PORT CHALMERS COUNCIL

Evening Star, Issue 14003, 9 March 1909, Page 8

PORT CHALMERS COUNCIL

The ordinary meeting was attended yesterday evening by the Mayor (Mr J. Mill), Crs Cable, Tait, Weir, Asher, Mawson, Powell, Crawford, and Knewstubb. —Correspondence.—

Mr T. F. Martin, secretary of the Municipal Association of New Zealand, wished to know if the Council approved of a joint .superannuation fund, to include the employees of harbor boards and county councils ; also the number of employees and the percentage on wages or contributions the Council were prepared to pay into the fund.—Finance Committee to report. The Waikouaiti County Council sent notice of their decision to discontinue lighting the lamps along the road between Port Chalmers and Carey Bay.—Received. Tho Dock Trust could not comply with proposed re-formation of Macandrew road according to tho plan submitted.—Received. Mr H. Macandrew, District Railway Engineer, acknowledged receipt of letter regarding the lighting of the wharves at Port Chalmers. The letter had been referred to the superintendent to deal with. —Received. —Reports.— The Works Committee recommended the calling of tenders for carting during the ensuing twelve months. The Committee also recommended the approval of the engineer's estimated cost of re-forming Macandrew road. The staff had been engaged repairing the crossings in Meridian street, preparing a path for asphalt in Fox street, putting screenings on the Cemetery road, metal on Bridge road, and quarrying rotten rock at the Bellevne quarry. The level crossing in GTey street was finished, and the shifting back of the fence at Macandrew road was under way. —Cr Crawford protested against the Corporation staff repairing Macandrew road, as their services were needed to complete the tarring and sanding of the footpaths throughout the town. Besides, large jobs could be done more economically by contract—The points raised were discussed, showing that the staff would not be so busy as the winter approached, and the inspector coidd be empowered to engage extra men, in order to carry out the work expeditiously.—The report was adopted. The Sanitary Committee recommended that three sewers in the vicinity of Mary | street bo converged into a pipe drain to discharge beyond the retaining wall at Mussel Bay.—Adopted. The Lighting Committee recommended that (commencing on the 10th inst.) the street lamps be lighted from dusk to 11 p.m. for eight months, at a monthly cost of 9s per lamp. The Committee also recommended the erection of an additional lamp in Meridian street.—Adopted. The Reserves Committee declined to recognise any private claim of ownership to the stone building in the municipal quarry. The Committee recommended that leave to trap rabbits on the reservoir reserve be granted. The Committee also recommended- the transfer of the lease of section 27, block 4, North Harbor and Blueskin district, from Margaret J. Thomas to Hugh Allan Binnie, jun., who had purchased tho lease for £lB5, and was willing to comply with the usual conditions. The Committee were pleased to report the leasing of the Don back reserve for twentyone years from May next, at the very satisfactory yearly rental of 2s 4£d per acre. —Adopted. The Finance Committee reported that the expenditure since previous meeting amounted to £B6 19s 3d, and the receipts to £247 10s sd.—Adopted. The Water Committee reported having visited the reservoir and found everything m good order. The water was 18in below top leveL The completion of repairs to the bye-wash was strongly recommended. The laying of the 3in water main proved to be a more difficult job than was anticipated. When permission was obtained trom the Dock Trust, the main would be earned through to the new dock.—Adopted.

—Estimates for Ensuing Year. The Finance Committee submitted their estimates of the income and expenditure tor the ensuing year, showing that the probable income from all sources would amount to £4,959 Is 3d, and after meeting i>foo r Ded ex P enditt "'e. which 'included iodO for the new dock guarantee, a balance of £798 Is 3d would be left over for construction, maintenance, and scavenging of streets, baths, tree-planting, and miscellaneous expenses.—Cr Tait was satisfied the balance was sufficient for the purposes for which it was apportioned, but caretul expenditure would be necessary, as £2OO of the £798 had to be expended m re-forming the road near the new dock.—The Mayor did not think there was any prospect or any need of increasing the existing rates, which amounted to about 3s Id in the £. All things considered, their financial position was thoroughly sound. Of this he was satisfied, and although they approved of a policv of economy there was no necessitv for stinting the town for works or labor in any shape, or form.—The estimates were adopted. —Abolish the Wards.— Cr Crawford gave notice of his intention to move at next meeting that the ward system be discontinued, and that the borough be declared an undivided borough. —Rates Unaltered.— # Notice was given of the statutory meeting in connection with determinin"- tho rates for the ensuing year. The proposed rating was submitted, and showed no alteration from the rating in vo<n» at present. ' °