GREEN ISLAND AFFAIRS

Evening Star, Issue 20555, 6 August 1930, Page 2

GREEN ISLAND AFFAIRS

—— MONTHLY MEETING OF COUNCIL In the absence of Mr W. T. Smellie, Cr J. Passmore occupied the chair at the monthly meeting of the Green Island Borough Council, held last evening. Other councillors present were J. L. Miller. T. Tomkins, G. Orange, A. Logie, J. S. Lindsay, and T. M'Ahan. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The report of the engineer (Mr F. J. Williams) detailed works completed and contemplated by the council during the mouth of July as follows Work of Outdoor Staff.—This staff had been engaged on various works, the amount expended in wages being £132 2s 3d. Kaikorai Stream Bridge.—Owing to the very frosty weather experienced, a commencement had not _ yet been mado with tho reconstruction of the bridge over the Kaikorai Stream, and possibly a start would be made tho following month. Before the bridge was dismantled provision for traffic would require to bo made. Two methods seemed available—(a) an open ford, (b) a temporary bridge. -The open ford would bo quite satisfactory if the stream kept at its normal level, but it would become impassable for motor cars in times of hood, a condition to be expected in the spring of the year. A temporary bridge would consist of round bearers and planked, but it would not be possible to erect it as high as the present one, and consequently some risk would have to be taken or it being destroyed by an ordinary flood. The opinion of the council as to the > method preferable to adopt was desired. Building Permits.—The plans and specifications of two buildings, to tho value of £1.650, had been examined and approved. Maintenance.—The formation _ of Victoria place had occupied tho time of the staff for a considerable portion of the period under review. The work was very difficult on account of the large amount of slag to be excavated and removed. It was now completed with metal and blinding and the footpath gravelled. Much improvement had teen effected in Muir street by the use of Poppy . Day funds, and Scotland terrace had also received attention. Three unemployed returned soldiers .had been engaged upon that work.

Entrance to Patterson street.—Application had been mad© to the district engineer and plans submitted for the moving back of the railway fence at the corner of North Taieri road and Paterson street. The following reply had been received:—“There is no objection to your council shifting the fence at the corner of the road leading from the North Taieri road to Paterson street from its present position to that shown in red on the plan which accompanied your letter.” The road m question was the property of the New Zealand Railways, and tho cost of shifting the fence and rounding off the corner _ would require to be done by the council. Overhanging Trees, Will street.— Tho overhanging trees on the boundary of Mr Bunbuir’s section had been inspected, and while some of the overhanging branches had been removed the trees still remained a detriment to the maintenance of this narrow street. It would certainly improve matters if the trees were reduced to a -reasonable height. . The Emoleura Company, Ltd., of Auckland,.' had forwarded a drum (forty-four gallons) of emoieum for demonstrating purposes, and it would be tried outf when tho weather was favourable. , „ . ■ Work - Authorised.—The following works had yet to be done: —Completion of footpath, Runciman street; gravel, Millar street; repairs to Upper Wills and London streets; widening John street. The report was approved. WORKS RECOMMENDED. The Works Committee recommended: —That Mr Samuel Williamson be granted permission to erect a garage on roadlino, Glen street, the garage to remain at the pleasure of the council. That a temporary bridge bo erected during the reconstruction of the bridge over tho Kaikorai Stream, Brighton road. That the railway fence at the corner of North Taieri road and Paterson street be moved back to the lino' approved by district railway engineer. The report was adopted. WATER AND LIGHTING. According to tho water and lighting report of the engineer, building operations in the borough continue, and the house service connections to the water mains had been put in as required. The connections to new houses at Concord, and which were in Taieri Countv involved a considerable length of service, atid the total cost of the work was a charge against the occupiers, to which they agreed before the work was put in hand. It was anticipated _ a start would bo made with the extensions during the incoming month, and Owen street would bo tho first work undertaken.—Tho report was approved. The Water and Lighting Committee recommended that the reports of the engineer and foreman of works be received ; that alterations and additions to street lighting systems be earned out at a cost of £6l 11s.—The report was adopted. . SHOULD THE COUNCIL PAY? In accordance with notice of motion, Cr Orange moved that the following resolution passed fay the council on December .3, 1929, be rescinded:— “ That where ratepayers are desirous of having frontages of property piped the council undertake to supply and lay the pipes, provided the undertaking is given that the cost of the pipes will be met by the ratepayers.” Cr Tompkins stated that when the motion was considered by the council he had voted against it because he was of the opinion that the council should have the privilege to deal with such matters. Ho cited an instance where tho completion of a pipe line in Scotland terrace had been held up because one property holder had no desire to use the pipe. The council, he contended. should provide pipes where undrained places were a menace to the district.

Cr Logie expressed the opinion that as the council could not provide sufficient money to carry out such necessary works as the forming and maintenance of footpaths it could not bear the whole cdst of supplying and laying such pipes. The council would not do the work indiscriminately, but when it had the money available, said Cr Orange. There was no doubt that they would receive many applications for work to be done, but the council could handle the work as it thought best. There would certainly be no work done this year. On the casting vote of the chairman the motion was lost, Crs Tomkins and M'Ahan recording their vote with Cr Orange. BEAUTIFYING WORK. The Town Clerk reported that he had failed to get a Government subsidy for the carrying out of the beautifying work in the borough. The department had raised the question ns ( to whether the work was in the nature of a capital asset, but he suggested that the department again be approached, this time pointing out that the work was

designed principally to relieve the unemployed. in answer to a question by Cr M‘Ahan, the chairman stated that the council had spent £2O of its own money and £2O received from the R.S.A. The council had anticipated a further £4O from the Government, but as thi#was not forthcoming the work planned had to be curtailed. Cr Tomkins was of the opinion that the work ■ should proceed, even if the council had to foot the bill. With the expenditure of another £2O or so the work would bo completed _ and the council would at the same time bo giving some assistance to the unemployed. The Town Clerk pointed out that tho R.S.A. was willing to make a fm-thcr grant to complete tho work, and it was decided “ that tho council subsidise Poppy Day funds to carry out beautifying work in Scotland terrace and. Miller street (Abbotsford).''’