MINIMUM OF TALK

Evening Star, Issue 21836, 27 September 1934, Page 14

MINIMUM OF TALK

CITY COUNCIL'S MEETING BUSINESS COMPLETED WITHIN AN HOUR A record in brevity since the Bev. ,K. T. Cox was elected mayor was set by the City Council in the transaction ol its business at the fortnightly meeting last night. All business was completed within an hour. The mayor presided, and others present were Crs H. C. Campbell, A. H. Allen, J. J. Marlow, J. L. M'lndoe, M. Silverstone, W. Begg, W. H. Shepherd, W. A. Scott, and W. Borric. STREET SPEAKING. In its report the General Committee recommended that the following permits . be issued, subject to prescribed conditions:—(l) To Mr John Gilchrist, to speak on Saturday evenings in St. Andrew street, at a point 25yds west of the George street building line. _ (2) To the National Unemployed Workers’ Movement for the persons hereinbefore mentioned to speak on Saturday nights on a rota of two per night in Hanover street, at a point 25yds west of the George street building line. Mr John Gilchrist wrote asking why the committee should have shown any discrimination. Moving the adoption of the report, Cr M'lndoe said the committee was not altogether sure that it was following the best course in making the recommendation. In his judgment in the street speaking case, the magistrate made a point that streets were for walking in not talking in, and the paramount duty l of a local body was to keep streets clear for traffic. With that view in mind and also considering the congestion that might result, the committee fixed a limit of 25yds from the building line. Mr Gilchrist’s own advocate, when attacking the validity of the by-law, said that, admittedly, control of the streets was necessary on Friday nights, but that there was no necessity for the council to interfere during the rest of the week. Did that suggest that the council was unfair? The other addresses were different from political speeches and did not attract lai’ge crowds. The council also had to take into consideration the nature of the speeches; that could not be gainsaid. While it felt that the recommendation might be a step in the wrong direction, the committee decided to make an experiment, and if no objection was made by ratepayers and citizens, there was no reason why the facility should not be continued. Far from depriving citizens of the right of free’speech, the committee was willing to provide illumination at the Museum Reserve and also a mound from where the speeches could be made. Cr Silverstonc: I would like to see you there. He raised the point as to the mayor’s procedure in the event of his moving amendments to the clause. The Mayor: I will have to ask more experienced councillors for their opinion on the procedure. The council decided to discuss the clause separately. After further discussion, the clause was referred hack to the committee, Cr Silverstonc being co-opted for the occasion. GUIDANCE FOR PEDESTRIANS. A suggestion that white lines for the guidance of pedestrians at the busiest intersections was made by Cr Begg during a brief discussion on the General Committee’s report. Cr Begg said he had noted with pleasure that quite recently the motorists had taken up the cudgels on.behalf of the “ poor ” pedestrians, and suggested that white lines be marked at the busy intersections for the safety of pedestrians. He understood the scheme had been carried out with great sncces in Christchurch and other northern centres. One had only to stand for a few moments in the vicinity of the Monument and Custom House square to notice the dangerous crossings made by pedestrians. The marvel was that more accidents did hot occur there. He realised that in that locality, with so many crossings, it would be difficult to mark the lines. He asked the chairman and departmental officers to consider the suggestion.

Replying, Cr M‘lndoe said the scheme had been in his mind for a considerable time, but the 'difficulties at the Monument appeared to be insurmountable. He doubted whether lines would provide any real improvement there. Jay-walking in Dunedin was notorious and was a bugbear to motorists.

