BOROUGH AFFAIRS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 129, 14 March 1939, Page 3

BOROUGH AFFAIRS

CHALMERS AVENUE SUB-STATION BOARD REPLIES TO COUNCIL. CONSULTATION IN FUTURE. The Ashburton Borough Council having written to the Electric Power Board in protest against the building of a sub-station in Chalmers Avenue without first consulting the Council, the Board replied in a letter received by the Council last evening that it was essential to have a sub-station in that locality. Before the erection of the station very serious consideration was given to the actual location. Probably it would appear to laymen that the location was quite a simple matter, but technical and economic considerations demanded that it be located within a comparatively small radius of a certain point in an area. Under the powers of the Board and viewing the matter in a severely practical manner the problem was easy. It was found on occasions that the owners- of frontages near sub-stations erected on footpaths objected strongly to them and claimed that they adversely affected the value of the property. The writer (the Engineer-Secrfc-ary, Mr H. G. Kemp) admitted that he agreed with them and was certain that he would not care to have one outside his property. The Board therefore tried to locate the sub-station in as inconspicuous position as possible, where private property would not be adversely affected. The# sub-station was- essential, it did not interfere with private property and the Board was involved in little additional expense in placing it in that location. ' “I cannot see in what way it is dangerous,” the letter continued, “as surely if it he dangerous all the trees in Chalmers,Avenue are dangerous.” .To put the matter beyond doubt, the base of the structure was painted white and to harmonise with the general surroundings, the top was painted green. The writer added that it was much better to risk the trimming of two or three trees at some future date, which would probably be for their good, than to have two unsightly structures standing oil the footpath for all time. One point not foreseen was the possibility of the Council removing the trees. When that was done the sub-station would become dangerous to traffic- and it would be necessary to move it to an adjoining footpath. The Board would be pleased to consult the Council in reference- to such structures on the understanding that in the event of a disagreement the right of the Board to make the final decision should not be lost. It was suggested, however, that as sub-station sites could not be decided on without offending someone, it might be easier for the Council to leave the whole blame at the door of the Board, as at present,'rather than to be involved itself.

Mr Thompson said there was a chance of the trees being removed as the roots were filling up the big outfall drain beneath them. The roots had been cut out of the drain two or three years ago. The fact remained that the Board had 1 no right to place the sub-station where it was- without consulting the Council. The Board would not allow the Council to put any of its works on the Board’s property. In future, 'the Council should insist on a consultation. It was agreed to ask for such consultations before new works were (Jone. There were present at the meeting Messrs R. Kerr (Deputy-Mayor) in the chair, S. Osborne, E. Buchanan, J. Thompson, J. Shaw, H. W. Smallbone, A. H. Fenn, A. A. McDonald, H’. AV. Sherrntt, S’. Mitchell, and Dr. J. Connor. The financial statement showed that receipts since the last meeting had totalled £940 7s Bd, the chief items being rates £69, rents £9B, water supply £37, heavy traffic fees £445, administration and engineering fees £l5O. Mr F. Smallbone wrote that he found lie did not -need the section ne held in East Street north, under, a Glasgow, lease and asked the Council to cancel his tenure, asking for a refund or portion of the half-year he had paid. The request was acceded to. The Minister for Internal Affairs (the Hon. AV. E. Parry) forwarded a declaration setting up Asabur' in Borough as a district under the Physical AVelfare and Recreation Act and appointing the following persons to be members of the district' commit" se vhold office during his pleasure: Dr G. I. Miller, *Dr. J. Connor, Mr J. Shaw (representing the Ashburton Borough Council), Miss J. j'hemberla ii Dr. AV. R.. Ryburn, Messrs E A. Cock yoft, and J. A. Smith. The Ashburton Returned Soldiers’ Association applied for perinisa.m to hold Poppy Day on Friday, April 21, to erect a small stall m East Street on that, day and to hold services on Anzac Day ns in i’c paFt, and ibis was granted. The Ashburton Volunteer’ Fire Brigade wrote asking for 500 ft of and couplings. The request for hose was granted, Dr. Connor (chairman of the Fire Brigade Committee) stating that the* present hose was getting Id and weakening. It was agreed to make an inquiry in regard to the couplings. Domain Beard. Sitting as a Domain Board, the' Council received the report *of the' Curator on work carried out by his staff in the last two vveks. Cemetery Board. In the financial statement presented to the Council when it sat as a Cemetery Board, it was shown that theio was a credit balance of £lll 13s 4d. Receipts since the previous meeting had totalled £22 3s 6d.