NELSON CITY COUNCIL

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 26, 1 February 1926, Page 15

NELSON CITY COUNCIL

FORTNIGHTLY MEETING

(From Our Own Correspondent.) NELSON, 30th January.

The fortnightly meeting of the City Council was held on Friday evening. Present: The Mayor (Mr. W. Lock), Councillors Gibbs, Neale, Harley, Stringer, Wigzell, Moffatt, Watson, and Plum. Councillor Nightingale, who is at DUnedin, was excused. Among the correspondenco received was a letter complaining of the water supply. The Mayor said nothing could be done at present. The cleaning of the Bin main had made a wonderful improvement in the pressure. Over a caytload of rust had come out between the reservoir and Nile street bridge. The high level main would also be cleaned. A resolution was carried that the council heartily sympathises with the writer of the letter, and admits the complaints contained in it., Councillor Gibbs, who moved the motion, considered that the ratepayer had reason to complain of the present state of affairs, and he heartily sympathised with those who complained of the watering hours between 8 and 9 p.m., when it was too dark to see. Councillor Plum was emphatically of opinion that a larger main down Brook street was necessary. The statement was endorsed by other councillors. In a lengthy report of the committee of the whole council on a large number of matters, the recommendation that "as to baths, the City Enjpneer be instructed to outline a fresh scheme in accordance with ideas expressed by councillors," was discussed at some length. Councillor Stringer suggested that in order to save the cost of pumping water the new baths be erected behind the Suter Art Gallery, where a water supply was easily obtained. The Mayor said the baths could be placed near Trafalgar Park, where salt water could be pumped. In reply to Councillor Neale, the Town Clerk said that no question of site had been mentioned when the loan proposals were put before the ratepayers. Councillor Watson pointed out that two, proposals had been submitted—fresh and salt water baths. As. the latter had been lost by only a few votes, he suggested that a report be obtained on the point site. The Engineer (Mr.Littlejohn) said he could not bring the cost of the original proposals below £10,500. He had, however, prepared an amended estimate, which, provided for a pool of smaller dimensions' to cost £7450. This, however, did not provide for drainage or water ex-' tension. The amended plan provided for a corrugated iron fence. There would be no roof. ■ Councillor Wigzell protested against such a strue- I ture being erected in the Queen's] Gardens. A motion waß eventually carried that the clause be altered to the effect that the Engineer report on other sites for baths. The site originally chosen was on the river bank at the back of the Baptist Church. The amount of the loan raised for construction was £8800. An application from A. O. Emms was granted to run a new bus service in the city, with a stand outside the old post office in Trafalgar street. A number of recommendations from the committee concerning parking places, taxi and bus stands were adopted. Authority was given the Engineer to nroceed with the erection of new bathing sheds at "Tahunanui beach. The electrical .engineer reported that the consumers' .applications were increasing steadily. Since the council meeting before Christmas the kilo watts applied for increased 68 k.w., which is at the rate, of nearly 600 k.w. per annum. The question of additional plant should be again very seriously considered, as the Engin- ' eer's opinion was that it was inadvisable to risk the winter of 1927 with the present plant, and if new plant was required for 1927 if should be put in hand at once. Reports from the Sanitary Inspector and abattoir manager were, also received. The Town Olerk (Mr. G. A. Edmonds) was granted leave of absence to accompany the Mayor as a council representative at the' Municipal Conference to be held at Dunedin. Mr.' o'llara Smith, chief clerk, was appointed acting-Towa Clerk durine tl.iy period. ~