NEWS OF THE DAY

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 96, 26 April 1939, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

Bigger Bus Fleet Tho opinion that there should be an expansion of the municipal bus service was advanced by Cr. H. E. Townshend at Monday night's meeting of the Palmerston North City Council. With the approach of winter, ho said, there was a need for an increase in tho number of buses. Cr. D. F. Smillie, chairman of tho transit committee, said lie was hopeful that tho council, in framing its estimates, would provide for additional buses. Gifts to Parent Prior to the commencement of business at the meeting of the executive of the Automobile Association (Manawatu) on Monday evening, Mr. T. M. N. Rodgers was made a presentation to mark tho birth of a daughter, by the president, Mr. W. H. Brown, on behalf of the members. On behalf of the staff of tho association, Mr. S. X. McKenzie also handed Mr. Rodgers a gift for his daughter. Mr. Kodgers replied on behalf of himself, Mrs. Rodgers and the small girl. Building on Council Property In connection with the property it owns opposite the post office and the lease of which runs out on May 31, the Palmerston North City Council has instructed an architect to prepare a plan of a three-storey steel-framed modern commercial building, comprising shops on the ground floor and offices on the first floor, the second floor to remain unsubdivided, with concrete floors and basement underneath, to take in the whole of the frontage to the Square and right-of-way. Automatic Traffic Control Tho need for tho installation of an automatic traffic control device at the intersection of the Square and Ilangitikei Street was stressed by Cr. W. G. Black at Monday night's meeting or tho Palmerston North City Council. Tho Mayor (Mr. A. E. Mausford) said tho matter had been discussed sovoral times by lhe transit committee and arrangements had been made by the speaker, when in Wellington last week, for the representative of a company handling these devices to pay an early visit to Palmerston North. It’s an 111 Wind— At the meeting of the Takaro Progressive Association on Monday evening, one of the residents of tho districts, Mr. P. T. Jamieson said that re considered Takaro would one day be the suburb of Palmerston North. At present it had the railway on one side of it, but it would soon be built on the other. There was a prevailing wind that would blow the smoke towards the other end of the town, and Takaro was bound to go ahead. The chairman, Mr. E. H. Smith, said “they won't see us for smoke."

Hospital Board Levy “It is gratifying to know that the levy is down,," commented the Mayor (Mr. A. E. Mansford) when advice was received by the Palmerston North City Council on Monday evening that the Hospital Board levy in respect of the city this year would bo £10,708 10s 4d, as against £11,024 5s 5d last year. The reduction had been made possible, the Mayor added, only because the board had paid off a bank overdraft of £O7OO. with the result that no paymouts would havo to be found under this heading this year.

City Council Asked for Site A deputation from tho St. John Ambulance, headed by Mr. J. A. Nash, waited on the Palmerston North City Council on Monday night with a request that the council should permit it to transfer a small hall at present situated in Oxford Street on to council property, tho rear of the section opposito the Police Station being suggested. The Mayor pointed out that this proposal would involve a wooden building being placed in the brick area. The council decided to refer the request to its works committee.

O.owth of Street Appeals Tho Palmerston North City Council decided on Monday night that all bodies, excepting national appeals, requiring street (..ays, be assembled in .November and requested to agree on a combination day for t :rtain common interests for 1941 appeals, and if not, some bo declined, uny applications received in the iuterim to be referred to that meeting. The New Zealand Crippled Children Society was allocated a day during Fobruary, 1940, the Pluuket Society a day during March, 1940, aud the Y.W.C.A. a day during August, 1940.

Sick Pay for Employees “That those employees at present in receipt of sick pay bo informed that, until sick benelit payments are available under the Social Security Act, payments of sick pay by the council will be available in the meantime, and that when such payments are made by the department, the council will cease making further payments." This was a resolution coniirmed by the Palmerston North City Council on Monday night. It was also decided that reports be submitted by all heads of departments in respect of employees over 60 years of age, with a statement regarding services rendered in approximation to value of wages received. Renovation of Council Property Acting on a recommendation by its building committee, the Palmerston North City Council decided on Monday night to place on the estimates the sum of £IOOO to be applied towards renovating and repairing the dwelling houses, bus shelters, conveniences and the various pavilions, with the exception of the painting of the latter, which is to be done by the sports bodies who are the lessees. In view of an adverse report by the building inspector on the present condition of the municipal chambers, it was resolved that the city engineer report on tho safety of the old portion and the parapets thereon, and furnish an estimate of the cost of placing the structure in a satisfactory and safe condition. With winter nights getting longer so do we tend to read more. Are YOUR oyes being used sensibly or do you experience discomfort? N. C. Holland, F.8.0.A. (Honours), F. 1.0. (Eng.), Consulting Optician, Commercial Buildings (upstairs), Square.*