BOROUGH AFFAIRS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 221, 16 August 1927, Page 4

BOROUGH AFFAIRS

MEETING OF COUNCIL. REPORTS AND CORRESPONDENCE . The regular meeting of the Borough Council was held last night, the Mayor (Mr A. J. Graham) presiding. Also present were: Crs Eliott, Hodgens, Mansford, Clausen, Tremaine, Fitzherbert, Milverton and Canton. CORRESPONDENCE.

From R. T. Tovey, applying for a refund of the amount of 15s, paid by him as a hawker’s license fee, on the ground that he had operated for only one day. —Granted.

From A. Buchanan, drawing attention to the bad state of Featherston Street East between Ruahine and Vogel Streets, and Vogel Street towards Boundary Road, and also stating that the heavy traffic to and from the brickyards and the petrol stations in Keith Street had made many dangerous potholes in the roadways concerned.— The matter was referred to the engineer.

From the Kairanga County Council, asking if the council would contribute towards the cost of improving the corner at the junction of Railway Road and Boundary Road, which at present was considered very dangerous.—lt was decided that the' matter be referred to the works committee.

From Innes and Oakley stating that the Hospital Board recently purchased Mr McDowall’s property in Heretaunga Street, and that a provision in the agreement was to the effect that the rates for the current year on the section should be adjusted between the parties. As the board was not liable for special and general rates, it asked that those rates be therefore remitted. —The request was declined. A letter was received in which the writer stated that he had recently taken up his residence in Palmerston North for the purpose of taking a series of cinematograph pictures of North Island towns including Palmerston North. The film intended to be produced for Palmerston North would run to 2000 feet in length, and would embrace pictures of the Esplanade, gas works, the Square, Opera House, municipal buildings and the electric light station. Local churches and schools would also be included and possibly a few local industries. The cost of the production of the picture would not be less than £IOO, and in order to defray that cost it was customary to secure subsidies from the local councils, chambers of commerce and other interested bodies. It was desired to ascertain whether the council would be prepared to contribute £2O towards the cost of the film. —The letter was received.

From several residents in the locality drawing the council’s attention to the alleged, smoke nuisance from a certain manufacturing establishment and requesting the council to take action to have the nuisance abated.—lt was reported that certain by-laws existed in regard to the matter, and it was decided that these • should be . enforced. WORKS COMMITTEE. The works committee reported that Mr E. Johansen, who was granted a three years’- lease of the cemetery land James's Line, wrote stating that at the (time he tendered he wanted the use of the area for only one year and that he considered the conditions of lease were too stringent. It was agreed to reduce the term to one year and not to impose the conditions as drawn up by tiie borough solicitor. A communication was received from the Society for the Prevention, of Cruelty to Animals, forwarding a copy of tlieir insepctor’s report in reference to the killing of stray dogs by the borough ranger. Mr It. Emmett was present and explained matters concerning the case under review, and it was decided ta acknowledge receipt of the society’s communication and to reply to the effect that the matter' mentioned had been considered and would be attended to. With reference to the resolution of the council carried on August 1 appointing Mr R. T. Jaggard to prepare a rough pencil sketch plan of hotel and shops at a fee of £lO 10s, a communication was received from Mr Jaggard advising that the remuneration as stated was not in ' any way sufficient, and that he would rather provide the sketch on the understanding that his full services would be employed later if the proposed building were proceeded with, and donate the said sum of £lO 10s to the Mayor’s unemployment fund. The terms as stated were accepted. In connection with the complaint from residents regarding the condition of Matipo Street, the engineer reported that the work required was now in hand. Further, to recent letter from a ratepayer in Kings-u-ood Street complaining of a. resident removing sand from the footway in the said street, it was resolved, after fearing the engineer’s explanation, that no action be taken. With referince to the extension of Limbrick street through part section 387 to Urightwater Terrace, it was resolved ;hat the council carry out and supervise the work, and agree to the request from the Lands Department to irrango a contract and to draw on the iovernment as progress payments were equired. in connection with the work. Plie engineer had been requested to attend to the following matters:—(a) toots of trees across footway in front >f Mr Cohen’s residence, Grey Street; b) condition of Main Street East on lie eastern side near the railway sidng at the Terrace End Station; (c) ,o provide, an outlet for stormwater vliicli accumulates in Main Street East n the vicinity of the Terrace End bus belter. It was recommended: (1) That Mr L. H. Wylds be informed that the ouncil is prepared to form and contruct a footpath on the northern side if Ferguson Street from Summerhay o Ruahine Streets, provided that the esidents concerned contribute half he cost; (2) that the statement of the mgineer concerning the subsidence of ewer trenches in Stanley Avenue and tangitane Street be accepted; (3) that ifter hearing Mr Stenberg in connexion with the extra cost chargeable in ■espect of a sower connection to pretiises in ltangitikei Street, the council egrets being unable to make any reluction in the amount charged; (4) hat the High School Board be grantid permission to lay a permanent Irain to convey the stormwater from he Girls’ High School, Fitzherbert Street, as outlined in a communication eceived from the architect, Wanganui education Board; work to be performid to the ■ engineer’s approval.— Adopted. GAS AFFAIRS. The gas manager (Mr G. W. Healey) ■eported that 7,775,000 cubic, feet of ;as had been made during July, a lecrcase of '3.8 per cent, on the make or the corresponding month of 1926. loal used was approximately 442 tons, he make of gas per ton of coal, being .7,590 cubic feet. Coke and tar sold lad amounted to 129 tons and 8786 Gallons respectively. For the month here were 13 new services laid, 16 idditional meters fixed and 41 gas pokers connected. —Received.

