BOROUGH COUNCILS

Evening Star, Issue 19270, 8 June 1926, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCILS

MOSGIEL .Tim rnavnr (Mr J. P- Walls) preskied nt t.lio monthly meeting of the Mosgiel Borough Council. The Finance Committee reported that the receipts for the month had been £5(5 8s 3d, and recommended for payment accounts amounting to £257 Os'.'id. The hank pass book showed a credit balance of £0 10s tkl. In reference to the application of Father,!!. J, O’Neill for exemption from rates of the playground of the Catholic School, it was decided upon the advice of the borough solicitor to recommend that this exemption be granted.—Report adopted. The Reserves Committee reported as follows Fencing Leishraan’s watershed; The committee recommends that as all the material is now on the ground, the dork be instructed to telegraph to the contractor asking for definite information as to the date upon which ho intends to start his contract. —Use of recreation ground by school football team: The committee recommends that the school team be granted permission to play matches on Saturday morning on this ground conditional upon the ground being in a fit state for play, the matter to he left to the discretion of the. chairman of this committee. who is to be notified on the day preceding.—Report adopted. The General Committee reported as follows ;—The committee recommends that the action of the chairman and inspector in having repairs effected to the drop-scene of the stage he approved, and that prices bo obtained for revarnishing; that the Mosgiel factory choir he granted the free use of the stage for rehearsal purposes for the forthcoming competitions. The Health Department notified one case of scarlet fever and one case of diphtheria. The Health Department wrote regarding failure of somo residents to connect with the sewer.—After carefully considering this list the committee recommends that further action he deferred until a more favorable opportunity. The Health Department forwarded a copy of notice served upon W, H. Knott (Railway Hotel) and D. P. Wilson (Mosgiel Hotel) for some minor alterations to premises—Report adopted.

The Works Committee reported n.s follows: —Bonds and works : The gravelling and grading of Quarry' road is now completed. Gladstone road has keen regravolled and patched from the East Taiori boundary to Gordon road, and necessary patching done on the other portion. The side streets have also received a certain amount of attention, but will require still more in the immediate future. The footpaths in a number of streets have been grubbed and cleaned and regravelled where it was found necessary. The regravelling of Factory and Bush roads is now in hand.—Water supply; All the valves have received attention twice during the month. The reservoir is standing at the 7ft Gin level. Two defective services have been repaired.—Drainage: Everything is working smoothly at the septic tanks. New' sewer connections have been put in for Mr T. Irvine, Church street, and the Masonic Hall, Gordon road, and a now concrete cover has been fitted to the manhole of the storm water drain at the corner of Forfar street and Bush rood.—The committee recommends that tenders be called' for the supply of 600yds of gravel on to the borough dump in Tweed street: that the inspector be asked to report upon the application for drainage by Mr J. Stevens; that the inspector bo asked to report as to the condition of the footpath in King street in front of Mrs Cameron’s residence; that the following applications for improvements to footpath's he taken in rotation as this work is proceeded with; —Mr A. B. Callick, Mrs 11. W. Packer, and the Methodist Church Trust; that Messrs Mackie, Bamford, and Gilmore ho informed, in reply to their letters, that it is the intention of -the council to graved the centre of Clyde street as soon ns weather conditions are suitable for the work; that the inspector bo asked to furnish a report upon the application of the Mosgiol Motor and Engineering Company for improvements to the storm water conditions of Gladstone road ; that a letter he forwarded to Mr D. Hanlin drawing his attention to the conditions of his contract for the supply and delivery of gravel, which is not being fulfilled.—Building permits have been granted to Melrose and White, fiveroomed cottage for Mrs M'Loan • B, Muirhead, workshop and cement shed; Melrose and White; two-roomed cottage for Mr H. Koar; Mrs Carnnross, additions; T. Williams, additions; M. J. Thompson, additions; a water permit had been granted to Air IT. Keax, Irvine street; a temporary drainage permit_had been granted to Mrs Bush, Gordon road. The report was adopted, and nil the recommendations were agreed to.

Tbs _ Taieri County Council wrote notifying that Mr A. F. Quclch had been returned unopposed te represent the combined district of the Mosgiel Borough and Taieri County on the Otago Hospital Board.—Letters of thanks to be forwarded to Mr Quelch for his representation of the borough in past years. The Otago Hospital Board forwarded statements of the board’s receipts and expenditure in the preceding financial year, and the board’s estimated receipts and expenditure for the current financial year, stating that the amount apportioned to the borough as its levy was £3BO 13s Id.—Received.

