BOROUGH COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 22 August 1939, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL

MONDAY, AUGUST 21. The Hokitika Borough-Council met last evening at 8.20 o’clock. Present: Mr G. A. Perry (Mayor), Crs. Caliari, Freitas, Elcock, Turner, Stuart, Heinz, Fox and Stop forth. An apology was made for the absence of Cr. Parry. The minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approved. Two deputations waited on the Council in support of applications by letters —from the Aero Club, who were informed their application would be granted and from occupiers of State Houses who were informed that their application for footpaths to their properties would receive the earliest possible attention.

INWARD CORRESPONDENCE. From the Hokitika Aero Club, application for permission to hold a concert in the Regent Theatre on Sunday, 3rd. September next, in aid of the funds of the Club.—Received; request granted. From Inspector of Housing, Christchurch, advising that Mr Searle, Housing Engineer, would like to attend the Council meeting and submit fresh plans and particulars in regard to the work at the Botanical Garden site which the Council have been requested to quote for.—Received ; the Mayor stated they had met the officer and plans would at once be drawn up.

From Hokitika Beautifying Association, thanking Council for granting supply of soil from Cass Square for topdressing on the river side area. —Received.

From Department of Internal Affairs, forwarding a copy entitled “Roadside Beautification in New Zealand.” —Received. • From New Zealand Refrigerating Co., advising that the following quantities of meat were delivered into Hokitika during the month of July, viz:— 106 sheep, 3 lambs. —Received. From Municipal Association of New Zealand, advising that the Department of Internal Affairs is now completing scheme and memorandum for the guidance of local bodies in event of a national emergency and suggesting that any such plans formulated by other be regarded as unauthorised.—Received, From the Technical Publications Ltd., Wellington, re publication entitled “Civil Defence.” —Received. - From the Controller of Civil Aviation. advising that the scale of landing charges on the Hokitika Aerodrome is under consideration but a decision '•an. not be reached until further investigation is made in the matter of the rate-, of the various bodies interested in the ownership and control of the aerodrome. —Received.

From the General Secretary, Centennial Branch, asking if Council has armorial bearings and if so could two copies be supplied.—Received; Town Clerk to reply. From William Connor, slaughterman, application for 12 working days annu al leave from the Pth. to 21st. October next. —Received and agreed to. From R. Herring, caretaker, tendering his resignation as caretaker and asking that the resignation take effect about the end of October. Also tender, ii'.g his thanks to the Council for consideration shown during the term of his employment.—Received and accepted from November 10; with regret. From the Officer-in-Charge, Valuation' Department, Christchurch, stating that in regard to the recent re-valuation of the Borough of Hokitika that objections were lodged and in every case a settlement was made with each objector and that in order to save needless expense to the Council of setting up an Assessment Court merely to confirm these amendments he should be glad to receive, as soon as possible, formal advice stating that the Council concurs in the settlements made.—Received and Council concurred in the settlements made.

From Robert Fleming, Revell Street, stating that the watercourse which runs through the back of bis property is blocked and asking that the Council have the watercourse cleaned out.' — Received; to be attended to. From Mrs Marion Parker, Bealev Street, asking that the footpath receive attention as the storm water floods the footpath in wet weather.—Received. From Mrs A. M. Appleton,. Livingstone Street, asking that the gorse along the frontage of her sections be cleared and also the street drainage he attended to as some of the land which is suitable for building has at present no reasonable access. —Received; referred to Public Works Committee.

