CIVIC AFFAIRS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 18 August 1933, Page 6

CIVIC AFFAIRS

MEETING OF COUNCIL CORRESPONDENCE AND REPORTS The fortnightly meeting of the Nelson City Council was held at the Municipal Chambers last evening. There were present: The Mayor (Mr \V. J. Moffatt), Councillors Ei. It. Neale, O. L. Page, H. E. A. Wash bourn, E. W. Iluggins, G. P. Russell. S. A. Gibbs, S. 11. Moynagh and W. Black.

PAYMENTS

Payments were authorised as fol

It was agreed to make application to the Taluma Town Board for a rebate on rates paid on the Sands Reserve.

CORRESPONDENCE

Mi's M. Sherwood wrote complaining of a Council employee cutting off the gas supply without notice and claiming compensation for loss sustained. The Engineer said the service pipe was being cleaned. Employees had been notified that gas should not be ent off unless residents concerned were notified. It was resolved that £1 compensation be paid, and to express regret at the occurrence.

Arising out of an application for a loan to instal electric light, the writer is to be informed that the Council will entertain the proposal when the overdue rates are paid. Messrs Fell and ITarley, on behalf of a client, wrote further as to blasting operations at the quarry in Brook street. It was resolved to inform the writers of the steps taken to prevent complaint. Arising out of a letter from Mr W. C. Harley on behalf of Mr Foster-Bar-ham, Queen’s Drive, as to compensation for land for street widening, it was resolved to ask what amount of compensation is required. It was resolved to give the Electrical Engineer leave of absence to attend the Electric Supply Authorities’ and Engineers’ Association’s Conference in Wellington next month. The secretary of the Unemployment Committee advised that £SO had been allotted the Smith Family out of the Council’s share of the recent art union. In reply to Councillor Washbourn, Councillor Page pointed out that the Relief Committee dealt with registered unemployed, while the Smith Family dealt with people who could not be touched by the Relief Committee. Consequently there was no overlapping. The request of relief workers for extra time to enable them to pay the unemployment relief tax was agreed to. Councillor Neale, while not opposing the motion, pointed out that they heard a lot about relief workers having to pay £1 unemployment tax before they could get work. It should be known, however, that the Council paid the levy. The application of Mrs 11. R, Montgomery for extension of drainage, water and gas services to Upper Collingwood street was agreed to on ■ the ordinary conditions. The Telegraph Engineer notified that in order to provide for erection of telephone and electric lines to Upper Collingwood street, some trees Would have to he trimmed. The matter was referred to Committee, with power to act. The request of Mrs M. D. Rout for Hits Council to. take over the land from Brougham street opposite Richmond Avenue, was referred to Committee to visit. In connection with, a letter from Mr R. Trathen, it was decided to take over the road and accept dedication of land I in Beachville Terrace. ! She acting-secretary of the Diocesan j

Trust Board asked that the Council undertake levelling and laying out of ground around the Cathedral, the Board to find the cost, of gravelling and supervision. The matter was referred to Committee with power to act. Arising out of a legal opinion advising a breach of the by-law by an itinerant trader, it was resolved to institute proceedings. The Council went into Committee to consider correspondence from the Eire Board. On resuming in open meeting, Councillor Moynagh asked that his vote be recorded against one of the motions carried. REPORTS COMMITTEE OF WHOLE COUNCIL Present: The Mayor (chairman), Councillors Moynagh, Washbourn, Russell, Pago, Neale, Huggins, Gibbs and Black. The Committee reported as follows (1) As to the application by Mr A. C. Snow for an increase in allowance as ranger: That no increase be granted.— (2) As to letter from the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners as to rate of pay for carpenters employed as such on relief works: (a) That where skilled labour is used on the Council’s ordinary routine works, the full award rate# of wages he paid and that the difference between these rates and the relief rate be paid by the Council, (b) That the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners be informed that the argument advanced by them applies to all forms of labour, and though the Council is in sympathy with the spirit thereof, its universal adoption at the present unusual times would restrict the usefulness of the funds at the Council s disposal.—(3) As to work to be provided for relief workers: That the City Engineer be instructed to prepare a list of works, suitable as relief works.—(4) As to agreements: That a sub-commit-tee consisting of the Mayor and Councillors Moynagh and Gibbs be appointed to look into the matter of the drawing up of agreements in connection with the ammonia plant, the Maitai bridge and the Railway Department (St. Vincent street ditch).—(s) As to proposed river protection work below Trafalgar street bridge: That a letter bo sent to Mr W. C. Harley representing the property owners concerned, informing them, that if they desire to avail themselves of the Council’s offer they must do so by the end of the present month.—(6) As to the City Engineer’s report on the gas undertaking: That the City Engineer’s report relative to the gas undertaking be firstly referred to a special committee consisting of the Mayor, Councillors Page, Gibbs and Neale, for a report. SPECIAL COMMITTEES A meeting of the special committee appointed to look into the matter of the agreements to be drawn up in connection with the ammonia plant, Clouston’s bridge and St. Vincent street ditch was held on lltli August. Present: The Mayor (chairman), Councillors Moynagh and Gibbs. The committee reported.—(l) As to the ammonia plant: That the matter stand over in the meantime. —(2) As to bridge at Clouston’s crossing: That the Engineer has been instructed to supply the Town Clerk with the necessary particulars and that an agreement be prepared for signature by the property owners concerned. —(3) As to the St. Vincent street ditch: That the Railway Department be informed that the Council accepts the conditions set forth in its letter of the 12th July last and that no agreement need be drawn up. At a meeting of the special committee appointed to report on the balance sheet of the Electric Light and Power Account, there were present: The Mayor (chairman), Councillors Gibbs, Neale, and Page. The committee reported.—That the Electrical Engineer he instructed that in future no expenditure charged as renewals shall be deducted from, the depreciation account, and that the gross amount of depreciation for the year

