PALMERSTON NORTH CITY COUNCIL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 20, 20 December 1932, Page 3

PALMERSTON NORTH CITY COUNCIL

MEETING LAST EVENING. ADOPTION OF REPORTS. The Palmerston North City Council met last evening, the Mayor (Mr A. E. Mansford) presiding. Others present were Councillors IV. L. Eitzhorbert, J. Hudgens, G. Tremaine, H. B. Free, W. H. Brown, A\ r . B. Cameron, J. McLeod and R L. C. Aitchison. CORRESPONDENCE. An application was made by Air S. ILnbone for a rebate of rates on a property in Rangitikei Street, it having been vacant for the past five years. —lt was decided to adviso the applicant that he was entitled to some small concession. The Alanawatu and West Coast A. and P. Association wrote returning thanks for assistance rendered nt tho recent royal show and the loan of coloured electric light streamers and bunting at the entrance to the exhibition halls. —Received. WORKS COAIAIITTEE.

Reports submitted by the works committee were confirmed as follow: That Mr C. Heinold made application for the refund of rates paid in respect of shop and dwelling situated in Alain Street East, owing to -the same having been unoccupied since June 1, 1932. It was decided that half the water and sanitary rates payable in respect of the current vear, amounting to £1 7s 3d,, be refunded. That Air G. E. W. Koehler wrote applying for relief of rates under the Urban Farmlands Act in respect of Sec. 389 Napier Rond, comprising 38 acres, and also referred to matters concerning the casement granted the council, and suggesting, in order to minimise the present difficulties. that a further three chains of pipe he installed. The writer also stated that the effluent from the power house and gasworks carried seeds across his farm; that a serious position had arisen with noxious weeds, and requested that the same ho prevented from seeding on the council’s property. It was resolved that Air Koehler bo advised that recent legislation covering farm lands had just l>een passed and when the full text of the Act was received lie would again be communicated with; that the laying of three additional chains of piping would be considered when next year’s estimates were l>eing dealt with, and that efforts will be made forthwith to stop the objectionable spread of noxious weeds. That Messrs Cooper, Rapley. and Rutherford, solicitors for Palmerston North Theatres, Ltd., E. C. Turner and Collinson and Cunninghamc, Ltd., wiotc in reference to the creation of a right-of-way through certain property from Grey to Queen Streets and Queen to' King Streets, and requesting that consent be given thereto. It was resolved that the matter l>e referred to the city solicitors for their opinion as to the council’s powers with respect to right-of-ways, the responsibility of maintenance of any such way, and the liability of the council in the event of consent being given. Recommendations by the works committee were adopted as follow : —That the communication from tho Palmerston Amusements, Ltd., intimating that tho company is prepared to accept a further lease of tho Opera House for a period of two years on the terms set out in the council’s letter, be received ; that the request from Airs L. Bristow that the charge of £3 for hire of chairs used in connection with the recent performance, “Nine to Six,” bo remitted, he agreed to.

GAS AND ELECTRICITY

Reporting upon the gas department for November, the manager (Mr J. AV. Muir) stated that 3344 tons of coal had been carbonised, 1194 tons received and there were 959 tons in stock. New Zealand coal used had been 88.8 per cent., and Newcastle 11.2 per cent. The total number of consumers to dal© was 5386.

Reporting to the lighting committee, the electrical engineer (Mr Muir) stated that during the month 13 services had been run, 87 meters tested, and 72 installed. The consumers totalled 5743. The total connected load, including street lights, was now 18,171 k.w. The peak load of 2080.79 k.v.a. was reached at 11.30 a.m. on November 2.

“During the month the lines department increased the size of the low tension distributors in Cuba Street from George Street to Rangitikei Street, and from the transformer bank in Taonui Street To Cuba Street,” added the engineer. “Two disconnecting link boxes were installed on the underground mains, one in Main Street and the other in Rangitikei Street. Three disconnecting switches were installed at King, Queen and Featherston Streets, where the overhead mains tie into the underground mains in Rangitikei Street. Four extra street lights were installed in 1 ogel Street.”

Recommendations by the lighting committee were adopted as follow: That the coke delivery van be overhauled and’painted (estimated cost £29 2s). That the peak load for each month bo shown in the power, station returns and be furnished quarterly to the committee. That pursuant to a previous resolution concerning overdue accounts, the committee desire to state that a large number of consumers have been disconnected through failure on their part to carry out the arrangements made with the sub-committee in regard to payment. That the electrical engineer be authorised to purchase 100 electric slot meters and 50 gas slot meters. RESERVES COMMITTEE. Recommendations and reports were submitted as follow by the reserves committee :—That the city curator be granted leave of absence to attend the annual conference of superintendents of parks and reserves to be lielu in Wellington in January, and that the expenses be borne by the council. •* That with reference to the request from the Northern Bowling, Croquet and Tennis Club for a new motor mower, it was resolved that the club be informed that the council regrets its inability to accede to tlieir request. Tlie report was adopted. Cr. J. McLeod and Mr P. Black (city curator) reported that they had inspected the facilities at the motor camp site at the Esplanade, and recommended that a charge of 3d be made for the use of the shower baths, these to be available during certain hours; that electric lights be fitted in the building and that they be controlled by a power house switch similar to street lights; that a small portion of ground be made available as a parking area for local cars (-without charge). These recommendations were adopted. ENGINEER’S REPORT.

