BOROUGH COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 10 March 1939, Page 6

BOROUGH COUNCIL

SPECIAL MEETING HELD.

His Worship the Mayor (Mr G. A. Perry), presided at a special- meeting erf the .Hokitika Borough Council held at 8 o’clock in the Town Hall last evening, when there were present Councillors C. Caliari, J. L. Turner, G. Heinz, J. Fox, W. H. Stop forth, A. It. Elcock, D. P. Stuart, D. F. E. Freitas and the Town Clerk (Mr H. G. Coles)'. ' The meeting unanimously agreed on all the proposals submitted, although the proceedings were not without some “lively” moments. The Mayor explained that the meeting had been called for the purpose of considering four motions to be moved by Cr. Stopforth. He asked Cr. Stopforth to proceed with the motions, which were as follows:—. (1) That the Council consider the purchase of a suitable tip lorry and equipment, for tar-sealing and general road work, i • (2) That the Council increase the outside permanent staff with a man experienced in road work and I‘orry driv-

(3) That Hampden, Weld and Tancred Streets be tarsealed, piped and levelled as far as revenue will permit. (4) That if necessary, an extra rate, not exceeding threepence, be struck for the coming year to meet the cost of lorry, tar, etc. ■ >.

Cr. Stopforth said bis idea in propos-

ing the motions was because they were 'what he considered essential works in •the:town- and■ iwere represehtatiVe of thp A-feglingSi ; pf other, -councillors. inasmuch as they had been contemplated for, a considerable period. He felt, as other councillors did, that some definite works policy should be decided upon for town works requiring attention at the moment. , He then read and moved the first proposal and included that a special committee be set up to investigate the type of lorry, suitable and the approximate cost, the vehicle to be in operation on April Ist. Cr. Freitas seconded the motion . which was unanimously carried, , “The text of this motion,” said Cr. Stopforth in moving his second-propo-sal, “is to my way of thinking mast essential. It should be quite easy to obtain the services of a lorry-driver and if the Council can appoint a •man with experience as a lorry-driver as well as with knowledge of road work, the appointment would be a very wise one.”

Cr. Elcock seconded this proposal

Cr. Turner said he thought Cr Stopforth was putting the cart before the horse. He admitted all these things we're necessary -but the first and main consideration should be to find where the money was coming from. The Mayor . said the point was quite right. It must be admitted that the .Council was not, under the > present conditions of employment, getting the sam© . service from the men with the.horse and cart. The loss was quite a serious one, and, he thought, the proposal should be investigated. If the Council could add to the efficiency of its work it should do so. He suggested, however, the motion be modified to. propose . obtaining employment to assist in the tar-sealing work which was being carried on, as it was the important job at the moment. Cr. Turner said he definitely favoured the appointment of a permanent man. He did not think the present staff was under the definite control of the men in charge. More work should be got out of them for the wages they were receiving than that being done. He mentioned a certain person who had had considerable experience in road work. Cr. Freitas also referred to the person mentioned by Cr. Turner and spoke of his ability. Cr. Elcock said he was strongly opposed to a permanent job being “cut and dried”,for a particular, man. The Council had a foreman whose ability had been proved with .regard .to tarsealing work. He suggested that when the Council got their lorry they should .then Tnferease their staff by one man. The v Mayor - .-supported Cr.*,- El cock’s.'remarks objecting to a “cut and dried” job ; for a certain person. He then put the motion and'this was carried, councillors in full agreement. The third proposal was then moved by Cr. Stopforth. Cr. Heinz said that the tar-sealing of all the streets would come in time. had been big handicaps in the past, particularly with the renewal of the’ water-mains and the drainage scheme. They must have a little patience.