ELECTRICAL MATTERS. The electrical engineer (Mr J. W. Muir) reported as under:.—The following work was carried out by the lines department during the month : .Services run 50, meters tested 154, meters installed 143. The inspector mjs.de 'inspections of and passed dO4 jobs during the month, including 52 extensions, and alterations, making the total number of connections to date 3854. The total connected load including streetlights'is now 8446 k.w. The showroom returns were as follow: Cash sales £47 2s 2d, credit sales as per invoice book £BO 6s 9d, total £127 8s lid. Following are the power station returns: Peak 1511 k.v.a. at .9 lagging, on July Ist at 4.30 p.m., coal consumed 167.375 tons, oil used 54.625 gallons, units purchased 437,200, units generated 158,949, total 596,149. — Received.

LIGHTING COMMITTEE. The lighting committee reported that certain repairs had been authorised in connection with the gas manager’s residence. ‘ A communication was received from the Y.M.C.A. intimating that it intended installing electric light in the building and suggesting t(iat payment of the cost of the work be as follows: —Half the total cost on completion of the work, and the remaining half plus interest, in three instalments payable in March 1928, September 1928, and March 1929. It was resolved that the work be carried out, and that the terms of payment as suggested be agreed to. In response to a request from residents of Matipo Street, it was decided that an extra light be installed at the corner of Rangitikei and Matipo Streets. It was recommended: (1) That the electric light bq extended along St. John’s Avenue; (2) that the Terrace End Bowling Club be informed that the council regrets being unable to allow the amount of discount lost through missing the fixed discount day; (3) that the gas supply be extended along St. John’s Avenue, a new street recently constructed between Roy ’ and Russell Streets.— Adopted.