ended 31st March last, amounting to £4067 5s 9d, he funded. CITY ENGINEER The City Engineer (Mr J. G. Littlejohn) reported as follows : Streets and Footways. —lle-metalling in Seymour Avenue and Harper street has been carried out. Trafalgar road is now being attended to. The formation of a footpath in Toi Toi street has been completed as directed. Sewers and Drains. —There have been no interruptions in the sewerage system during the last fortnight. Repairs to the sower in Nile street East are in hand. Reserves.—Tree planting at the Reservoir is in progress. The cleaning up of the Recreation Reserve (old Cattle Market Reserve) at the town boundary, is being carried out. Relief of Unemployment. —The following men are engaged during the present week under the various relief schemes: No. 5 scheme, 226 men; Nelson Relief Committee, 48 men; Poppy Day Fund, 31 men; total, 305 men. Proposal to close part of Hampden Street East.—Attached hereto are two formal objections to the proposed closing of this street. In the face of these it seems scarcely worth while to proceed. (The objections were from Mr S. Harris and Mr J. E. Allan).

In reply to Councillor Black, the as-sistant-Engineer said it would not bo advisable to tar the footpath in Toi Toi street until the formation had consolidated. Answering a further question the Engineer said the present was not a suitable time to do tar-sealing. Councillor Neale suggested that a portion of the Park be fenced. He also moved that Council’s land near Trafalgar street bridge be planted with trees. Seconded by Councillor Page and carried. On the motion of Councillor Russell, seconded by Councillor Moynagh, it was decided to take no further aetjon regarding the closing of Hampden street East. THE GASWORKS The monthly returns from the Gasworks showed: Coal carbonised, 400 tons; gas manufactured per ton of coal, 16,472 cubic feet; gas manufactured, 6,649,700 cubic feet; coal in hand, 544 tons; coke in tar in hand, 5054 gallons; value of residuals sold, £419 8s Bd. ELECTRICAL ENGINEER The Electrical Engineer (Mr E. Fleming) reported as follows : —• City applications 2704 (increase 7); city extensions 3529 (increase 13); Tahuna applications 216 (increase nil); Stoke applications 113 (increase nil) ; Wakatu applications 30 (increase nil). Total 6592 (increase 20). Lighting load applied for 1553 k.w. (increase 4 k.w.); heating load applied for 3568 k.w. (increase 16 k.w.); power load applied for 1911 k.w. (increase 12 k.w.); Taluma load applied for 318 k.w. (increase nil); Stoke load applied for 151 k.w. (increase nil); Wakatu load applied for 61 k.w. (increase nil). Total, 7562 k.w. (increase 32 k.w.). Peak load, day 460 k.w., night 710 k.w. An application for a supply of electricity has been received from a resident at the south end of Collingwood street. The necessary guarantee has been obtained and we will have to extend the reticulation. It will he necessary to cut out a number of trees growing on the road. The Post and Telegraph Department are also extending their lines and will use our poles, which will require further clearance from the trees. Wo require to replenish our stocks with 2 miles aerial copper and 2 cwt. hare copper. Cost £29. In reply to Councillor Page, the Engineer said lie obtained quotations for the stock and accepted the lowest. ABATTOIR MANAGER The Abattoir Manager (Mr G. W. Mitchell) reported that the following stock was slaughtered during the fortnight : 103 cattle, 11 calves, 708 sheep, 73 lambs, 74 pigs; total, 969. GENERAL In view of Information received from other towns, the Y.M.C.A. was granted permission to take up a street collection on a Friday. Councillor Russell moved the motion, seconded by Councillor Moynagh. On the motion of Councillor Russell the Council is to visit Beachville, the Engineer in the meantime to ascertain what property owners are prepared to dedicate land without cost to the Council for street widening purposes. Councillor Page referred to a bad turning at the Cemetery; and the Engineer was instructed to make improvements. Councillor Black said he had received complaints us to the condition of the footpaths in the ground. Councillor Russell asked for some loads of metal cn the road leading to the main entrance, and it was agreed that this bo done. The Council rose at 1L45 p.m.

lows :— £ s. cl. General Account 1323 15 6 Water Account 195 11 0 Abattoir Account 124 1 9 Cemetery Account 47 17 10 Trafalgar Park Account ... 8 2 1 Gas Account 630 0 8 Electric Light and Power Account 712 5 3 Total £3039 14 1