HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 18 February 1944, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent) HOKITIKA, Feb. 17. At the Borough Council’s monthly meeting there were present the Mayor (Mr A. R. Elcock), Crs C. Caliari, G. Heinz, K. Aitken, L. Ross, E. W. Heenan, W. Stopforth, T. Duff and S. Havill. The Treasurer’s statement gave the debit balance .as £l6OO. The Mayor said that last year at the same period the debit balance was £BOO. Economy would have to be practised. It was decided to dispense with all extra staff, ann to continue with the permanent staff, because of the state of the finances. The Mayor asked the Council to confirm his action in writing the Government asking that no theatre permits be issued in Hokitika until the council’s application had bee nconsidered. He thought the council desired the erection of a modern municipal theatre, with modern conveniences, ann the municipal offices to be housed in it. The council was unanimously in favour of the proposal. A committee consisting of the Mayor, Deputy-Mayor, Crs Heenan and W. Duff, was empowered to bring down a report, and to interview the directors of West Coast Cinemas regarding the proposal. The council approved of a suggestion of the Library Committee to repairs to the roof of the i library, the committee to meet half the” cost. The Mayor ans the Town Clerk are to complete the details with the contractor, Mr Atkinson. It was decided to put the practice pipeline in Cass Square in order for the Fire Brigade team to practise. It was to seek advice from other councils as to charges for water for school baths, and then to reply to the local school committee. A petition from ratepayers in uppei? Stafford Street complained of recent flooding. It was decided , to make an inspection and, if feasible, to construct a special drain. It was agreed to have drains in nearby areas cleaned out and, where necessary, widened. Cr Havill said pickets were disappearing from (the fence at Cass Square at an alarming rate, upwards of one thousand having been tal<en. It was agreed that police action be taken against offenders. Regarding the pavilion it was decided to ask Mr D; Stevenson to report on the cost of repairs and painting. The Sexton reported three funerals for the month. It was decided to engage a bulldozer to clear a new area at the cemetery, and to survey the ornamental plot for new graves. The chairman of the Reserves CommitUee, Ci? Sttopijbrth, was asked to make an inspection of the soldiers’ plot at the cemetery with R.S.A. representatives, and to recommend an additional reserve for returned soldiers. The Beauti-' fying Soceity was authorised to put in a wooden kerbing on the western side of Fitzherbert Street. The Borough Overseer (Mr W. Cropp) reported on the laying of a water main to the swimming baths, stating he did so in view of the fact that he had been accosted by certain individuals. while carrying out the work, and in view of a controversy on the work. The Mayor said the overseer was carrying out the instructions of the council, and while so engaged was not responsible to any other person. It was not necessary to submit any special reports, unless asked for by the council. The overseer said he had been asked to submit the report. The Mayor asked consideration for the laying of a new water main from Lake Kanieri to Hokitika. Cr Havill suggested at the least an 8-inch main. The Mayor said that the pumping plant could be retained as a standby. Ci' Duff was asked to bring the matter before the Rehabilitation Committee at Greymouth to ascertain if the work could be made a rehabilitation one. The abattoir re-porVS*-a« fees had amounted to £9B Os 7d. The financial statement showed that receipts for the month had amounted to £742 11s 9d and payments to £2051 19s 7d. Lake Kameri Yacht and Boat Club has arranged for a regatta at the lake on Saturday. A bus service will be provided. The proceeds will be for the patriotic fund. Mr F. K. Hunt, who recently retired from the Magistracy at Auckland, is visiting Hokitika, and is the guest of his son-in-law and daughter, Mr and Mrs C. Biggs.