HASTINGS BOROUGH COUNCIL

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 204, 12 August 1932, Page 5

HASTINGS BOROUGH COUNCIL

FORTNIGHTLY MEETING. GENERAL BUSINESS. The fortnightly meeting of the Hastings Borough Council was held last evening, and was presided over by his Worship the Mayor (Mr G. F. Roach). The following councillors were present.—Messrs. R. Henderson, P. M. Cohr, T. Donovan, C. H. Slater, P. Loach, G. McCormick, and J. Simmons. Leave of absence was granted to Crs. R. Baker and F. E. Smith. STREET IMPROVEMENTS. The Borough Engineer (Mr C. £. Evans) reported that footpaths, kerbs, and water channels damaged by the earthquake are being repaired and renewed where necessary. The work at the new Post Office frontage is completed, and the new slabs will be extended along Queen street towards Karamu road. There is still a considerable sum to be expended on this class of work out of the earthquake loan and also in connection with the bitumen painting of bitumen surfaced roads. This will be attended to as soon as the weather is warm enough. HALL IMPROVEMENTS. The committee appointed to consider some proposed improvements in the arrangements of the cloak rooms at the Assemblv Hall made the following report.— Upon inspection it was found that the removal of the window frame at the far end of the gentlemen’s cloak room would enable the coats to be handled from that side and would result in less crowding. It was also stated that the number of coat hooks in both the ladies’ and gentlemen’s cloak rooms is not sufficient for the large number of persons who make use of the hall. The number of hooks can be increased by placing a rail in the centre of the room on posts fixed from floor to ceiling. The estimated cost of the improvements would be £lO 10/-. The report was adopted, and it was decided to make the improvements proposed. With regard to a recent deputation’s requests that various improvements should be made to the Assembly Hall stage, to the lighting system and in other directions, it was recommended that an estimate be obtained by the Mayor and Crs. Henderson and Loach and the borough engineer with a view to the following being carried out. — The provision of two stage exits; the provision of a backing for the front curtain; 'a box plan; and that the other suggestions made stand in ahevance meantime. The council discussed the matter generally and it was decided that a backing be provided for the stage cur' tain, that a draping for the stage and curtains for the door and windows be also provided. LIBRARY AND WOMEN’S REST. The librarian (Mrs O. Skipper) reported that during July 20 new subscribers joined the library, 36 renewed, and 25 left, leaving the total number of subscribers at 547. The amount of £27 0s lid was banked for the month The number of books purchased was ninety-nine (99). In the children’s section thirty-two new subscribers joined, 23 renewed and 20 left, leaving the total number of subscribers at 326. The number of books purchased was 16, and a gift of three books received from Miss I. Oliver.—The report was adopted, and the donor thanked.

The monthly report issued by the matron of the Women’s Rest (Mrs Hagenson) stated that in July 4681 local patrons and 25 visiting patrons visited the Rest. The Plunket Rooms received 1147 visits. The cash receipts for the month amounted to £l9 4s 7d.