CITY COUNCIL

Evening Star, Issue 18628, 8 May 1924, Page 5

CITY COUNCIL

FORTNIGHTLY MEETING. The fortnightly meeting of the City Council, held last night, was attended by Crs Begg (in the chair), Shaddock, Taverner, Wilson, Scott, Sincock, MacManus, Hancock, Clark. TRAMWAY MATTERS: OPOHO FARES. Cr Scott moved the adoption of the Tramway Committee’s report. This included the following clauses: —Q) That tho quotation of Messrs John Edmond, Ltd., for tho supply and delivery ot a new rope for the Maryhill lino, as manufactured by Jas. and Wm. Smith, Ltd., tor the sum of £zyß 6s lOd, c.i.f.e., Dunedin, plus £25 its 8d tor 4,000 ft of repair strand, be accepted. (2) That the tares to be charged on the Opoho branch be as follows:—Up journey from Gardens to Opoho, 2d; down journey, Id, with tho following concessions :—Fifteen rides for 2s 6d between Frederick street and Opoho, twelve rides for 2s 9d between Cargill’s Monument and Opoho. ■ Proposals submitted by tho Kaikorai Cable Tramway Union for a new award had not been acceptable. (4) Instructions had been issued for the institution of proceedings against two tramway passengers for attempting to avoid payment of faro. Cr MacManus asked questions concerning the successful tender for rope. He also moved ,as an amendment that the men on the hill cars should Ire paid wages not less than those received by the men on the city tramways. The amendment lapsed through want of a seconder.

Cr Wilson expressed the hope that a jigger service would not be run to Opoho. Cr Sincock asked why twopence was to be charged for the section to Opoho. He also complained of certain rough places on the Roslyn lino.

In replying, Cr Scott said that the Smith rope had been chosen because it had given every satisfaction in the past. In regard to the fares to Opoho, _ these were very similar to those charged in the hill service in Christchurch. The report was adopted. THAT PROPOSED BUILDING. Cr Sincock asked what bad been done by the Government in connection with the council’s protest concerning the granting of a lease for the section adjoining the Stock Exchange. The Town Clerk (Air Lewin) slated that two months ago a telegram had been sent in the mayor's name strongly protesting against the action of the Works Department. A reply had been received from the Minister to’ the effect that the matter was being inquired into. The Chairman remarked that it seemed to him the “ heads ” in Wellington were lacking in common courtesy in not replying further to the protest, The council could now only take advantage of its own by-laws. IMPROVEMENTS AT OPOHO. In discussing the Reserves Committee's report providing for the erection of a convenience at Opoho Recreation Ground at a cost of £338 13s, which was £132 13a in excess of the estimate, councillors put forward suggestions for reducing tlio cost. Cr Taverner moved, and Cr Scott seconded, that the clauses covering the mat-* ter bo referred back to the committee. The amendment was lost, and the report adopted. THE WATER SUPPLY. Cr Begg, in moving the adoption of the report of the Water Committee, said the rainfall on the 23rd and 25th of last month amounted lo a little over an inch. Further light rams had fallen since, and with the rain which fell that night he hoped there would be a substantia! increase in the quantity of stored water. The increase in the past fortnight amounted to twenty-five and a-half million gallons. Cr Scott; We can have a bath now ? Cr Begg: Yes, you may enjoy that luxury now! (Laughter.) Cr Beg-j went on to say that the totalfquaniity of stored water in hand was 95,666,000 gallons. They were really at the point where they were in February last. Or Sincock asked if the restrictions regarding the hosing of fish shops and butchers’ shops could he removed. Cr Begg replied that it was under consideration at the present time. Cr MacManus; Have you been able to get water from the Southern Reservoir yet ? Have they fixed up that break : Cr Begg replied that the tunnel had been driven in about 71ft. A test was made the other clay, and a slight leakage was found. This would entail further extension of the tunnel. It was hoped the trouble would bo rectified before very long.

The report was adopted. ELECTRICAL MATTERS. Cr Shaddock; who moved the adoption of the report of the Electric Lighting and Power Committee, said the recent rainfall had proved most beneficial to the Waipori watershed. The restrictions imposed some weeks ago had now been removed, and all consumers were now using their full supply. The water in the dam was rising a little. It was hoped that, with the present rains, the dam would soon be full. Cr Wilson asked if the work of chang ing from gas street lights to electric street lights could be expedited. At the present rate it would take five years for the completion of the work. In reply Cr Shacklock said he was informed that two gangs were being employed on the work, and that another gang might he employed. However, they had to wait for the P. and T. Department to go ahead with its excavations. He would inquire and see if the work could be expedited. The report was adopted. GENERAL COMMITTEE. Cr Sincock, having moved the adoption of the report of the Genera! Committee, Cr Taverner said that some time ago he asked that the control of street traffic

bo extended to other corners besides the corner at the Stock Exchange. Despite the chairman’s assurance, nothing had been done. Cr MacManus suggested that the men who were in charge of the public conveniences should be given a rise in wages to bring their rates up to the basic rates as fixed by the Arbitration Court. He also suggested that tho pie carts should bo licensed to stand in the streets much earlier than at present, and, if possible, during the dinner hour for working men who did not care to enter dining rooms. In reply, Cr Sincock said he would make further inquiries of the police with respect to the extension of traffic control. In regard to the wages of the men in public conveniences, he thought the positions were filled by men who were past tho age of ordinary laboring work, but he would inquire into the matter. He did not think the council would favor tho extension of tho hours of pie carts. At present there were plenty of tea rooms and restaurants where working men, could go for a meal. The report of tho committee was adopted.