TRAFFIC AFFAIRS. In the report that he had presented at the meeting of the traffic committee, the manager u'ir P. G. Patton) stated: “This month (July) shows an increase of 2259 passengers and £2O 6s 7d in revenue compared with the same period of last year. A request has been made from residents in tne locality of Featherston and Waldegrave Streets for the bus section to be extended to mid-way between Bourke and Waldegrave Streets. If this is done they will erect a small shelter there. 1 have had a tally taken of the passengers who ride to the next stop from the present section, and feel sure that the revenue lost there could be more than made up if the council grants the above request. As the new barn is almost completed and Mr Hughes has given autnority to take the buses there in another three weeks, I would like to know whether the fittings in the present barn are to be removed to the new barn. As the walls in the hospital shelter are badly marked, I suggest that the council consider having tnem sanded. Since

the Coleman Place parking area has been abolished wb have been trying to keep it clear, but cars are still being panted there. 1 am having a notice printed now, and, if this does not have the desired effect, we will have to take action against offenders. The new bus I chassis has been delivered and is quite up to expectations. In accordance with the omnibus regulations, this chassis was inspected and passed by the Public Works inspecting engineer before leaving Wellington.'’ In a table accompanying the report, Mr Patton set out the ioiiowing figures for the month: Hospital route, totai passengers, 14,880; totai revenue, £197 12s Id; revenue per bus mile, Is 5.7 d; passengers per bus mile, 5.5; Terrace End, 12,743; £l6l 11s Id; Is 2.2 d; 4.6; ilokowhitu, 5929; £6B 5s 7d; 7.9 d; 2.8; West End, 5122; £6O 5s Id; 8.Id; 2.9; Takaro Park, 3969; £4B 2s; 9.3; 3.5; Esplanade, 1928; £22 13s lid; 8.6 d; 3; totals, 44,571; £558 9s 9d; Is .2d; 4.07. The traffic committee recommended: (1) That the request from the residents in the locality of Featherston and Waldegrave Streets that the bus section be extended to midway between Bourke and Waldegrave Streets be agreed to; (2) that all the fittings be removed from the old to the new barn; (3) that the committee of Christian Scientists be informed that the council regrets being unable to grant them permission to display a card inside the buses; (4) that the interior walls of the bus shelter at the hospital be sanded... With further reference to the communication from the Chamber of Commerce and Cr. Fitzherbert’s suggestion that private cars be allowed to park all round the Square immediately, in front of the business premises and that taxis park nest to the kerbing around the gardens, it had been resolved to recommend that no further alteration be made in the present parking areas in the Square, and that the Chamber of Commerce be notified accordingly. It had been decided to call for tenders for advertising in the buses, the present contract being due to expire on September 19.—Adopted.

ENGINEER’S REPORT. The engineer (Mr J. R. Hughes) reported, inter alia, as under:

Streets.—lhe continual wet weather of the past month, there being over 20 wet uays, kept the macadam roads in a water-logged condition, which has called for constant attention. Several men have been constantly employed in patching water bound and tar sprayed streets, and there is hardly a street in the borough which did not require attention. The sides of the roadway in Heretaunga Street between Featherston Street and Boundary Road have been graded and metalled to a width of 4ft., making the metal portion of the Toad 20ft. wide instead of the old width of 12ft. Carlton Avenue has had a coating of crushed pit metal 12ft. wide and consolidated to a depth of over three inches at the crown throughout its entire length. Half the length of Joseph Street has been similarly. treated, while the remaining portion has been heavily patched. That portion of Main Street Ea6t, from the railway crossings to Vogel, Street, has now been reformed and given a high crown so as to allow water to drain to the side channels.

Footpath maintenance. —Little work of this nature has been done owing to the inclemency of the weather. Only one gang has been employed on the work of asphalt patching the various footpaths. The whole of the undulating footpath for the full lengths of the Post Office frontage in Main Street has been removed and an asphalt macadam path put down to proper grades. This will now obviate the pools of water and flooding that used to lodge in this locality during wet weather. In Ruahine Street, between Church and Ferguson Streets, the eastern side, where kerbing and channelling had subdivided and allowed stormwater to over-run the footpaths and flood the adjoining properties, has now been relaid to a true grade at a higher level. In places the footpaths on the building line had to be raised.over 6 inches. This \york should prevent any further complaints coming from tins quarter. New footpaths.—The earlier portion of the month saw the completion of the kerbing and channelling for a distance of about 35 chains on the eastern side

