MY TOWN BOARD

Evening Star, Issue 15538, 7 July 1914, Page 8

MY TOWN BOARD

The Bay Town Board hold their monthly meeting last night, there being present Messrs T. Somerville (chairman), R. O. Barrett, J. B. Shaddock, J. "Whyte, and E. F. Duthie.

The Hon. Secretary of_the Otago branch of the New Zealand Institute of Architects wrote asking for a grant of £3 towards proposed lectures on town planning by Home experts.—lt was resolved to donate £5, as requested. A. Bone wrote drawing attention to the bad state of the culvert at the back ot Shiel Hill. —Stephen Farrant also wrote calling attention to the bad state of the road leading to the cottages at the back of Shiel Hill Hotel.—As there was some donbt as to whether the roads referred to had been taken over by the board, the letters were held over for consideration. W. Williams wrote calling attention to tho bad state of the water channel passing his property in Ocean View street.—Referred to inspector. The Assistant Under-Secretary notified that the Minister of Internal Affairs would not recommend inclusion of the area mentioned in C. D. Cutten's petition in the Borough of St. Kilda.—Received. The Peninsula Road Board wrote asking the Bay Town Board to clear the outlet into the Harbor at their boundary.—The Inspector reported with regard to cleaning Tainui ditch that the job would be a difficult one, because of the heavy growth of gorse. The timber in the drain was rotten, and the culvert under the Main road had never been cleaned out.—The matter was held over for consideration.

The question of making provision for dealing with fires at Anderson Bay was brought up bv a letter from J. R. Fairbairn, who asked the board to make more satisfactory arrangements to meet cases of fire.—A~ letter on tho same subject was received, from E. E. Stark thanking the town clerk (Mr Pearce) and helpers at the recent fire next to his house, and suggesting the establishment of a fire brigade and providing conveniently-placed hydrants and hose. Ho pointed out that it was only because of the very strong pressure of water made available by the city waterworks engineer that the work done at Mrs Niven’s fire was so effectual.—Mr Shacklock said that arrangements could be made with the city water department by which a high pressure could be obtained at Anderson Bav in case of fire.—The suggestions contained in the letters were referred to a committee consisting of the chairman and Messrs Duthie and Whyte, wiili power to act. H. S. Fenwick wrote calling attention to the want of lighting at Musselburgh corner, which was so dark as to be dangerous to people alighting from the tram cars.—A letter on the same subject was also received from C. Fenwick, who pointed out that an electric light was badly needed in Cranston road.—ln connection with the same subject the Town Clerk, Dunedin, forwarded detailed estimates of installing 15 lights at a cost ot £163 Is lid.—The Chairman explained that he and Mr Shaddock had inspected the various sites where lights were most necessary, and selected 15 positions. The proposed sites were considered seriatim and six sites were chosen, and. four left over for consideration. Five of the proposed sites were struck out on account of the cost they would entail. The finance report showed the bank overdraft to be £362 5s Bd.

The Inspector reported on work done during June on roads and footpaths. The establishment of a pound was recommended in consequence of frequent complaints made of horses and cattle wandering in the streets and damaging footpaths, —The report was received, and, with reference to the pound question, it was resolved that immediate steps be taken to deal with the wandering cattle nuisance, and ttiat inquiries r»e mane ior me purpose of obtaining a suitable site for a pound. Mr Shaddock was appointed to represent the board at the Municipal Conference in Wellington.