From tlie Now Zealand Refrigerating Co., advising that in regard to the Contract for the purchase of runners made with the Council on behalf of the local butchers that the contract expires on the 30th. September. 1939, and that the Refrigerating Co. wish to exercise their option to renew their contract for a further period of one year, on the present basis.—Received. From the Director of Housing Construction. stating that in regard to thp, Municipal Reserves which are now under offer for housing purposes that it was noted that the Council’s offer to sell is conditional noon the Government enacting legislation to waive the provisions of Section 15fi (2.1 of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1933, and stating that in view of the expressed provisions therein that it may not be possible, to obtain the legislative authority required. The Director draws attention to the benefit which should accrue to the Borough; if the proceeds from the sale of these reserves are allowed to accumulate over a period of years, a valuable fund will be available for the purchase of land for public reserves within the Borough and asking whether the Council would re-consider its decision and waive the condition.—Received; the Council decided not to withdraw its refusal, except in regard to a small section in Haast Street.

From Medical Officer of Health, Christchurch, re sanitary service. Received. From C. E. Sparkes, sanitary contractor, stating that in regard to the renewal of the sanitary contract that he will have to provide a new vehicle at a considerable cost and lie is therefore prepared to continue the contract for one year from the Ist. August, JP39. for the sum of £670, and further to renew the contract from year to year theieafter at the same rate. —Received. From R. Boulton, Linwood, asking for particulars of wages for sanitary contract. —Received. From Mrs Rose Butler, stating that she is waiting to build a dwelling on Section 503, Hoffman Street, and would be glad of the Council’s decision in regard to the formation of a roadway to her section. —Received, left to Public Works Committee to look into. From Beautifying Society, asking Council to draw up a stock route through the Borugh streets. —Received ; referred to Town Clerk to report. From G. O’Brien, Park Street east, asking for footpath access. —Received : referred to Public Works Committee to attend to; the roadway question to be held over. From Mrs Pres J on, for permission to erect a septic tank.—Received; request approved.

From Businessmen’s Association, asking for extension of the time allowance for cars standing time in Revell Street, from 5 minutes to 15 or 20 minutes.— Received. Cr Fox was satisfied that the •rule was the cause of great satisfaction to the pedestrian traffic and the present regulation was fully justified. After discussion it was resolved to defer a decision, pending further enquiry.

REPORTS. The Treasurer reported receipts for period £765/11/7, payments £913/17/7. debit balance £2954/19/o.—Received. Accounts amounting to £llß9/2/10 were passed for payment. ABATTOIR REPORT. The manager reported during July there was slaughtered 38 cows, 28 heifers, 76 bullocks, 283 sheep. 45 lambs, 13 pigs, 11 calves. Condemned: Three cows, 1 heifer. Fees for month : £BO/14/0 (same month last year £7l/4/0). —Received. ' ! % CR. TURNER’S REPORT. On Thursday, July 20, I attended a. demonstration of a W.C. tractor at Springston. About 20 attended the demonstration, the llunanga Mayor and Works Chairman, and the engineers from Greyniout'li and Jnangahua being among them-.

All present were of the opinion that this utility tractor was a very handy machine, especially for Borough work, as its many functions include grading, hauling, grass cutting, while an attached pulley renders it useful for purposes such as driving pumps and elevators.

The Mayor of Runanga stated that as their motor truck was almost worn out, lie was going to recommend to his c.uncil that they should purchase this machine and two dump trucks. I would very much like to - sec the Borough of Hokitika go in for this tractor, and at least one dump truck. With our finances in a bad way, ] feel that it can he done out of revenue, with a big saving in present cost, and the work performed would be of a more thorough nature. I have arranged with Messrs Andrews and Beaveil Ltd., to give a demonstration in Hokitika with the first machine that is landed on the Coast, and I feel sure that after the •demonstration, the Councillors and residents will be convinced that a machine of this type is necessary in the town. If there are any doubts in the minds of the councillors concerning the ability of the machine I feel sure it would be possible to hire it for a week at a reasonable charge,. a practical method of removing those doubts.

Runanga’s population is 1700, and Hokitika’s 2700. The price of a W.C. tractor is £525, dump truck £l6O, pulley £5, mower £47/10/-; a total of £737/10/-. Terms: one-third down, and balance spread over two years. Motortruck height 69ins. Dump truck height 54iu(s., loins, lower than a motor truck. Size of dump truck: Six feet long; 4ft. Gins, wide; 2ft. Gins, tides; capacity 2£ yards.—Received.

