CIVIC AFFAIRS

Evening Star, Issue 24919, 17 July 1943, Page 3

CIVIC AFFAIRS

POINTS FROM COMMITTEE REPORTS Following are the principal items in the reports of the various committees to come before the meeting of the City Council on Monday night:— KAIKORAI ROPE. In consequence of a strand 1,400 ft long coming out of the Kaikorai rope online 22, buses were run on the Octagon-Kaikorai service while repairs were undertaken. It was found, however, on examination that there were a number of weak portions in the rope, and the new rope which had receutly come to hand was put in the line and the cable service resumed. The rope removed, which had already run five vears on the Roslyn line, ran an additional 10 weeks on the Kaikorai line, and will be kept as a standby. Another rope is on order for the Kaikorai line, but the.re is no definite advice as tp the manufacture or delivery. WOMEN TAXI DRIVERS.

Regulations amending the Motor Drivers' Regulations,' 1940, .have been received in respect of the licensing of women to drive taxicabs. The amendment to the regulations provides that after July 22 a woman shall not be permitted" to drive a taxieab at any period of time between half an hour after sunset on one day and one hour before sunrise on the next day.

Improvements On Portobello Road. . Authority has been granted the city engineer to carry out the paving of the footway in Portobello road, from Anderson's Ray road to the last existing house, at an estimated cost of £63. This amount will be a charge against the contingency vote. Water Supply.

A report has been received from the city engineer in respect of the water supply inflow and demand for the summer of 1943, and particular reference is made to the Silverstream race leakage losses, and operation below rated capacity of the Powder Creek pump due to the absence of storage in the Silverstream Valley. In the meantime the city engineer has been instructed to report further on the proposals set out in the report giving _ estimates of the cost of the work required to give effect to the proposals. Hospital Board Levy.

Advice has .been received from the Otago Hospital Board that, following! on the increased payment from the Social Security Fund in respect of hospital in-patient treatment, the levies on local authorities for the current year have been revised. The amended estimates for maintenance and capital levies show that the amount now required from the council will be approximately £45,000, or £B,OOO less than the product of the hospital rate of 9d in the £ struck for the current year. As the rate for the current year has been struck arid the demands issued, it is not legally, possible to make axi adjustment during, the current year. The fullest possible benefit of the reduction will, therefore, be passed on to the ratepayer next financial year when the surplus in the hospital rating, account, together with the Hospital Board demand for next year, will be under consideration.