CIVIC AFFAIRS

Evening Star, Issue 20556, 7 August 1930, Page 2

CIVIC AFFAIRS

FORTNIGHTLY COUNCIL MEETING The fortnightly meeting of the City Council last night was attended by the mayor (Mr R. S. Black), Crs J. J. Clark, J. B. Shacklock, F. L. Lawrence, W. A. Scott, F. W. Mitchell, H. L. Tapley, H. C. Campbell, J. Wilson, J. J. Marlow F. Wilkinson, and W. Begg. POWER STOPPAGE. In moving the adoption of the E.P. and L. Committee’s report, Cr Shacklock said that the dam extension was now 12ft high, and given fine weather, the contractor would be able to push the work on to completion. The turbine in No. 1 power station was still in the hands of the expert, and it was hoped that, probably on Monday, it would be put under load. Cr Begg asked for the real reason of the power stoppage on the evening of Sunday of last week. He thought the council was entitled to a full statement as to the real cause of the accident

Cr Mitchell, referring to the work on the dam, said he thought it was in the minds of the council that this work, as soon as a certain stage was reached, should be undertaken by contract. When would that stage bo reached? ho asked.

Cr Shacklock, in reply, referring to the power stoppage, said that certain work always had to bo done on Sunday, when the power station was dead. Certain transformers had to be changed over to start the turbine in the No. 1 power station. Those transformers controlled the whole of the electrical supply about tho dam, and included in that supply was the operation of tho valves on tho dam itself. Those valves were operated generally by electric power, but there was provision for operating them by hand. That was a very slow method. If his memory served him correctly, it took about an hour to lift one of the valves five inches by hand. The No. i tiirbine was turned over on that Sunday morning, and the valve on the dam was shut, but sufficient water was running through that turbine to keep the weir going. During the afternoon the attendant at the station realised that if he ,did not get home soon he would not get home at all on account of the snow. He therefore closed down No. 1 turbine, thereby stopping the water from running further on. It was presumed that he advised somebody at the top of the hill, but it was not exactly certain whom ho advised. The weir attendant also rang up the, top of the hill to say that the weir was running short of water, but unfortunately lie did not ring up tho engineer in charge of the station as well. Between them, the weir was allowed to empty, with the result that councillors knew. The valves then had to be by hand in the darkness of a rough night Owing to the snow since that night, the engineer had not been able to (ind out why the attendant did not advise earlier that the water Was running low. The result was certainly unfortunate, but it was only inconvenience that was suffered. In connection with Cr Mitchell’s question, Cr Shacklock said it certainly was intended that the remaining concreting of the big dam should be undertaken by contract. Ho had indicated previously that when an opportune time arrived, tenders should be called. The idea then was that an opportune time would be when the concrete bottom had been put in right across the river. He was afraid, however, that they could not wait till then. If it were possible from a contractor’s point of view to tender for the placing of the concrete at so much per yard—there would have to be some arrangement about the boxing—but if tenders could bo called or given on that basis, then probably it did not matter, at what time, the concreting was begun. He thought the work could be undertaken at short notice if that could be done. Ho considered that the .time had arrived when they should do a little more work under the contract system rather than under the present system The report was adopted.

ROSS CREEK RESERVOIR. Some discussion centred around a

clause'in the Water Committee’s report to the following effect:— “Advice has been received from the Minister of Public Works that the council’s application for the approval of tbo work of enlarging the stormwater channel at the Ross Creek Reservoir as a relief work has been approved. The advice states that the approval is given on the understanding that the council is to receive a subsidy of £2 for £1 on labour based on wages at the rate of 14s per day up to £4,620. The committee now recommends that the condition as to the rate of wages to be paid on tlie work be now agreed to and that the following formal resolution be adopted:—‘That pursuant to the provisions of the industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, 1925, the council declares that the work of enlarging the existing channel and constructing a now channel at the Ross Creek Reservoir and effecting certain improvements to the intake and outlet of the present spillway below such reservoir be a relief work within the meaning of section 155 of the said Act.’ ”

In moving the adoption of the report, Cr Begg said that the work was based as a relief work, for the simple reason that if it were not for the fact that the council was able to obtain a Government subsidy, their finances would not allow them to go on with work of such magnitude at the present juncture. In addition to the rates of pay, transit would have to be provided for employees, and as this was necessary under the award it would amount to about three-quarters of an hour morning and evening, working out at about 3s per day. Cr Tapley said that there was a good deal to bo said in favour of the work at Ross Creek being carried out under ordinary conditions. It was a work, he maintained, that was essential in the interests of, the water supply to the city. Cr Clark interjected that the council had a resolution to the effect that all discussions relating to wages and salaries shoud bo taken in committee. The Mayor said he did not wish to

“ gag " councillors, but if Cr Tapley’s remarks. referred to the matter of altering any rates of pay, then it came finder the category mentioned by Cr Clark. He ruled that the matter should bo brought up in committee.

The clause was held over and dealt with in committee, the report eventually being adopted without dissent. GENERAL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.

The adoption of the General Committee's report was moved by Cr Mitchell, who said that an application lor the erection of a hoarding in Anderson’s Bay road had been granted, as it was outside the residential area Cr Wilkinson seconded the motion, which Was carried. GAS COMMITTEE.

In moving the adoption of the Gas Committee’s report, Cr Marlow said that arrangements had been made to open a gas showroom in the Town Hall building, and while it was admitted that this might not be ideal, it was the best they could do. The building was very central, and he hoped by lighting the place well it would bo effective. The report was adopted. TENDERS.

The following tenders were accepted : Purchase of approximately thirtyfive tons of scrap iron at the water department’s yard: - A. M'DonukJ, £3 12s dd a ton.

Supply and delivery of (a) three tons cadmium copper trolley wire: Sainnei Brown, Ltd., £B6 7s Cd. (b) Five tons hard drawn -trolley ivira; Carriek Wedderspoon, £6B 12s. Floor coverings for main corridor.— Donald Stuart, £125. Rubber nosings and treads on stairs. —Messrs Hayward Bros, and Co., £23 17s 3d.

Granite and inlaid linoleum on basement, first and second floors: Messrs Scoullar and Chisholm, £230 Is Cd,