FOREMAN’S REPORT.

The Foreman (Mr F. R. Chesterman) reported the following works were carried out during the mouth : Five days were spent in the gravel pit in Sale St. screening gravel, filling up potholes and depressions on streets about town, and four days on the river beach carting on to depressions and potholes on upper Weld St., ltolleston and Sale Sts., and gravelling the footpath in Jollie St. between Gibson’s Quay and Weld St. Fahey’s lorry was engaged for five days carting gravel from the- pit, finishing the filling in front of the States houses in Stafford St., and gravelling about four chains of Hoffmann St., off Stafford St., leading to Mr Mcßae’s residence. Two days were spent filling up depressions in Sewell St. with asphalt where the water main was laid, and at the intersection of Gibson’s Quay. Water services were renewed at Mr Haines’ in Weld St., and' the Convent

in Sewell St-. New services were put in at Mr Niehol’s in Weld St., Mr Sumner’s in Sewell St., and Mr Seebeck’s in Brittan St. Services were repaired at the following places, Mr O’Brien’s in Fitzherbert St., Mr Woods’ in Revell St., and the service leading to the railway tank in Weld St. Two days were spent cutting growth on Livingstone St. drain, north of Hampden St., and the growth cleared on Gibson’s Quay, in front of the customs office, where a roadway was formed. The frontage was levelled in front of Miss Potts’ residence, and a. six-inch pipe put in the watertable. Half a day was spent on repairs, of the water main between the reservoir and the Kanieri Forks. The average depth of water in the reservoir for the month was 9ft. lOins.

MISCELLANEOUS. The Mayor reported at the request of the Ross Borough Council, lie had called a meeting of contributing bodies to the Hospital Board, to he held in the Countv Chambers on Wednesday next at 2.30 p.m.—Received. Crs. Turner, Elcock and the Mayor were appointed delegates, Cr. Elcock was appointed to represent the Council on the Hokitika High School Board. It was* resolved to complete the fencing of Livingstone Street drain. From S. J. Preston and fifteen ether subscribers, forwarding £lll as a dona-

tion for the renovation of the Town Hall.—Received with thanks. Cr. Stopforth reported on proposals to improve the playing ground on Cass Square. —Received ; the Council to supervise if a grant under No. 13 scheme is made.

THE ESTIMATES. The Councillors had been supplied with a copy of the Estimates for the ensuing year. In connection with the new valuation , the Town Clerk reported there were 808 assessments made, with 643 ratepayers, and that the average rate payment would amount to £ll/0/6. Cr. Turner referred to a number of matters in connection with outstanding rates, the cost of street maintenance, and other financial outgoings, and urged that the Council consider the purchase of a tractor, on which he had reported. This machine could be utilised for grading and other work in the day, and for removing night soil at night. The Council then proceeded to discuss the Estimates.

Amongst tlip many wedding presents received by a certain happy pair in Auckland recently was a huge tin of cigarette tobacco, and as both tho young people adore cigarettes, this very unconventional bridal gift was greatly appreciated by them. It was something nerv in wedding presents, which too often consist of things the recipients don’t care a button for, and could very well do without. The accompanying card read: “May all your troubles end in smoke!’’ And, to cap all, tlie contents of the tin proved to be River.iead Gold —the finest cigarette tobacco money can buy!' It’s one of the five amous “toasted” brands so popular with smokers of both sexes. Another very' choice cigarette tobacco is Desert y Gold, w'hile the three other genuine (• toasted brands, Cut Plug No. 10 (Btills. aJp ■cad), Cavendish and Navy Cut No. 3 J (Bulldog), are unequalled for the pipe. All are practically harmless —that’s vluit toasting does!—and for flavour ,nd bouquet tlieir equals have not yet >een manufactured. But take care vhen you buy! Several/ worthless .nutations are about. Give them a uisst—■Advt. -'