HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 April 1929, Page 6

HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

FRIDAY. APRIL 12th

The Council met at 7.110 p.m. Present ; Messrs (!. A. Perry (Mayor), .1. King, A. R. Kleock, D. J. Evans, AAL Jeffries, G. Heinz, E. AA . Heennn, and A. C. Armstrong.

Apologies for absence were received from Dr Teichelmann and Air Duff. The minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approved. I NAYARD COR R ESPONDENCE.

From N.Z. Refrigerating Coy., Christchurch, advising meat delivered into Hokitika during the month or February, 1929, were 4 sheep, II lambs.—Received.

From Minister of Health, AA oilington, forwarding copy of gazette showing names of Registered Plumbers.— Received.

From Grey .County Council, forwarding cheque for £7l 12s Id. being balance of heavy traffic fees for period ending 20tl« March, 1929.—Received. From Secretary, Municipal Associa tion of New Zealand, AATllington. lorwarding reprints from “ Dominion ” and “ Evening Post,” of articles dealing with Constitution of Advisory Council, and its ofioct upon the important question of heavy traffic lees ; and asking Council to get into touch with its member of Parliament, with a view to opposing any reduction in motor taxation; especially heavy traffic fees. Received.. Air Evans moved that the letter lie approved and that the ( mmcil support the proposed action. Seconded by Air Elcock and carried. It was resolved also to write to the Alinister of Transport on the subject. From F. Black, Hampden Street, application for permission to drain household waste water into well on property. —Received; request granted. From Secretary, Hokitika A olunteer Fire Brigade, intimating that AA est Coast Fire Brigade demonstration would probably he held in Hokitika about November next, and asking that water connection in Cass Square he loft for use at the Demonstration. —Deceived ; request granted. From AV. fl. Gifford, Hall Street, offering to lease Municipal Reserve No. ooo.—Received ; referred to Reserves Committee.

From Union Foundries, Stratford, forwarding particulars of cost of “Harvos ” roller, scarifier, and grader. —Received.

From Public Trustee, Wellington, forwarding cancelled interest coupons for £B7 10s, due on the Ist ultimo (Abattoirs loan).— Received. From Chairman, No. 12. District Highways Council, in reply to Council’s resolution for «\-+on«inn of Main Highway in Borough.— Received ; Public AVorks Committee to meet and submit proposals. From the Conservator of Forests, Hokitika, asking for summary of trees planted during 1928-‘ ; 9.—Received. From District Engineer, Public AA’orks, Greyinoutli. asking for return of liabilities as at 81st Afarcli, 1929. Received.

From Mev. G. Knowles-Smith. application for permission for Maori .Methodist Mission, singers and musicians, to give a sacred programme at the Princess Theatre on Thursday, the •25th instant (Anzac Day),- and authority to make an admission charge of Is fid.—Deceived and request granted. From Westland Hospital Hoard, forwarding copy of estimates on which levy 'for 1929-30 is to he struck, and also statement of receipts and expenditure for year ended the 31st March. 1029.—Received.

The Town Clerk stated that the amount proposed to he levied was £Bfil as against €733 last year. This would mean an increase of the charitable aid rate from 2}d to 3d. Mr Heinz said before accepting the levy the Council should ask for more particulars of the farming operations of the Hoard He moved that a ropiest be made to the Hoard for a detailed balance sheet of the farming operations of the Hoard, to be submitted for the consideration of the Council.

Mr Jeffries—Are you not a member of the Hospital Hoard?

Mr Heinz contended as a Councillor that the Council should be supplied with further particulars of this phase of the Hospital Hoard’s operations. He was not criticising the general administration' of the Hospital. Mr Evans seconded the motion pro forma. He pointed out that if the Hospital rate were increased hv a half pennv in the £ that it would mean a curtailment of the general rate because they could not increase the rate more than it was at present. If that were done it would certainly be necessary to curtail necessary works in the town. If it were possible for the Hospital Hoard to make a material saving it should be done. The motion was a fair request to make and he suggested that the Council arrange for a conference with the Hoard.

The motion was agreed to. Mr Heinz suggested that Mr Jeffries give the necessary explanation to the Council.

