HOKITIKA NOTES

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 October 1939, Page 5

HOKITIKA NOTES

BORO 1.1(1 11 COUNCIL MBBTING. [OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] HOKITIKA, October 16. Tim Hokitika. Borough Council’s meeting was attended by the Mayor (Mr. G .A. Perry). Crs. J. Fox, F. D. E. Freitas, W. If. Stopforth. J. L. Turner. Caliari. D. P. Stuart, and A. 11. Elcock. Apologies for absence, were received from Crs. 11. 'l'. Parry-and G. Heinz. Mr. A. H. Lawn waited on the Council with regard to the Hokitika Swimming Baths, suggesting the formation of a committee consisting of a. member of the Council, representatives from each of the local schools, and the citizens. He outlined a plan for the management, of lhe baths. Mr. Perry thanked Mr. Lawn for his suggestions, and also for his work ami assistance in the past. He moved that a committee be set. up consisting of Crs. Elcock, Turner and Freitas, to go into the suggestions, and make the necessary arrangements, together with Mr. Lawn as adviser. An inspection of the baths is to be made, and a constitution for their conduct is to be drawn up. It was decided that the works staff be instructed to remove all spoil taken from the gutters, and that it be not left lying at the street sides. Abattoirs report: Stock slaughtered for September: 17 cows, 28 heifers, 69 bullocks, 279 sheep, 16 pigs, 1 calf. Condemned, nil. Fees collected tor the month amounted to £65/18/-, as compared with £62/8/6 for the same month last year. Receipts. £508.1/19/10, expenditure. £B5l/19/11. .Accounts amounting to £1505/16/9 were passed for payment. The Sanitary Inspector reported 51 inspections for August, with lour requisitions served, and 49 inspections for September, with six requisitions served. ~ Collections of refuse from iruit shops: It was decided a charge be made on shopkeepers' concerned. A request from Mr. J. H. Wilson that fresh gravel should be put on the footpath in Gibson’s Quay, was referred to the Works Committee. An application from Miss E. Knight, asking for attention to the footpath in front of her residence in Sale Street, was granted. A complaint from Mr. Allan Stevenson, Hampden Street, regarding the open drain in Britton Street, between Hampden and Park Streets, was referred to the Works Committee. The N.Z. Refrigerating Co. Ltd., advised that the following quantities of meat were delivered in Hokitika during September, 118 sheep, two pigs. The Commissioner of Transport wrote advising that, as a result of the Transport Law Amendment Act, 1939, all taxi cabs were brought under the provisions of the Transport Licensing Act, 1931, and, therefore the fares would be fixed by the various licensing authorities under that Act. It was considered probable that all taxi cabs plying in the Borough would be required to instal taxi meters, and it was desired to know the number of taxi cabs which would be affected. — The Town Clerk was instructed to supply the information. The Secretary, Hokitika Volunteer Fire Brigade, wrote stating that the Brigade had made an inspection of the water service and that fire plug indicators were required in upper Park Street and upper Weld Street, and also in another part of Weld Street. Many of the indicators required repainting. It was further stat--ed that, during the reticulation of the Borough, some of the plugs were taken out and others were removed for a distance, and that the Fire Brigade’s plan of the plugs did not agree with the present location of some of the plugs. It was suggested that Mr. Cutbush, who knew where the plugs were, be detailed to check the plugs, so that the Fire Brigade map could be amended. —It was decided that this matter should receive attention. The Hokitika Beautifying Association wrote stating that the Association intended to supply plants for plots around the Pioneer Memorial, and suggesting that the two scats be painted a cherry red. It was also pointed out that the spoil from the drain on the west side of Sewell Street, between the Jubilee Tennis Club and the Manse corner, had been left in mounds, and suggesting that these be straightened out. to allow the surface water to escape, and to provide a better surface for the grass cutter. —lt was agreed that, the seats be painted as suggested, and that the question of the spoil be referred to the Works foreman.

The Beautifying Association also submitted a list of residents who were prepared to level and maintain the frontages of their properties, if the Council would supply soil and sand, and suggesting that a horse lorry be engaged for about one month to provide the material.—This suggestion was agreed to. but no action was taken with regard to a request from the Association that the Council consider the appointment of a caretaker of reserves in succession to Mr. Herring in order to maintain the-improvements which had been effected in Cass Square in recent years. The Secretary of the Automobile Association, Westland Branch, wrote asking whether the Council was prepared to make any contribution to the cost of the proposed turnouts on the Hokitika railway and traffic bridge, and. if so, what contribution would the Council be prepared to make. —It was agreed that no action be taken.

The third instalment of £45/4/8, due to the Westland Centennial Fund, was passed for payment. The Minister of Internal Affairs forwarded three copies of the Emergency Precaution scheme for the control, in any locality, of all essential services which had been suspended by a natural disaster or by enemy action. It was stated that the scheme was beingissued to serve as a guide to local authorities in the preparation of local schemes for that, purpose. The Secretary of the Automobile Association. Westland Branch, wrote advising that the Branch was prepared to co-operate with the Council in providing transport should any occasion of emergency arise which required the use of transport.

The Westland County Council wrote staling that it had drawn up an Emereonev Precautions Scheme, covering Westland, which had been approved ,'ronerally by the Minister of Internal Affairs. It was stated that, if the co-

operation of the Hokitika Borough Council was assured the matter could 1,.-. ]ut before the people and the necessary preparations made for any

' emergency likely to arise in the ctis- ' n im, and further that the County j Council would then take the necessary ■ steps to invite the co-operation of the ■ various bodies referred to in the pro- | posals, such as the Women’s Institute, I Red Cross, Hospital authority and

medical practitioners.—lt was decided that emergency precautions should be discussed at a conference with the County Council.

Mr. ’A. R. Elcock, solicitor, wrote submitting for consent of the Council a plan of the portion of Weld Street, between Revell Street and the sea beach, which it was proposed to diminish in width to 42.53 links under the authority of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1933.—The necessary consent was granted. Mr. 11. L. Jones wrote stating that he had purchased Section 1674/75, at the top of Sale Street adjoining the gravel pit, and he asked for about a dozen loads of pit gravel to form the road to the section, so that he could get the timber and material on the section. —The request was granted. Permits to instal septic tanks, subject to Health Department Regulations were granted to Messrs T. Stopforth, Weld Street, and W. H. Stopforth, Bealey Street and Miss Eva Berendt, Davie Street.

An application from two residents of Hoffmann Street for drainage was received. It was decided to notify applicants that the Hoffmann Street drain was available, but drainage from the properties into this must, be carried out. at their own expense.