The Mayor said it appeared that the Council 'would he able .to go straight on with the work now. Cr. Fox said he could not see any specific reason why the special meeting had been called. All the proposals under consideration, with the exception of the suggested striking of an extra rate, had been dealt with at previous meetings. For the past 40 years the'Council had been doing piecemeal improvements to the streets and this would go on for another 440 years. It was the expressed intention. of the Council to go on with the piecemeal work out of rate moneys and it seemed to be the wish of the ratepayers that the work be done that way. r There was no “cutting the ice” by calling a special meeting. Or. Stopforth asked Cr. Fox if the Council had exerted itself in any way with regard to 'forming a definite Works policy. He claimed that not two per cent, of the Council'members sitting at the table had. since the election, dene one iota to justify their election as councillors. He emphasised that if the programme sub-| mitted ho adhered to and properly

carried out the council would be in a 'position to live within its revenue. He added that he did not think Cr. Fox’s remarks were in keeping with the : meeting and moved the motion be put. Cr. Heinz mentioned Cr; Stopforth , remarking the Council had not formed • any definite policy but he thought the Council had made a lot of definite policies in the past. Cr. Stopforth forgot . that emergencies could arise as in the past. The Council had quite good intentions but 'difficulties encountered j had made it impossible for the Council j to carry out those intentions, j Cr. Stopforth asked if the Council ■had a definite minute on its books of , a decision to purchase a lorry. | The Mayor—There is not one of j these things, except the rate, but what has been arranged for. 1 Cr. Stopforth—l beg to differ Mr j Mayor. The Mayor—There is a lot of talk about the Council not doing this and that. Take the Government. Even with all its resources one sees instances !, where certain, works have to he def eri red. Every local body finds it cannot 1 entirely, carry out the programme, it ! has mapped .out for itself. Wet weather has affected our works policy, else a' lot more could have been carried ou|; Tar-sealing is our main scheme at present. The Council is all the time trying to do its best as far as is humanly possible. We cannot get on as'faSt as we want to. We all know that. Tf we had not had such a phenomenally wet year we would have been at least six or eight weeks further ahead than we are to-day. The motion was then put and carried. The Mayor suggested Cr. Stopforth withdraw the final motion—the striking of an extra rate. It represented an increase of 14 or 15 per cent, on the. present rates which was very serious. . - Cr. Stopforth replied the measure was only a precautionary one. It may not be necessary to strike it. Cr. Stuart seconded the motion. Cr. Turner said he was not in favour of it. It was a ridiculous proposal.

The Mayor answered that the words “if necessary” did not commit the Council at all. \ The motion was then put and carried uanimously. Cr. Stopforth thanked the councillors for attending the meeting and expressed appreciation of tlieir action in passing the motions. There had, been a lot of comment —both adverse and favourable—but despite this arid also the fact mentioned that the Coun-

cil had been “on the table” for the last 40 years he felt these efforts should be made. Be had been informed that there lyould be some “friction’ at the meeting, but had come prepared to see the motions put through. Strange to say, he continued, when the signatures of three councillors were being; obtained for the notice to bold tin's meeting, Cr. Turner had been one to sign .and been, more or less in accord in every respect with all the suggestions made. He had signed on condition Sewell Street was included in the tar-sealing programme. Cr. Stripforfh concluded by saying he hoped all these works would .be well nearing completion within the next 12 months. A number of urgent matters were then discussed. Authority was given for the purchase of 7000 gallons of ooal tar from the local gas-works at a cost of £175. On the request of Miss M.. Daly, it was decided to connect the drainage from a new house built by applicant in 'Weld Street, to the Sale Street drain, a distance of 11 chains. It was decided that authority be given Mr J. B. Ward for the removal of two pine trees on Ward road at,the cemetery. . The Mayor, Crs, Stuart and Freitas \ were appointed to represent the Council at a meeting of representatives of the County Council, Aero Club and Air Travel, Ltd., on Tuesday next, to consider the question of apportioning the

cost of cutting the grass at the aerodrome to the different local bodies. The Mayor and Crs. Heinz', Stuart and Freitas were appointed to interview the chief engineer of the Kanieri Gold Dredging Company and inquire into the position regarding a permanent deviation of the borough watersupply at Tucker Flat, on the area where the line traverses the dredging area held by the Company. It was decided to accept an offer of £OS from the Commissioner of Crown Lands for the purchase of two sections paid a .municipal reserve in Sewell Street. In response to a request from the same official, it was decided he be informed that the Council considered £BO a fair price for the purchase of the Sewell Street site rejected by the Hospital Board when investigating a site •for a maternity home. In answer a Question by Cr. Turner about' outstanding rates, the Town Clerk said a conimittee had been investigating these and that a very drastic report would be presented at the next ordinary Council meeting. | The meeting rose at 9.15 p.m.