City Administration

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 97, 27 April 1939, Page 10

City Administration

MEETING- OF PALMERSTON NORTH COUNCIL

The Palmerston North City Council met on Monday night, when there were present: The Mayor (Mr. A. E. Mans* ford) and Councillors J. T. J. Headley, D. F. Smillie, H. E. Townshend, J. Hodgens, M.P., A. Grigor, W. G. Black, W. jj. Tennent, W. Mouldey and G. Tremaine. A welcome was extended by the Mayor to Cr. Hodgens on resuming his seat after his recent mission to Australia. Requests for the tar-sealing of Keith, Haydon and Manawaroa Streets, Marne {Street Extension, Carlton Avenue and College Terrace, were referred to the estimates for the coming year. The Terrace End Progressive Association wrote, drawing attention to the unsatisfactory condition of that portion of Main {Street between Napier Road and Fitzroy {Street on the park side of the railway line. —The engineer reported that the surface was receiving attention. The Terraco End Bowling Club requested consideration of a reduction in the amount of £l9 Us 7d owing by them in connection with the employment of subsidised labour. It was decided that, in view of the linancial position of the club, settlement of the account be deferred until December, 1939. The Post and Telegraph Department wrote in reference to an application by the council for a refund of duty on motor spirits used for agricultural purposes and pointed out that tractors which were used for drawing mowers for cutting recreation grounds, golf links, playing areas, etc., were not deemed to be agricultural tractors and the owners were therefore not entitled to claim exemption from payment of annual license fees and consequently could not claim refunds of duty on motor spirits consumed. It was decided that the matter be referred to the Municipal Association for an opinion thereon and that in the meantime an amended claim be made under protest. Arising out of a request from the Terrace End Progressive Association, it was decided that application be made to the Government for the formation and construction of a public street through the piece of land between Limbrick and Manson Streets at present used as a thoroughfare. In connection with the proposed subdivision of the Birch Estate, it was decided that the plan be consented to subject to the trustees agreeing to dedicate to the council a right-of-way 20 feet in width adjoining allotment 2d as shown on the plan, and that 5$ acres of land belonging to Mr. DeCleene and Mr. Watts, as well as the area comprising the lagoon, be acquired under the provisions of the Public Works Act.

The Manawatu Carriers and Customs Agents’ Federation requested that the by-law concerning cartage of goods be made operative for a radius of six miles from the G.P.O. It was decided to advise the association that the by-laws relating to the cartage of goods operate within a radius of 10 miles from the local Post Office, as prescribed by the Municipal Corporations Act, 1933, and that it is not proposed to make any alteration.

Internal alterations at the library providing for an island book issue desk and an office between the junior library and the lending department were authorised at an estimated cost of £IOO.

It was decided that the practice of supplying books to school libraries, with the exception of Milson {School, be discontinued in view of the facilities now available at the junior library'. The matter of the disposal of second-hand books from tho rental library from time to time was left in the hands of the librarian, with power to act.

The Automobile Association advised that it was still of the opinion that lanes at the corner of the Square and Rangitikei Street were practicable and of assistance to traffic, and suggesting that arrangements be made for a demonstration. It was resolved that the association be informed that the council accepted the suggestion and that a demonstration would be arranged at a time and place suitable to the traffic manager.

A communication from the Terrace End Progressive Association suggesting that the front of the Coronation Hall be modernised and increased dressing accommodation provided, was referred to the estimates for consideration. A request from the Hokow r hitu Buwling Club for permission to sink a 2-inch artesian bore, estimated to cost £BU, the club to refund the said sum at the rate of 20 per cent, per' annum, was referred to the city engineer to confer with the club and report to tho next meeting of the works committee. A letter from the Terrace End Progressive Association expressed concern at the stoppage of work at the park and requested that the work be resumed under the scheme for engaging unemployed labour. It was resolved to advise the association that tho council’s allocation for development during 193839 had been over-expended, and that the question of carrying out further work at the park would be referred to the estimates for the ensuing year. The students of the Technical .School were granted permission to use twopitches at Terrace End Park on Wednesday afternoons between the hours of 3 and 4 p.m., provided they prepare their own wickets.

The action of the chairman of tho reserves committee, in granting the Marist Brothers’ {School the use of portion of the North {Street Park for recreation purposes on conditions satisfactory to the Palmerston North Boys' High School, who also use the reserve, was confirmed.

