Around the City

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 173, 25 July 1939, Page 5

Around the City

VARIOUS MATTERS BEFORE COUNCIL Tho Mayor, Mr. A. E. Mansford, presided at the meeting of tne Palmerston 1 North City Council last evening. Also present wero Crs. W. Mouldey, W. B. Tennent, H. E. Townshend, D. F. Smillie, A. Grigor, W. G. Black and G. Tremaine. I Gas Service. During tho month of June tho gas department installed 12 cookers, 24 gas fires and 1 gas copper. Seven new ser--1 vices were laid, 21 old services cut and cleaned and 34 meters changed. New ■ consumers numbered 13, and meters repaired and tested by t.he Government inspector, 46. 1 Traffic Matters.

The traffic manager (Mr. H. J. Smith) reported:—“There has been an amend- : merit to the regulations in respect of ■ lights on motor vehicles, and though j the regulations have been in circulation ! in this city for some time I have rc- | ccived no copy. I have had repeated requests from various garages for advice on the matter, but have not been able to comply with their request. I have on previous occasions brought this matter before the notice of the committee, but the only information I have on the present amendment is what I have read in the daily newspapers. There are several alterations to vehicles being held up in garages awaiting advice on this matter.” —Tho council decided to inquire from the Government Printer as to why the council's standing order for regulations to be supplied direct to the traffic manager had not been complied with. The municipal solicitor submitted an opinion in regard to conflict between the Transport Licensing Act, 1931, and the Municipal Corporations Act, 1933, in respect of local charges for cartage of goods outside the municipality, and stated that tho council cannot make a ■ by-law to operate beyond tho six-mile ■ radius and that it would not be wise to take any further steps in tho matter. — | It was resolved that the traffic manager ' discuss the question with the Master Carriers' Association and report thereon to tho next meeting, j The traffic manager was authorised to proceed to Hastings to inspect traffic and parking signs and report thereon to the transit committee. Caravans at Camp Site. The Automobile Association wrote stating tnat a Caravan Club had been formed and suggesting that a section should bo set aside at the local camp I site for their use and that an electric power point and meter be installed.— It was agreed that the electrical cn- . gineer be requested to report on the proI posal as far as the electric power is j concerned and cost thereof, and that i other iocai authorities be requested to I state tho practice regarding electric I connections to caravans and charges for electricity supplied. Representations arc to be made to

tho Commissioner of Transport that the issue of warrants of fitness for caravans be subject to tho provision that the electric wiring therein should comply with the requirements of the electricity supply regulations issued by the Public Works Department. Takaro Park. The Takaro Progressive Association is to bo thanked for its offer to contribute £5 towards providing playing facilities at the park, and advised that the council is unable to provide more than £SO on the estimates for tho current year. It is assumed by the committee that if the council makes further provision on the estimates for the ensuing year, a donation of an additional £5 will bo available from the association. The city curator will report to the next meeting of the committee regarding the provision and installation of the proposed equipment at Takaro Park to the value of £SO. Library’s progress. The librarian (Mr. H. Greenwood) reported the following membership at the end of June:—Senior 1454, junior 1608, rental 2001—total 5093, compared with 1480 for June last year. A total of 21,895 books were issued during the month, an average of 875. S per day, compared with 354.4 per day 7n June, 1938. Books added to the library during the month numbered 1027. The growth in membership in the lending department continued at a steady rate and the net increase for the first six months of this year was 600. Members were taking an increased interest in the general literature section. General improvement in this part of the stock had been the cause of much favourable comment. The staff encouraged readers to make suggestions, and in most cases it was found that the books suggested were well worth getting. Various inquiries were made, and by keeping a classified list of these the council would eventually be able to overcome the weaknesses in the library. Recent accessions included a large number of popular works of travel and biography. Tho rental department continued to make steady progress and it was pleasing to see the membership roll pass the 2000 mark by the end of June. From the numerous inquiries received it was evident that many public libraries were watching the development of the Rental Book Club with a good deal of interest. S3ddon Street. The engineer submitted a report on the cost of forming Seddon Street, his figure being £4120. The Takaro Progressive Association and Manawatu A. and I*. Association, who are interested in the matter, are to bo advised that finances will not permit the council undertaking any portion of tho work during the current financial year. Opera House Improvements. The city engineer reported on a proposal to convert the Municipal Hall into a small theatre at a cost of £375 and renovations to the Opera House interior at a cost of £BSO. The Palmerston North Little Theatre Society wrote offering to lease the Municipal Ilall as altered, for a period of three years at £2 a week plus lighting and heating costs. The council decided that if the society was agreeable to certain conditions the offer be accepted and the alterations proceeded with. It was also decided to go ahead with the Opera House renovations.