PALMERSTON NORTH CITY COUNCIL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 118, 19 April 1932, Page 9

PALMERSTON NORTH CITY COUNCIL

■ Tho Palmerston North City Council met last evening, tho Mayor (Mr Mansford) prosiding. Others present wero Crs. Fitzherbort, Hodgens, McLeod, Tremaine, Brown Camoron, ICeeble,' Freo and Aitchison. WORKS COMMITTEE. Recommendations and reports submitted by the works and town planning cominitteo wore adopted as follow: —That Mr T. 11. Oliver bo informed, in reply to his request for a refund of £l4 14s paid by him and covering the half cost of tho construe-, tion of tho footpath fronting leasehold sections in Fitzherbert Avenuo that the council is taking a test case against certain of the ratepayers, the result of which will deormino any further action the council may decide to take; that tho request from Mr P. F. Codling that tho water pipes in Nash Sreet bo extended to tho extreme end of tho roadway, a distance of Hi chains, bo referred to tho engineer for a report; that Messrs Innes and Oakley wrote stating that they have been instructed by Mr M. Rosanoski to request that steps bo taken to provcnt his property in Taonui Street being flooded by surface water, and the engineer reported that tho matter was receiving attention, it was decided that Mr Rosanoski be advised that his complaint will bo remedied aa soon as possible; that no action bo taken in regard to tho suggested extension of Dahlia Street to Victoria Avenue and referred to in a communication addressed to Mr 11. A. Hamilton by the District Public Trustee, the latter stating that the owners were willing to sell the sections to the council for the sum of £BSO, tho council to undertake the construction of tho road: that with further reference to trouble caused by smoko it was decided that tne engineer interview the city solicitors and also Dr. Putnam in regard to action being taken to abate the nuisance; tliat tho traffic manager submitted a report relative to wilful damage to old bus barn in Cuba Street, and it was resolved that the engineer and electrical engineer report as to the cost of placing the building and electrical fittings in good order and repair. TRANSIT COMMITTEE. Recommendations by the transit committee wero adopted as follow: That a new building for the use of tho carriers be erected to replace the present shelter; that tho present stand for goods carts at the railway station be divided and tho portico commencing at the northern boundary of tho existing carriers’ shelter and extending for a distance of two chains along Main Street towards the square be retained for the use of goods carts, and the remaining distance of lj chains bo set aside for the use of motors; that the question of installing a light at tho head of the railway taxi stand be referred to Cr Hodgens, tho manager and the electrical engineer to report; that the traffic domes be painted white as suggested by tho manager; that special concession tickets entitling the holder to 24 rides provided the same is used within week of issue, Sundavs’excluded, be issued for the use of workers proceeding to and from work; that additional cycle stands be installed in Rangitikei Street and in Cuba Street; that the Manawatu Carriers’ Association reported that there are a number of general carriers who regularly pick up and deliver goods within the city, but do not hold licenses under .the by-laws; the manager submitted a report explaining the position, and it was decided that a copy of same be forwarded to the association. LIGHTING COMMITTEE.

Tho lighting committee’s recommendations were adopted as follow: —That tho gas main bo extended to Manapouri Crescent to serve three residences, estimated cost £47 10s, estimated revenue £26 per annum: that Mr A. E. Blackbourn wrote requesting a reduction in the minimum charges payablo in respect of tho use of motors, and it was decided that the request bo held over pending consideration of tho estimates; that a list of the holidays observed by tho gas and electricity departments bo supplied to tho special committee set up to consider holidays. ELECTRICITY AND GAS. Reporting upon tho electricity department, the engineer (Mr J. W. Muir) stated that there wero 5643 consumers, and tho total connected load, including streets lights, was now 16,950 k.w. For the quarter ending 31st March, 1932, the peak load was 2035.76 k.v.a. after it had been reduced by controlling tho water heating load. Tho quarter's power costs were £4078 0s 4d, including £3399 7s 3d for bulk power purchased. Had all tho power been purchased tho cost would have been £4525 Is 10d, a saving of £736 17s 6d was mado by peak reduction. Reporting upon the gas department tho manager (Mr Muir) stated that there was a decrcaso of 498,000 cubic feet in the output for March. There had boon 405 tons of coal carbonised and 509 tons received, whilo there were 1082 tons in stock. Gas mado during tho year ended March 31 by tho works amounted to 83,029,000 cubic feet, a decrease of 5,401,000 cubic feet compared with tho previous year. There wero 1306 tons of coko sold and 300 tons in stock. Tar sold amounted to 58,916 gallons. Some 20,000 gallons of crude tar were purchased from Wanganui, and would produce approximately 14,000 gallons of distilled tar. There were 5000 gallons of light oils sold, but since October last they had been used for firing the boilers. GENERAL MATTERS. An application was mado by Mrs E. Fcarnlcy for permission to erect in wood a bungalow in Andrew Young Street, being within tho brick area. It was resolved that permission to erect the dwelling in wood be granted, provided the outside sheathing is constructed of non-inflammable material, and further provided that tho by-laws in regard to distance and boundary lines are complied with in every respect. Attention was drawn by Cr. Tremaine to tho condition of the footway in Keeling Street. Ho said it was half tar and half grass. —On his motion it was decided that the work of tarring should be put in hand, os tho tar plant was in Botanical Road at present. Tho Manawatu Carriers’ Association wrote stating that tho present charges for tho use of the weighbridge wero excessive, and recommending a new scale. A special committee of tho council reporting upon the matter recommended tho council to rescind tho present scalo and substitute another which was submitted, the amended basis to bo reviewed in six months’’ time. Tho suggestions advanced were adopted.

Mr J. Rainforth, as the owner of a property in Featherston Street, wrote to ascertain the council’s intentions in connection with a water channel as he contemplated erecting a substantial fence with ooncerete foundations.—lt was decided that the council should mako an inspection of the locality. The abattoir manager (Mr A. M. Spilman) reported that during. March 207 cows, 73 heifers, 79 oven, 111 calves. 1159 ewes, 783 wethers, 650 lambs and. 1049 pigs had been slaughtered. Fees received had amounted to £3OO llg. The ppundkeeper (Mr T. Wood( reported that 10 head of stock had been impounded. Commenting upon tho National Expenditure Adjustment Bill, the Whakatane Borough Council wroto to tho Palmerston North City Council last evening noting that there had not been incorporated any provision for the reduction of ' tho rate of interest charged by tho commercial banks operating in New Zealand upon advances, and requesting the council to make representations to tho Government in the matter of tho abovo Bill being extended to provide for tho compulsory reduction by tho banks of the interest rato upon advances, such reduction to bo commensurate with the other reductions proposed, that is 20 per cent. The letter was received on the motion of tho Mayor, it being decided that tho Whakatane Council be informed that tho council supported the proposahl insofar as it. applied to local bodies. Or Fitzherbcrt dissented. Tho council accepted the tender of Messrs G. 11. Bennett and Co. for stationery supplies for tho ensuing year, at a figure of £127 6s 4d, subject to a six months’ contract. Tenders by Harvey Office Supplies at £2lB 8s lOd and Keeling and Mundy at £267 3s lid and £lll 7s were accepted for three separato schedules of printing requirements. Five firms tendered for the supply of motor spirit for the year and the prices were submitted to the traffic manager and chairman of tho transit committee for u report.