BOROUGH COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 21 June 1938, Page 6

BOROUGH COUNCIL

MEMBERS MEET AT HOKITIKA. His Worship the Mayor, (Mr G. A. Perry) presided at the usual monthly meeting of the Hokitika Borough Council held last evening at 8 o’clock. The following Councillors were also present: —A. It. Elcock, G. Heinz, W. H. Stopfortli, H. T. Parry, J. L. Turner, D. Freitas, J. Fox, C. Caliari. An apology was made for the absence of Cr. H. L. Michel. The minutes of the last usual monthly meeting and also a special meeting were read -and confirmed and- outward correspondence approved. A deputation from the Westland Rugby Sub-Union consisting of Messrs E. W. Heenan, C. L. Harper and A. H. Lawn waited on the Council. Mr Heenan explained that in view of the present condition of the football fields at Cass Square the Union had decided not to play any matches on the grounds for a fortnight in order to give the areas a chance to improve. He said the Union considered that favoured with fine weather the grounds would harden and he requested that should this occur the council have them rolled into a good condition. A request.was also made to have permission granted to open the square to motorists on wet days when football was in progress and allow them to' park on the cycling track. The Connril approved, of the suggestion to roll the grounds when they harden to effect some improvement and permission was also granted the latter request. Mr Heenan on behalf of the deputation thanked the Council for its patient hearing and consideration. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE. From J. C. Macfarlane for W. J. Richards application,• for consent to plan of subdivision of part M/R 537 and parts of sections 537 A and 3318 C which varies the plan of subdivision approved bv the Council on 13th. January. 1938.—-Received and approved. From Clerk of Awards citing the Hokitika Borough Council as a party to the Industrial Dispute between the I New Zealand Federated Labourers’ Association cf Workers and the Motueka Borough' Council.—Received and Mr Dunkey appointed to represent Council. • Canterbury Employers’ Association, re Industrial Dispute of South Island Local Body Employees (Urban Section) Dispute, 1938.—Received.

From Valuer General stating that the matter of revaluation of the Hokitika Borough is under consideration.— Received.

From Hokitika Basketball Association, asking permission to hold a concent in the Regent Theatre, on a Sunday evening in July with permission to. charge 1/6 and 1/;-. The proceeds to be in aid of the fluids of' the' Hokitika Basketball Association. —Received. Council to inform the Association that in accordance with principles laid down it regretted that it was unable to grant the application.

From New Zealand Refrigerating Co., advising that the following quantity /if meat was delivered into Hokitika during the month of May, 1938, viz: 95 sheep.—Received. From Sanitary Inspector reporting that sanitary conditions of all hotels in the Borough are now satisfactory.—Received.

From T. E. Schou, notifying that he is transferred to Christchurch iand expressing Iris sincere thanks for the courteous treatment he has received from the Council and staff during the time he had been the Councils Sanitary Inspector.—Received, and letter of appreciation of consideration of Mi Schou’s services to be forwarded.

From W. J. Richards, application for permission to instal a Septic t,anion Section 537, Sale Street. —Received Granted subject to approval of Health Department. From W. J. Richards, application for street crossing ot M R 537, Sale Street and suggesting the Council consider the piping of the short distance to connect with the existing drain. —Received and referred to Public Works Committee tr examine and report. From Dr C. A. Corban, thanking; Council for appointment as one of it' representatives on the Committee o f the Hokitika Public Library.—Received. From Commissioner of Transport rr Time Table of Nelson-Greymouth-Hoki. tika Airways Service.—Received. From Royal Humane Society of NewZealand an appeal for contribution tr improve the financial position of the Society.—Received and resolved a donation of £l/1/- be made.

From .T. 1,. Pugh. Contractor for extension of water mains to provide do-

mestic water service connections to new houses to be erected by the Government on Municipal Reserve No. 445. Receired. Action of P.W. Committee in installing necessary connections, / approved. From Transport Department, Wellington. forwarding report of meeting of the Road Safety Council. —Received. From Municipal Association of Conference of Delegates held at New Plymouth on Ist. March. 1938. —Received. From J. L. Pugh, asking Council to forward an estimate of the cost of necessary repairs to the footpath on 1 tic frontage of the new National Bank building.—Received. Foreman to estimate cost.

