MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 73, 23 February 1938, Page 15

MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS

MEETINF OF COUNCIL. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES. The Palmerston North City Council met on Monday. Those present were tile Mayor (Mr A. E. Mansford) who presided, and Crs. J. Hodgens, M.P.. W. B. Tennent, W. Mouldey, J. T. J. Heatley, W. B. Cameron and It. L. C. Aitchison. Leave of absence was granted Cr. J. J. Stevenson on account of the continued ill-health of Mrs Stevenson. WORKS COMMITTEE. The works committee’s report was adopted. It stated, inter alia: That a petition was received from residents of Mere Mere Avenue requesting the tar-sealing of the roadway, and it was decided that the petitioners be advised that the work will bo commenced at an early date. That Mr D. F. Smillie wrote requesting the tar-sealing of Park Road between Fitzherbert Avenue and Victoria Avenue, and it was decided that the application be referred to the estimates for the ensuing year. That the communication from the Manawatu Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club regarding the floodlighting of the Sportsground was again considered, together with the extract from the electrical engineer’s report of December 14. 1937, and it was decided that the work be carried out with funds to be provided by tile electricity department, the same to be refunded from the general account in tlio ensuing year. That the Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce forwarded a report on the proposed subdivision of the block in ltangitikei Street, and it was decided that this be lield over until the next meeting of the committee, with a view to the newspaper report of the meeting of the Chamber of Commerce and the correspondence between the Chamber and the council being considered thereat. That the Director of Housing Construction forwarded scheme plan showing the proposed revised scheme of subdivision of the College Street-Cook Street block', and it was decided that the proposal be provisionally approved. That Messrs Cooper, Rapley and Rutherfurd forwarded a copy of the proposed Bill dealing with the control of the Kawau and other drains in the city, and it was decided that the necessary formalities be complied with. It was further decided that the council record its thanks to Cr. Hodgens, M.P., for the assistance rendered by him to the city solicitors in connection with the drafting of the BillTRANSIT COMMITTEE. The Transit Committee reported : That Mr W. R. Hewitt made application for a bus to run to Bledisloe Park to pick up and put down school children attending the College Street School. The traffic manager reported thereon, and it was decided that Mr Hewitt bo advised that the council regrets that it is unable to arrange for the bus as suggested, owing to vehicles not being available, and that a copy of the manager’s report be submitted to him. That Dr. C. S. Williams wrote requesting the placing of a small bicycle stand in front of his surgery, Broadway Avenue, and it was decided that ho he advised that numerous similar requests had been refused and it was regretted that his application could not be granted. That the Commissioner of Transport wrote stating that three police reports had been received regarding accidents which had occurred at the intersection of Heretaunga and Featherston Streets, and it was decided that the traffic manager view the locality and if he considers the trees constitute an obstruction, he be authorised to ar-, range for the necessary notice of je- ! moval to he given. That the West End Progressive Association wrote drawing atfention to the dangerous position of the traffic dome at the intersection of Main Street and West Street, and also requesting the painting white of the telegraph pole in Main Street helow West 'Street, and the electric light pole near the railway line. It was decided that the association be advised that the council has no power under the regulations to move the dome from the centre of the road, but that the question of improving the camber of the road and the matter of painting the poles ■ be referred to the city engineer and j the traffic manager to report to the next meeting of the committee. The report was adopted. LIGHTING COMMITTEE. The lighting committee reported as follows:—“That the Manawatu-Oroua Electric Power Board wrote declining the council’s request for the supply of current to be made in bulk at the entrance to the aerodrome property, but stating its willingness to take over the line and pay the cost thereof. It was ! decided that the board be advised that the ciuncil is willing to dispose of the service line at the cost price, £57 8s sd. That Messrs Cooper, Rapley and Rutherfurd wrote forwarding a copy of the depositions of the various witnesses in respect of the inquest into the death of John Wrigley, who came in contact with a broken electric power line, and it was decided that the communication he received. / The report was adopted.

GAS MANAGER’S REPORT. The manager of the gas department (Mr J. Learmonth) reported that tlie total number of consumers was 5509. Details of consumption were as follow figures for the corresponding period a year earlier being given in parentheses:—Gas made for December, 1937, 7,204,000 cubic feet (7,541,000); output for December, 1937, 7,184,000 (7,363,000) ; gas made per toil of coal used, December, 1937, 17,746 (17,584) ; coal carbonised, December 1937, 405 tons (428 tons). Gas made for January, 1938, 7,020,000 cubic feet (6,910,000) ; output for January, 1938, 7,050, 000 (7,008,000); gas made per ton of coal used, January, 1938, 20,982 cubic feet (18,056). Coal carbonised, January, 1938, 334 tons -(382 tons). TRAFFIC MANAGER’S REPORT. The traffic manager (Mr H. J. Smith) reported that over 50,000 passengers were carried by the municipal bus service during December, while in January tlie number was 46,746. Tlie revenue for.the two months was £6lB and £574 respectively, both representing increases (£64 and £6O respectively) over the corresponding months of a year ago. ELECTRICAL SERVICES. The electricity manager (Mr J. W. Muir) reported that the total connected load including street lights was now 25,446 lc.w. In December the increase in power consumed had been 11 per cent. The report proceeded: “The 3000-volt underground ' cable ordered in September last for improving the feeder capacity to the transformers in Taonui and Grey Streets came to hand in January, and a start has been made in laying it from the Main Street substation. Good progress is being made. During the month a 50 k.v.a. transformer was installed at the corner of Wood Street and Boundary Road to take care of the growing load in that area. In the last few months the lines gang have overhauled the services and mains in the ivliole of that portion of the town east of the railway, and are at present overhauling services and mains in that part of the town west of the railway, between Botanical Road and ltangitikei Street.”—The report was adopted.