in regard to the part of Weld Street leading to the sea beach, drew attention to the unsightly post and rail fence and the dilapidated tennis court fence, adding that anything the Council could do to improve the appearance would be appreciated. The Association drew attention to the dumping of gravel on this street, and also asked whether the water wells at the corner of Weld and Revell Streets and Stafford and Revell Streets were still necessary as a reserve water supply, and if not, whether it would be possible for the Council either to have them filled in or the top lowered to the level of the road.—The letter was received.