CITY COUNCIL NEWS IN BRIEF

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29802, 19 April 1962, Page 15

CITY COUNCIL NEWS IN BRIEF

An extension of the main runway of the Christchurch airport would be to the south end, the City Council agreed last evening. The land to th-> north was undulating and would need much filling, the airport committee said. Extensions to the north would also bring the runway close to Harewood road.

Maori Education.—A grant of £250 was made to the Maori Education Foundation appeal. The Mavor (Mr G. Manning) and all councillors agreed to become members of the foundation. Milk Company Shares.— The council set up a reserve fund to be known as the milk company shares realisation reserve fund. It is to be established by funding the gross „ payment received for the council’s shares in the Christchurch Milt? Company, less an amount sufficient to provide an income of approximately £lOOO a year to the general account in lieu of the dividend previously received. The fund is intended to continue until specific appropriations have been made for authorised projects. Appeal Supported.—The council supported the appeal by the Canterbury Merchant Navy Centre by a grant of £250.

Fishing Prohibition. — Fishing should be prohibited from Mortons jetty in the Estuary on days when yacht racing was held, the council decided. The Mount Pleasant Boating Club had advised the council that fishing from the jetty created a hazard and a nuisance when there was yacht racing.

English Park. — Derelict seating to the south of the main stand at English Park would be removed and the Canterbury Football Association would be given the opportunity of demolishing it and selling the materials to assist its funds for development of the park, the council decided. Riccarton Bush.— No objection to an increase in the levy to the Riccarton Bush Trustees was made by the council, on the understanding that the increase in the coming year would not exceed £lo6o. The trustees advised the council that they had had to face increased wages and costs of supplies and were seeking an amendment to legislation to allow them to levy up to a maximum of £5OOO a year from local bodies instead of the present maximum of £2500. Traffic Islands. — All traffic islands should be landscaped, the council decided. Noxious Weeds.— Nassella tussock and lily of the valley vine were declared noxious weeds. Nassella was found recently in county areas near the city boundary and lily of the valley vine had appeared in the New Brighton area and could be troublesome unless controlled, the City Health Inspector (Mr A. P. Millthorpe) reported. Town Planning Appeal.— Four companies and a resident advised the council that they were concerned at the effect of the decision of the Town Planning Appeal Board on the Aranui industrial B zoning, relating to a threechain strip of land rezoned residential and located at the rear of the residential properties on the north-east side of Bickerton street. The council agreed to suppjort them in an application to the board for a rehearing.

New Church. — Permission was granted for a church for the Russian Orthodox community at 163 Brougham street. One objection was not sustained by the council. Safety Belts. — All eight vehicles operated by the traffic department are to be equipped with safety belts, and the traffic committee has asked other committee* to investigate the possibility of having safety belts in other council-owned cars. Funeral Processions.— The Funeral Directors' Association was advised by the council that the use of parking lights on vehicle* in funeral procession* would be permitted. The proposal was

made so that other motorists would know which cars were in the procession.

Fountain Proposed. The residents of Merle place, a cul-de-sac off Roberta drive in Spreydon, propose to install a fountain in the middle of the street. Their request was approved by the City Council last evening, and the council authorised the City Engineer (Mr E. Somers) to assist in preparing a plan for the lay-out of the street, the fountain, and its surroundings. Courtesy Campaign. Approval was given to a scheme of the Christchurch Lions’ Club to institute a “courtesy is contagious” campaign to encourage courtesy among road users. Barrier Crossings.— Vehicles such as buses and those carrying explosives or inflammable liquid should be exempted from the requirement that they stop at railway crossings where barrier arms were installed, the council agreed. The traffic superintendent (Mr J. F. Thomas) said the only point which could be raised against the proposal was in the event of the barrier arm becoming faulty. However, that would be only on isolated occasions, and in any caee the onus would be on the driver to ascertain that the line was clear.