"TIME NOT OPPORTUNE”

Evening Star, Issue 21569, 15 November 1933, Page 2

"TIME NOT OPPORTUNE”

RESTORATION OF 10 PER CENT. CUT DISCUSSION BY GREEN ISLAND COUNCIL “ That in the opinion of the Finance Committee the time is not opportune for the restoration of the 10 per cent, cut imposed on the wages of council employees ” was a recommendation placed before the Green island Borough Council at its monthly meeting last night. After a lengthy discussion the recommendation was carried. There were present the Mayor (Mr W. T. Smellie) and Crs T. M'Aliau, NV. A. Miller, F. Wright, P. Winders, V. Pringle, H. Taylor, .). C. Russel], T. G. Tomkins, and G. Orange. “ This matter has occupied a great deal of the committee’s time, and after consideration it was decided that it would not lie wise to restore the 10 per cent, cut,” said Cr M'Alian, who went on to say that there would probably be a big outburst from the unemployed and ratepayers if the cut were given "back. It was also probable that extra men might be employed later. The restoration of the cut_ would mean the spending of about £7O extra between now and next March. He moved in accordance with the recommendation.

Cr Russell seconded the motion, and Cr Taylor expressed agreement with the findings of the committee. Cr Pringle did not see why it should cause any outburst from the unemployed. If all employers restored the 10 per cent. amt more money would lie available, and so everyone would benefit. He also gave a list of firms which bad given back the cut to their employees. Cr Orange thought the committee should have made a modified recommendation. At least file employees should have a 5 per cent, allowance given them. He thought the employees were entitled to a portion of the cut back. “We are looked upon as a body leading people, and so we should do something to set an example.” “ X have always been of the opinion that the working man does not get enough money,” said Cr Winders, “ but in this instance we are paying out the era’ money.”

Aj an amendment Cr Orange moved that 5 per cent, be restored, but this was lost, and Cr Pringle then moved a further, amendment that the money which would bo necessary to restore the cut until the end of the financial year should lie spent on providing work for the unemployed from now until Christmas.

This amendment was also lost, and the motion was then carried, with the ivjsitm that the matter again be discussed at the cud of next March.

CHARGE FOR FEE COLLECTION. A letter from the Acting-Town Clerk, Dunedin, stated that the period of one year, during which the City Council bad agreed to undertake the work ol receiving and distributing the heavy traffic lees free of charge, expired at tile end of last June, and the time was opportune to raise the question of refixing a reasonable charge. It was considered that 2 per cent, on the amount of fees collected would represent a lair and reasonable charge for the council’s work. A charge at such a rate would therefore be made, commencing with the next apportionment. In connection with this matter, a letter was received from the County Clerk, Waitaki County Council, asking what action the Green Island Council was likely to take in regard to the proposal to charge 2 per cent. The letter also gave details of the sum collected within the group, excluding tile sum collected by the City Council, and from the figures given it was reasonable to assume that the commission for twelve months would be approximately double. Taking everything into consideration, the charge seemed out of all proportion to the services rendered. Tlie Town Clerk (Mr A. L. Burk), after explaining the woH< involved in the collecting ol the fees, said that a charge of 2 per cent, seemed very reasonable. Other councils were in a different position from Green Island in the matter of collecting the fees, in that apparently a great deal of the work was done by themselves. It was decided to reply to the \vaitaki County Council stating that Green Island was quite satisfied with the charge. RESERVES MATTERS. The Reserves Committee’s report recommended that the town clerk make inquiries as to the cost oi purchasing a petrol mower for Miller Park Domain, and also make inquiries as to the cost of planting a portion ol Miller Park in trees, and that the question qt carrying out afforestation work at Waipori endowment be considered by the council. A report submitted by the engineer went more fully into the afforestation scheme, and stated that the lessees ot the AVaipori endowment had suggested that if the council desired to go in lor afforestation they would be prepared to exchange an equal area of land in tiie Mount Hyde and Maungatua survey districts, which would be more accessible than the present endowment. The land appeared to be fair grazing land, and was possibly too good for afforestation purposes. On the motion of Cr M Ahan it was decided that the afforestation proposal on the Waipori endowment be not entertained. . .. It was also decided that afforestation be started in Miller Park and the Green Island Domain. It was decided to take no action in the matter of purchasing a petrol mower until the necessary information had been obtained. WORKS COMMITTEE. The report of the Works Committee made the following recommendations;— That the Perpetual Trustees Company Ltd. be advised that the council was agreeable to proposed in type of fence to bo erected in DaJl street, between Neill street and Main road. That the offer of the Dunedin Kaleyards Company Ltd. to contribute i i towards the cost of concreting the entrance to the saleyards be accepted with thanks. That the Dunedin, City Corporation be again approached m reference to piping frontage to abattoirs, and that the council seek the co-opera-tion of the Otago Motor Club in tins connection. That the Finance Committee take into consideration the question of the restoration ot the lu per cent, cut imposed on wages ot employees of the council. That the comuletion of tho lootpath in Kirkland street be deferred until the completion of the other loan works in the Green Island district. That drainage works in Torquay street be extended to section 1, Township of Plevna. That drainage proposals for Alexander street, as outlined in the engineer’s report, be reviewed when drainage works a I ready scheduled were completed. Hint the drainage work at the Green Island School be carried out according to the recommendation of the borough engineer. That the District Land Registrar be notified that all streets on the plan of the Township of Kingston were public streets, ivith the exception of Westland street, between Dali and Runeiman streets. That Dali street bo surfaced with metal. The report was adopted. ENGINEER’S REPORT.

