CIVIC AFFAIRS

Evening Star, Issue 21232, 13 October 1932, Page 6

CIVIC AFFAIRS

FCSTtiiGHTLV COUNCIL MEETING The fortnightly meeting of the City Council was held last night, the following being present:—The Mayor (Mr R. S. Black), Crs F. W. Mitchell, J. B. Shaddock, J. J. Clark, W. Begg, W. A. Scott, A. H. Allen, J. J. Marlow, J. L. MTndoe, F. Wilkinson, and J. Wilson. PELICHET BAY SIDING. The District Engineer of the New Zealand Railway Department forwarded for seal a memorandum of agreement and counterpart regarding an extension of term for a further live years of rightof access to the railway by means of a siding at Pclichet Bay. It was agreed that the seal be affixed. INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION. The Secretary of the Industrial Exhibition Committee wrote asking for the co-operation of the council in connection with the proposed exhibition to be held in Brydonc Hall from November 18 to November 26. It was stated that the exhibition was to be run by the Otago Labour Council, and that the object was to stimulate local industry. Cr Clark moved that the matter be referred to the E.P. and L., the Gas, and the Reserves Committees, which departments had united on a former occasion to provide a very fine show. ■The motion was seconded by Cr Shaddock. Cr MTndoe said he did not want to throw any cold water on the scheme, but, although there might be some manufacturers ready to support this exhibition, the Manufacturers’ Association, the official body, had decided to hold an exhibition in February or March, and all its activities would be devoted to making a success of its own undertaking. It was probable that the council would then be requested to help, and he did not wish that the two bodies should be confused. Cr MTndoe added that the Labour Council had been apprised of the position. The Mayor said be was in favour of the idea. It was a question whether the two exhibitions should bo run so close to each other, but he thought the matter should be taken up with a will. If the Manufacturers’ Association did not support the exhibition under discussion there was no reason why individual manufacturers should not. In these times they must maintain an atmosphere of progress and cheerfulness. The Labour Council deserved every praise for making a start in that direction. Cr Wilson said that the council should support both exhibitions. Cr Marlow also supported the idea of the display, and the motion was carried. LIBRARY COMMITTEE. The adoption of the report of the Library Committee was moved by Cr Clark, who stated that the fact that 1,300 volumes were issued for home reading every day said a great deal for the class of book that was available. Ho also paid a tribute to the librarian for securing a volume published by the Edinburgh City Council covering the municipal history of Edinburgh over a period of 600 years. That showed how carefully the librarian watched publications, and how keen was his interest in the library. The report was adopted. RESERVES COMMITTEE. Cr MTndoe, who moved i he adoption of the report of the Reserves Committee, paid a tribute to the work done by gangs of unemployed on the various reserves. Despite the criticism that had been levelled at the work being done by unemployed men, lie did not think that criticism could be levelled at the Reserves Committee. He referred to the thoughtlessness of people who lit fires on the city reserves, particularly in the Flagstaff area, and he issued a warning that if such offenders were caught the council would not hesitate in prosecuting them. He also stated that some residents of St. Clair would not cut the grass plots on the footpaths outside their houses, and considered that it was up to such people to keep the grass cut in order to beautify the suburb. Ho pointed out, also, that on Signal Hill there were 2,000 acres of land belonging to the Government which the city might procure for afforestation purposes. Cr Clark, in seconding the motion, referred to previous negotiations that had taken place with the Government with the object of securing possession of that area, and said that the Government’s terms then were such that no business man could consider them. The report was adopted. GENERAL COMMITTEE. In moving the adoption of the General Committee’s report, Cr Allen_ remarked that the cost of the renovations at the abattoir building would not fall upon the ratepayers. The report was adopted. STREET IMPROVEMENTS. The adoption of the Works Committee’s report was moved by Cr Mitchell, who referred to the petition from residents in Evans and Roxburgh streets, and said that the request regarding Evans street had been granted. He thought that what was being done in Roxburgh street would also meet the case. ■ In reply to a question from Cr MTndoe, the Chairman said it was the intention of' the committee to do more than make an approach to the Art Gallery. He did not think the work was quite finished, but he would make investigations. The report was adopted. FLAGSTAFF FIRE. Cr Bcgg, who moved the adoption of the Water Committee’s report, said that the fire which had occurred on the slopes of Flagstaff had been on private ground on the other side of the road from the afforestation plantation, and at no time had there been danger. The report was adopted. FINANCE COMMITTEE. Cr Shaddock moved the adoption of the Finance Committee's, report. Clause 1 stated that authority had been granted to issue the balance of £35,800 of the city’s 51 per cent, renewal loan of £282,000 at 5 per cent, free of stamp duty, that was. on the same terms as the recent Drainage Board issue, and he said there were indications that there was a demand in the city for tax-free loans. The Finance Committee was of opinion that the loan would be taken up just as tlx? Drainage Board loan was. The report was adopted. TENDERS. The Tramway Cnmmitlce reported that fifteen tenders were received from eight firms for the supply and delivery ora motor bus chassis for the department. The lowest tender for a suitable vehicle was for a Reo chassis (American manufacture) in the sum of £959. 'The next suitable offer was for a Loyj a ml chassis i British manufacture) in il-,o sum of £995. As the bn* was required for hiring and observation work

in addition to the ordinary city timetable service, the matter of weight of the finished vehicle was of primary importance in view of the weight limitation of six and a-half tons placed on the majority of the country roads by the adjoining local bodies. The only vehicle which complied with that condition was the Reo on account of its comparatively light finished weight. The committee had, therefore, no option but to recommend the purchase of the Reo chassis at £959, but, in view of the fact that replacement of some of the older buses would shortly be required, and the exceptionally fine price quoted for the Leyland, it was further recommended that the Leyland chassis be also purchased at £995, both prices being for delivery, all charges paid, at the department’s garage, Dunedin. The Reo acceptance was to be subject to the condition that the chassis weight supplied by the agents included petrol, oil, water, and spare tyre. Both purchases would be a charge on the bus renewal fund. After a lengthy discussion m committee the recommendation was adopted. The Tramway Committee further recommended that the tender of Messrs John Burns and Co. Ltd., Christchurch, for a new rope for the Mornington cable tramway, together with repairing strand, at the total price of £535 15s 3d, c.i.f. and c. Dunedin, be accepted. The tender was the lowest of seven received. The rope would be of manufacture of Messrs Joseph Crawhall and Sons, England, and as a rope of that manufacture had not previously been used, the tenderers had complied with tlie specification by giving a guarantee of forty-eight weeks’ use. The recommendation was adopted. TENDERS. For the purchase of approximately two tons of scrap copper at the E.P. and L. department’s store, the tender of John MacGregor and Son of £32 per ton, was accepted. Ton tenders wore received for painting work at the city abattoir, Burnside. and these 'cere referred to the General Committee with power to act.