of Heretaunga Street from Featherston Street towards Boundary Road. The footpath has been formed and graded to formation level and the whole length metalled to the necessary thickness and is now awaiting consolidation in preparation for tarring when the weather permits. The footpaths on the northern side of Featherston Street for a distance of 15 chains from Ruahine Street and a length of about 7 chains .northwards of the main gates of the Hospital have been kerbed and channelled and the metalling of the pathway completed preparatory to tarring. The formation of the footpath on the northern side of Avenue Street for a distance of 13 chains from Union Street Iras been completed and the excavation for the concrete kerbing and channelling taken out. At the close of the month the formation gang had commenced operations on the footpath on the eastern side of Fitzherbert Street between Avenue and Te Awe Awe Streets.

Stormwater drainage.—At the Intersection of ’Featherston and Ruahine Streets provision lias been made to carry away the stormwater from the now footpaths in Featherston Street by laying a sewer from the culvert in the Kawau Stream for a distance of approximately 3 chains up to the two new sumps at the end of the new concrete channels in Featherston Street. A start has been made at the outlet end on the cleaning and regrading of Koehler’s drain in preparation for the major work being put in hand at an early date Sewer repairs.—Two very serious breaks occurred in two of the main sowers during the’ month, and investigations proved that in each case the old pipes had entirely collapsed. The sewer in Ferguson Street in the vicinity of Ngaio Street had to be replaced with new pipes for a distance of 18ft., while the sewer in College Street West, towards Maxwell’s Line, required, a length of 40ft. of new pipe. The 6-inch sewer in Aroha Street has been extended a distance of 2} chains to give connection to a new residence now under construction

Fitzherbert bridge,—The decking of the Fitzherbert bridge for its full length has been heavily patched and.

then hand painted with Newcastle tar. Septic tanks.—The annual cleaning and the removal of the mat at the septic tanks has now been completed. General. —The railway, fence in Main Street West has now been reconditioned and put in .good order. The grader has been removing the grass on the sides of the various streets for 12 days during the month and all spoil has been cleared up and carted away. Two men have been employed throughout the whole of the month on piece-work in cleaning out the watertables. Sufficient orders for concrete crossings have been received to keep two men constantly employed. The average culvert and channel cleaning has been done at various times during the month, following the heavy showers that we have experienced. Waterworks. —Services: During the past month 18 half inch water services and four 2-inch services were installed. Two i-inch and one 2-inch services were taken out and renewed with new pipes, while it was necessary to overhaul and repair 12 services. Temporary main: A 1-inch temporary main has been laid for the full length of St. John’s Avenue, a now street recently constructed, and connections made to the four inch mains in Russell Street and Roy Street, thus completing the circuit. An extension of the one inch main in Lyndhurst Street had to be carried, out for a distance of 95ft. to give service to two new dwellings now under construction. New mains: The •early portion of the month saw the completion of tire reticulation of a 4inch cast iron main in Keith, Haydon and Rata Streets, and all house services transferred from the old temporary mains on to the now pipe. The old one-incli pipe has been raised and taken to the depot where it is being cleaned and tested for future use. Similar work has been carried out for the full length of Mere Mere Avenue and Alan Street extension, and all neoessarv connections made. That portion of Shamrock Street between Clielwood Street and the railway has also been reticulated with a four inch ca6t iron main and all house connections fixed thereto. A portion of the Chelwood Street main had to be extended so that connection could be made- to

the Shamrock Street main and at the intersection of Kingswood and Chelwood Streets the four inch mains were connected, thereby, completing the circuit in this locality.—Received. GENERAL. The poundkeeper (Mr G. P. Jarrett) reported that 52 head of stock had been impounded during July and that fees totalling £8 11s Id had been received. Tim following return of stock slaughtered was tabled by the abattoir manager (Mr A. M. Spilman):—Cows 327, heifers 78, bullocks 59, calves 64, sheep 1676, lambs 241, pigs 83. Stock condemned: Cows 18, ox 1, pigs 2, sheep 7. Fees received totalled £251 2s.