Whangarei Borough Council Business

Northern Advocate, 3 December 1947, Page 6

Whangarei Borough Council Business

The first monthly meeting of the Whangarei Borough Council last night was also its last—for two months. In accordance with the regular practice of past councils, it was decided not to hold a meeting in January. No Lamps: Street fittings on order for replacement purposes since June of last year had not yet come to hand. Until they were received it would be impossible to instal any additional street lamps. This comment was made by the electrical engineer (Mr W. J. Dawson), reporting on a request from six residents of Poto Avenue for. a street light. Installation of the light when the material was available was approved.

Waipona Forest: To strengthen and widen its representation, the Waipoua Forest Preservation Committee has altered its constitution. As the Waipoua Preservation Society. it asked the council to maintain its interest and suggested that it should become a member. With 50,000 signatories to the preservation petition, it was hoped that at least 5000 individuals would become active members. It was decided to become a member and to subscribe £l/1/-.

Parking Areas: Several recommendations by the traffic and transport committee were adopted. These included provision in the general purposes loan for parking areas, no action on a suggestion for the prohibition of parking in Bank Street or one-way traffic in Rose Street, and that an application should be made to the Minister of Transport for a double white line in Walton Street near the wharf, with kerbing and channeling in the area. Train Services: There was no indication that passenger ‘traffic offering warranted the running of the 4.45 a.m. Whangarci-Auckland train on Saturdays and the 5.5 p.m. Auckland-Wha-ngarei Saturday' train, and their reinstatement could not be recommended, the district traffic manager of the Railway's Department advised. He was replying to a Helensville suggestion supported by the council, which received the advice. Street Collections: Permission to hold Rose Day and Poppy Day collections next year was sought by the Whangarei RSA, while the Northland Residential Nursery and Creche Society also asked for allocation of a street day. The town clerk (Mr L. O. Hall) reported that permission had already been granted the 2NZEF Association, Kindergarten Association, YWCA. Flunket Society, Maunu Health Camp. Crippled Children’s Society. Red Cross Society' and SPCA. The applications were granted, the Mayor (Mr W. Jones) stating that any further applications would have to go forward to the following year, as the number of street days allowed had been allocated.

Motor Camp: Reporting on a suggestion that the entrance to the motor camp would be improved by the removal of the central garden plot, the engineer (Mr I. A. Cromie) said the work would cost about £ IJS. To cut a 50ft reading through the plot would' cost between £SO and £6O. he told Cr I-I. W. James. The question was referred to the property and parks committee for recommendation and report.

Carelessness Alleged: Having received a notice to renew his refuse receptacle within seven days, a resident wrote alleging that the garbage collec-

tors gave the tins rough treatment. He was willing to renew the receptacle if there was a guarantee that it was not misused. The engineer reported that employees had stated handling was not unduly rough and an assurance could be given that a new tin would not be damaged. All employees concerned had been cautioned against rough handling of receptacles. The report was adopted, Cr J. F. Johnson stating that much of the trouble was caused by residents stamping on refuse to pack it in, making bumping necessary to dislodge it. London Map: As a token of goodwill, the Lord Mayor of London forwarded to the council a pictorial map of London, prepared by the British Travel Association. It was decided to frame and mount the map and place it in the library. Women’s Conveniences: Having investigated the site in Rust Lane, between the corner and the railway line, suggested by the council for women’s conveniences, the health and transport committee reported that, because of the high land value, they were unable to make a recommendation. Alternatively, they recommended that the engineer should report on the estimated cost of altering the conveniences in Rathbone Street to provide women's accommodation. The recommendation was adopted. Neglected Graves: A recommendation by the health committee that all reasonable endeavour should be made to trace relatives or any persons interested in certain graves where fences or monuments are in a state of disrepair and advise them that the council proposed to clean up the plots, was adopted. The chairman (Cr James) reported that Maunu Cemetery was being closed to vehicular traffic at nights and on Sundays and • holidays to prevent cars parking and being driven over lawns and side gardens. House Licences: The council adopted a recommendation by the health committee declining to license hair- I dressing salons in private dwellings. Otangarei Road: The resident en- ! gineer of the Public Works Depart- j ment advised the council, in reply to j a question, that the department had j no programme under consideration for the realignment of Otangarei Road. i

Park Avenue: Sealing of the original section of Park Avenue was asked by 16 residents of the street, which, now a through road, carried heavy traffic, with consequent dust nuisance. The new and major portion of the street had already been sealed. The request was referred to the works committee, with a recommendation that the work should be put in hand if the general purposes loan was carried. Baseball Facilities: With a membership of 40, the Whangarei Baseball (Softballi Club asked for permission to play at Kensington Park, the council adopting a report by the engineer that, as there was space for at least two diamonds, permission should be granted at the same fee as charged for cricket.

Maunu Road: Acting on a recommendation by the legal and finance committee, the council decided that the Maunu Road footpath should be put down in concrete at a cost of £SO, in lieu of tar sealing. Abattoir Killings: During October, 278 cattle, 897 sheep, seven calves and 30 pigs were killed at the municipal abattoir.