PORT CHALMERS COUNCIL

Evening Star, Issue 14511, 1 November 1910, Page 1

PORT CHALMERS COUNCIL

The fortnightly meeting yesterday evening was attended by the Mayor (Mr P. W. Platts) and Crs Sutton, Cable, MTLiuuon, Asher, Tait, Bauchop, Lunn, Stevenson, and •Mitchell. —Correspondence.— From the Railway Traffic Manager, stating that the request tor a train to leave Port Chalmers for Dunedin at 9.20 p.m. had not been approved by the general manager; neither was the request for the 5.45 a.m. goods train from Dunedin to stop at Sawyers Bay, and Upper Port deemed feasible. — Councillors thought the matter should not be allowed to drop, and it was agreed to refer the matter to the Minister of Railways and the member for ihe district. From Mr E. H. Clark, M.P., stating that two obsolete guns would be handed over to the borough by tho Defence Department. This was confirmed in a note from the Minister of Defence.—The thanks of Council to be conveyed to tho two gentlemen concerned— Cr Stevenson said he understood the guns weighed 20 tons, and would, he was afraid, prove an expensive present.— The Reserves Committee, with Cr Mitchell, to report on a suitable site for the guns. —Reports.— The Works Committee reported that the plantations in Scotia and Magnetic streets had been fenced in. The bank that obstructed the light from the Constitution street quarry was being used for blinding Daly street. The four iron seats for public use had been placed round the Beach road.—Adopted. The Finance Committee reported that the income amounted to £149 10s lid, and £53 10s had been paid on loan coupons.—Cr Cable said he was sorry to see that the value of property was evidently depreciating, for the late Dock Trust Chambers, to which a strong room had just been added, was now being let at slightly less than the rent charged to the Trust.—Report adopted. —Baths to be Erected. — The Special Baths Committee reported as follows:—Wc beg to report that we have carefully considered the barbs proposal. In ihe interest of the community, and especially of tho younger portion thereof, and for tho reasons hereinafter appearing, baths should be erected. The cost of the last baths was £231. Thanks to the courtesy of the secretary of the Harbor Board, we are in a position to obtain the necessary piles and .timber at a satisfactory price, and this is a good opportunity, which, if pasted over, is not likely to occur again. Baths 110 ft by 130 ft can be built, as per plan herewith, for less than £2OO, and we recommend they be built forthwith.. We have examined several sites. We recommend the site between the Sailing Club boathouse and Mr Wiseman’s work-

shop, because it is central, it has a good depth and scour, and the baths can be built there cheaper than elsewhere. We desire to thank Mr F. B. Leonard for preparing the plans and Mr J. Blair Mason for the valuable advios and assistance he has given us—His Worship, in moving the adoption of the report, went into the financial aspect of the question, which, he said, was favorable to proceeding with the proposal embodied in the report.—Cr Mitchell seconded.—Cr Tait opposed the proposal as unjustifiable financially. The total cost of the old baths, which lasted for twenty years, was £546 16s Bd. Four years ago the bor ough had a credit balance equal to the over draft at the end of last year.—Cr Asher also opposed the motion on the score of expense, and quoted figures to prove his contention. — After a fairly long discussion the Mayor replied, then formally put the motion, which, on a show of hands, was carried by 5 to 2, Crs Asher and Tait dissenting. On the motion of Cr Tait it was resolved to set aside a portion of the foreshore ou the sunny side of Mussel Bay suitable for bathing, and that it be reserved for the exclusive use of women, girls, and small children; a dressing room to be ereclc-d thereon if such should be found necessary.