The city engineer (Mr J. R. Hughes) submitted his monthly report as follows :—-Street maintenance: Asphalt patching work has been carried out, particularly in Fitzherbert Avenue, Rangitikei Street, Albert Street and several other streets also have received attention. The patches have been topdressed with tar and chips. Footpath maintenance: The following footpaths have been, top-dressed with tar and sand: Cook Street (College Street to Park Road, east side); College Street (Cook Street to Botanical ltoud, north side); Albert Street (new path frontage Hokowhitu School baths, 24 chains).

Waterworks; During the month 6 new services were installed, 17 old services replaced, and 16 services overhauled and repaired. One Jjin meter has been installed and several meter glasses replaced where required. Oil November 9 a break in the 12in main between the Fitzhcrberl bridge and the foot of the hill was repaired. The bin main in Alain Street between Albert Street and Victoria Avenue has been lowered for a length of two chains, and a leaky joint repaired. Sluice valves in various streets have been repacked. One joint on the 18in main at Bank of New Zealand corner has been recall Iked. The Jin east iron main in College Street Extension lias been extended a length of 2J chains and the laying of the Jin main in Palm Avenue completed. General: Two men have been engaged on the destruction of noxious weeds in various portions of the city. The grass mower has been constantly cutting grass on the sides of the roads.—-The report was recived. ABATTOIR RETURNS. The abattoir manager (Al’r A. At. Spilman) reported that stock slaughtered during the month comprised 217 cows, 96 heifers, 38 bullocks, 11 calves, 1876 ewes, J9B wethers, 811 lambs and 2195 pigs. Stock condemned consisted of 1 cow, 21 sheep and 36 pigs. Fees received amounted to £JOO 18s 3d. The pound-keeper (Air T. Wood) reported that six head of stock had been impounded during November, and os had been received in fees. GENERAL. An application was made by the New Zealand Labour Party ior permission to continue the holding of open-air meetings within the boundaries of tho city. —Permission was granted subject to the approval ot the police and compliance with the council's regulations. Tho loss of tickets valued at £1 10s 7d through a driver leaving his ticket rack on his bus while away at tea was reported to the council. ft was decided that he should be severely reprimanded for a breach of the regulations.

Dealing with the general position of the various claims against ratepayers for the recovery of the half cost of construction of footways, the city solicitors advised the council of the previous suggestion that a deciaratorv judgment should he obtained Horn the Supremo Court to ascertain as iar as possible the precise interpretation of Section 179 ot the Alunicipa.l Corporations Act, 1920. It was decided that the matter be left in the hands of the Alayor and the town clerk to interview the city solicitors, with power to act. The Palmerston North City Band committee wrote to the council requesting permission to play numerous selections round the Square and business area on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve from about 9 p.m. It. was decided that the band be advised of the traffic regulations to be observed on the evenings to which they will have to conform, but that tho* council had no objection to them having the use of the hand rotunda. Stating that it proposed to hold the annual picnic in January, a committee of the council staff made an application to the council for the usual holiday, and extended to councillors an invitation to be present. The request of the committee was granted by the council. Intimating that he had under consideration the advisability of erecting a reinforced concrete building on Lot 2. Section 658 Alain Street, next to the Public Trust Office, and provided lie could move the existing cottage to the back of tho section he was prepared to proceed with the erection of the new building, Air A. Hopwood wrote to the council seeking authority for this work. He added that it was proposed to give access to the cottage with a twelve foot concrete right-of-way. Tt was decided that tho letter should ho received and the writer be informed that tho council could not sea its way to accede to his request. SEASON’S FELICITATIONS.

Subsequently the- Mayor extended the season s fecilitations to the councillors, the heads of departments and the stall'. lie said the past year bad been a very arduous one and one ■of the most difficult the Dominion had ever faced. The prospects for the coming year were not, unfortunately, promising. Changes would have to lie made, but their nature could not be foreseen. it was being realised that the unemployed could not continue to exist (in what they were receiving. He hoped for the sake of all that a solution of the problem would be found. The sentiments expressed by the Mayor were reciprocated by Cr. Hodgens, who conveyed the appreciation of the poor and needy for what the Mayor and Mayoress had done for them.

The sceason’s greetings were reciprocated by the town clerk (Mr J. R Hardie) on' behalf of the stall'.