CIVIC AFFAIRS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 14 July 1928, Page 7

CIVIC AFFAIRS

MEETING OF COUNCIL REPORTS AND GENERAL Tim ordinary .meeting of the Nelson City Council was held at the Municipal Chambers last evening. There were present: The Mayor (Mr W. J. Molfatl), and Councillors R. Watson, F. W. 0. Smith, J. A. Stringer, W. G. Harley, W. McCnncbie, (!. P. Russell, S. A. Gibbs, E. It. Neale, and J. Wigzell. PAYMENTS The following payments were authorised : £ s. d. District Fund Account 1095 3 0 Cemetery Account 10 4 0 Trafalgar Park Account .... 14 8 8 Gas Account 1437 16 9 Electric Light Account 1750 6 3 Streets Improvement Loan Account 16 13 0 Reserves improvement Loan ■ Account .• J. 1 10 8 Total £4326 2 4 CORRESPONDENCE I Tim following correspondence was among that dealt with: — From W. E. Gill, again complaining of noise from the pumping plant at the Gasworks.—Referred to Engineer, with power to act. From the Tahunanui Fire Brigade, requesting the use of the Sands Reserve for gala purposes on 6th August.—Granted.

From residents of St. Vincent street, protesting against, the cutting of a ditch at the hack of their properties adjoining King’s Acre.—lt was stated that a ditcli was not being made.—The Mayor explained the position with regard to making provision for carrying away water. — Councillor Stringer moved, seconded by Councillor McConchie, that the property owners concerned be informed that the Council will favourably consider the filling up of its land when the owners have filled in their properties.—Councillor Watson thought the ditcli should be filled up, providing an indemnity was obtained from adjoining owners in regard to damage that might he caused by floods.—The Mayor said that was the point. He. agreed with what the Engineer had done to carry off water. — The Engineer said that until the adjoining sections were filled up lie considered some sorl of storm-water channel should lie maintained.—lt was puinte.d out during the discussion that several property owners had not signed the letter.—Tiie motion was’ carried. From Local Government Loans Board, sanctioning the raising of an unemployment Joan of £OOO for filling and levelling King’s Acre. —It was resolved that the Town Clerk he ’authorised to raise tho money.

From tiie Railway Department, forwarding agreement as to transfer of land along the foreshore for execution. From the Regimental Band, requesting permission to give sacred concerts in the Paramount Theatre on alternate Sunday evenings.—Granted. The Mayor said he had attended the last concert and was very pleased!with the high-class music provided. From L. C. A. Friend, offering £3 for right to trap opossums. —Declined. From the telegraph engineer, requesting permission to erect a slot telephone cabinet on the footpath in Trafalgar street near the A.M..P. Building.—Referred to Engineer, with instructions to confer with the Department as to placing the cabinet near the old Post Office building. From C. , M. Hoult, requesting approval of subdivision of land in Trafalgar street opposite tiie Post Office; Agreed to. —Approval was also given for a subdivision in Victoria Avenue. From W. R. Scott, Eniano street, applying for extension , of electric light to his premises.—The Electrical Engineer said the cost would he £7O 15s, and the prospective revenue: 7s sf month gross. Councillor Gibbs-said a pledge had been given to the ratepayers at the time the loan proposal was put that every house would be supplied with light.—Councillor McConchie said the writer had wired his house in anticipation of the current being obtained—The matter was referred to Committee. From M. Grant, requesting gravelling of footpath at the corner of Harley and Bridge streets.—Referred to Engineer for attention. ■ From residents of Russell street, requesting erection of a street lamp. Referred to Committee. From the caretaker, Queen s Gardens, as to condition of cottage.—Referred to Committee, Councillors McConchie and Stringer and the Engineer to report. . From N. W. Naylor, as to conditions for taking over the private way oft Russell street.—After some discussion a resolution moved • by Councillor McConchie that the Council take over the private way in its present condition on certain specified conditions, was ruled out of order on a point raised bv Councillor Harley that notice o motion would first have to be given as there was already a resolution on the minute book.—lt was resolved that the question of the purchase of a piece ot land by the'writer be referred to Committee. • . ■ ~ From 1L Scolluck, requesting the Council to grant him a lease of the Gas works, wharf on which to erect a benzine store—Declined. From F. I. Ledger, requesting approval of subdivision plant in l’arere street.—Granted. Messrs Pitt and Moore notified that no offers were received at auction for the Purchase of surplus land acquired over the Queen’s road deviation.—lt was resolved that the. sections be offered for private sale. COMMITTEE OF WHOLE COUNCIL j, Present: The Mayor (chairman), Councillors Watson, Wigzell, McConchie, Neale. Gibbs and Russell The Committee reported as tolloii s I On letter from Mr 1. A- H. 1 mhL suggesting the erection of shelter she.m onllavenraul: That m view of the cos and the difficulty of finding suitable sites the Council cannot-see its way at piesent to erect any shelter ,sheds.-3. On letter from Palmerston North l.oiough Council as to hospital management: Hint the. Council, is of-opinion that it. « inadvisable tln.l any action should ho taken. -1. I in Kltci* h,im , * l, ‘ , l II oil!i, requesting a|qn ov;al ol nib iws- - ion plan of part section 111. W oka-slice (Jones): That.the plan be approved amt H at a building permit be granted d appl'ied for.—s. As to trees. Queen s Gjullcxs: That effect be given to Dr- Hill s su-r.vstioii Unit the poplar trees he re-move-1 —6 As to land for new entrance to Cemetery : That. the. Town Clerk and City Engineer report to the next meeting of the Council.—7. As to Queen s road, improvement of corner : Consideration deferred. —8. As to- Weka street: (a That the widening ot a portion ot iu.i street be undertaken as a relief ot unemployment work to be paid from ordinary revenue and that, the City Engineer furnish an estimate of the cost; (b) that a footpath be formed from the

