CITY COUNCIL

Evening Star, Issue 17920, 16 March 1922, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL

The fortnightly meeting of the City Council held last night was attended by the Mayor (Mr J. S. Douglae), Gro Begg, Shaddock, Hancock, Hayward, Wilson, Sincock, Scott, Larnach, Tapley, and Gilkison. DR STUART'S STATUE.

Cr Wilson moved tiro adoption of ilie Works Committee’s report, which asked that the quotation of £279 for removing .Dr Stuart's statue and- ro-oruoting same ho accepted. Tho mover said that the statue had previously not been well oared- for, with tho result that extra expense was now necessary. The pedestal was to be increased in height by four feet and have a rockery at base. Or Gilkieon pointed out that the work of removing the statue had evidently been carried out under instructions from tho Works Committee without the authority of tiro council. Ho' also asked who had recommended- the raising of tho statue by four feet. Cr Wilson, in reply, said that it had been necessary to remove the etatue at once in order to proceed with the work in connection with tho loop. In regard to the other matter, said Cr’Wilson, if Cr Gilkison had attended to tho business at tho meetings of tho council he would know that tho raising of tho height of tho etatue had been reported on at least two occasions, and no exception had been taken to it, Tho report was adopted. WATER COMMITTEE.

Cr Wilson, in moving tho adoption of the Water Committee's report, gave an answer to tho question put at tho previous meeting as to the cost of _the excavating at the Southern reservoir. For tho fortnight ended March 11 4,858 cubic yards of material was removed at a cost of 3s 7d per cubic yard, solid measurement. The cost per cubic yard for tho work over tho whole period, the total quaniisity bc-ing 79,272 cubic yards, or one-fifth of tho whole that was to bo removed, ran out to 3s 10d- per cubic yard, including everything-—interest, depreciation of plant, and other expenditure. Gr Tapley asked how it came about that tho cost was 50 per cent, higher than tho estimate of 2s 6d. Was there any explanation of the estimate being so far out? Cr Sincock said it had been suggested that tho typo of digger in use was not tho best. Was there any, other machine more suitable?

Cr Wilson, replying, said, that the cost at first was 2s 2d per cubic yard. The reason of its going up to 3s XOd was the bad weather necessitating broken shifts. An to the digger, it was not the cause of the extra cost: the cause was the expense of removal to the depositing point. The engineer was doing his best to keep down the cost. The report was adopted. ' WAR TROPHIES. The adoption of the report of the reserves section of tho General Committee was moved by Cr Hancock. Or Begg asked information regarding tho war trophies. Colonel Nicholls had approached tho members of the committee and stated that ho would like to have a gun. If tho whole of the schools and public bodies who had applied for a big gun had been supplied be (Cr Begg) bad no objection to Colonel having one; but bo understood that this was not tho case, and lie would move that this clause of the report bo referred back to tho committee. Or Hayward seconded tho amendment. Cr Taplcy and Cr Sincock pointed out that guns were in the corporation yard and elsewhere, rusting and rotting. Cr Hancock, in reply, said that after two guns with special histories had been placed on the Oval there remained two others. One it was proposed to allot to Colonel Nidi ells, and tho other was waiting application by any school or public body. Tho keeping of tho machine guns and other pieces in order was a source of continual expense to the council. The amendment was lost on tho voices, and the report was adopted. GENERAL. Cr Hancock, replying to Cr Shaddock, said th at the question of tennis courts at Opoho was not lost sight of, Cr Hancock moved the adoption of clauses 2 and 3 of the general section of the General Conumtko’s report. Cr Hayward asked how the filter at tho tepid baths wns working. Or Scott would like to know what was being done about the incomplete stable at North-east VaJcy,