Same, re household drain at Mr Gillmail’s new house. Sewell street, and asking whether Council intends to insta! sewer.—Received. A renlv to be forwarded advising the Council intention t<? instal sewer but that, no definite time could he stated.

From’ Secretary, Westland Hospital

Board advising th't owing to certain necessary adjustments the Borough’s proportion -of the Westland' Hospital levy of the current year had been increased to £1784/15/6, payable in nine payments of £l9B/6/2 each.—Received and approved.

From Hon. Sec. Hokitika Ministers’ Association, expressing regret the action of the Borough Council in granting permission for the ‘ opening of the Princess Theatre for the purpose of introducing Sunday pictures. More than this it wishes to protest as strongly «s possible against such action and reminds the Council that it represents a large proportion of the community. It also deplores the fact that after so many years this permission should he thus granted. Together with this the Association wishes to state that it is out of sympathy with all Sunday entertainments and wishes to see them discouraged.—Received; no action taken.

From Hon. ,'Sec. Westland Rugby Sub-Union forwarding suggestions for the improvement of the playing area in Cass Square. —Received. From New Zealand Master Butchers’ Industrial Association of Employers stating that the Association is at present time preparing evidence to place before the Agricultural and Pastoral Committee in regard to “slaughter of stock inspection of moat hill.” It is desired to obtain information with a • view to showing the serious effect upon killings in Municipal Abattoirs as a result of the competition of meat export slaughter houses which are selling meat at their works retail to the public. A return of stock slaughtered at the local Abattoirs over a period of eight years is asked for.—-Received, Town Clerk to supply return asked for.

In connection with the Ministers Association protest at the action of the Council in granting permission to the Princess Theatre, Air Parry said that uliilo he was sympathetic with the work the Association was doing lie was of the opinion that it should be more talerant. He remarked that there were a considerable number of people who favoured Sunday night entertainment, and he considered that to take away privileges which were theirs was not right. One or two other members were in accord with Mr Parry’s remarks, and it was decided that no action bo taken. It was further resolved that the Council request that a statement of receipts and expenditure in connection with the Sunday night pictures be forwarded to tile Council after each enter* taninnient, and also that the net proceeds be placed into a special fund vested in the Mayor for charitable purposes. TREASURER’S REPORT. The Treasurer’s report for the period ending June 18th was received and adopted. It read as follows; —District Fund Accountßeceipts, £395/4/1; payments, £[>l7/114/11; debit balance. £737/14/9. Water Supply Loan, 1936: credit ba 1 aiictq-T-IUS s ->\t*t.JoSMt repayment account, receipts, £2/1/4; credit balance £322/14/11. Accounts amounting to £978/3/7 were passed for payment, as was an account tor £4l/17/4 in connection with the water supply repayment loan account. ABATTOIRS REPORT. . The manager of the abbatoirs reported tile following stock slaughtered for the month of May Cows, 47 ; heifers ; 37; bullocks, 64; calves 18; sheep, 310 ;; lambs, 54 ; pigs, 15. Condemned : 1 cow, 3 sheep. Fees collected for the month, £B7/8/6 ; as compared with £B4/8/6 for the same month last year. —The report was received and adopted. FOREMAN’S REPORT. The Borough Foreman (Mr F. Chesterman) reported the following works for the month of May TAR-SEALING. Tar-sealing was carried out in Weld Street between Sewell and Stafford streets and the Clock Tower, and pot holes were filled with asphalt in Revolt Street and part of Weld Street. Growth was cleared at Upper Weld Street between Holleston and Jollie Streets, and'in Tudor Street between tiio railway and Fitsherbert Street, file kerbing in Weld Street and in Fitzherbert Street was cleaned of growth between BonJny Street and the railway. Two chains of footpath in Sale Street north of Park Street was cleaned and gravelled, and half chain of roadway vas gravelled in Tudor Street, leading to Mr Fitgzerald's new residence, and i portion of Ben ley* Street footpath oil the west side was gravelled between Weld and Stafford Streets, and the lootpath on the west side was gravelled between Weld and Stafford Streets, and the footpath leading t () Gibsons Quay round Mr R. Ross section was (’leaned ready to gravel. Water services were put in to Mr Singer’s at the east Town Belt; to a section in Fitzherbert Stree for Mr C. Schroder, and to one State house in Fitzherbert Street, and a water service was repaired on Gibson Quay.

