BOROUGH COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 19 November 1940, Page 6

BOROUGH COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18th

The monthly meeting of the Hokitika Borough Council was held at 8 p.m. Present: Mr G. A. Perry (Mayor), Crs. J. Fox, F. Freitas, G. Heinz,'and C. Caliari. Apologies were made for tho absence of - Cis. Elcock, Stuart, and Stopforth. The minutes were confirmed and correspondence outward approved.

IN WAIt D CORR ESPONDENCE From Miss G. Appleton, tendering her resignation as shorthand writer and typiste and asking to be released on the 31st, December, 194 U—Received and accepted.

From F. W. Chester,man, Borough Foreman, tendering his resignation and asking to be released on the 31st, December, 1940.—Received. The Mayor moved that thd resignation be accepted with regfet, and that it take effect on 31st. January, so as to enable leave to be given on full pay for one month. He regretted tho necessity of health reasons had caused his resignation. The Council had never had a more loyal and conscientious officer, one in whom they had always the fullest trust during his 15 years of service. Cr. Heinz seconded the motion. He was sorry to hear of the resignation, recognising the council would lose a a. most faithful servant, one who was

always very conscientious. (r. Freitas endorsed the previous remarks. He recognised Mr Chesterman as a keen and very conscientious worker, Nothing was too much trouble and his place would be very hard to fill. fir. Fox also joined in recognition of The valued services, of their foreman. All would regret the loss of one so trustworthy', but whom he felt had overworked himself. Cr. Caliari supported. He knew Mr Chester man had always done his utmost to conserve the interests of the Borough. The motion was then carried.

Mr Chestqrman, who was present, thanked Councillors for their kind references. He had always tried to do his best, but felt lie was getting on in years and desired a spell. From John Walsh, Sexton, Cemetery, asking that the electric light be installed in the Sexton’s residence.— Received.

From J. M. Butland, Brittan Street,

stating that he has cleaned the footpath along the frontage of his property in Brittan Street and asking the Council to gravel the frontage to raise the path up to the level on either side. —Received; referred to Public Works Committee.

From Irvine and Stevenson, Ltd., Dunedin, asking the council to reconsider the charge made for extra water supply on the grounds that the water is not used for more than 30 days out of the year and further that they have a bore on the premises which could be used' with very little inconvenience.—Received; to be allowed to instal a meter at own cost. Annual fee charged at present is only 30/.-. From secretary, Westland Master Butchers’ Union of Employers, nominating Mr F. J. Andrews, butcher, of Hokitika, for appointment to the Abattoir Committee in an advisory capacity.—Received. From New Zealand Refrigerating Co., Ltd., advising that the following quantities of meat were delivered into the Hokitika Abattoir Area during the month of October, 1940: 88 sheep, one pig.—Received. From the Main Highways Board, forwarding copy of New Zealand Gazette No. 103 of the 10th. October, 1940, dealing with the revocations and re-declarations of highways in No. 12 Highways District.—Received. From the secretary, National Savings Movement, forwarding information respecting the Group Savings Scheme.— Received.

From secretary, Hokitika Public Library, reporting that owing to the increases in the cost of books and newspapers, and other factors, these are making it impossible for the Library Committee to continue providing services as in the past; that the subscribers are suffering drkstic reduction in the proportion of books available and it is desired that the reduction in the services-should be spread over both the subscription and free section of the library and the Library Committee desire to know, in regard to the Council's subsidy, what amount must be spent on the provision of a free reading room and what proportion of salaries and lighting it would be reasonable to include in that amount. —Received; referred back for recommendations. From Mrs Catherine Shaw, application for consent to sub-division of Section 1165, Block 51, Hampden Street. Hokitika. The land will be subdivided into two parts, one part containing 31 perches with a frontage of one chain, and the other part containing tour perches, at the back of the section, will be sold to an adjoining owner.—Received ; request granted. , From J. C. Chapman, Livingstone Street, asking that the drain across Livingstone Street from his frontage, w hich has been approved, be proceeded with. —Received; the work to be put in

hand. From Hon. Secretary, Hokitika

Amateur Swimming Club, forwardingcopy of club’s balance sheet for the seasons 1938/39, 1939/40, and stating that the amount of outstanding accounts is £l4/7/B.—Received. It was resolved to pav the amount. From secretary, Hokitika Patriotic Committee, stating that a special effort was being made this month to build up funds for the local hoys and that it would be appreciated if the letter was brought under the notice of the stall.— Received. .