Mr Jeffries said he had not intended to speak on the subject. As they knew he had gone on the Hoard 7 or 8 years ago as a representative of the Westland County Council with a view to keeping the cost of the institution down to its lowest possible limit. He told them now that it would bo impossible to reduce the amount of the proposed levy by one penny. He mentioned that Westland Hospital cost per bed was the third lowest in the Dominion. Everywhere the cost of hos-

pitals had gone up and he mentioned that the farming operations at the hos- j pital resulted in the supply for the institution aH the milk and cream itj

required, its butter supply, bacon, eggs and poultry. On the question of Increased cost he mentioned one. instance that of meat, which owing to the Increased price cost £2OO more last year, lie gladly welcomed any enquiry into the management of the Hospital Roam and if any one thought they could do better than the present Board then they should stand lor a seat at tin* coming election. Air Heinz rose to reply, hut the Mayor ruled that there was no business before the Council and the next business was called.

From A. C. Pilkington, Chairman. Troop Committee. Hokitika Boy Scouts, application for use of Town Hall weekly on Thursday evenings, from 7 to 9, for meetings of Boy Scouts, pending erection of their own mooting room.— Received ; request granted. From AA’. Jeffries, Red Lion Hotel, urging the extension of Sale Street north of Park Street.—Received ; referred to Public AVorks Committee for report. From AVestland Sub-Union asking permission to use ( ass Square on Saturday afternoons and for sole use ol Cass Square on Juno 3rd.—Received and request granted.

REPORTS. From Treasurer reporting receipts £790 7s Id; payments £419 l‘s 3d: credit balance ,£195 2s 8d. —Re- o ••ed. Accounts amounting to £930 18s £ 1 were passed for payment. FOREMAN’S REPORT.

I beg to report the following works were carried out during the month. Streets.—Tar-sealing was continued it) AA’eld Street and finished to the Clock Tower, from Revcll Street and .Sewell Stret, from the C lock lower to Gibson Quay. Stafford Street from Sale Street to the East Boundary is being gravelled. This portion being full of pot holes and ridges has received about two hundred loads of pit gravel and forty-six loads ol beach gravel during the month and when completed this part of the road should he in good condition. Drains.—Two eighteen inch concrete pipes were put in Livingston Street, hill, replacing two that were broken. The drain on the south side of Hampden street, between Brittan and Davie streets, was cleaned out. A break m AA’eld street was repaired. An earthenware drain was put in across Brittan street footpath at Aliss Agnew’s property. Gravel crossings were put in at Paterson, Alichel and Co. and J. Simpson’s, on Gibson Quay. Growth.—Gorse and blackberries was cut in Livingston street between Hampden and Stafford streets, in Sewell street between Park street and tbo North belt and in several other streets.

AVater. —New pipes were put in the (following places: One in Hamilton street near the National Bank, one ill Weld street near the Electric Power station, and one in Fitzlierbert street close up to the Cemetery Hill. Several fire plugs were also raised. Average depth of water in the reservoir for the month —oft. 3ins. —Received.

From Manager, Abattoirs, reporting during Alarch there were slaughtered—--22 cows, 18 boilers, (i(5 bullocks, 20 sheep, 128 lambs, 29 pigs, 9 calves. Condemned —nil. Fees for period £73 Is (same period last year £79 os).—Received.

FIRE PREVENTION. Mr Elcock stated that at the last meeting of the Fire Hrigade, a request had been made by Supt. Mclntosh for a motor hose reel to be provided. 'lbis had caused some discussion in which it. was stated if a motor were supplied, on the score of expense the services of the nightwatchman would have to bo curtailed. The matter had been adjourned till next meeting and he took the opportunity of mentioning the subject to enable Councillors to express their views on the proposal. A general discussion followed in which there was a concensus of opinion that it would be inadvisable to dispense with the services of the nightwatciiman and that in view of the very efficient manner in which the Fire Hrigacie were carrying out their duties that it was not desirable to make any alteration in the general arrangements, especially as there was no fire alarm system installed in the town, while if a motor engine was provided it would mean a considerable increased cost in upkeep and it would also be necessary to have a caretaker, so that there would not be so great a saving, with less efficiency.

The Council adjourned at 9 p.m