MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 71, 21 February 1939, Page 14

MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS

CITY COUNCIL MEETS. COMMITTEES’ ACTIVITIES. j The Palmerston North City Council met last evening, the Mayor (Mr A. E. Mansford) presiding. Others present were Crs. G. Tremaine, W. Mouldey, W. B. Tennent, W. G. Black, J. T. J. Hcatley, D. F. Smillie, 11. E. Townshend and A. Grigor. Leave of absence was granted Cr. J. Hodgens, M.P. LIBRARIAN’S REPORT. The librarian (Mr H. Greenwood) reported that the membership for January was as follows with figures for December in parentheses:—Library 974 (88'3); junior, 1345 (1284); book club, 949 (561). The report added:; “The junior department is now serving a great number of children in the city who are learning the value of a library and the joy of reading. The junior library players were very active during December. At the request of the Sunshine Club and the Women’s Hospital Auxiliary the children provided. two entertainments at the Awapuni Home; also, a play was presented at College Street School. Although recently 1339 new books have been added, we urgently require many more as the supply at present does not meet the demand. The figures for the book club show its rapid popularity, and the present shop will not be large enough to cope with the increasing number of members. I suggest that the corner shop be used for the book club. This step is the first part of my proposals in the alterations necessary to bring the library, ete., up to modem standards.” On the recommendation of the works committee the librarian was authorised to purchase books to the value of an additional £2OO. RECOMMENDATIONS APPROVED. Tlie following recommendations of the various sub-committees were adopted:— WORKS COMMITTEE. That the telegraph engineer, Post and Telegraph Department, made application for a reduction in the water account for the period ended January 5, 1939, which was excessive owing to a fault in the water system, and it was resolved that the engineer be advised that the council is unable to make any reduction in the charge. That Mr G. Pratt applied for a lease of lot 75, section 1536, for a period of 21 years at a rental of £lO per annum, and it was decided that the offer be accepted. That the Manawatu branch of the National Council of Women wrote offering the co-operation of the council in studying housing conditions as they affect women and children in the city, and it was decided that the communication be received and that the council he thanked for its offer, and advised that the City Council will he pleased to take advantage of it when the necessity arises. ABATTOIRS COMMITTEE. That Mr A. C. Baigent wrote drawing attention to the hardship caused him on account of Sunday killing and suggesting that this practice be abolished. It was decided that Mr Baigent be advised that the council is concerned with the reduction in the number of killings at the abattoir and is taking steps to remedy the position. That the Master Butchers’ Association be requested to supply the council witli information as to the quantity of meat sold in the city which has not paid hanging fees to the abattoir, and also the quantity of meat sold in the city paying hanging fees to the abattoir. That in reference to the slaughtering of stock on Sundays, the manager submitted a report showing that the killing on Sunday last was insufficient to warrant the presence of the contractor’s staff, and it was therefore decided that in future when it becomes necessary to slaughter on such days the by-laws providing for payment of double rates by the butchers be enforced, and that the master butchers be informed accordingly. RESERVES COMMITTEE. That Miss D. Knapp wrote expressing appreciation of the attention given to her by the caretaker of the campsite during her recent visit. It was decided that the communication be received and that a copy bo submitted to Mr Adam and he be congratulated on the attention given by him. That the Hokowhitu Bowling Club Wrote agreeing to accept the conditions of contract between the council and the club in regard to the lease of the ground, and it was decided that the communication be received.. That the Manawatu Cricket Association advised that the council’s request that the, association take over the control of the wickets for next season had been considered, but that it was just as impracticable for the association to engage a competent groundsman as it was for it to take over the control this season, and it requested that the practice in Wellington be adopted in the city. It was decided that the information supplied on request by other local authorities regarding the conditions under which grounds are used for cricket he tabulated and circulated to the members of the committee, and that the matter be referred to the next meeting of the committee. It was further 'decided that a summary of the information be supplied to the New Plvmouth Borough Council. LIBRARY COMMITTEE. That the recommendation of the librarian that a junior assistant he appointed at a commencing salary of £7B per annum be agreed to. Various proposals regarding library facilities were also approved. AERODROME COMMITTEE. That the communication from the Post and Telegraph Department, advising that the question of rental for the use of the area of ground at the aerodrome occupied by radio equipment had been submitted to the head office, be received. That the city solicitors reported having interviewed the Director of Civil Aviation in reference to the aerodrome by-laws, and it was decided that the communication be referred to the meeting when the draft by-laws are under consideration. LIGHTING COMMITTEE. That the Palmerston North Fire Board requested that the work of remodelling the automatic fire alarm system be speeded up, and it was decided that the hoard he informed, in terms of the report of the electrical engineer, that the remodelling had been commenced and that when further labour is available for this work the men will he transferred thereto. That Mr Muir be commended on the very satisfactory result of the operations of his department over the nine months ending December 31, 1938. That 300 wet gas meters he disposed of by tender to the best advantage, as suggested by the manager in his report. TRANSIT COMMITTEE. That the Commissioner of Transport wrote requesting the view of the council in respect of the proposal to impose restrictions on the use of motorcycles in the interests of road safety, and it was decided that the communi- ! cation be referred to the traffic manager to report thereon to the next

