MUNICIPAL ACTIVITY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18355, 22 March 1923, Page 9

MUNICIPAL ACTIVITY.

% *—; WORK OF THE COMMITTEES.

CLEARING-TJP PROCESS.

REVIEW BY THE MAYOR.

"With the close of- the financial year, March; 31, fast approaching, and the end of the term'of the present" civic administration coming a month later, the committee work of the City Council is particularly brisk, with the view of clearing all matters up," remarked the • Mayor, Mr. J. H. Gunson, yesterday. The Finance and Legal Committee had had a very busy time, said Mr. Gunson, in connection with ' traffic affairs, which it controls.' New arrangements had been recently entered into with / the police department for further assistance, and the traffic regulation was receiving more attention. Considerable attention wtos being paid to delinquents under the traffic by-laws, and a number of certificates of competency had been cancelled. • This was the only method by.,which the committee could enforce the necessary observation of the regulations. Of course the police prosecutions were in a different category altogether, but it would be well for drivers to understand that a disregard of the traffic ordinances, . particularly in regard to the passing of stationary tramcars, would jeopardise their certificates, as there had been some very bad cases recently. The Works Committee would be paying a full round of visits during the next two weeks. This morning it would go to Harkins Point in connection with a proposal to dispose of the property, which for many years had been used in connection with the old sanitary service. Next week the committee would visit all the city street* with the view of preparing for submission to the council a list, of streets to be included in the, loan proposals. The paving works were progressing very satisfactorily. Excellent work was being done on the Manukau Road, and within a month paving work would commence on the Great North Road, Grey Lynn, the last work in the existing authorisation. A great amount of drainage was also being carried out by tins committee, and the condition of the city in this ' respect was being greatly improved by a class of work which was never seen and seldom appreciated. The Tramway Tracks. The Electricity and Tramways Committee was also fully engaged, said the Mayor. The members visited all the tramway works a few days ago, and yesterday morning, in company with the' chairman, Mr. G. R. Hutchinson, he had gone over the maintenance works, which were progressing satisfactorily. The tracks were being, gradually brought into better condition, though the arrears of work in this connection were still considerable, and it would be two or three years before the 27 .route miles of track were fully dealt with and brought up to present standards. The Markets Committee visit the abattoirs this morning in connection with the improvements going on recent arrangements with the Master Butchers' Association. The fish market had recently been placed under reorganised management, and the council would now have three trawlers regularly supplying the market. The Library Committee- had decided that lecture halls should be included in the proposed new library buildings at Parneli and Grey Lynn, and this feature, with others, would be determined by the ratepayers at the poll to be taken on April 26. Small Reserves. The Parks Committee had paid recent' visits to the zoological gardens, and all the city parks, and the only difficulty it had was in meeting ail the demands made upon it, to accede to which, with the vote at its disposal, was impracticable. The policy of small reserves, which had been a striking feature in the city in recent years, would be further developed in appropriate localities. f The Mayor, concluded by referring to the meeting- of ratepayers and electors to be held at the Town Hall on April 23. His address-would deal with every phase of municipal activity, and all matters affecting the council's policy, and would place before the electors clear issues, as well as affording them information based on facts and figures concerning the period under review. The estimates, in accordance with the practice at biennial periods, when elections were held, would not be brought down until the newly-constituted council took up the administration. The elections were to be held on April 26, the day: following Ansae Day, and the council would sit in the first week in May as a new administration.