CIVIC AFFAIRS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 7 August 1931, Page 3

CIVIC AFFAIRS

MEETING OF COUNCIL

1(1; POUTS AND GENERA I, Tlie fortnightly meeting of (lie Nelson City Council was held at the Municipal Chambers last evening. There were present: The Mayor (Mr W. J. Moffatt), Councillors F. W. Huggins, G. L Page, R. Watson, If. K. A. Waslihourn, J. Stringer, S. 11. Moynagh, S. Gibbs, li. I’. Neale and W. Black. PAYMENTS The following payments were authorised:—

CORRESPONDENCE Regarding a letter from Mr W. Munro as to the condition of. tho partly formed roadway, Queen’s Drive, it was resolved that the Committee visit. The application of the Ma.itai Bowling Club for a rebate on rates was granted. A request by Mr W. G. Gibbs for the topping of trees in the Botanical Reserve was acceded to, the work to be done under the supervision of the head gardener. Mr J. Tucker applied for permission to inspect specifications for the 12-inch gas mains and also the coal contract. It was decided to inform the writer that all pipes arc manufactured according to the British standard specifications and that there is no contract for coal. It was decided to remit the gate charges at Trafalgar Park on tho occasion of the Rugby Union benefit match. Concerning a request from the Hockey Association for additional playing areas, the Engineer was authorised to improve Pioneer Park.

The Local Government Loans Board, referring to the Council’s application for sanction to raise the gas and water renewal loan of £IB,OOO next year, asked if the Council had. any objection to, say, £IOOO of the surplus cash in the gas account being used to redeem a- portion of the loan falling due on Ist May next, and tho amount of the proposed renewal loan being reduced accordingly. The letter was referred to the Finance Committee.

Regarding a similar application for the renewal of tho water reticulation loan of £B9OO. the Council was asked whether it had any objection to the total sinking fund held by the Public Trustee being applied to the redemption of Hie debentures totalling £IO,OOO falling due in May next, and lhe renewal loan being reduced to £7700. The letter was referred to the Finance Committee.

REPORTS

MEETING OF SPECIAL COMMITTEE

Present: The Mayor, Councillors Gibbs and Black. .

Tile committee reported as follows: As to application from J. Logan for permit to erect a fish curing building: That the opinion of the Health Department is being obtained and that consideration of the application stand over in the meantime.

CITY ENGINEER The City Engineer (Mr J. G. Littlejohn) reported:— Streets and Footways: The footpaths in Brougham street from Trafalgar street to Waimutii street have been tarred, also a portion of Tasman and Brook streets. General maintenance lias been attended to elsewhere. Drainage: The pumping system has worked without interruption. The piping of the ditch in Hampden street lias been completed. Reserve: Planting lias been pushed forward. The work in hand is at the cemetery.

Oils. —The dead ends of the mains in Van Diemen street have been eonneeteci lip. Relief Works: On the list are 75 men at t]io cemetery and 82 at the Sands. An average of (12'men per week are on the reclamation work, and 30 have been found work on behalf'of the Relief Committee. Total 200 men. To make up the 0 hours a week which the Unemployment Board declines to pay for, the men will be put on to the various works the Council has authorised. The enlargement of the Vanguard street culvert and cleaning out of the St. Vincent street ditch will be put .'a hand at once.

In reply to Councillor Pago, the Engineer said six horn's referred only to this week.

GASWORKS Returns for the month showed: Coal carbonised, 504 tons; gas manufactured pur ton of coal, 13,905 cubic feet; gas manufactured, 7,038,000 cubic feet; coal in hand, 703 tons; coke in hand, nil; tar in band, 4070 gallons. Value of residuals sold during month. £570 9s 7d.

ELECTRICAL ENGINEER The Electrical Engineer (Mr E. Fleming) reported : City applications 24110 (increase 4); city extensions 2822 (18); Tahuna applications 11)4 (nil); Stoke 04 (nil); Wakatii 20 (nil); total 5000 (24). Lighting load applied for 141.) k.w. (I k.w.); heating 2780 k.w. (7 k.w.); power 1750 k.w. (12 k.w.); Tahuna. 277 k.w. (7 k.w.); Stoke 115 k.w. (1 k.w.); Wakatu 47 k.w. (nil); total 0;i84 k.w. (28 k.w.) Peak load, day. 520 k.w.; night, 080 k.w. The plant at the power station continues to operate satisfactorily. No. 2 engine has been operating on the bus bars and carrying a load of 200 k.w. Slight adjustments lo the governors have been found necessary, The sea suction roses on bo<h the' 1 reciprocating sets have been taken up and cleared of marine growth. Owing to the alteration to the levels in Richardson street it has been found necessary to alter the position of two woollen poles. These have been replaced

with concrete poles. Services are being attended to and re-strained along Knwai street. ABATTOIR MANAGER The abattoir manager (.Mr G. W. Mitchell) reported that (lie following stock were slaughtered during the fort - night: ('.attic till, calves 4. sheep 774, lambs 80, pigs .“>8; total 001. During the period one sheep was condemned. GENERAL On (lie motion of Councillor Stringer il was resolved that the Committee consult with tlie Gauds Association concerning additional work at the Reserve. On the suggestion of Councillor Wsslihourn il was resolved to plant trees cn land recently acquired in Brook si reel, unemployed labour to be used. Douglas firs and other suitable varieties are to be planted. ' On the motion of Councillor Moynagli tho City Engineer was instructed to repair seats at the Basin Reserve. In reply to Councillor Page, the Engineer said the Council was looking alter the Rock Garden. The Engineer said that a number of heath trees in full flower and other plants had been taken from the rockery. Councillor Moynagli said a person had

been seen taking away a basketful of plants and flowers from the rockery. It was a disgraceful civic spirit. And yet people in the vicinity would give no information oil the matter. The Engineer corroborated Councillor Moyi'.agh's remark concerning the difficulty of obtaining information. He added that- all the bulbs on the Church Hill had been stripped of flowers. In answer to Councillor Washbourn the Engineer said lie bad hud out a road line from Stanley Crescent to Maori toad. Practically a level road could bo obtained. Replying to Councillor Stringer, tho Engineer said he had eiven an estimate of £2CO to thoroughly repair Havon road footpath. In answer to the Mayor I lie Engineer .said it would be rather'an expensive job to fence tho. northern end of Trafalgar Park. AH the palings had gradually disappeared. On the motion of Councillor Stringer I lie Engineer was authorised to prepare an estimate of the cost. The Council rose at 10.30 p.m.

£ s. d. General Account 598 4 7 Water Account 30 13 8 Abattoir Account 110 1 8 Cemetery Account 280 1 10 Trafalgar Park Account .... 14 8 Gas Account Electric Light and Power 305 5 7 Account Heavy Traffic License Fees 177 0 ii Account .- 2080 7 9 Loan Accounts — £4194 10 3 Sands Reserve 184 8 0 Gasworks Extension 2928 0 10 Total £7307 5 1