meeting of the committee. That the Manawatu branch of the New Zealand Master Carriers’ Association and Customs Agents’ Federation wrote submitting a. revised scale for parcel carriage, and it was decided that this be approved and embodied in the city bylaws. That Mr A. E. Lewis submitted suggestions in regard to an improved method of marking road pedestrian crossings, and it was decided that the communication be received and Mr Lewis thanked for his interest. GENERAL. Crs. W. G. Black and D. F. Smillie were appointed the council’s representatives on the district committee set up under the Physical Welfare and Recreation Act, 1937. In connection with the recent library conference, it was decided, on the motion of Cr. Black, to extend the council’s appreciation to the St. Andrew’s Church authorities for the use of the hall, to the Automobile Association ’for providing cars, and to Mrs D. Evans and her assistants for providing refreshments. A motion of sympathy with the Middle Districts Aero Club, in the loss it sustained through the destruction by fire at the new hangar last week, was passed. During January. 48,480 passengers were carried on city buses, according to a report submitted by the traffic manager (Mr H. J. Smith). This represents an increase over January of the previous year of 1734. The total revenue was £6OB Is lid, an increase of £34 0s Id. During December the passengers totalled 55,462 and the revenue £665 8s Bd, the increases heing 4893 and £46 13s Id respectively. The December figures were the highest recorded for the past nine years. GAS AND ELECTRICITY. 1 Reporting to the lighting committee, the electrical engineer (Mr J. W. Muir) stated that the power costs for the quarter endel December 31 had been £6,591 19s. During January 21 services were run, 64 meters tested and 73 installed. The total number of consumers was now 6364. The tqtal connected load, including street lights was 28,140 k.w. There. had been an increase of 12 per cent in the units purchased, compared with the corresponding month of W,t year. Two-thirds of the new 11,000-volt underground feeder cable, between the Terrace End power station and the Main Street sub-station, had been laid. The gasworks manager (Mr J. Learmonth) reported that 7,791,000 cubic feet of gas were made during January, an increase of 771,000 compared with the corresponding month of last year, but there had been a decrease of 676 in the cubic feet of gas made per ton of coal, of which 383 tons had been carbonised and 684 tons received in stock. Some 206 tons of coke had been made and 1344 gallons of tar distilled. There had been a decrease of 2 per cent in the New Zealand coal used. There were 13 new consumers. The tar plant was being completely overhauled. “We have now reached Featherston Street in taking up the cast-iron main and replacing it with 12in. pipe. The main in Featherston Street is not down very far and the going is easier for the men, so good progress should be made iu this street. The taking up of the. 12in. main is progressing satisfactorily.” ENGINEER’S REPORT.

