HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 February 1940, Page 12

HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL

I MONTHLY MEETING. I { [our own correspondent.] i HOKITIKA, February 20. ( The Hokitika Borough Council met < last evening; present: The Mayor (Mr. G. A. Perry), Crs. W. H. Stopt forth, C. Caliari, A. R. Elcock, J. Fox, J. L. Turner and F. D. E. Freitas. Apologies for absence were received from Crs. D. P. Stuart, G. Heinz and H. T. Parry. Receipts were shown at £l4BB/8/8, with expenditure £536/3/9. Accounts amounting to £1553/3/1 were passed for payment. The foreman’s report was approved. Abbatoir Report: Stock slaughtered for the month of January amounted to: 56i.cows, 9 heifers, 64 bullocks," 308 sheep, 106 lambs, 3 pigs, 3 .calves. Condemned, 1 bullock. Fees collected for the month amounted to £79 12/-, compared with £74/8/- for the cor”~w , '”'dfng month last year. The Building Inspector reported on his inspection of certain public buildings. Licenses were granted to the Regent Theatre, Princess Theatre, and R.S.A. Hall, subject to improvements. He also reported on the Town Hall, and estimated a cost of £450 for repairs and £2OO for painting.—On the suggestion of the Mayor, it was decided to defer the matter until next meeting, when consideration could be given to the question of building a new Town Hall. "The Health Inspector reported several inspections and requisitions made. I INWARD CORRESPONDENCE. From the Director of Housing Con-| struction advising that a progress payment of £356 would be forwarded at an early date. From Miss G. Appleton, application for annual leave for 1940.—Granted. ! From hon. secretary, asking for donation towards the Hokitika Memorial (swimming baths).—Grant of £25 made. Also application for ' the use of Cass Square on Wednesday’, February 28, for the schools’ display in aid of the Hokitika Centennial Mem- ’ orial, and for authority to charge an ’ admissiQn_.fee_for_adults.— Granted. From Hokitika Sports Club.appllca- , tion for the use of Cass Square on ] Saturday, March 2, proceeds being in aid of the Hokitika Centennial Memorial and also permission to charge an c admission fee.—Granted. ( From Arthur Hula Appleton, appli- 1 cation to surrender lease of Lot 2 of

M.R. 446, 30.6 perches, and to be granted a new lease, for the unexpired balance of the term, under Section 12 (1) (d) of the Public Bodies Leases Act, 1908, to Mrs. Edith Mary Jane Rodden, of Hampden Street, Hokitika, the new lease to contain the same terms and conditions as the original lease. —Granted.

From Hugh Steel, application to lease Municipal Reserve No. 491, north of Bealey Street, at an annual rental of £l/15/-. —Approved. From K. F. O’Brien, application to lease Municipal Reserve No. 527, Britten Street, at an annual retnal of £2 a year.—Approved.

From F. W. Chesterman, application for annual leave. —Granted. From Messrs Park, Murdoch and James, agent for Mr. W. F. Ashley, asking that Municipal Reserve No. 494 be leased by public tender — Agreed.

From J. V. Conning, application for special leave to attend military camp, from March 4 to March 11, inclusive. —Granted.

From Hokitika Gas Co., advising that the coupling at their one inch water connection had been reduced to half-inch and asking that the full size coupling be installed. —Agreed. From Westland Co-operative Dairy Co. Ltd., asking the Council to tar seal portion of the road in front of the factory.—Deferred to next finan'cial year. From Public Works Department, asking for permission to construct a stormwater drain along the Park Street frontage of the Infant School. —Public Works Committee to inspect and report. From N.Z. Refrigerating Co., advising that the following quantities of meat were delivered into Hokitika during the month of January, 1940: 46 sheep, 12 lambs. . From Air Travel, N.Z., Ltd., Hokitika, stating that every precaution will be taken to avoid planes flying low over the town, but in certain weather conditions it is necessary to approach the aerodrome from the town side at a low altitude. From N.Z. Defence League asking the Council to express an opinion on the subject of universal compulsory national service.—No action taken. From Mrs. L. R. Hackell re valuation and rates on Sections 3011/13, Livingstone Street. From Mr. T. _M. Haddock, pound- ■ keeper, asking whether Council will ■ provide telephone.—Request not entertained. . ' From W. C. Tisch, Christchurch, j offering £BO f.0.r., Hokitika, for sec-, i ond hand Mather Platt-pump, motor, 1 starter and slide rails. —Accepted. From A, R. Elcock, agent for J. A. :

Cuttance, application for consent to subdivision of Sections 89 and 128, Revell Street. —Granted. From the secretary, Municipal Association, forwarding particulars of conference to be held in Wellington on March 5, 1940, and forwarding copies of order paper.

From Inspector Housing Department asking when footpaths on Botanic Garden Housing scheme would be completed, and suggesting lowering of gas and water pipes in part of this locality. —Referred to Overseer to report.

Regarding the request of the N.Z. Defence Council for an opinion on conscription, Cr. Turner thought the Government of a democratic country should decide a matter of this sort. Cr. Fox called the Defence Council “a crowd of Nosey Parkers” and “interfering busybodies,” who had the impertinence to tell a democratic Government what they should do. Cr. Elcock thought the Defence Council was not showing political bias, but were doing something which would give the Government a lead.

Cr. Freitas said the Government would bring in conscription if they thought it necessary. Cr. Stopforth thought the matter was too big for a local body to discuss and decide. The matter, in his opinion, was a national one.

The Mayor supported the request. He moved that the letter be received and referred to the Government for its consideration. Cr. Turner moved an amendment that the letter be received. Cr. Fox seconded. The amendment was carried.

It was decided to apply for a gen eral order exempting Revell Streei from the provisions of the Act gov erning subdivisions of sections in e street under one chain in width.