CIVIC AFFAIRS

Evening Star, Issue 19952, 23 August 1928, Page 14

CIVIC AFFAIRS

FORTHSGHTLY COUNCIL OEETINS The fortnightly meeting of tho City Council, held last night, was attended by tho mayor (Mr W. B. Taverner), Crs Mitchell, Wilson, Scott, Black, Larnach, Douglas, Munro, Hayward, Campbell, Shacklock, Clark, and Begg, RESERVES COMMITTEE. Cr Larnach, in moving tho adoption of tho report of the Reserves Committee, said it was recommended that the council grant the application of uio Groenhithe School Committee (Auckland) for a war tropliy gun which was stored in tho Ward street yard. Arrangements would have to be made for the shipment of the gun." It was intended to remove eighteen of the poles and lamps in the Botanic Gardens erected several years ago for lighting on special occasions. Cr Clark said the removal of the poles would add to the attractiveness of the Gardens. There were still plenty of Unfits near tho band pavilion for concerts. Cr Shacklock asked if the chairman tftouaht the plantations on the reserves of the city were sufficiently protected from llro. Cr Munro referred to the following clause in the committee’s report:—“A copy of the demands for a new award for the Gardeners’ Union has been received, but tho committee after due consideration thereof cannot see its way to agree to the terms and conditions therein sot out, and has advised the union accordingly.” Mo asked if gar doners were not entitled to a living wage ns well as other workers. From what ho had been told gardeners were not claiming an outrageous wage. The council seemed to desire to shut down on ail applications for a living wage. Cr Scott; No. Cr Mutvo went on to say that the council seemed to want to always drag the workers by the scruff of the neck

into the Arbitration Court. For a public body that was a wrong policy to pursue. Did the chairman think the wages- claimed by the gardeners were too high? Cr Larnach said ho believed the plantations on the reserves were protected from fire Evergreens wore planted in between as a protection. He could not give any information to Cr Munro. What was decided was the committee’s work. “The committee decided it, no* me,” added Cr Larnach.

Cr Clark: “ You ought to bo a poll tician-” CT Larnach: “I’m afraid I. haven’t got the gift of tho gab like soinothers.” Tho repost was adopted. ADVERTISING SIGNS. When the report of the General Committee came up for discussion Or Mitchell referred to the clause declinum the application of the Otago Rugby Union for permission to erect an advertising sign on the pavilion at Carisbrook. Ho said tho committee had given the matter every consideration. It had declined tho application for a sign on the roof of the pavilion, but recommended tho granting of the application for advertising hoardings inside the fence. Tho latter signs would no* be seen from outside tho ground. Tho report was adopted. STREET MAINTENANCE

Cr Wilson having moved tho adop tiou of the report of tho Works Com mitteo, Cr Clark asked it' the following clause was an indication that tho committee had resolved that tar macadam paving was going to be used in the future That the whole of the unallocated balance of the petrol tax funds, amounting to £1,832, be allocated for expenditure on the work of tar macadam paving in George street.” He said a number of councillors had maintained that tar macadam should be used instead of expensive bitumen. There would be a good deal of heavy traffic in George street. Cr Shacklock said that two years atm the South road at Caversham was tar sealed. i'he Mayor: “Tar macadam.” Cr Shacklock went on to say that he would like to know why portion of the South road was now being torn up. Cr Mitchell said that two coats of bitumen being put on part of the Bay road were at n cost of Is a yard. Some ol their roads had cost 19s a yard. Cr Wilson stated in reply that it

was not the intention of the cornmitte to suggest that tai macadam was better than Trinidad George street was not considered to bo a heavy traffic street, and tar macadam would be quit efficient there. The cause of the cutting up of the South load was the presence of subterranean water. An amount had been allocated for a drain to bo put in to remedy the trouble. In regard to Or Mitchell’s remark regarding the cost of the Bay road, Or Wilson said the cost depended a great deal upon what was underneath the surface of the road. The report was adopted. MORNFNGTON “ CHANGE-OVER.” Cr Douglas, in moving the adoption of the report of the Tramway Committee, said the change over from a right hand to a left hand drive on th Mornington line had been carried out by the tramway department staff, with assistance from the city engineer. It was gratifying to know the change over had been carried out so satisfactorily and expeditiously, Fortunately they had the buses to take the traffic while the job was being done. Cr Scott congratulated the committee and the department on the excellent way in which the change over was made. The mayor also commented favourably on the work. He said the change would be greatly appreciated by motorists who used High street. Cr Douglas, in reply, paid a tribute to the work of the tramway engineer. He said that both the manager and the engineer had devoted considerable time loathe work. There wan perfect harmony between the heads of departments. The report was adopted. TENDERS.

Tho following recommendation of the Hns Committee was approved Tlmt tho tender of Messrs John M'Gregor and Co., Ltd., for the worn, of erecting the new Telpher plant at the works "ompleto with eonerotc foundations and ■ n running order for the sum o f £1 ; 295 iOs be accepted. Tenders wer n received P r om five local firms, of winch that re* ■■inmended is the lowest, The Tramway Committee recommended that the' tender ni Messrs John Duthie and Co,. Ltd., for the supply and delivery. c.i.f. and e., Dunedin, of f ramway rails as undermentioned, be accepted. The prices are inclusive of if] necessary fishplates and holts. Sis tenders in all were received, and this was the lowest of those submitted hv \ T ew Zealand firms :-50 tons Sorhitic rails, No, 6. at £ls per ton, £750; M tons B.S.S. ordinary. No. 6. at £l3 i s 6d ton. £1.190 ss; 42 tons B.S.S. ordinary, No. 6c. at £l3 4s 6d ton, 05% 9s—total, £2.495 14s. On the recommendation of the Works °emmitt'>e the council accepted the offer of the Trustees Estate ->d Aeencv Co.. Ltd., as executors m the estate of the late J. A. DrecnfieM. ■.) sell to the council for the sum of n l.?nn th» nroperfv of Mr Or'mnfiold. Vnown ns No. 25 Doss street. Rod.vn, The land is part of allotment 1. Work T T . township of Rnslvn. the area h»inc ■wenty poles, and erected thereon-is tlv -•ibatnntinl residence of the Ipte owner Tt is proposed, after taking the piece of land for the street widening, to make sundry alterations to the front of the house and resell the property when the street improvement works on the frontage have hem completed.