CITY AFFAIRS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 16 August 1924, Page 7

CITY AFFAIRS

NELSON CITY COUNCIL

rilli.TX IGIIT [A* M FETING Tlio onlin:. iy f>*vt ll ijj;litly inootinp; of t-1.0 Nelson City Council was hold at the .Municipal Chambers last evening. There were present: The Mayor (Mr XV Loch). Crs. 11. Coltman, J. Stringer, F .Plum, 1). R. Edwards, R. Whitson, A. G. Nightingale, W. J. Mofiatt. G. P. Russell, and S- A. Gibbs. PAYMENTS Following payments were anthor-

f'OH.R|.',SI’ON'I)ENCE

Frotn the Waimen Electricty Supply Co., accepting Council’s terms for supply of electricity, hut. asking that the price named (.Id) be reduced to 2d. Preivous decision to be adherd to. From Rock Garden Society, thanking Council for assistance. From Stationmaster-in-oliarge, Nelson, notifying that, the Council's letter ro engines whistling at. level crossings had been referred to the General Manager.—Cr. Gibbs said ho had interviewed the Station mast nr since the last meeting, and had asked for a copy of the regulations covering whistling at street crossings; but had been informed that they were not available to the public, but were departmental regulations. Tho stationmaster had met him in a friendly way ,and was quite willing to hear suggestions and consider any grievance; and suggesting that ho (Cr. Gibbs) should apply to the General Manager of Railways for a copy of tho regulations. Tt had also been admitted that the engine had whistled oe.lv three times coining down the Valley; it being explained that two or the street, crossings were comparatively closo to each olhsy. From Town Clerk, Christchurch City, asking fo«* support to the proposal to approach the ’Prime Minister to endeavour to ha.vo certain loads (continuations of main road) within a city boundary declared main highways.—Referred to Committee. From Municipal Association, as to conference. —Resolved that the Mayor represent the Council. From H. Atm ore, M.P., as to water reticulation loan. —Received.

From Automobile Association, thanking Council for removing railing Normanby bridge. From Churchwardens, Cathedral, re gas account.— Referred to Committee, Engineer to report. From W .York, as to tenancy of Cattle Market Reserve, offering To per annum.—Accepted, subject to certain conditions.

SPECIAL COMMITTEE RE DRAIN AGE RENEWAL LOAN

Present: The Mayor (chairman) and Councillor Edwards. The commit Lee recommended as follows: That the Drainage Loan maturing Ist June next lie renewed for a term of twenty years at a rate of interest not, exceeding six per cent to be secured by a special rate sufficient to meet the animal. interest and other charges toegther with ten per cent in addition and that a special order be passed to give effect to this recommendation. After some discussion in which it- was proposed that- the term of loan be 10 or 15 years, tho. Town Clerk said the. rate of interest had been put at 6 per cent, for the sake of elasticity. It did not bind the Council to that percentage. It was eventually decided that the term be for 15 years; and the report as amended, was adopted.

CITY ENGINEER’S REPORT The City Engineer (Mr J. G. Littlejohn) reported : Street sand Footways.—A number of works are in hand but are delayed by the weather and want of material. Repairs have been attended to in Milton Street, of Ngatitama Street., Toi Toi Street, Examiner Street, Hastings Street and general patching and cleaning out of watertables. Drainage.—The new sewer Mount 'Pleasant is nearing completion. Tho clearing out of the old sewers is well forward. 'The Wood ejector has been giving trouble but there have been no serious blockages of the sewers.

Places of Public Recreation.— Preparing Lite ground for spring planting and clearing up is the chief work for the tortnight. A large tree on the Church Hill near the Soldiers’ Memorial has been transplanted to fill the gap caused by the removal of the large pine. The river bank front Bridge Street to Ilardy Street on the East side lias been cleaned up and all the stumps and dead trees removed. U is proposed to continue this work to the South of Hardy Street. The Maitai 'Resetrve has been cleaned up and the fences repaired. One thousand trees have been planted out on this reserve, and tin' river bank in town has been planted with weeping willows. Wafer. —The, new main in Tasman Street is completed also in Mount Pleasant. Other extensions will be proceeded with as opportunity offers. The survey haA been completed for the new intake at. the weir and the alteration of the main at the big dam.

GASWORKS REPORT The monthly report showed-Coal carbonised 416 tons; gas manufactured 5,702,000 cub. ft.; gas manufactured per lou of coal 13,706 cub. ft. Coal in band 576 tons; coke in hand nil; tar in hand 9000 gallons: value of residuals 80 Id £504 16s 2d. Cr. Mofiatt. said he had been informed that, certain industries were finding it difficult to obtain coke. The Engineer said there would always he trouble over the coke question until ihe price was made uniform. It had always been a standing rule that the house* nolder should have preference, in obtaining coke. In further discussion, the Engineer said certain firms were importing coke, fhere was a shortage throughout New Zealand,

Tlio Mayor urn) Councillors Moffatt and Russell said Kiev had heard complaints ill - preferential treatment being given to certain expressmen. The Engineer said the old industries were given consideration in tho coke supplies. Cr Coltmari mover! that in future, no coke be sold a less than 2/- a bag. Cr Gibbs suggested that notice of motion should be given, as the matter was a very controversial one. Cr. Moffatt did not think it fair to give, old-established industries preferential treatment, Unless the principle of first come First served prevailed he could not see the advantage of making the price 2/-. ...The Mayor .-greed first come first serve! should prevail. The Engineer said there were severs,!

points of view, bom© month a ;*the Council had more coke than it. know what to do with, ami certain old industries had taken supplies. The Council’s old custom vs should receive consideraCr Gibbs asked if the time had arrived when certain industries should be given preference in coke supplies. After some further discussion, it. was i ©solved that no action be taken at prosent. Councillors Coltman, Moffntt, Russell and Gibbs voted ‘no’, being in tavern- of the matter going to committee . It. was resolved on tho motion of Cr. Russell, that the question of coke distribution be referred to committee.

ised :— £ cl. General Aeount 751 2 it 0 Gas Aeount :l 11 4 Water Account 57 12 s Abattoir 54 11 5 I’ieetrics Account 260 6 8 Water Retie, l.oan Ace. 42 14 g Total 1477 12 :i