HOKITIKA MUNICIPALPROBLEMS

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 February 1947, Page 2

HOKITIKA MUNICIPALPROBLEMS

PROGRESS LEAGUE’S PROPOSAL REJECTED (0.C.) HOKITIKA, Feb. 19. A suggestion made by the Hokitika Progress League that an independent examination of the municipal problems - should be made by competent officials was rejected by the Hokitika Borough Council at its monthly meeting. The letter from the league stated that “after careful consideration the league suggests that the time is opportune for a comprehensive examination of municipal problems ,as they now are by two experienced and independent local body officials, namely an executive and an engineer. This examination could also be used to provide something in the form of a 10-year plan, but complete with the necessary financial proposals. Such a plan and proposals would no doubt be of considerable assistance as a guide for the future. Should the council consider this, suggestion favourably the league will be happy to help in any way it can to bring the matter to fruition, and as a token of good faith and c°-oP e ja~ tion will contribute the sum of £5O towards the cost, payable on receipt of a complete copy of the report. The Mayor, Mr. A. R. Elcock, moved that the letter be received. He said he considered the council was fully conscious of the responsibilities, requirements, and finances of the borough, and outside investigators could not find out anything the council did not already know. His remarks were supported by Crs. Havill and Caliari and the motion was carried. The Mayor presided at the meeting and also present were Crs. C. Caharq A. C. Armstrong, W. H. Stopforth, I. Pettigrew, J. J. Preston, S. G. Havill, S. G. Roberts, and L. S. Ross. New Tennis Courts. Messrs. R. Guthrie and A. Stephens, on behalf of the Jubilee Tennis Club, waited on the council with a view to obtaining a lease of a boiou°h reserve for new. tennis coui s and to discuss the feasibility of such a that the reserves committee of the council the officials of the club on Saturday week to go fully into the matter. The council discussed a letter from the Westland County Council complaining of the state of the ce m and asking a representative of the council to attend the next meeting of the County Council to explain the position. . Cr. Armstrong, chairman ol reserves, took strong exception to the county councillors’ attack on another local body - without first obtaining the facts of the case. He thought the Borough Council had loyally abided by its agreement with the county, in spite of difficult circumstances. Figures showed that burials from the county area comprised 60 per cent, of the total burials, and the annual upkeep of the cemetery cost the borough £5OO. The county, up to 1942, paid'nothing, from then to .1946 £5O per annum, and £ 150 for the last year. Councillors were not prepared to go to the County Council to account for their actions, and would instead invite the County Council to appoint a representative or an exofficio member of the reserves committee and so gain a first-hand idea of the difficulties. . Four applications were received for the position of clerk, and the successful, applicant was Mr. D. Ross, of Hokitika. The only applicant, Mr. N Karnbach, was appointed slaughterman at the abattoir. Mr. Charles Anderson, assistant slaughterman, tendered his resignation. I Building-By-laws.

The Hokitika Progress League wrote stating that now that the building by-laws are in force and a building inspector appointed, the league requests the council to have their inspector carry out an inspection of all dangerous and deserted buildings and to report to the council for it to take such action as it may think fit. The request was referred to the building inspector. The resident engineer, New Zealand Railways, Greymouth, wrote advising that the Public Works Department was unfortunately not able to undertake the work of tar-sealing Railway street and intimating that there was a possibility that the emulsion could be made available to .the council this season if the council would reconsider its decision and undertake the sealing work.—lt was decided to advise that the council’s programme was too full to allow it to undertake the department’s work. The Hokitika Progress League wrote drawing the council’s attention to the state of the road from Racecourse hill into Hampden street i (east Town Belt) and Sale street be)tween Stafford and Hampden streets, ft was pointed out that this- was on the bus route and if improvement could be effected it would be appreciated.—Theletter was received.