Or ISc-gg said that earwigs had become a plague at the north end, and suggested that Mi’ Tannock and his staff should be asked if they could find a. remedy. Cr Hancock replied. The filters were not working as satisfactorily as could lie wished. Something came into the water now and then, probably from the hotwater pipes, that gave it a dark color. It was hoped that this would lie remedied in a few weeks. The stabling was a, mottef for the works department. As to the earwigs, they bad boon a garden pest for fifty years to his knowledge, and ho doubted whether it was a matteii for tho [ Reserves or the General Committee to deal I with. If Cr Bcgg could suggest a remedy | the Gardens authorities would thank him. The report was adopted. ELECTRIC LIGHT AND POWER. Cr Shaddock movodtbe adoption of the Electric Power and Lighting Committee's report. The new rotary condenser enabled five generators to do the work previously done by six, Cr Sincock asked the chairman, to say when the people could now use electric irons, seeing that the new condenser was procured to increase power. Or Shaddock answered that the whole position would bo reviewed when, tbo midwinter peak load was ascertained. The Committee would then bo able to see whether a further load could be carried in tbo shape of irons, or heaters, or motors. Ho hoped to have at next meeting tenders for increased plant at Waipori, Ho would like to see fresh applications for irons and heaters accepted next summer, in view of the fact that a new generate’’ would probably bo in operation in the winter of 1923. Li Christchurch the users of irons paid a £5 deposit which was liable to forfeiture if the iron was used at the wrong time. The report was adopted. TRAMWAY MATTERS. Cr Scott moved the adoption of the Tramway Oommittec’e report, and Cr Hayward seconded. Cr Wilson asked if anything had been done in regard to the leaking Iramcars. He had recently seen water coming through tho roof of on© of the new cars. Cr Sincock asked that tho committee push on tho repairing of tho Eoslyn cable ears in need of it. Cr Taploy wanted to know what officer was responsible for the lay-out of the car sheds, which had resulted, he understood, in a loss of some £6OO to the council. Ho considered that when .anything of this kind happened the whole of tbo council should he taken into tho confidence of (he committee concerned. Cr Larnach asked if the committee had done -anything in the matter of the Manor place crossing. Cr Begg wanted to know when the committee was going to bring forward some proposal concerning tramway extension. The ninety men who would shortly bo relieved from street-paving work might well be put to tramway extension work. Cr Grilkison asked a question regarding a new contract which, ho understood, had been lot to Chandler and Co. for advertising in tramcara. This, ho said, Lad not boon mentioned in the report. Cr Shaddock said Cr Gilkison was making a mistake. The contract merely covered the new cars. Regarding Cr Tapley’s question, the speaker remarked that tlio council did not want to advertise and magnify tho mistakes of their officers. Tho man who did not make mistakes did not make anything. Tile Mayor here remarked that he was grieved to notice, a letter in the Press charging certain tram conductors with tho theft of fares. This citizens _ had a duty to perform to themselves, said His Worship, and .should, in fairness to the honest conductors, report any such occurrence. The council had every confidence in their

one®, In regard to tho unemployment queetion, the coming winter was going to ho a severe one, and ho was convinced that any relief work should be in the nature of something which would be of permanent benefit to the city. Tramway extension might wolf he taken in hand,’ and in this connection the Opoho lino should be put into operation as soon as possible. Or Scott replied at length. All defects appearing for six. months in the new cars were home by the Meadowhank Company. Defects appearing after six months were borne by the city. It was true that some of the cars leaked, but that had been seen to. As to the Rnslyn service, six of the seven cars wore in commission, and one in dock. It was hoped to build another car before long. As to the lay-out, the mistake would Involve much less expense than had -been stated. In this layout- nine points were affected, and it was at first thought that two points would bo useless, but now it turned out that only one. would have to be discarded, mid the’ expense would be only about £l5O. The manager had been asked to report as to tho Anderson Bay extension. It was said that the expense of this extension would he recouped in two or three years by clearing, away .delays on the lines Generally. The matter of-'.extensions stood over'till the financial report, was available at tho end of this month. The Opoho extension was promised ns' the first work. As to (lie advertisements on tramcars, Chandler and Co. was a party to the contract, and tho town cleric was in communication with that firm. As to the mayor’s remarks about tramway fares, the public should .safeguard their interests by seeing that acknowledgment was given for all moneys paid, Tho report was adopted. GAS.

Cr Hayward explained:, in connection with the oil-spraying plant now ordered, that naphthalene got into the pipes and reduced the pressure, and the now plhnt would euro by vaporisation. Report adopted.

FINANCE,

Cr Bcgg moved tho adoption of the Finance CommiUoo’s report, and made a short statement as to loans on the local market. Of the Wnipori £200,000 loan, £BO,OOO was forthcoming—a- satisfactory result so far—and of (lie £70,000 loan for works £48.000 was subscribed, all that was required! in the meantime. These amounts, with the redemption loan, made a. total of £544,000 subscribed locally—-a very respectable total. Cr Tapley drew attention to the good work done Ivy (ho town clerk and the city treasurer in connection with these loans, and suggested that the council should express its appreciation of those special services. Other councillors endorsed these remarks, and mentioned the fact that the mayor had also put in a lot of time in signing debentures and so on. Report adopted.