The city engineer (Mr J. R. Hughes) submitted his report as follows : Street Maintenance: During the past two months, one gang has been continually employed on asphalt patching of weak places and trenches where disturbed, and tarring same. One man has also been engaged cleaning up noxious weeds by means of poisoning, especially along the banks of the Kawau Stream. Two grass mowers have been kept very busy during this period, and at the latter end of the month a second cut was made on several of the streets. Some 300 cubic yards of screened river metal and pit metal have been spread on various secondary streets within the city. Special Works: Colombo Street, Cross Street, Donnington Street and a portion of Ranfurly Street have been lightly scarified, metalled and blinded, and rolled. They are now consolidating in readiness for tar-sealing. Also the work of extending the asphalt surface to the kerb along the frontage of the St. Peter’s Church, Ruahine Street, as authorised, has been completed. Knowles Street, Margaret Street, Colombo Street, Cross Street, the portion fronting St. Peter’s Church and the 6ft. strip on the south side and the 2ft strip on the north side of Church Street, from Linton to Pitt Streets, have received their initial coat of tar and chips. Footpath Maintenance: The following streets have been topdressed with tar and fine chips: Cook Street (Main to Cuba Streets) both sides; Grey Street (Albert to Ruahine Streets)', both sides; Princess Street (Queen to Grey Streets), west side. Owing to the erection of more new houses in Guy Avenue, the asphalting of the footpath has been extended another 10.) chains on the south side and 5 chains on the north 6ide. A new footpath has been formed fronting the Government houses in Park Road for a distance of 13 chains from Cook Street. Roads.—The aerodrome road at the bend, near the new hangar (now burned), has been widened, and a new road giving access to the hangar formed, and both have been metalled. Also 165 feet of 9in., 110 feet of 6in., and 56 feet of 4in. stormwater drains have been laid. Stormwater Drainage, Rangitikei Street: The laying of the 15in. diameter concrete pipe line was continued from Queen Street and at the latter end of January had been completed at the King Street intersection. This makes a total of 9 chains of 15in. diameter pipe laid. At the new road from Te Awe Awe Street to Marne Street, a 15in. diameter culvert 27ft. long has been constructed to allow the lagoon drainage to flow freely towards the river. General: lne new seating at the municipal baths was completed at the end of January, with the exception of the painting work. Six concrete piers were constructed in line across the Tintea Stream at Haslock’s hndge and a steel truss with a span of 50ft. 94in. placed in position to carry the Min. concrete-lined steel main across the stream, and at the end of January work had recommenced on the laying of the mains. The new road off le Awe Awe Street has been metalled with pit metal, thus allowing for a final crushed metal coat whenever the road might be tar-sealed. Street numbering: The following streets have been renumbered: Miro Street, Annandnle Avenue, Kowliai Avenue, Karamu Avenue. Mahoe Avenue.. Guy Avenue, Snelson Street, Pahiatua Street TCeitb Street, Colhngwood Street! Matipo Street. Nikau Street, Wood Street. David Street, Domain Street, Marama Street, Cleland Street, Havdon Street, Vogel Street, Boundary Road. Arolia Street. Clausen Street, Andrew Young Street, Willis vStreet, Botanical Road, McGiffert Street, Thalia Street, Rata Street, Jickell Street. Sewer Extension, 24in diameter. College Street: Good progress has been made and at the end of the month a total of 28 chains had been laid. Waterworks: During the two months under review, 26 new services were installed, 12 services replaced, and 42 services overhauled, and repaired. Also,

10 indicators have been placed opposite valves, eto. A leak in the 18in. steel main, Fitzherbert Avenue, was repaired, the joint being completely blown out. ABATTOIR RETURNS. The abattoir manager (Mr A. M. Spilman) reported that stock slaughtered during January consisted of 229 cows, 107 heifers, 34 bullocks, 18 calves, 618 ewes, 955 wethers, 79 lambs and 169 pigs. Nine cows, four sheep and three pigs were condemned Fees received amounted to £298 18s 3d. The poundkeeper (Mr R. Toins) reported that during December and January seven head of stock were impounded and £1 5s 6d was received in fees.