The Hamilton Borough Council wrote stating that the following resolution had been passed by the council, and asking that representations, on similar lines, be made to the Government by this council, with a view to impressing upon tho Government the necessity of taking action during the coming session:—“ That this council views with the gravest concern the increasing burden which is being placed on its ratepayers in respect to tho formation and maintenance of the streets and is unanimously of the opinion (1) that such increased charges are due solely to the demands of, and the damage caused by, motor traffic; (2) that it is totally inequitable to burden tho ratepayers with tho whole of those chargee; (3) that the Government bo strongly urged to introduce the necessary legislation during the coming session, and as a matter of urgency transferring an equitable proportion of this burden from the ratepayer to the user of the roads and streets.”—Received; council deciding to support the resolution. The Department of Internal Affairs forwarded extracts from the New' Zealand ‘ Gazette ’ of May 13 containing Order in Conned fixing amounts of principal and interest payable in respect of advances for the erection of workers' dwellings for periods of 25J, 30 and 36 years, at 6| per cent.— Received.

Mr Bacon, bus proprietor, waited on the council regarding the penalty, the new regulations would impose oh him. These would prove eo severe that he could hardly he expected to continue the service lately inaugurated.—lt was resolved to communicate with tho Railway Department in the matter. Rates.—-The necessary resolution confirming the rates struck at last meeting for the year ending March 31, 1937, was passed. The rates remain the same as for last year. Some correspondence was placed before the meeting concerning work done on Green street and Duke street. The letters _ included one from the borough solicitors.—lt was decided to proceed with the local Bill regarding these streets being taken over and de-

cleared public streets, ami to ask Mr T. K. Sidey, member for the electorate, to use Ids' nest endeavors to have (no bill put through this session, the MU will also include High street. The Ranger reported having impounded six cows during the month. had had considerable trouble with stray cattle from the outskirts of the town wandering on the streets, whore the grass was evidently better than on the country roads. Two owners had taken delivery of their cows from him, but, had not paid the fees.—lt was resolved to prosecute the owners unless the fees wore paid within forty-eight The Inspector reported that he bad inspected the road in front ol the Mosgiel Motor and Engineering Works, where water was lying, hut that no recommendation could bo made until tho ground hod boon opened up to see it a drain had been laid there previously.—The amount of ginve! carted per day under contract had improved, and was much more satisfactory. „ , . ~ Tenders wore handed in for curbing of gravel to borough dump from the stream.—These were considered too high, and it was resolved to call for fresh tenders by advertisement. The metalling of Gordon road, which has been so badly cut up during the past few weeks by motor traffic, was discussed.—The Mayor reported on his interview with Mr Marks, of tho Highways Board. Following up tho mayor’s representations to that gentleman, the clerk had forwarded details of the proposed metalling and gravelling, and an estimate of the cost. He had also forwarded copies of accounts which had been rendered from time to time to the Highways Board; but to which there had been no response. The answer to these was now awaited. —The council decided to commence tho contract for metalling in the hope that a substantial subsidy would be forthcoming. Tho present method of carting gravel by day labor for the footpaths was reported to be too costly, and it was resolved to call for tenders for the remainder of tho work.

GREEN ISLAND Last night’s monthly meeting of the Green Island Borough Council was attended by Air W. T. Smellie (mayor), Ors P. Chalmers, A. H. Clmstio, BKnight, B. Tait. C. Crimp, J. G. Lindsay, P. 0. Smellie, T. M’Ahan, and T. Tomkins. The finance report for the year ended March 31 showed that rates amounting to £3,187 5s had been collected, as against £2,987 10s 6d for the previous year. License fees had totalled £124 Os 9d, as against £149 13s Bd, the falling off being accounted for by the fact that heavy traffic fees could not now be collected locally. But the heavy traffic regulations under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1924, nullified the falling off, and it was expected that those fees would be largely.in excess of the sum named above. Building permits issued amounted to £l9 15s, the increase being £9 ss, indicating that there was steady building activity, and that there would be an increase in new buildings, Alaintenance charges formed the chief item of expenditure. The amount for the whole of the borough (exclusive of the Alain South road) was £651 5s Bd, and for the Alain South road £537 5s 7d, less contributions. On maintenance for the year £l,lBB 11s 3d ; or £3OB ]os 5d less than the previous year, was spent, but more work was carried out than in the preceding twelve months.—The mayor and several councillors spoke of the council’s good financial position, and congratulated the town clerk upon preparing a very comprehensive report. The Dunedin Tramways Band’s application to bold a sacred concert on Sunday was granted.—Or Tomkins reported that the band was prepared to play hymns for church services prior to giving the concert.