corner of North road in an easterly direction towards Milfcpn street as far as the houses are already erected, cost not to exceed £25.-9. As to footpath, Vanguard street: That the footpqth on the eastern side he extended southward a distance of about 4£ chains, cost not to exceed £25.-10. As to motor truck for electric department': That a 30cwt. Dennis truck ho purchased at a cost of about £SBO complete, and that the present Fcrrd truck be sold.—ll. As to rubbish removal: That the draft specification prepared by the City Engineer be approved and that tenders be invited ..for a. two years’ contract. —12. As to pump for water department :-. (a)’ That tenders be invited for two permanent pumps fur the water department; (b) that tire, electrical engineer be authorised to si'll the 15 li.p. motor. Councillor Gibbs moved an amendment that clause 3 he struck.out; but it lapsed for want of a seconder. As to clause 4 Councillor Wigzell moved that it be struck out, as. lie considered the Council should not. permit houses to he erected on sections less than the regulation size. There was no seconder, and the amendment lapsed. Regarding clause 6, on the motion of Councillor Watson, it was resolved that Mr Mcßae’s request lie carried out... Concerning clause 8 (a) it was resolved, on the motion of Councillor Gibbs, seconded by the Mayor, that consideration of widening Weka street be deferred pending a report as to estimate of cost from the Engineer. Clause 11 was amended on the motion of Councillor Russell to the effect that alternate tenders he called for the' service at so much a bin. . The report as amended was adopted. CITY ENGINEER’S REPORT j The City Engineer (Mr J., G. Littlejohn) reported):— Streets and footways.—Routine.maintenance, including patching,’ cleaning out drains and lhe like has been attended to. The recent rains have caused numerous slips on the new formation, Quad’s road. The foot of the debris cm the Rocks road lias been cleared back as directed. The fence at the comer of'Tasman street and Nile street has been.moved to the new line and the alteration of the footpath is in hand. I have seen Mr Moorhouse and arranged with him for setting back his fence at the corner opposite the Brook School. —Drainage : Routine work only has been done.—Reserve.*;: The reconstruction of tlie-tra’ck up Botanical Hill is well forward. I would recommend that’ a light coat of gravel should be put on this ; track in order to prevent erosion. It will-,be'; a. fairly expensive matter, but I think it x can he cl one .with- a horse and. sledgeExcept- for a little more filling in tiie intake weir for tiie Queen's Gardens is completed. The reconstruction of tho path oil tiie west. side.of the Church Iliil is completed.-Cemetery-: The works are completed as far as lands -will permit. A certain amount of attention will Tie necessary until the fillings settle* down properly and the waterlahles: . will ..require re-tarring as soon ns the .fine yentlier comes.- —King’s Achy! Weather permitting, the lilling. up of this ground should be completed by tho entl’ ei'.'tiie week. Iu completion with this woßc the stormwater culvert on the north.'side of Washington Valley has been proceeded with, but will be delayed for want of pipes, which are being made. •-**

GASWORKS REPORT ■;.? • The Gasworks report for the month showed :—Coal carbonised, 416 tons; gas manufactured per ton of. ccal, 13,750 cubic feet; gas manufactured, 5,721,300 cubic feet; coal in hand, 463 ton?,;, coke in hand, 3860 bags; tav in!hand, 6900 gallons. Value of residuals so-ld, during the month, £449 10s 2d. In reply-to the'Mayor, the Engineer said the coke-cnislier would *be started during the coming week. ELECTRICAL ENGINEER’S REPORT The report of the'Electrical-Engineer (Mr E. . Fleming) was ' as - under :—City application's, 1832 (increase* 10$; citv.extensions, 866 (18}; Talnina ’ applications, 162 (nil); Stoke applications,. 75 (nil); Wakatu applications;-25 (nil}-.'' •" Total, 2960 (28). lighting load applied for, 1010 k.w. (5 k.w.)--; heating-load-applied for, 1437 k.w. (15 k.w:)-; poWerfoatLapplied for, 1179 k.w. (34 k.w.);, Tahuna load applied for, 190 k.w. (nil); Stoke load applied for, 72 k.w. (nil); Wakatu load applied for. 31 *kiw. (nil). Total; 3919 k.w. (54 k.w.). Peak load, day 440 few., night 520 l?.w. Units sold, June, 1928. 119,681; June, 1927; 831562; increase, 36,119. Revenue, June, 1928, £2278 15s 2d; June, 1927, £1924 17s 2d; increase, £353 18s. The peak .lead on the station .has dropped 40 k.w. and has moved fiom 4.30 p.m. to 5.20 p.m. owing'io-the increasing daylight. The plant continues to operate satisfactorily. .V ABATTOIR MANAGER’S REPORT;' The Abattoir Manager (Mr G. W. Mitcfeell) reported that the following stock were slaughtered ■ for the' fortnight: 94 cattle, 18 calves, 567 sheep, 116 lambs, 78 pigs; total, 873. During the period one pig was condemned. GENERAL Several formal • resolutions were- carried. ' Councillor Russell intimated that the Queen Carnival Committee was willing to divert tiie £54 given to the Council for a paddling pool to make further improvements to the Children’s playground. The paddling pool at the baths now supplied the necessity—The Mayor asked if the Committee would be willing to devote some of the money to King s Acre and -Councillor llussell promised to make inquiries. (The .contribution will carry a Council subsidy). The Council rose at 9-45 p.m.