CITY ADMINISTRATION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 124, 24 April 1940, Page 10

CITY ADMINISTRATION

MEETING OF COUNCIL. DECISIONS AND REPORTS. The monthly meeting of the Palmerston North City Council was held on Monday, the Mayor (Mr A. E. Mansi'ord) presiding. There were also present Grs J. Modgens, M.P., J. T. J. Heatlcy, G. Tremaine, D. F. Smillio, H. E. Townshend, A. Grigor, AV. G. Black, AV. B. Tennent and AY. Aloulde.v. On the motion of the Mayor the council passed an expression of condolence with the relatives of the late Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage and the members of the Government, expressing deep sympathy with them in the great loss they had sustained through the death of the late Prime Minister. The Mayor said Air Savage’s life had been an inspiration to thousands of people in the Dominion and he had worked to the last in the cause of those principles which lie had so deeply at heart. A'ariou.s recommendations made by the works committee were adopted. The following requests were referred to the meeting which will consider the framing of the current year’s estimates: Salvation Army Band (annual grant), Royal Humane Society of New Zealand (contribution), St. John Ambulance Brigade Nursing Division (grant), AA'orkers’ Education Association (grant), Free Ambulance (grant), ratepayers and residents of Kowhai Avenue (referring to a previous application for tarsealing of the street). Mr A. AV. Hudson (regarding the tarsealing of Marne Street Extension). Air AA'. Buckley (requesting that Keith Street and Tlavdon Streets he tarsealcd). Following an application by the Manawatu branch of the Carriers’ Federation, lighting and heating are to lie installed in the carriers’ stands in the Square and aCtlie Railway Station. The Takaro Progressive Association wrote seeking information as to developments regarding the alleviation of flooding in the.Kawnu and Mangaonc Streams, and a reply is to lie sent that reports arc now being obtained. Ratepayers and residents of Russell Street wrote drawing attention to the condition of the roadway and the footpaths. The tnrscaling of the roadway was referred to the estimates, while the petitioners are to he advised that, provided they pay half the cost, the construction of footways (where they are not formed, will ho undertaken. Hie Municipal Association forwarded an opinion as to the unformed part of Havill Street, and persons who inquired recently are to be informed accordingly that this unformed part is neither the liability nor the responsibility of the council. The Palmerston North Labour Representation Committee made application for the council to receive a deputation to discuss the distribution of milk in the city. The council adopted a recommendation from the works committee that the deputation be invited to attend the May meeting ot the council.

The cost of heating the Little Theatre was reported to be £IOO and it was decided that the work be undertaken. If the heating is successful the Little Theatre Society is to he charged £25 as a contribution.

The electrical engineer (Mr J. AV. Muir) reported that the total number of consumers was 6785, while the power used in the last month. showed an increase of 10.4 per cent, over that used in the corresponding period of the previous year. The gas manager (Mr .T. Loarmonth) reported that the gas made during the month had increased bv 441.000 cubic feet- on the amount made in the corresponding month of last year. The output had increased by 677,000 cubic feet.

The reserves committee recommended that the Manawatu Hockey Association he granted the use of three grounds at the Ilokowhitu Domain for, the 1940 season on the same conditions as previously, and that the Manawatu Football Association he granted the use of two playing areas on the Manawaroa Street grounds. Those recommendations were adopted The librarian (Mr H. Greenwood) reported that the total membership at the end of February was 6884 and the average number of books issued per day in that month was 872.8. me figures for March were respectively 7140 and 1023 69. The net increase in the membership for the two months was 548 and the total book ismies on March 21 were 2694. The number for the 12 months was 258.688. The engineer (Mr J. It. Hughes) stated in his report that further filling and rebuilding of the stop-banko of the Ivawn.ii Stream had been carried out. Rangitanc Street (Grey Street to Albert. Street), Douglas Street, Manawaroa Street and Thompson Street had been scarified, metalled and rolled in readiness for tar-sealing. Tbe council decided to forward a letter of thanks to Mrs A. Clark, who had donated a cheque > received from the council, coverin'? the cost of entertaining men from H.M.S. Achilles on April 3. to the Patriotic Fund Appeal. A similar letter is to be forwarded to Mr J. Powell for the donation of £1 from his account to the Patriotic Fund.