CENTENARY OF CANTERBURY

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25380, 31 December 1947, Page 4

CENTENARY OF CANTERBURY

MAYOR TO CONVENE CONFERENCE

REVIEW OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS

A conference to consider additional ways of celebrating Canterbury’s centenary in 1950 is to be called by the Mayor (Mr E. H. Andrews) early m the New Year. This was announced by the Mayor yesterday, when he reviewed municipal affairs in 1947. He said that the proposal to hold an international exhibition still awaited the decision of the Cabinet regarding the extent of its practical support. Referring to the power shortage during the year, Mr Andrews said that with the steps taken by the Government to increase the supply of power, it was hoped to avoid restrictions next winter. Nevertheless, with the everincreasing demand, economy would be necessary, and the council was not without anxiety as there was but little margin. The primary importance of the water supply to Christchurch, and the need for more reservoir storage to meet the ever-growing demand, were emphasised by Mr Andrews. He said, that a waterworks extension loan had been approved for work at New Brighton, Upper Huntsbury, Mount Pleasant, Woolston, Sumner, Papanui, Bryndwr, Spreydon, and Opawa. The necessity for these works would be realised when it was noted that daily consumption reached a maximum of nearly 12,000,000 gallons, and would probably exceed this figure in 1948. Purchases of new machinery for reading and other works were mentioned by Wtr Andrews, who said the policy of the last council of setting aside each year a capital sum of '£lo,ooo for purchase of plant was now being implemented by the arrival of the equipment, which would enable the works committee to counter to some extent the shortage of labour, and help, to meet increased costs by saving time on jobs. .Some of the machines were so up-to-date that one. a street sweeper, was the first in New Zealand. Tar sealing and trenching were now being done in a fraction of the time taken by manual labour. It was hoped to stage an exhibition of the plant in action during the year, so citizens could see the methods adopted by the council.

Bridge Renewals Mr Andrews said that several of the city bridges were reaching the end of their lives, and it had been decided to establish a fund with annual increments for their reconstruction. It was hoped to renew at least one a year. New bridges were also necessary, and money was on the estimates, and had been for some years, for the new bridge at North road to serve the State housing settlements on either side of the river, but the Building Controller had consistently refused a permit because of the shortage of steel and cement.

The City Council has agreed with the Government to take over the maintenance of the Summit Road reserves. Mr Andrews said that these included the Sign of the Kiwi and Sign of the Bellbird tea-rooms, which would be restored, renovated, and reopened. A bequest of 59 acres of land partly on the flat and partly on the hillside between Opawa ana Heathcote had been made to the council under the will of the late Miss Mary Duncan. At present it was a dairy farm, but would later be opened to the public as Duncan Park.

“The housing situation remains acute,” said Mr Andrews. “All the council houses at Sandilands are now occupied, and the Harewood transit block is being added to with more units. Government Consent has now been obtained to use a large unused reserve at North Beach for the erection of cottages, which may be used for the Government’s immigration scheme.

“I extend to all citizens, young and old, best wishes for a happy and prosperous New Year,” said the Mayor. “I wish also to thank heartily councillors for the support and co-operation given me, and the officers the council and members of their staffs for their zeal in .carrying out thein duties, their anxiety to please, and their everready willingness to oblige arid , help the councillors and myself.” •