PALMERSTON NORTH CITY COUNCIL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 7, 6 December 1932, Page 10

PALMERSTON NORTH CITY COUNCIL

MEETING LAST EVENING. ADOPTIOX OF REPORTS. The Palmerston North City Council met last evening, the (Mayor (Mr A. E. Mansford) presiding. Others present were Ors XV. L. Fitzherbert, G. Tremaine, J. Hodgens, XV. H. Brown, H. B. Free, J. McLeod, R. L. C. Aitchison and XV. B. Cameron. GAS AND ELECTRICITY. Reporting for the month upon the electricity department, the engineer (Mr J. XV. Muir) stated: “The following work was carried out by the lines department: Services run 13, meters tested 105, meters installed 82. The inspector made inspections of and passed 56 jobs, including 44 extensions, making the total number of consumers to date 5733. The total connected load, including street lights, is now 18,060 k.w. The peak load of 2317.84 k.v.a. was reached at 7 p.m. on October 1.” Reporting upon the gas department for the month of October, the engineer ((Mr Muir) stated that there had been a decrease of 120,001) cubic feet in the output compared with the corresponding month of the previous year. Coal carbonised amounted to 318 tons and coal received 306 tons. There were 1135 tons in stock. New Zealand coal used comprised 87.5 per cent, and Newcastle 12.5 per cent. The total number of consumers to date was 5386. WORKS COMMITTEE.

Reports by the works committee were adopted as follow : —That the letter from the Levin Borough Council eulogising the services rendered by Mr C. Pike, conductor of the Palmerston North Garrison Band, in preparing the Levin Brass Band for the recent contest at Masterton, be received, and it was decided that a copy of the letter, together with the council's congratulations, be forwarded to the local Band Committee. That the men caretakers of tire Square buildings wrote stating that the recent rearrangement of duties and salaries is not quite satisfactory. It was decided to inform the caretakers that the council regrets it is impossible at present to make any alteration in the amount of wages payable, as the recent re-arrangement has involved extra expense, but that the matter will be re-considered at March 31, next. That the Department of Agriculture wrote advising that the noxious weed known as hemlock or carrot fern was decidedly poisonous in all parts, cases of poisoning have been recorded from time to time, and steps to eradicate the weed would l>e all to the good. It was decided that the department he thanked for its advice, and the engineer was instructed to see that the weed is eradicated from the roadsides. That the Wellington City Council forwarded a copy, of the proposed by-law relating to itinerant traders, and it was decided that the same be referred to the By-Laws Committee for consideration. LIBRARY COMMITTEE. Recommendations made by the libary committee were adopted, as follow : —Tin t the question of additional accommodation to the reference department be referred to the chairman, the librarian and the city engineer to report. That a communication was received from the librarian, Whangarei Public Library, stating that the Whangarei Council have recently acquired a site for a new library and are desirous of building to the latest improved plan, and asking that a sketch of the local library lie forwarded. It was resolved that the matter be left in the hands of the librarian with power to act. That Mr G. F. Beck be informed that the committee regrets being unable to accede to his request that the annual subscription be reduced from 10s to 5s per annum, and that subscribers receive four books without extra charge instead of two as at present. GENERAL. The council accepted the tender of a Petone firm at £l3 11s 9d lor the supply of 800 dog collars. The Palmerston North tender for the work was £37 7s lid. Regarding the admission charges to the municipal baths, the council reached a decision that members of swimming clubs should receive a reduction on season tickets, subject to certain conditions. The (Mayor and the chairman of the lighting committee of the City Council (Cr Hodgens) were appointed a committee to investigate all applications received for allowance of discounts forfeited through late payment. The lease of the Palmerston North Opera House expires on February 1, 1933. The council received a letter from the managing-director, Palmerston Amusements, Ltd., intimating that his company were prepared to continue the lease of the premises for a further period of one year, provided the conditions remained unaltered. It was decided that subject to the present lessee taking a fresh lease for a term of two years the council grant a new lease for the term stated in accordance with the present conditions. Complaints regarding blowflies having been, received from residents in the vicinity of the Showgrounds, Cr Hodgens drew attention to the fact that hundreds of sheepskins were being laid out to dry in the Showgrounds. It was decided that the health inspector should make investigations and report.