The drain at the corner of Fitzlierbert and Hampden Streets was cleared of a blockage, and a grating put over the down pipe, ami a down pipe "its put in to the drain at the corner ot Hampden and Sewell Streets. During the month we shot down the pit in Sale Street, and'erected a gate‘at the entrance. The average depth of water iu the reservoir was 8 feet 2 inches for the month. —Received and adopted. WORKS .COMMITTER. In seconding the Mayor’s motion for the reception and adoption of the report of the Works Committee, as submitted by the chairman (Mr G. IleiivQ. Mr Parry said he wished to congratulate the chairman on his excellent report. There was a very big programme, and one not list'd to ill previous councils, j The report included the following 1

suggestions: (1) That a 9-inch sewer be la iu tinuugil ails cainiruil s pi openly to meet with the iancred Street urain, a distance of / chains, and at ail estimated cost for material of £l6. Also drum-pip.ug to piovide household drainage for houses oil the east sine ol Revell Street between Hampden and l'aik Streets. Four chains of piping of 9 inch pipes at the north boundary of Mr Eggling’s property on Gibson Quay to thTriver , and also one chain of 9 inch pipes across Rolleston Street to carry u ff stagnant water from the water course. (3) One chain of sewer pipes along the east side of Jollie Street at the intersection of Hampden Street and, ail open drain for the rest oi the distance. It is estimated that there are sufficient secondhand 9 inch sewer pipes in baud to complete thesq three voiks on the assumption that subsidised labour is available. (4) The extension of the present sewer in Sewell Street for a distance of 16 chains to Spencer Street, using 1 chains of new 12 inch sewer pipes. The total cost of material, including timber, is estimated at £IBO. Also a suggestion that labour for this work be obtained under Scheme 13. I'or t e balance of six chains it is suggested that 9 inch pipes bo used (5) Making fifty concrete drainage pipes. (6) Improving the drainage of Cass Square bv the use of stone drains, as suggested by Westland Rugby SubUnion. , (7) That Hoffmann Street be formed for about a distance of six chains north of Ford Street, the formation to he ten feet wide, and creek piped. (8) The clearing of land and formation of a road at the cemetery. (9) Re-conditioning of streets and footpaths, preparatory to tar-sea ling. (10) That the Government be asked for financial assistance to improve the cycling track at Cass Square and other necessary improvements in the interests of sporting bodies.

In connection with the foregoing works, the committee recommended that the Council apply for up to 20 men under Employment Scheme No. 13 (,1937/180) for a period of approximately 26 weeks. Also that when the men are employed under Employment Scheme No. 13 that adequate provision be provided by the Council, and that the foreman be empowered to dispense with any man not giving satisfactory service. (11; That the Council sell the Mather Platt pump for £l5O, f.0.r., Hokitika, and the used 40 h.p. motor and starter for £9O, f.0.r., Hokitika. The report was received and adopted.

Some little discussion followed on a motion, bro.iigl.it by Cr. Heinz, that the Council consider tile purchase ot a good second-hand lorry to replace the horse and dray system ol working. Various opinions were given, the majority of councillors favouring the purchase of a new truck in preference to ITsecoutl hand one. All were satisfied that the lorry. avould mean a saving and that more work would be able to be done than with the present horse and dray system. Cr Heinz then moved an amendment to his former motion, altering it to read “the Council consider the purchase ot a suitable two and a half ton motor lorry.” and it was then decided that the Town Clerk prepare, in conjunction with members of the Works Committee, a report on the costs and savings, etc., to be submitted at the next mcet-

mg. . , Authority was given the Town Cierk to call a special meeting of the Council to consider the estimates and rating proposals when ready, which would also consider the report in connection with the purchase of a lorry.' This concluded the business, and a vote of thanks to the chair terminated the proceedings at 9.45 p.m.