TIMARU BOROUGH.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18926, 15 February 1927, Page 14

TIMARU BOROUGH.

MEETING OF COUNCIL,

The fortnightly meeting of tho Timaru Borough Council was held last evening, tho Mayor, Mr G. J. Wallace, presiding. Thero ware also present—Crs. Hay, Cluttock, Bonstead, Tutton, McNab, Hawkey, Hart, Satterthwaito, and Vinncll. ■ Cr. Chittock asked why it was that the Works . Committee . recommended tho asphalting of part of Harper street, when many other streets had equal claims to similar attention. The Mayor naked for general information oh the question, stating, that tho season was rapidly getting on, and tho Council had promised to do four miles of this work. Cr. Hay, chairman of the Works Committee, stated that the non-arrival of the tarmixing machine, and the long timo it took to get it in working ordor had delayed them a good deal, but now it was going tho work would bo pushed ahead. Tho reason Harper atreot was being done was because, it had first promise. Cr. Satterthwaito said that whilo the plant was in one locality some effort should bo mado to do as much a a possible before shifting elsewhere. Tho Borough Engineer reported that he had experienced a great deal of trouble with the contractors in gotting the tar macadam plant in working order, but it was now working satisfactorily. It was decided to have Harper street dono, and then to complete the east aids of Whito street. Cr. Tutton said that last autumn tho Council promised to havo Hassall street dono, and also one of tho streets loading from the Watlington district. In thii ho was supported by Cr. Hawkey, Vinnell, and Sattorthwaite. Tho Mayor stated that theso strcots would bo dono thig year. Tho only reason he recommended White street was to ensure plenty of work for the engineer. Cr. Satterthwaite also referred to the conditions undor which tho fish removal was effected in tho borough. The present stato of things was a disgrace to the engineers department. Cr. Hay said that the bad state had gono on for two years, whereas the engineer was new to Timaru, and was not to blame. Cr. Satterthwaite was to blamo for this in common with the other councillors. The Mayor agreed with Cr. Hay. Cr. Satterthwaite thon moved that the matter be referred to the Borough Enginee* for a report. , ' Cr. Vinncll seconded tho motion, which was carried. A deputation was received from the Floral Fete Committee regarding a request for the closing of the Park and kiosk on the day of the Floral Fete, ami asking for the use of two or threo buses for children's rides, and for assistance In tho matter of traffic control and car parking. ■ After hearing the ipokcsmon, the Council granted the requests. A further deputation was received from the Southend Hatepayers' Association in reference to the Harbour Board's tramline on Otlpua road. Mr Oibb, who acted as spokesman, stated that the ratepayers and residents considered that if it were absolutely necessary to havo tho line on this road it be placed down the centre of the road when it wati reformed, rather than to one side. In explanation, the Mayor said that the onlv resolution on the Council books was that the line be placed on a level with the road, and this did not stipulate what part of it. Evidently the Ratepayers' Association knew more of the proposed situation of the Hue than he himself. Personally, he wonld bo opposed tn allowing the line to be placed in any position other than in the centre of the road. Cr. Hay sail! that as yet the Council had not considered where the tram-line was to be placed. The Y.'orks Committee s report was then adopted. Some discussion took place regarding the duties of the omnibus engineer, it finally bcinjr decided that the Omnibus Committee brine down a report on the matter. The Mayor stated that there was a lection of tho public which apparently was anxious to sec the Impro'vtrt bus service tnrn out a failnre. They made all kinds of schemes to evade payment, and in many cases people absolutclv refused to r»y the drivers on entering the btisr?. The drivers were not policemen, and they could only let them pastv and hope to collect on their ntirhtinc. Cr. Vinnell said it was np to the ratepayers to help as tmteh as possible. It was decided to hold a special meeting of the Conncil on Monday to deal with a report from the Electrical Engineer dealing with tho reticulation of the borough and the working of tho electricity department. The report of the bus and electric power department was then adopted.