WEST HARBOUR BOROUGH

Evening Star, Issue 20633, 5 November 1930, Page 2

WEST HARBOUR BOROUGH

COUNCIL MEETING The monthly meeting of the Wes 6 Harbour Borough Council was held last evening in the Council Chambers, Ravensbourne, those present being the mayor (Mr H. E. Holler), Crs T. H. Harridge, J. M. Kay, J. Robb, C- J. - Ha}’ward, A. D. Asher, T. F. Rodger, A. Smith, C. F. George, W. Forgic, and C. E. H. Wilson. ST. LEONARDS STATION RAMP. “ I have to inform you that two foot’ bridges will be erected at the new St. Leonards station, one at the north end and another at the south end,” wrote the District Engineer for the Railway Department. “ The foot bridge at the north end will have steps at each end, with an extension leading to the jetty. It is proposed to have a ramp leading from the main road and steps leading down on to the station platform at the south end.”—On the motion of Or Hayward it was decided to protest against the provision of steps leading from tho ramp on to the station at the south end of the station. Cr Hayward stated that the Railways Department had promised to provide a full ramp with no steps at the south end, and if steps were built they would be_ unsuitable for mothers with go-carts; in fact, the whole affair regarding the approach to the station was most unsatisfactory. CORRESPONDENCE. ' Regarding the present scale of bus fares charged between Dunedin and Port Chalmers, the Railway Department wrote advising that the matter had been referred to head office for consideration, and the outcome had been that there was no intention o?i reducing the fares in the meantime.— l The Mayor stated that the letter was not very satisfactory, and the matter should not be allowed to drop.—The* letter was received, and it was resolved to write again to the department protesting against the excessive fares. _ A property owner wrote protesting against the present system of rating on farm lands in the borough. As he was partly dependent on the rental of his farm for his livelihood and could not rent or lease it while the present rates were charged, he desired a reduction in his rates.—The Mayor: This certainly opens a big question, and ft is evident that the matter has arisen out of the recent rating trouble that has been experienced in the district. I would suggest that the letter be received and referred to the borough solicitor.—The mayor’s suggestion was approved. The Town Clerk of Port Chalmers wrote that the council had decided to contribute £25 toward the cost of improving the Upper Junction-Sawyers Bay road. The writer pointed out that his council had been instrumental in securing the £2 for £1 subsidy for tho work.—Received with thanks. REPORTS.

The Works Committee reported that the Maori drain at Mr Taylor’s property had been inspected. The mud tank at the corner of Union street and Junction road had two outlets, one running under the road to the channel on the opposite side, and the other being an overflow outlet. As the latter probably flowed into the Maori drain,the committee had instructed the borough inspector to close the outlet. It was not thought, however, that this would make much difference to the water flowing down the Maori "drain through Mr Taylor’s property, as this was a natural watercourse from the hill higher up the road. It was recommended that the council take no further action. The committee also recommended that the pipes at the corner of Manuka street and Junction.' road be repaired by installing 6in pipes to relieve the overflow, which at present flowed down Harbour terrace.The overflow should be carried into Manuka street. It was also recommended that the drain further along Manuka street be opened up in order to ascertain where the leakage cam®' from, and that the footpath in Shandon street bo inspected and repaired when convenient.—Cr Harridge complained l about work in the southern section of Ravensbourne having been neglected.The work was passed to be carried out some time ago, he stated, and it was full time that it was done.—The Mayor expressed the opinion that the council had to consider its finances,and he felt that the borough engineer was doing al] the work be could cope with. If more work were to be done, more surfacemen would have to be employed, and the council would have more expense. Cr Harridge had'been going around, and had listened to too much of what was being said by residents. He should notify the borough 1 engineer, or lay his complaints before the town clerk instead of “poking into matters on his own account.’’ —Cr Robb stated that the Maori drain referred to in the report was a menace, and the council lyould be compelled to do something to it before next winter.: —The report was adopted. The Borough Inspector reported thati the work on the Upper Junction load would be completed this week. Several of the culverts on the road were in a bad state, and it was necessary toi clean them out. The work in the borough which remained to bo completed included the removal of a slip at St. Leonards near the school, concreting channels, mud- tanks, and gradings in Ravensbourne, and repairs to a culvert in George street, Burkes., It was hoped to employ the grader oti some of the streets in St. Leonards this week. An inspector for the Ex-> plosives Department had visited, the' Coronation Hall, and expressed his satisfaction with the position of the seats and the exits,, but pointed out that the enclosure used when moving pictures were shown was a hazard as regards fire. The Main road from the quarry to Maia had been top-dressed.— The report was adopted. The Reserves Committee recommended that the children’s swings in. the Ravensbourne Recreation Ground be repaired, and that a new path be made along the present rt>ad line alongside the culvert to the railway, providing permission was obtained from' the Railways Department. Such a path would provide a right-of-way to the station entrance for the people residing in the south end_ or tb® borough, and would also provide a road to the recreation ground from the railway station. It was also recommended that the new bathing shed on the fo~eshore be renovated.—The report was adapted. The Finance Committee reported that during the month £392 11s had fecn collected, and after the nayment of accounts amounting to £684 14s .there would be a debit balance ■of £2,189 Is 2d.—Adopted.