Cr Silverstonc: What about the jaydriving ? Cr M'lndoe said that, although Cr Silverstone was not in sympathy with motorists, motorists had been showing sympathy with the “ poor ” pedestrians not only recently but for some time past, CARGILL ROAD IMPROVEMENTS. Moving the adoption of the Works Committee's report, Cr Marlow said that the most important recommendations dealt with Cargill road improvements. Councillors would remember that the council had spent a huge, sum of money in widening Cargill road between King Edward street and Eorbury road, hut they were unable to get full advantage from this until the tram tracks were shifted. Unfortunately they could not go further south than Josephine street in the meantime, but once the Wilkie road sewer was completed they could go ahead with this portion of the work. It was thought that it would be at least two years before they could deal with the portion of the road south of Josephine street. The report was adopted. The Finance Committee reported having considered a reference from the Works. Committee with respect to the provision of a supplemental vote, of £2,886 to cover the proposed improvement works in Cargill road. During the balance of the current financial year portion only of the work could be undertaken, and it had been ascertained that a sum of not more than £I,OOO would be ample to cover the cost involved. The committee accordingly recommended that a supplemental vote up to £I,OOO be authorised for the purpose of this financial year’s section of the work. No provision had been made in the estimates for the expenditure, and the outlay would, therefore, require to be the subject of adjustment nt the close of the financial year. The report was adopted. ' SURREY STREET DRAINAGE. . Cr MTudoe brought up the question of the drainage of houses in Surrey street. A large number of people had had their places flooded as the result ofthe overflow from sewers. In the event of a spell of hot weather there was danger of contamination and a possibility of an epidemic breaking out. Some immediate attention to the matter was desired. Cr Marlow, in reply, said that the Works Committee recognised the seriousness of the position, but the point was that the drains were surcharged. Nine or ten months ago the Drainage Board had raised an extra loan of £IOO,000, and that money was now being spent. This would eventually give relief to the people mentioned by Cr MTndoe, but the completion of the Wilkie road sewer would have to be effected before they could lessen very much all the trouble, and he regretted that he was unable to promise any immediate relief. Cr M'lndoe said that the erection of a little concrete wall around the sewer might be effective. One man had already done this successfully. Cr Marlow said that what Cr M'lndoe suggested was not the committee’s province. It could not possibly do it. That work must be done by the individuals. MAYOR’S REQUEST. While the Works Committee report was under consideration the Mayor made a request for the erection of a fence in Mailer street beyond Lawrence street, where a pit was situated. Recently people, and especially elderly women, had been nearly blown over. Cr Marlow said that the mayor’s re.quest would be attended to. DEEP CREEK PIPE CONTRACT. Moving the adoption of the Water Committee report, Cr Begg said that an application had been received from Messrs Hume Steel Ltd. for permission to supply the pipes under its contract with the council in 30ft lengths, in lieu of 24ft 6in lengths, on the understanding that the council was to be allowed a remission in the contract price equal to the diminished number of highpressure joints that the contractors would not be called upon to supply, and it was recommended that the application be approved. Cr Begg said that the position had been brought about because the plates had arrived in standard lengths of 15ft, and it would mean a great deal of cutting and rewelding to make pipes of 24ft 6in lengths. The contractors asked for permission to turn out two lengths of plates, making the final pipes 30ft lengths. The matter had been gone into very carefully, and it was pointed out that _ this would mean a saving to the pipe manufacturers of quite a considerable number of joints, and it had been arrived at mutually that the amount of remission should be assessed at £1,500, which

would be deducted from the contract as it was completed. Cr M'lndoe: Quite a profitable mistake. The report was adopted. CARGILL ROAD TRAM TRACKS. Moving the adoption of the Tramways Committee report, which recommended the granting of authority to proceed with the reconstruction of the tram tracks in Cargill road, Cr Campbell said that ever since the road had been widened the tracks bad been getting worse. They would now be laid in the middle of the road, the estimated total cost being £14,979, of which the tramways department would find £10,589, the works department £2,886, and the Drainage Board £1,504. Cr Campbell said that in order to carry out this work it would be necessary to call tenders for 150 tons of rails, 2,000 sleepers, and five tons of dog spikes immediately. The report was adopted. ST. CLAIR BEACH. “ The St. Clair Life Saving Club is doing a very valuable work in making the beach safer, and it is only right that we should shoulder our share of the expense,” said Cr Allen in moving a recommendation from the Finance Committee that a supplemental capital vote of £139 be authorised to cover the shortage in the estimate provision for the construction of additions to the surf bathing pavilion at St. Clair. The lowest ' tender received for the work was £384. The sum provided in the current estimates was £l7O, and the St. Clair Life Saving Club had agreed to find an additional £75, which brought the total sum available for the work to £245. The report was adopted. SUNDAY PICTURES. Cr Silverstonc drew attention to a newspaper report that the City Council and other public bodies were represented at a private screening of films at the State Theatre last Sunday night. Was the report correct? The Mayor: I cannot tell you. Cr Silverstonc asked who were the members of the council present. The Town Clerk said no official invitation had been received. The Mayor said he was not present at the screening. Cr Begg: What was the reason for their making that statement ? A Councillor: Publicity! TENDERS. Tenders were dealt with as follows: For the supply and delivery of 2 A.C. voltage regulators.—Referred to the E.P. and L. Committee for report. For the supply and delivery of 9in and Gin water pipes and fittings.—Referred to the Water Committee for report. , r , , For the purchase of approximately two tons scrap copper (electric department). —A. and T. Burt’s tender (£2B per ton) was accepted.: