HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 10 April 1926, Page 1

HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL

FRIDAY. APRIL 9th. The Council met at S p.tn. Present : .Messrs G. A. Perry (Mayor), G. H. Blank, G. Heinz, E. Orr, W. Jeffries, J. King, A. R. Elcock, and J. Lloyd. Apologies were made for the absence of Messrs C'oulson and Parry. The minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence was approved. IN WAR I) CORRESPONDENCE. From E. Gooch, asking for permission to erect a petrol pump.----Receiv-ed; consideration deferred until more Particulars are available. From Hokitika Harbour Board complaining of the manner in which the rubbish is being dumped, causing considerable nuisance.—Received and referred to inspector to take action. Emm W. JI. Shannon, forwarding quotation for installing gas at the abattoir cottage.— Received and action of committee aproved.

From Westland County Council, asking for statement of cost of upkeep of main highway in the borough. Received ; Town Clerk to reply.'

From Kanieri Electric Limited, replying to request for water at pcn.sio'-k to be connected up and stating tlial this would lie dime on .'list March.--Received.

From Hokitika Beautifying Association, asking that the C’liuneil relieve the Association of payment of their share of the salary of the caretaker for the next four months, in view of their ■shortage of fluids.— Received ; referred to Finance Committee, after Mr. Blank had said that this was coming rather strong on the pari of the Beaut if ing Society. lie llaught the Finance Committee should consider the question of the caretaker being utilised on wet dovs at the concrete shed.

From A. ft. Pilkiiigton, applying on behalf of Mrs Tla.xeler. for recompense for damage done by the recent flood in Bealey Street to her property; claiming £lO for damage done, and action lie taken In prevent a recurrence.— Received. Air. Blank moved that no action lie taken. The cause of the damage was Hit.it a natural water-course had boon deviated to run through another .section. The Mayor moved that the letter be referred to Mie Borough solicitor for perusal.

Mr. Jeffries said tlial ibis question ipened up a big matter of responsibility or otherwise. He thought it would >o wise to act on the Alavoi ’s .suggestion and refer the letter to the Rormgli solicitor. He seconded the mo-

tion. Air. King via id something should bo done to carry the water away, [t was not the first Hood and it would not bo the last. Tile Mayor’s motion was agreed to. From Westland Hospital Board, forwarding proposed levy for the ensuing year.— Received. The Afnvor said be. was unite satisfied that the affairs of the Westland Hospital were conducted as earelullv as possible: but the extra expense involved was due to legislation causing v.n increased expenditure and the difference in the valuation of I ho Borough. The levy was received. From AVestbind County Council notifying a conference of local bodies at the County Chambers on April filth at 2.30 p.m. to consider the question of the sale of the Kiimara water races by the Government.—Received. Air. Jeffries was appointed to represent tho Council. REPORTS. The Treasurer reported : Reeeinls. £IISR 19s 8d: payments C 571 (is *2d;

credit balance £4ll 17s; loan account credit balance, £l7l 13s.—Iteeeived. Accounts amounting to £757 19s were passed for pa.ment. From manager abattoirs (J. J.arman) reporting that during Alarch there were examined 17 cows, 32 heifers, 70 bullocks, 233 sheep, 116 larmbs, 13 pigs and 19 calves. Condemned 1 cow. Fees for period £79 8s fid (£B4 12s fid last vear).—Received. FOREMAN’S REPORT. I beg to report the following works wore carried out during the month of Alarch : We laid 300 feet of Gin. pipe in Hampden Street drain from Sale Street to Itolleston Street; cleaned out a portion of Stafford Street drain between Sale and .Rolle.ston Streets; and put in a chain and a half of 18in. concrete pipes in Sewell Street across "Weld St. from Air. Newman’s garage. We took out a culvert in Davie Street leading into Hampden Street which was decayed and put in concrete pipes. AVo also removed 'a box drain across the footpath above Jollie Street and replaced ii with fiin. earthenware pipes. We jut in a crossing at Air. Robinson’s property in Jollie Street and a concrete crossing at .McKay’s in Tancred

Street; and put in a winter service to the new bank building in Hamilton St., and repaired a service in North Re veil Street. The water required a good deal of attention during the month. AVo were two days along the pijie line to the Lake, repairing leaks, and we put in a new pipe on Butcher's Gully Flat. A bad leak occurred at Stoney Creek Flat at night, and we went out and had it repaired at half post ten. A bad leak occurred on Tucker Flat which emptied the reservoir. We then took the opportunit of cleaning it out. Wo also repaired numerous leaks about tho town. Wo carried out tar sealing on two dfiys this month, finishing the footpaths from the wharf to the Dunedin Hotel in North Revell Street. A part of the street in South Revell Street requires to be- done. We made six three feet concrete pipes during the month and repaired two lire plugs. On the last day of the month a heavy down] our -of rain caused a Hood in the town. The Henley Street drain ivvs unable to carry tho Hood water and in consequence the water Hooded property between Bealey and Fitzherbert Streets, causing great inconvenience to the people concerned. The Bealey Street drain apears to be the key to the trouble and it will require to be enlarged or duplicated to prevent, a recurrence of tile trouble. The report was received.

Mr. Blind; said be though the Council should at once carry out the laying of an 18-inch pipe from Park Street tn Eitzhcrbert Street to carry away seme of the Mood water. Mr. Heinz said that at tho last Hood an ISiii. pipe would be absolutely useless. There vi-.s water a foot deep crossing Park Street and lushing down Bealey Street. Hooding all Hie sections, lie thought nothing less than a three feet pipe would carry away the flood water. Mr. Orr said an ISin. pipe in Fitzlierbert Street would do much good. The fault was that tho Ben ley Street drain was not large enough. Air. Heinz said that one of the special causes of the flood was the draining of the swamp which brought the flood water down quicker than in the post. He suggested raising the low part of Park Street by n foot or so and thereby damming back flood waters. Afr. Jeffries suggested that, in view of. the serious results, flic Council inspect tbc position next AVednesday.