PALMERSTON NORTH CITY COUNCIL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 291, 6 November 1934, Page 5

PALMERSTON NORTH CITY COUNCIL

meeting last evening. ADOPTION OF REPORTS. The Palmerston North City Council mot last evening, the Mayor (Mr A. E. Mansford) presiding. Others present were Crs. W. B. Torment, H. B. Free, A. A. Langley, W. Mouldey, R. L. C. Aitehison, G. Tremaine, W. B. Cameron, J. Hodgens and W. H. Brown. WORKS COMMITTEE.

Reports arid recommendations by the works committee were adopted as follow : —That the Railways Department wrote acknowledging the communication that a fee of £2 per annum will be payable by the department in respect of the sewer connection to a house at Milson and they would, as requested, make arrangements direct with the council in future for the right to discharge sewerage into the council’s system, but the department would; however, charge a fee of £2 per annum for the right of connection to their pipes. It was resolved to inform the department that, after perusing the original agreement, the council had decided that in future permission would not be granted to make any further connections with the sewer for those outside the area shown on the department’s survey office plan of the Milson settlement of February, 1928. That the Board of Governors of the Palmerston North High Schools advised that the old hostel and rector’s residence on the corner of Eeatherston and North Streets had been unoccupied for the past twelve months and requested remission of the sum of £8 8s 6d, being half the rates payable. It was decided that the remission he granted. That the audit inspector advised that the High School Girls’ hostel and College House are exempt from payment of library and hospital rates amounting to £2 6s 8d and that a refund of the amount mentioned be made to the High School Board of Governors. It was resolved that the application of the Board of Gov-, ernors for a refund of £2 6s 8d be acceded to. That the city assessor advised, in regard to Mr Sweetman’s application for a revaluation in terms of the Urban Farmland Rating Act, 1932, that he had inspected the property, interviewed the owner, and in his opinion as the sections were available for building sites the council should refuse to make any reduction in the present values. It was decided to inform Mr

Sweetman that the council regrets that it cannot agree to a revaluation of the property under tile Act, and that the contents of the report he communicated to him. That Mr L. Cooper requested the tar-sealing of Carlton Avenue, that the grass growing on the sides of the roadway be grubbed out and that Mr P. Black inspect the centre plot shrubbery and supply periodical annuals to be planted. It was decided that the matter bo referred to the city curator and engineer to inspect the thoroughfare and report to the next meeting of tiie committee. That a circular communication from the Department of Internal Affairs setting out. further information in connection with the forthcoming visit of the ’Duke of Gloucester was read and received, and it was decided that the draft programme of the Royal reception be forwarded to the Under-Secretary when available. That the Cricket Association be asked to bear the sum of £2 17s 6d, being half the cost of the installation of a washup” sink at the Sportsground tearoom, and, if agreed to, the necessary work be undertaken. That owing to the delay on the part of the owners in coining to a decision as to what they intend to do in regard to the existing building at 149 Ferguson Street, the city solicitors bo authorised to again bring the matter before the local Magistrate. LIBRARY COMMITTEE.

Recommendations by the library committee were made as follow: —That the lion, secretary of the ’loc. 11. Society wrote asking that discarded books from the library be handed in him for distribution among the patients at the Public Hospital. It was agreed to donate 100 books, to be selected by the librarian. That holidays, the same as last year, be observed during Christmas, 1934. The first recommendation was adopted, but the second was referred back to the committee lor reconsideration. ENGINEER’S REPORT.

Reporting upon activities during tile month of October, the city engineer (Mr J. R. Hughes) stated : ' ‘Street maintenance: Some 160 cubic yards of screened river metal have been spread oil various secondary streets. The patching gang has, been engaged in asphalting and tarring weals patches on various streets and footpaths. In Waldegrave Street metalling and rolling has been progressing steadily, and half the length is now finished. The drive into the camping ground off Victoria Drive has been asphalted, and the playing areas around the swings, etc., at North Street Park, the Esplanade, and Papueoia Park have been tarred. The old stormwater culverts at the intersections of Ranfurly and Rolleston Streets, West and Joseph Streets, and Ferguson and McGiffert Streets, have been taken up and re-laid.

