CIVIC AFFAIRS

Evening Star, Issue 18700, 31 July 1924, Page 10

CIVIC AFFAIRS

FORTNIGHTLY COUNCIL MEETING. The fortnightly meeting of the City Council was held last night, those present being the mayor (Mr H. L. Tapley), Grs Hancock, Wilson, Shaddock, Scott, MacManus, ITalliday, Clark, Bcgg, and Sincock. SOUTHERN RESERVOIR TROUBLE. Gr Begg moved the adoption of the report of the Water Committee, which, ho said, was purely formal. Cr Hnlliday asked for information respecting the condition of the reservoirs. The'Mayoijj They are all full. Are they not running over, Or Begg? Cr Scott said Cr Hnlliday wanted information respecting the pipes at the Southern Reservoir. Cr Bogg, in reply, said the work was steadily progressing. An examination had been made, and quite ji number of pipes iiad been found to bo fractured rather seriously—so much so that the department had put down two other drives 50ft and 50ft respectively from the present shaft. It was a known fact that quite a number of pipes were completely cracked, and they had to be found before the water could be turned on. It was anticipated that a report from the engineer would come before the next meeting of the committee. The report was adopted. TRAMWAY MATTERS.

Cr Scott having moved the adoption of the report of the Tramways Committee, Or Sincock said it ha'd been reported that a number of casual workers in the tramways department had boon dismissed. He referred to the accident which occurred at tho junction of the Roslyn cable and electric cars, and said lie hoped the. position there would bo improved. He suggested that if the electric car were stopped about 12vds on the Belt side of the cable line a real danger would be averted, At present it was only owing (o the careful handling of the cars by ’he motormen and the "rinmen that serious accidents were avoided. Cr Sincock also deprecated the delay on the Opoho lino. Cr Clark said that twenty-seven men had been discharged. This was most unfortunate, in view of (ho present state of unemployment. Tic thought all committees should make a special effort to keen all their men on at present. The Mayor said he regretted lo have learnt from the tramways mana""!- that twenty-two men had been put off. The manager told him the men had been kept on as long as possible. It had been hoped to relay the track along decree street, but I lie works denartment was not in a position to go on with the paring. The paving work could not be proceeded with till about November. The relaying of the tram track qpuld cnnseonentlv not be carried out till the new levels had been laid bv the works department. Cr Halliday suggested that the work of building a safety zone at the Stock Exchange should be started to cmnloy men who were out of work. He fßou'dit it was time there were more large trams. Cr MacManus said he honestly thought there was some work which could he Put in hand immediately to employ a number of men at present nut of work. They should find some readv means of hnrrvimr on some of their work. He agreed that there was danger at the junction of the Roslyn cable and electric cars, and thought something should be done at once to remedy matters.

Cr Rhatklock pointed out that the council must realise that the amount of capital expenditure that could be charged nirninst revenue was limited to the amount of the year’s profits, and the tramways department was not permitted to have an overdraft as at March 31 in anv year exceeding the amount of its oulsfandincr accounts, which were practically nil. It was obvious that unless there was a considerable increase in the net profit for the current year the amount that would be available out of revenue for cnnital expenditure would be very small, That fact must bo borne in mind when the council was considering any special items of expenditure.

Cr Scott said the men had been kent working to the detriment of the department for two weeks. As soon as the levels were obtained the work of relaying the George street line would be pnt in hand. In regard to the Roslvn electric car, it was hoped to have another lone car placed on that line shortly. The department intended to have the stop for the electric car shifted a lonsrth short of the present atop. The delay of the Onoho tine was due to the works department. The manganese work for the crossings on that lino would come to hand shortly. The line to the Exhibition conld not be commenced until the council bad an Order in Council. Three more trailers would bo finished soon, and the building of two more large cars had been authorised. The line was to he renewed from Manse street to Albany street, and the department hoped to put the work in hand soon. The sun-trested alteration at the innetion of the cable and electric car would be seriously considered. The report was adopted. AN - ACCOUNT QUESTIONED. Cr Wilson moved the adoption of the Works Committee’s report. Cr Ilalliday seconded. Cr Sincock raised a question as to clause 5. referring to pay sheets and accounts being recommended for payment. His nbiection was in regard to an account from a firm of architects for a plan for the Union street bridge, gnd the speaker moved that that item be referred back to the committee for further consideration. He understood that the plan was to have been prepared by the engineer’s department in Mr M'Cnrdie’s time. His reason for moving as he bad done was to [rive the late engineer opportunity to initial the account, a thing which 'had not yet been done. Tire account was for £■■42, and if it had to bo paid then he would feel that they had been misled. The engineering, department should have been quite capable of preparing that plan, and it would seem that there was something very wrong with the department at that time. The Mayor said it was news to him that this plan' -was prepared by an entshle firm, and bo thought it would be news to others, too.

Cr Clark seconded flic amendment pro forma-.

Cr Wilson said ho was quite prepared to take the item back to the committee. TTo said (hat the present ensrineer had .a free hand in regard to getting help towards any particular work he had in hand. Mr M'Ourdie’s reason for obtaining outside help was that ho, wanted to keep the bridge in harmony with the University buildings in regard to stole of structure. If they said Mr MT'urdie had no right to get assistance in the planning of such a structure, then they were taking up a very peculiar altitude. The amendment was carried. Cr MacManus moved a further amendment that clause 1, referring to the purchase of a piece of laud in Anderson Bay for the extension of Hunt street be referred to the Finance Committee for n report. There was no seconder, and the amendment lapsed. The report was adopted. A GENERAL CLEAN UP. Cr Siurock moved the adoption of the General Committee’s report. Ho emphasised the importance of clause 2, which stated that the city engineer bad been instructed to make the necessary arrangements for providing special garbage collection services, so ns to enable householders to got rid of their collections of tins and other rubbish which were not usually put into the ash tin. The sendee would ho on similar lines to that carried out ah the conclusion of Health Week of last year. Due public notice would be given when tho collecting carts were to commence their rounds. Or Hancock, in seconding, said he was very glad to know that a clean-up was going to take place. Rubbish was to bo seen lying in almost every empty section in the city. The report was adopted. ASPHALTIC CEMENT TENDERS. The tenders for the supply and delivery of 350 tons of asphaltic cement for street paving were referred to the Works GomipiUee for a report