From secretary, New Zealand lederation of Local Bodies Employees etc.) asking whether the council was agreeable to a 10 per cent, increase on all rates under the South Island Local Bodies (Urban Section) Labourers’ Award.—Received.

ABATTOIRS REPORT From Abattoirs Manager, reporting that during the month of October there were slaughtered: 19 cows, 40 heifers;, 34 bullocks, 291 sheep, four lambs, 15 pigs, three calves. Condemned': one sheep. Fees for month £66/11/6 (same period last year £72/18/o.—Received.

TREASURER’S STATEMENT The Treasurer reported: Receipts, £266/19'1; payments, £I4BB/19/2; credit balance, £576'8/10.—Received. Accounts amounting to £1219/15/3, general account, and £7O/18/7, water supply account, were passed for payment.

FOREMAN’S REPORT The Foreman reported the following works were carried out during the month: —•

Bealey Street . footpaths between Park and Stafford Streets were chipped and cleaned on both sides, the distance being 20 chains, and the sides- of the street between Hampden and Stafford Streets were graded to the water tables and spoil carted away, while two down pipes were also put in.. Stafford Street footpath between Fitzherbert and Bealey Streets was cleaned on the north side., Hampden Street footpaths on both sides were cleaned between Fitzherbert and Hall Streets, the distance being 15 chains, and a section in Brittan and Hall Streets between Hampden and Stafford Streets cleaned. The footpath and water channel in Fitzherbert Street between Stafford j and Weld Streets on the east side I was cleaned and spoil carted away, a distance of ten chains' Pot holes iti Be veil, Weld, Fitzherbert, and 'Sewell Streets were filled with asphalt and the fbotpath along the frontage of the Presbyterian Church asphalted. Weld Street drain on the south side, between Sale and Davie Streets was' cleaned out, a distance of ten chains, and the north boundary drain leading into the sea was cleaned of timber and rubbish, and Fitzherbert Street dram between-Hampden and Stafford Streets was cleared of a blockage. . Two days were spent. on the lake water main repairing between the reservoir and Boucher’s Creek, and a water service in -Stafford Street was repaired. The valve at the swimming, baths, was cleaned. The reservoir was cleaned out and' the cracks along'the bottom edges were treated with Bentonite, which seems to be satisfactory as the water keeps up to a fair level. We intend to test it

early in November to see what the result is. A bitumen covered pipe in the swamp was badly chipped; this we

repaired. Mr Walsh started his;holid»ys on the 29th. and Mr Cutbush is acting Sexton. The average depth of water in thereservoir for the month was 6ft. On. —Received.

Arrangements were made for necessary attention to Cass Square. The Mayor was authorised to makearrangements for securing possession of an area on a Borough Reserve.

POSITION OF TYPISTE Applications were received from Misses Elsie Cook, Dorothy Robinson/ V. D. Bell, and V.. J. Heenan. The application of V. J. Heenan was accepted at the award rate. -

SWIMMING BATHS The Mayor moved that a Centennial Baths Committee be appointed consisting of two members of. the council, two members of the. Swimming. .Club and representatives of the two schools and Surf Club. Messrs E. W. Heenan,. F. Freitas and W. H. Stop forth v'ere appointed. Cr. Freitas was appointed chairman.

The dog registration fee for * next year was fixed for : the same as last year at 10/- and 2/6.

An Emergency Regulations Commit-, tee ivas considered and consideration deferred to next meeting.