“Removal of silt at reservoir.—lt lias been found necessary to cease operations for this year. Although a very large amount of silt has been removed with the aid of tile lire pump, there still remains about another month’s work to complete the job. “New Fitzherbert Bridge.—During the month pile-driving at pier C was commenced and to date 17 piles have lieen driven. Driving at this pier lias been comparatively easy and good progress is being made. The average number of men employed at the bridge is 30. The road deviation contract at the south approach is still in progress.

“The following works are in progress tinder the No. 5 unemployment scheme: (a) levelling at Albert Street Domain; (b) levelling now portion Takaro Park; (c) regrading playground West End Schqol; (d) cutting firewood at Awapuni; (e) works at reserves, cemeteries and depot. Albert Street sewer : Work was commenced on October 9, and to the end of the month 6 chains of pipes have been laid and the trench partly excavated for another two chains. Waterworks: During the month 14 new services were installed. Fire plugs have been repaired. Two Valves have been repaired.”

STORMWATER CONDUIT. “A contract has been let for the erection of a house on a section in Victoria Avenue through which the proposed Dahlia Street stormwater conduit will pass,” reported the engineer. “A motor shed is to be erected and a concrete drive is to be laid down on the line of the conduit. If this is done before our pipes are laid it is going to add to the cost, as any work destroyed will have to be made good by tile council. I would suggest that a length of 100 feet of piping be laid through the section before the house is built. The estimated cost is £9B.” —Approval was given for the work to be carried out.

The abattoir manager (Sir A. SI. Spilman) reported that stock slaughtered during October consisted of 29.3 cows, 117 heifers, 90 bullocks, 21 calves, 953 ewes, 504 wethers, S 5 lambs and 63 pigs. Seventeen cows, 4 pigs and 6 .sheep were condemned. Fees re-

ceived amounted to £'333 Ss 3d. , The poundkeeper (Mr T. Wood) reported that 12 head of stock were impounded during October, fees received amounting to £1 2s 6d. GENERAL.

An application by the Cash Cycling Welfare League for the use of the track at the Sportsground for training purposes and for club racing on Eriday evenings was granted subject to a satisfactory arrangement being made with the Cricket Association.

Permission was given for tile display on the band rotunda in the Square, from November 10 to December 1, of flags denoting the respective positions of the combined bands' queen carnival candidates. Permission was also granted the Sisters of Mercy to hold a street stall, and. the City Silver Band and the Garrison Band to hold sacred concerts.

Application was made to the council by Mr A. R. Allen, architect, oil behalf of the Takaro Hall Committee, for exemption from the by-laws in regard to the construction of a boundary wall which it is proposed to erect on the back boundary of the property, being portion of proposed additions to the premises. It was resolved that permission be not granted, owing to the application not complying with the bylaws.

Objecting to a proposal to erect a hall in their street, ratepayers of Nikau Street forwarded to the council a petition expressing this view, and requested refusal to the granting of the license for any amusements likely to oxtejid after 10 p.lll. It was resolved that the ratepayers bo advised that no application for a permit to. build has been received, but that their representations would receive every consideration if an application is made. Subject to the approval of the Falmerston North River Board, the council decided to proceed with the erection of shelters at the Manawatu riverside bathing pool, near the l motor camp. The Manawatu branch of the Royal Life-Saving Society wrote advising the council that the Riverside Bathing Club is now non-existent, and suggesting that the shelters be placed under their control. On the basis that the Royal Life-Sa.ving Society has_ undertaken to control and supervise the shelters and bathing at the pool the council made the decision mentioned. The conned decided to call tenders for the lease of the Opera House, together with furniture, fittings, effects dud plant, for a term of one year with the right of renewal for a further period of one year, the conditions to be the same as at present. “There are several streets now ready for tarring and I would suggest that wo be allowed to carry out this work with our own staff. We have the plant available and the work will enable us to keep our men in employment.” reported the engineer. He was authorised to proceed with the tarsealing of North Street and Main Street East. Instructions were issued to the engineer to report to the next meeting of the works committee, concerning the positions occupied by single men in liis department. Arrangements are to be made- to fit sun blinds in the reading room at the municipal library, following a report by the librarian (Mrs E. L. Christian) that in hot weather the room became

very uncomfortable.