BOROUGH COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 21 November 1939, Page 6

BOROUGH COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING. The Hokitika Borough Council met last evening at 8 o’clock. Present:— Crs. A. R. Elcomk (Deputy Mayor) in the chair, J. L. Turner, J. Fox, W. H. Stopforth, G. Heinz, C. Caliari and D. P. Stuart, Apologies were made for the absence of the Mayor (in Greymouth) and Cr. Freitas. TREASURER’S REPORT.

The Treasurer reported receipts £B2O 6s 4d, payments £1513 9s 3d"; Or. balance £lB 15s 9d. —Receried. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE.

From Commissioner of Transport, submitting proposed time-table for an extension of Air Travel (N.Z.) Ltd. Service betAveen Hokiti ka-Grey mouth-Westport-Nelson as the Cook Strait Airways Ltd. service between Nelson, Westport, and .Greyniouth will be suspended at an early date, and for an indefinite period, and also submitting schedule of increased f%res. —Received. From N.Z. Refrigerating Co., Ltd., advising that the following meat was delivered into Hokitika abattoir area, during October: 139 sheep, 2 lambs.— Received.

From District Engineer, N.Z.R., Christchurch, advising that the matter of children cycling down the inclines of the railway bridge at Hokitika had been referred to the District Traffic Manager to look into the matter. —Received. From Miss M. L. Tomlinson, application for permission to instal a septic tank on section 1282, block 5j6, Hampden Street.—Received and approved. From Rev. M., H. Feist, pointing out that the corner of the road at the entrance to the Hokitika Cemetery is. really dangerous to motorists, and suggesting that the position I could fee remedied at a small cost. —Received; referred to Mental Hospital authorities. From Hokitika Businessmen’s Association, offering the Council its hearty co-operation in any efforts made to recognise in any way the departure of local men about to leave on active service.—Received ; referred to Mayor. From Municipal Association of N.Z., forwarding recommendations made at a joint meeting of representatives of the New Zealand Counties and Municipal Associations in regard to local body officers and regular employees in military duties.—Received. From Automobile Association (Westland Branch) pointing out the danger to school children in crossing Hampden Street, to and from tlie public school and asking that a pedestrian crossing be marked across the street, opposite the main gates of the school. If this is done the Association will be glad to co-oerate with the schoolmaster in endeavouring to train the children to use the crossing.—Received ; approved at corners of Sale and Brittan Streets, and also in Sewell Street; Town Clerk to look up existing signs. From Automobile Association, stating that a deputation had intervieAved the Hon. Minister of Public . Works at Hokitika in regard to turnouts on the .Hokitika railway bridge, and the Minister had agreed to increase the subsidy to £3 for £1 to enable one turnout to he completed, and that on the basis of an estimated cost of £550 per turnout each of the local bodies would fee required to contribute one-eighth of the cost, at an estimated amount of £6B 15s.—Received.

From Secretary, Westland Provincial Patriotic Council, forwarding copy of directions from the Minister of Internal Affairs respecting Patriotic Purposes Emergency Regulations, 1939, Regulation 25 (1).—Received.

From same, fonvarding copy of minutes of Conference between National Patriotic Council arid representatives of eleven Provincial Patriotio Councils held in Wellington on the 9th November, 1939.—Received.

From Clerk, Westland County Council, asking in regard to the Emergency Precaution Scheme for the Council to indicate a suitable day and time for a Conference to be held in the County Chambers.— Received; the Mayor, Cr. Turner and Stuart .meet the County Council.

From Clerk of Awards, notification of an industrial dispute between the New Zealand Federated Clerical and Officas staff employees and Aulsebrook and Co., Ltd., and other employers.— Received.

From Director of Housing Construction advising that the Council’s tender dating 30th September, 1939, for roading and servicing the Department’s block (Reserve 445, Botanical Gardens) has been recommended to Cabinet for formal acceptance, and that as soon as the monetary authority is obtained the Council will be advised immepffately. In the meantime preparations can be made to start the work.—Received.