The Manawatu Hockey Association was granted tho use of three grounds at Hokowhitu and one at Takaro Park for the ensuing season, subject to payment of £6 per ground. Tho Manawatu Football Association was granted the use of two playing areas at North Street Park subject to payment of a rental of £lO for the season. Tho installing of electric light in the dressing rooms and shower room and the concreting of the floor of the dressing room, were referred to the estimates for consideration.

Officers’ Reports. The librarian (Mr. 11. CiVeenwood) re

ported increases in all sections of the making the membership at the end of March: Senior, 1180; junior, 1467; rental, 1444; total, 4091. Books issued during March were: Senior, 0615; junior, 4995; rental, 8828; total, 20,438. The gas manager (Mr. J. Eearmonth) reported that during March the department installed 14 gas cookers, 8 gas fires, 1 gas copper and nine new services. New consumers numbered 21. Weather permitting, all the 12-inch mains should be up by the end of the month and he intended taking the men to Heretaunga Street to replace the L}-inch and li-inch pipes with 4-inch cast iron pipes. The men now engaged laying the 12-meh main in Featherstone Street had now connected on Russell Street. The new vertical retorts were being heated up and would be put into use this coming winter. Up to the present everything was going satisfactorily. The electrical engineer (Mr. J. W. Muir) reported that the following work was carried out by the lines department during March: —Services run, 29; meters tested, 125; meters installed, 120. The inspector made inspections of and passed 82 jobs during the month, making the total number of consumers to date 6533. The total connected load, including street lights, was now 29,102 k.w. The abattoir manager (Mr. A. M. Spilman; presented the following return for April:—Stock slaughtered: Cows, 233; heifers, 112; bullocks, 52; calves, 22; ewes, 640; wethers, 1070; lambs, 113; pigs, 179. Stock condemned: Cows, 4 heifer, 1; sheep, 4; pigs, 4. Fees received, £326 18s. City Engineer’s Report. The city engineer (Mr. J. R. Hughes) reported, inter alia, as follows on work carried out during March:— Street maintenance: The work of cartiug and spreading approximately 7 cubic yards of screened river metal on secondary streets was carried out during the month. This small quantity carted was due to the exceptionally dry month, causing concentration on major works. Also, two small gangs have been cleaning water channels and one on asphalt patching and topdressing same. Special works: This reconstruction work is now nearing completion and at the end of the month the following streets had been metalled, blinded, rolled and consolidated in readiness for tarscaling:—Kingswood Street (Chelwood Street to Featherstone Street), Thomson Street (Ferguson Street to Douglas Street), Chelwood Street (Shamrock Street to Botanical Road), South Street (completed to College Street). Two gangs are still employed on this work, and with the continued good weather, tho year’s programme has beeu almost completed, a distance of approximately 14 chains remaining to be done. Tar-sealing, special works: The following streets have received their initial coat of tar and chips:—Bryant Street (Chelwood to Featherstone Streets), Lyndhurst Street (Chelwood to Featherstone Streets), South Street (Fergusou to College Streets), Batt Street (full length). At the end of the month approximately 48 chains of road still remained to be sealed under the 1938-39 programme. Resurfacing Fitzherbert Avenue: The

work of resurfacing Fitzherbert Avenui between Ferguson and College Streets and Park Road to Te Awe Awe Street as authorised by the council, was car

ried out during the mouth with the assistance of the plant from the Britisli Pavement Co. The laying of this premix has resulted in the surface being transformed from a most uneven and bumpy surfaco to a good smooth uouskid running surface. Footpath maintenance: Some 5£ chains of kerbing and channelling, formation and top-dressing, was carried out in Albert Street from Church Street towards the council depot. The footpath on both sides of Mansford Place have also been top-dressed. Preliminary formation work for a distance of approximately 14 chains was carried out in Park Road from Cook Street to Savage Crescent, in readines for top-dressing. Septic tank: The work of extending, the concrete outfall channel a further seven chains was commenced, and at tho end of the month three chains of channelling had been constructed. Sewer extension, 24-iuch diameter, College Street: Continued dry weather has resulted in very good progress being made with the laying of the 21-inch diameter concrete sewer pipe in College Street, and at the end of the month the manhole at the corner of Milford Road and College Street was completed and the sewer laid a further 18 chains, making a total of 58 chains laid to date. Services 9-incli C.l. main, Cuba Street: The 9-inch C.l. main in Cuba Street was connected to the 4-inch C.l. main at three different points, namely at Taonui Street, Campbell Street and Waldegrave Street, and all lire plugs were installed. This main is now in use and feeding that area. The resultant increase in pressure at the Fire Station is approximately 15ibs.