PORT CHALMERS Lost night the fortnightly mooting was attended by the mayor (Air T. Anderson), Crs Allan, Bell, Willmott, Campbell, Alackio, Alorgan, W. Love, A. Love, Smith, and Luma. The Mayor said that the new town clerk would take up his duties next week. —Correspondence.— Mr W. Adamson wrote accepting the position of borough inspector.—lleceived. The Minister of Justice wrote, through Mr J. if. Dickson, AI.P., stating that there was difficnlty in regard to a suitable site for a new police station at Port Chalmers. The superintendent of police at Dunedin had been instructed to get a- suitable site as soon n.s possible, aud then the question of a building would be considered.—Letter held over.

Miss B. Montgomery wrote thanking tho council for the liberal bonus paid her and for the appreciation expressed of her work while in the council’s service.—Received.

Mr 0. 0. Knewstubb, Mansford, wrote asking that a few loads of material be used to improve the road between Lawson’s store and Naval Point. —Resolved that road bo attended to.

Mr P. Willis, sanitary contractor, wrote asking that the period of his contract he extended to five years, as the present term was too short for permanent work.—Sanitary Committee to report.

—Reports.—■

The Works Committee reported that tho concrete channel in Wickliffe terrace was nearing completion, this being the worst job of its kind thus far owing to the irregular formation of tbo footpath and road; but it'would now make a good appearance to the street. Tho mud tank had to he reconstructed, but would now be easier to clean out in very heavy weather. The footpath near Daly street, alongside the new channel, would be built up and left presentable until the weather permitted regrading and asphalting. No more channel work was to be done this season, hut as soon as the weather improved it would be resumed again. Tho Mary street drain had been engaging attention, and as soon as the engineer had completed the levels he would make a definite report. The Bernicia street drain had been opened up ready for raising and extension as reclamation proceeded. A newly-laid drain at Mr F. Smith’s had been tested and passed. During the wot weather asphalt had been mixed to permit of its maturing. In retard to Macandrew road, tho new foreman would make a thorough inspection and report fully as to the necessary improvements to this road.— Report adopted. The Finance Committee reported that in tho general account the fortnight’s receipts amounted to £3OB 13s, and the expenditure to £176 2s 4d. In the pas department the receipts totalled £SO 5s lid, and the expenditure to £l3 3s.—Report adopted. The Gas and Water Committee reported that the coal in stock was sixty - eight tons, and the gas made for the month 106,000 ft. There had been a leak in the gas main, necessitating same being opened up in. several places in the main street; as yet the- leak had not been located.. Water was found in the main at tbo bottom end of George street, and a new syphon was put in, the old one being decayed. The water was pumped out, and immediately a good supply of gas resulted. The new mot meters had arrived, and would replace those not working. Two now services were to be put in in Constitution street, where one was very short. These two.'services were asked for some time ago, and the houses bad been fitted up ready. Water services at the Wesleyan mans© and at Mr Wilson's place

to. The heavy (low of water in Harrington street had been located nt Mr Lowe’s property. The contractor was going ahead with tho now sin mam, and tho lower portion in Wicklino terrace should be finished about hiiturciay. Thou the people at tho end oi the Peninsula would have no further complaints about cutting off the water. Mr C. Timlin’s letter was hold over for consideration when the now foreman' was in a position to report fully upon water extensions. —Cr Campbell said the production of gas per ton of coni was 4,000 ft, instead of 12,000 ft per tou, as had been stated. As there were complaints about the quality of the gas, ho. suggested that some coal of a better quality be used.—Cr Ininn said the production reported per ton had been guesswork. There was too much guesswork.—-The report was adopted. GENERAL.

The rates as advertised wore adopted for the ensuing year. - It was resolved that tho sexton bo empowered to destroy dogs straying in the cemetery. , The Mayor said he made a personal inspection of outlying' portions of tho borough, and he recommended that several improvements be earned out. Cr A. Love said it was necessary that tho mud on Macandrew road be removed, as passing vehicles sploshed pedestrians on the footpath. It was decided to widen the road at a sharp turn near the naval shed.