City Affairs

Manawatu Times, Volume 59, Issue 272, 20 November 1934, Page 10

City Affairs

MEETING- OP COUNCIL. Tlio Mayor (Mr A. E. Mansi'ordj presided at last evening’s meeting of the Palmerston North City Council. Also present were Councillors J. Hodgcns, W. B. Cameron, W. H. Brown, G. Tremaine, K. L. C. Aitchison, H. B. Free, W. B. Tennent, W. Mouldey, and A. A. Lang-> ley. The Engineer reported that tho cost of tar-sealing Carlton avenue would ho £262, and the cost of conveniences at the Esplanade, Sportsground, and i'akaro park would bo £3OO, £220 and £145 respectively. —The matter of sealing Carlton avenue was referred to the estimates, and a sub-committec was set up to oxamine tho plans of the conveniences and report back to the council. Palmerston Amusements, Ltd., made application for permission co screen suitable films at the Regent, Kosy, and Palace theatres on Christmas Night. It was resolved that permission be granted subject to the programmes being approved of by tho special committee already appointed. Residents of Terraco End forwarded a petition requesting the tar-sealing of Ruahiue street between Main and Church streets. —It was resolved that the request be referred to next year’s estimates, the engineer in tho meantime to furnish an estimate of the cost. Right of Free Speech. With reference to tho representations of tho deputation representing tho Communist Party which waited upon the council on the sth instant, communications wero read from the four cities setting out the conditions under which open-air meetings are held. —It was decided that tho matter be held over and that Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin be again written to inquiring whether any alteration has taken place since the receipt of their previous communications concerning their respective policies in regard to Communists speaking in public places. , Sewer Connections. With reference to tho communication from a ratepayer stating that ho is unable to defray tho cost of connecting his property with the'sewerage system, an opinion was received from the city solicitors in regard to the powers of the council .to make advances to ratepayers to enable them to connect their properties with the sewerage system. After considering tho opinion, it was resolved to instruct the city solicitors to take proceedings against tho ratepayer in question to compel him to comply with tho by-laws relating to drainage. “Smoko,” No. 5 Men. Instructions are to bo given that No. 5 workers must conform to tho general practice of tho council’s workmen in having 10 minutes’ smoko, and that on complying with the conditions tho men small have the opportunity of workiug to make up time lost last week. Flats, etc. It was decided that applications for permission to convert any building from one class to another shall bo submitted to tho council before tho issue of a building permit. G-as Revenue, Comparing the trading results of the gas department for the half-year ending September 30 with tho position as at tho samo date in 1933, it is found that the gross revenue account discloses that the income was £17,529 as against £18,162, a decrease of £633. This decrease is made up mainly as follows: Sale of gas, £430, decrease; tar, £ll4 decrease; coke, £6O decrease; tar oil, £25 decrease. The expenditure was £12,243, as against £12,81S —a decrease of £575. This decrease is acoounted for as follows:—Reduced works costs £052, reduced distribution costs £36, overhead costs increased by £lO3. The reduction in revenue is mainly due to tho reduction made in the price ot gas, as five months of last year’s figures were at the old price. This is borne out by tho fact that tho works output to ordinary consumers for the period was 39,034,000 cubic feet this year as against 37,549,000 last year—an increase of 2,085,000 cubic feet. This was offset, though, by the fact that only 143,000 cubic feet was used at the power station this year against 4,853,000 cubic feet last year—a decrease of 4,710,000 cubic feet, Tho trading account shows a credit of £lB against £lO3 for tho samo period last year. Tho net revenue account shows a balance of £836 transferred to the appropriation account this year, against a balance of £159 transferred to the same account last year. Electricity Sales.

Comparing the .trading results of tlie electricity department for the halfyear ending September 30, with the position at the same date last year, it is found that the revenue from tho sale of light, heat and power, etc., has declined to tho extent of £9OO. This is duo to tho increase of 2i per cent, made in the discount given and to tho reduction made in the commercial lighting charges. On the expenditure side the results comparo as under:—Cost of generation £2912 (£593 decrease), gas producer plant £1036 (£621 decrease), cost of powor purchased £11,920 (£723 increase), total cost of power £11,832 (£129 increase), being a cost of £2 os 4d per 1000 units this year against £2 6s od per 1000 units last year. The total expenditure for generation and distribution amounts to £22,759 this year against £22,535 last year, an increase of £221. The capital expenditure in 1931 was £1052 as against £2771 for tho same period in 1933. Bepayment of £IOOO loan debenture which matured in Juno this year was effected from revenue, The net result is that the net profit available this year for the period ££5351), os slightly less ££188) than the

amount shown for the same period last year (£5512). As pointed out, however, tho capital appropriations are £722 less this year. Summarised, the position is that tho results compare very closely rvith those obtained for the same period last year , Electrical Secretariat. Tho president, New Zealand Power Boards and Supply Authorities’ Association forwarded proposals regarding the establishment of a permanent secretariat for the association with the object of' supplying power boards and supply authorities with tho latest information in regard to developing the sales of electricity, supplying statistics, issuing magazine, bulk charges, etc., and that it is proposed to call in various districts a local conference of groups of neighbouring supply authorities, and inviting council to appoint delegates to attend the same.—lt was agreed that the matter bo brought under the notico of the New Zealand Municipal Electric Supply Association foe their advice thereon,