From T. F. Sankey, complaining in regard to the surface water flowing ori to his section in.Rolleston Street.—Received; to receive attention. From J. L. Turner, stating that lie would like the footpath in front of his property in Sewell Street tar-sealed, aiid he would be prepared to pay half cost, provided cost is reasonable.—Received, and agreed to. From the District Public Trustee,; Greymouth, stating that the late Mr W. F. Bone was owner of sections 650, 652, and 654, fronting Gibson Quay, and it was desired to transfer one of the sections which constitutes a subdivision, but as Gibson Quay is not a pubilic street, such action is precluded by the provisions of section 125 of the Public /Works Act, 1928. Tt is sug.- : gested that the Council, pass a resolution exempting the transfers of land

from provisions of section 125 of the Public Works Act, 1928, Avhich will enable the District Land Registrar to register the transfers.—Received, and agreed to. From, W. H. Kearns, stating that footpath is very unsatisfactory in wet weather. —Received; to be attend to.

From Beautifying Society, renewing application for removal of fence aroundMacandrew Square.—Received ; and referred to Reserves Committee for attention.

From Treasurer Presbyterian Church, asking for tar-sealing of portion of footpath alongside Church .—Received ; to be attended to.

From A. Sumner, asking for repairs to footpath—Received; referred to Foreman. Accounts amounting to £1637 18s 4d were passed for payment. Foreman’s Report. The Foreman' reported that the following works were carried out during the month: — Pot holes were filled Avith asphalt in Revell, Hamilton, Weld and Sewell streets. The footpath on the east side of Bealey Street between Weld Street and Gibson Quay was chipped and gravelled. and the west side cleared of growth, and depressions filled with graA r el and the footpath in front of Mr F.’Andrews’ residence in Hampden Street was graded and gravelled. The drain in Davie Street in front of Mr Kortegast’s cordial factory was cleaned out, and the drain in WeldStreet between Bealey and Hall Streets was cleaned out and deepened. A blockage was cleaned out in Sewell Street in the drain from Cameron’s paddock, and the drain cleaned out through the paddock. The east boundary drain was cleaned.out from the river to the head, a distance of about 20 chains, and a flood stop bank put in to prevent water flowing past on to 'sections beloAV. The drain in Davie Street at the State houses which was filled partly up by the bull dozer when levelling for the street was cleaned out. Two days were spent laying 6in. pipes in Weld Street drain between Bealey and Hali Streets, the flood gates Avere put on the remaining drains, Sewell and Bealey Streets. One day was spent carting on Cass Square with a lorry distributing the spoil Avhich was lying there. A new water service was put in to Mr W. Stopforth’s in Bealey Street, and a new service put in at Mrs L. Graham’s in Sale Street. One day repairing on Lake line at the Forks' and the water wells at the corners of Stafford and Revell Streets was partly replanked. The fire plugs around the tqwn were inspected and raised where necessary; three days were spent at the baths removing the wood work on the west end, and a- concrete sump put over 'the valve, and the water service altered. The average water in the reservoir for the month was 8 feet 5 inches. From Manager Abattoirs, reporting during October there were slaughtered: 26 cows, 38 heifers, 88 bullocks, 266 sheep, 11 lambs, 7 pigs, 3 calves; .condemned, nil. Fees for month £73 *lßs (same month last year £6B 10s).— Received. General. A discussion took place on the repairing of some of the streets, arid ultimately it Avas resolved that the Works Committee report. -The Traffic Inspector’s report for the month Avas received as satisfactory. It was resolved to purchase a detailed map of the town provided by the Valuation Department. Ah arrangement for payment for extra Avork in connection with holiday leave at the abattoirs, was approved. The question of the use of Cass Square for a camping place was referred to the Reserves Committee 'for attention. Matters in connection with several reserves on Revell Street North and Gibson Quay were referred to the Town Clerk to enquire into and report. Authorised drainage works arranged for in the estimates were approved to he put in hand. The dog registration fees were agreed to at 10/- and 2/6, the same as previous years, Cr. Elcock reported on a conference in connection with the Swimming Baths, that a committee he set up to carry on consisting of representatives of the Council and business people. Received; referred to previous committee to take approved action.