The engineer’s report stated that no maintenance work had been earned out on the Dunedin-lnvcrcargill highway since the last report. The middle ot tlie highway had been marked with a white line* throughout the borough. The expenditure on the highway for the three months ended September 30 amounted to £3B 17s Id. No expenditure beyond the supervision of the un : emploved on the Green Island-Taieri Mouth highway had been required during the month, and it was interesting to note that no expenditure had been incurred on this highway during the past quarter. Specifications for sealing the highway had been prepared, and would be forwarded to the Main Highwavs Board for approval, tVorks Carried Out.—ln School street the kerbing and channelling from the railway to the Main road and r ng the Main road to Mr M'Donald’s had been completed. The crossings for the Fire Brigade and borough yard had been put in, and the entrance to the former made in concrete, while the latter had been made iii concrete runways. The kerbing and channelling would be continued between Shand and Muir streets on the west side, and all the asphalting would be put in hand. On the Main road patching and topdressing of the asphalt portions had

been completed. In the Kaikorni Valley road the footpath had been completed as far as Short street, and as advice had been received from the Dunedin Saleyards Company that it was prepared to ai.ist in the construction of concrete entrances to_ the saleyards this work would be put in hand at an early date. It was disappointing to hud that, as soon ns the asphalting had been completed in Kaikorai Valley road, it was necessary for the Telegraph Department to tear out a considerable area in order to repair the cable. The repairs amounted to £S 14s 6d, which amount should be debited to the department. The improvements in North Taieri road were nearing completion. It was intended to put a small concrete curb along the top of the wall, to widen - out the approach l from the south, and then carry out the asphalting. The completion of the School street footpath in asphalt between Muir and Kirkland streets was carried out by the permanent staff as directed. In Kirkland street a commencement was made with forming the footpath from Church street to London street on the north side. It had been suggested that the lootpath would be better on the south side. This arrangement was considered when the loan works programme was being drawn up, when it was thought that the additional cost for retaining walls and readjustment of entrances was too great. The construction of a drain in this portion of Kirkland street, with the footpath on the north side, would be the greatest improvement _ in the locality. If, however, the council desired to have the footpath on the south side it was suggested that the question of improvements remained in abeyance_ until the completion of the loan works in the district, when sufficient money may be available for the retaining walls required and for the adjustment ot the entrances. . . , Drainage Works.—The drainage woik in Torquay street had been completed as far as Kxmoutli street, and the drainage work along Exmouth street was in hand. It was the intention to carry out the drainage work in Torquay street as far as Mr Care s property, but on the puchase of the sections in Plevna, upon which the whole of the drainage from upper Torquay street was at present lodged, it was considered advisable to dean up this area in the manner described above. It was recommended that an effort be made to complete the Torquay street drainage as originally intended. The drains in Neill street and the Main South road, near Prosser street, would be undertaken when the drainage gang had finished in Esmdutb street; Suggested Drainage Works m Alexander street.— Ultimately a dram would he required along the back of two sections, and connected to the North Taieri road drain. Certain constructional work appeared necessary in connection with this matter, the estimated cost being £2B. . Water Supply to Sanitary DepotTrouble bad been experienced with the water supply to the sanitary farm, and it was found that a considerable amount of silt had collected in the bottom of

the tank. Sufficient was removed to permit some water being available, and during the incoming .week the whole o! the tank would be cleaned out. Drainage at Green Island School.-^-, It had been asked that the drain running at the back of the school should receive attention. This drain was a stone one, which evidently collected water from the properties above Kirkland street, and which went. underground. The foreman understood what was necessary to overcome the difficulty. If the council decided that ho should supervise the work there seemed to be no objection, as long as no cost beyond the supervision was a charge to the borough. Works For Next Period. —The following works were in hand: —Completion of drainage in Esmouth street, footpath in North Taieri road and Exmouth street, drainage in Neill street and main road, near Prosser street, concrete kerb and channel in School •street, between Shand and Muir streets, entrance to saleyards. Kirkland street footpath. The report was adopted. WATER AND LIGHTING. The following report was submitted by the engineer:—The necessary attention had been given to the water supply system, and six services had been repaired. The erection of a new residence in the Burnside extension required a house connection m John street. One of the joints in the Sunnyvale 4in main blew put near the top of Brown’s Hill, but*this had been recaulked and the road surface repaired. Generally the system seemed to be in good order. • The report was adopted.