POET CHALMERS COUNCIL

Evening Star, Issue 17367, 1 June 1920, Page 8

POET CHALMERS COUNCIL

The ordinary meeting was held yesterday evening, and there was present the Mayor (Mr J. M. Stevenson), Crs Isbister, Lunn, Allen, Love, Tait, Mawson, Jones, M'Lachlan. and Coleman. On the Mayors suggestion, it was decided to embody in the council's records that tho Prince of Wales had visited the town, also to minute the address and reply thereto. The councillors congratulated the Mavor on tho arrangements for the visit. CORRESPONDENCE. From Mr A. v Cable, complimenting the Mayor and council on tha splendid decorations and reception in connection with the Prince of Wales's visit to the town. — Received. „ Flora the Cromwell Borough Council advocating that tha embargo on hide exporting be reimposed owing to the high price of leather goods.—Received.— An amendment to give hearty support was defeated by five votes to four votes. Froin the Hawera Borough Council asking assistance in pressing for the removal of duty on children's footwear, with a view t<£ affording some relief to parents of familiies.—To be heartily supported, also to advocate that the duty on all footwear and materials be abolished. ! From the Department of Internal Affairs intimating that Mr R. Young had been appointed to the Port Chalmers Fire Board, vice Mr G. L. Asher, resigned.— Received. From Mr R. Cameron and 41 other residents of Port Chalmers petitioning the council to endeavor to get a 6.46 p.m. train from Dunedin, in order that those ceasing work at 5.150 might avoid the dreary wait for the 6.15 train.—Resolved to ask the Minister of Railways to give effect to the petition. Mr W. Morgan wanted Beach street improved, as the road and footpath from the railway station to the wool eheds were in a had state.—Received The secretary of the General Laborers' Union submitted the. union ? s proposals for the forthcoming period, and asked to be advised if the council approved them. —Received. REPORTS. The Works Committee reported that the main streets and square had been attended to as usual since previous meeting (particular attention having been paid to them during the visit of the Prince of Wales); breaking, carting, and spreading metal and blinding on the Upper road and gathering large stones off same! the hand rail in Constitution street repaired, also the steps in the south end of Burns street; channels and mud tanks in several streets attended to; a small extension made to the sewer in Daly street; and the posts and. ceiling of the Band Rotunda and the weighbridge house painted. The committee recommended that the position of ranger held by .Mr A. Coleman be terminated from date.— Adopted. The Finance, Water, and Reserves Com-! mittee reported that the reservoir had risen a little since last meeting, but was still down about Bft. The break in the weather should materially help the water supply. The forester's work for the past fortnight had been assisting in procuring I greenery and decorating for the" Prince of Wales's visit, wenching trees in *he nursery, and general work. Rates 1920-211 The commjittee recommended that the rates for the current year be as follow: General rate, Is 3d in the £; water rate, a3 at present, from 10s to T per cent. ; sanitation rate, 6d in the £. The estimates for the year would be laid on the council table that'evening. The receipts for the fortnight totalled £145 18s 9d, and expenditure (including interest on loans) £471 19s sd. In the gas department the accounts amounted to £6B 19s Bd, and the receipts to £95 9s, leaving a debit balance in that department of £4.710 16s.—The Chairman said the committee did not propose to raise the rates this year.—Report adopted. The Gas Committee reported on what was being done in getting ready for the new retorts, but did not recommend that a retort setter be employed until everything was on the job. A full pressure of gas iiad been maintained, and a cargo of good Email coal had come to hand.— Adopted. GENERAL His Worship said that the completed plans for the Mussel Bay tunnel would probably be before the council at their next meeting. A lengthy • discussion i took place in respect to the Works Committee's adjourned proposal for extra street lights at an estimated cost of £340. As it was considered that all the lights proposed were not needed, the matter was referred back to the committee for further consideration. Tha estimates for tho current vear were j approved, and the rates were fixed same as the past year. A motion to put on an additional rate of 6£d in the £ to meet the hospital and charitable aid levies was not carried. Or Tait said the water rate in Port Chalmers was the highest in New Zealand. Cr Lunn reported that private individuals had cut fern trees recently at Loid Water Creek.—The council decided to prosecute the offenders.