The Hokitika Borough Council was originally formed under the Hokitika Municipal Corporation Ordinance of 1867, enacted by the Westland Provincial Council, and it was subsequently incorporated on the 24th of August, 1868, under its Act of the General Assembly relating to boroughs. The area of the borough is 1,280 acres. The total rateable capital value in the year 1905 was £127,158, and the unimproved value £48,343, and general and special rates are levied on the unimproved value. The general rate is threepence three farthings in the pound, and the special rate is a penny-halfpenny; and in addition, a charitable aid rate of a penny farthing in the pound is levied on the capital value. There are two existing loans: one of £1,978, under the Municipal Corporations Act, of which £400 has been paid off, and a loan of £10,000 under the Local Bodies Loans Act, for drainage purposes, with a currency of forty-one years. There are over fifteen miles of streets formed, and about twenty miles of footpaths, and one-third of these are asphalted. The streets are level, and exceptionally well kept, and were formed by day labour. There are eighteen hotels within the borough, and they pay licenses ranging from £40 to £45 per annum. The income from all sources for the financial year 1904–1905, was over £3,000. The assets of the borough consist of a Town Hall and reserves. On these are built the fire brigade station, and the Agricultural Hall and Drillshed, valued at £3,000. Cass Square, which is beautifully laid out, is also the property of the Council. It is nine acres in extent, and is valued at £3,000. There are other reserves, which are used for public purposes, and which bring up the total value to £15,000. In the year 1905 the Council considered proposals for the general drainage of the borough, and for the inauguration of a water supply scheme. Up to that year, provision had been made only for drainage of surface water, and the residents generally were dependent on rainwator tanks. The Hokitika cemetery is under the control of the Borough Council, and is situated on the top of a terrace on the northern boundary of the town. The borough of Hokitika is lighted by thirty gas lamps, and gas is supplied by the local gas company at 7/6 per thousand feet net. Members of the Borough Council for the year 1905: Mr. J. Mandl (Mayor), and Messrs G. page 487 A. Perry, W. Heinz, J. J. Clarke, P. Amberger, T. W. Beare, P. Dee, H. B. Bock, J. Lloyd, and Dr. H. Macandrew. Officers: Mr. J. K. Campbell, Town Clerk and Treasurer; Mr. T. Green, inspector and overseer; Mr. A. A. Andrewes, night-watchman, and Mr. J. Ward, sexton.