BOROUGH COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 13 December 1938, Page 6

BOROUGH COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING. The Hokitika Borough Council met last evening at 8.15 o’clock. 'Present:' The Mayor (G. A. Perry; Esq.), Cr*.' W. H. Stopforth, C. Caliari, I'. Freitas, G. Heinz, J. L.*Turner, J. Fox j 'and A. R. Elcock. An apology was made for the ibsence of Cr. Parry. The minutes were confirmed, and correspondence outward approved. MOTION OF SYMPATHY. The Mayor referred in feeling terms to the loss sustained by the death or Cr. Michel. He had proved a valuable Councillor and an exemplary citizen, whose death they all deeply regretted. He moved that the Council convey -ts deep sympathy to Mrs Michel and the members of the family in the deep loss they had sustained.—Seconded by Cr. Caliari and carried in silence, members standing. FINANCIAL. The Treasurer reported receipts £441/9/3, payments £666/10/3. Debit, balance, £447/16/9. Water supply loan ..repayment account receipts 19/3, payments £ll/16/1. Credit balance, £239/11/6. Accounts amounting to £1192/9/10 were passed for payment. ■ ■ INWARD COERESPONDENCE

From Mrs James King and family, acknowledging Council’s expression of sympathy in their recent bereavement) —Received.

From (a). Chief Inspector of Explosives, stating that Dangerous Goods Licenses to No. 167 inclusive, have been checked and are in order, and that all monies due have been paid to the Public: Account, (b) Similarly all licenses issued under the Industrial Efficiency Act } 1936, have been chocked to 8408 inclusive, and that monies due to the Public Account have jeeh paid.—Received. , From Commissioner of Transport, forwarding particulars in regard to the Road Safety Week.—Received. . From Messrs A. 11. Alexander and W. F. Gilligan, application to take over south part of Municipal Reserve No. 446 (a) from T. Stopforth on year to year tenancy, and under existing conditions. —Received and approved. From Secretary. Hokitika Sports Club, application for the use of (’ass Square on Boxing Day, 26th inst., for tiie purpose of holding a sports meeting, and asking authority to charge an admission fee on that date.—Received; request granted, subject to payment of 10 per cent of gate receipts.

Assistant- Undor-Secrenry, Public Works Department, that in regard to the areas of 9 acres 3 roods 24 perches- being Reserve 445, Hokitika, and 3 roods, being Lots 18, 19 and 20, D.P. 737, and being part Reserve 402, town of Hokitika, all situated in Block I, Kanieri Survey District. taken by proclamation dated the Bth of June last for housing purposes, I have to advise that the Department is now in a position to make a payment of the purchase price agreed upon, namely £240. A voucher has been prepared and is now under way.—Received. From N.Z. Refrigerating Co. advising that tlib following quantities of meat were delivered into Hokitika during the month of November. 1938, viz: 75 sheep, 2 lambs.—Received. From J. V. Conning (Abattoirs), application for increase in wages. —Received: an increase of 10/- per week was granted.

-From N.Z. Red Cross Society, Hokitika; asking for a donation towards the funds of the local sub-centre, and requesting Council to appoint oile of its members to represent the Council on the executive in place of the late AliyE.U L. Park.—Received.

From the Organiser, Archbishop Julius Memorial Fund Appeal, Christchurch. qsking whether Council would make a grant toward the Appeal Fund.—Received. £l/1/- was voted. J* coin Hon. Sec. SN.Z. Centennial, 1940, (Westland Committee), forwarding copy of minutes of last meeting of executive, and also information in regard to the copy of “The Story of Old Westland” de luxe form at a cost of £l/1/- per copy.—Received ; ten copies to he obtained.

From Mrs N. P. Shaw, Red Lion Hotel, application for a concrete street crossing at new frontage of hotel.— Received; granted on usual terms. From .1. Mac-ray, Hoffman Street, asking lor road, -.access., — consideration deferred.

From W. Straight, Hampden St rent, application for road access to Section H)27, Livingstone Street, near Hampden Street.—Received ; deferred. From N.Z. Standards Institute, forwarding information .respecting the standardisation ot Local Body Bylaws. -—Received.

From Manager Princess Theatre, asking permission to hold a picture entertainment on Christmas night.Rf reived. Cr. Klcoek moved the request be refused. —Seconded by Cl Turner and carried.

From W. Connors, si a lighterman at. abattoirs, applying for an increase of salary.— Received; salary increased to £0 per week, including house Allow a nee. REPORTS. From Manager abattoirs, reporting there were slaughtered during November, 18 cows, 25 heifers, 01 bullocks, 357 sheep, 13 lambs, 13 -pigs, 2 calves. Condemned. 1 row Fees for month, • £6B/19/6 (Jsanie, month last vear £O9 /1 '-).— R rce i ved,

Mr Parham was appointed with powers of an'lnspector. - It was resolved that the. question of rating church properties be held in abeyance until the new valuation ,of the town is completed. Cr." Turner moved that the Council express their appreciation of the interest being taken by many townspeople in improving the front of their properties, and that other ratepayers be invited to take similar action. —Seconded by Cr. Heinz ind carried.

Following a suggestion by Cr. Heinz that a definite line should be given .to those improving their frontages as to the distance they should clean up to, the Council to do the rest, it was resolved on the motion of Cr. Stopforth and Cr. Turner to give the necessary notice.

Cr. Turner wished to bring before the attention of the Council, the serious condition of the roads. Sewell Street was in a shocking state and urgent attention was necessary. He considered it would meet with the approval of the ratepayers if a loan of £IO,OOO was secured and devoted to tar sealing the roads. Some 12, to 14 miles of roads could be done with that amount, aud it would not involve more than 6d to 9d per week for a property worth £IOO, and he did not think ,111a ny ratepayers would object to that if they got good roads.

The Mayor said the proposal to tar seal the roads was agreed to by the .Council, and the work was to be carried out as soon as the Sewell Street drain was completed. Cr. Stopforth said the state of the streets was absolutely shocking, and it was urgent that attention should be given at once. He moved that immediate attention he given the potholes. Cr. Heinz said the fault lay in using too much pit gravel. Beach gravel 01 broken metal was the best for a . oad surface. What was needed was tin Borough scraper to be used every lay. to he continually on the road, and they would soon have a good service. He had told the staff to use the scraper. but nothing had been done. Cr. Freitas agreed that Sewell Street was a disgrace. He moved that the Foreman be instructed to at once use the scraper on the roads. He thought advantage should be taken of an opportunity to get an outside man, .a regular tradesman who was available to carry out the work of tar sealing, and a / thorough job be made. Tht motion was agreed to.

Cr. Stopforth, on behalf of the Reserves Committee, reported on tlje removal of several trees on Cass Square while several more were in a dangeruus condition. There was some firewood available for sale, and several Councillors agreed to take some loads. Attention to further removal of trees was left to Cr. Stopforth. greetings' .. Cr. Elcock said this was the last meeting before Christmas, and on behalf of the Council he extended good wishes for the festive season to the Mayor, who heartily reciprocated the kindly sentiipents expressed. The Council rose at 10.40 p.m.