CITY COUNCIL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16982, 19 April 1917, Page 6

CITY COUNCIL.

Tile regular meeting of the City Council held last night, was attended by his Worship the Mayor (Mr J. J. Clark), Crs Sinclair, Carroll, Limn, Thorn, Hancock, Wilson, Shacklock, Taverncr, Sincock, Patton, Black, Begg, Scott, Douglas, Hayward, White, Small, Hastie, M,'Millan, Wliyte. I'EEPAMNO IfOB. KOO» SHORTAGE. A_ circular letter was received from tho Waipara County Council pointing out that owing to the serious decline in tho quantity of tho world's foodstuffs, everyone with a small area of land should be urged to cultivate it and grow potatoes and other vegetables that could be grown successfully, 'ihe letter also stated that ' every endeavour should bo made to grow wheat or oats in larger areas where likely to be grown successfully ; that a personal canvass should be made throughout the country and suburban areas making these requests and securing promises to comply with them.—Cγ Hayward moved that tho principle set out in tho circular be approved, and that it be referred to the Reserves Committee, with power to act. —Cr White moved as an amendment: "That citizens who are willing to cultivate allotted portions of our reserves for tho purpose of produciug foodstuffs bo granted permission to do so upon the approval of the town clerk and tho superintendent of reserves."—The amendment was defeated and the motion carried. TRAMWAYS DEPARTMENT. The tramways department submitted the following summarised return of revenue and expenditure and traffic statistics for the 52 weeks ending March 21, 1917. It will be seen that tho comparison with the previous year is largely in favour of tho year just ended:— 1917. 1916. Revenue „ ...£79,363 £77,020 Working expenses — Power 7.825 7,803 Traffic 24,942 23,735 General ...' /. 3,150 2,835 Repairs and maintenance 7,901 8,168 £43,818 £42,592 Capital charges— Interest ... - £13,663 £13,663 Sinking Fund ... ... 3,001 3,001 Rsnowal Fund 11,037 11,052 Depreciation ... • 3,134 3,134 Accident Insurance Fund 749 749 £31,584 £31,609' Credit balance £3,961 £2,819 Passengers carried—l9l7, 15,067,063: 1916, 14,763,990. Car miles run—l9l7, 1.392,589; 1916, 1,293,291. • Rcvonuo per car mile —1917, 14.72 d; 1916, 14.09 d. Working expenses per car mile—l9l7, 8.13 d; 1916, 7.88 d.

Total expenses per car mile—l9l7, 14d; 1916, 13.77 d.

Passengers per car mile—l9l7, 12.42; 1916, 11.49. Percentage of expenses to revenue —1917, 55 per cent.; 1916, 55 per cent. Cr Scott, in moving the adoption of the Tramways Committee's report, stated that the committee reported that the approximate cost at pre-war rates of extending the Maryhill tramway, along Clyde avenue would be £2000. The opinion of the committee that the proposal should not be entertained at the present juncture met with his hearty" approval. <

Cr Sincock said that the committee had not • stated that it would , go on with the extension when prices were normal. Hβ moved —" That the clause be referred back to the committee for further consideration, with instructions to report as to the cost of carrying out the work with the Elgin road material."

Cr Bcgg wanted to know when the much belated report on the Opoho 'bus service would make its appearance. If- the committee was not going to give them, a 'bus, let it say so. Cr Patton asked why concessions were made to school children and apprentices on the city tram line, but not on the Morninjeton lines.

Cr Scott, in reply, said if they, took up the rails from Elgin road it either meant that the line wojild 1 be no more or that the rails would 1 have to be replaced. In connection with the Opoho service, it was futile to so into the question at the present time. The Government itself was cutting down its services. The tramways manager would bring up a report on tho complaint raised by Cr Patton. He might point out, however, that an electric service was very different from a cable service. Cr Sincock's amendment was defeated on tho voices, and the re-port was adopted. COMMITTEE REPORTS. In the absence. of Cr Green, Cr Wilson' moved the adoption of the Public Works CommittoiVs report. He ..referred to the Clyde' Hill Subdivision, conditions governing which were proposed in the report, as one of the most important subdivisions that had ever been before the council, inasmuch as it would giyo a road through tho Glen from Cavershrvm to Moraington. At present there was no proper thoroughfare except the Glen road, which was very steep and bad for hauling purposes. The engineer showed that a gradient of one in nine could be got. through Mr Mitchell's property.—Tho motion was seconded by Cr Patton and , - carried.

Or Betrg. in moving the adaption of the Gas Committee's report, pointed out that the monthlysummary of carbonising- returns showed an increase of 5 per cent, as compared with the figures for March, 1916. It was gratifying to have to report that our gas consumption was increasing. For tho lasfa few years the electrio light had been their principal competitor, but with tho institution of so many new systems gas was now being much used for heating and cooking.—Tho report was adopted. Or Whito moved the adoption of the General Oommittee's report with the exception of clause 2, granting permission to Messrs Smith and Smith and , James Wren and ■Co. to paint approved advertising signs on various buildings, walls, and fences about tho city.—Cr Patton moved as an amendment—" That the clause authorising improvements costing £92 16s to the council's property at Kelvin Grove, North-East Valley, be referred back to the committee."— Or Black seconded Ihe amendment,—Cr Douglas supported the motion, and Cr Begg opposed the expenditure laid down in the clause.—The amendment was lost, and tho motion carried.—With reference to clause 2, Cr White explained that tho town c,lcrk had just received two letters on the subject —one from the Painters' Union and the other from Messrs Smith_ and Smith and James Wren. ■ It was a big question, and, seeing that objection had been raised, it would bo far better to refer the matter cu to the incoming committee.—The Mayor said that one of tho letters asked that tho matter be held over, and tho other pressed for an immediate decision.—Cr Wilson suggested that tho committee ascertain how much they would take to stop painting these signs throughout tho city.—Cr Black: "Hear hear! Now you are talking!"— The clause was referred to the incoming committee 'Die reports of the Water and Library Committees were adopted practically without discussion. ELECTRIC POWER CHAHGES. Cγ Shaddock, chairman of the Electric Power and Lighting Committee, moved the adoption of a scale of charges covering the use of electric power. He said tho matter had been referred back to the committee, arid asked that the previous recommendations, as now amended, be adopted, i He also asked permission to further amend tho scale to provide that daring the continuance of the war consumers who agree to use motors at euch restricted hours as may suit the convenience of the department bo charged ordinary rates, but without a minimum guarantee.

Cr Wilson said he thought 3 p.m. was too conservative and that the time should be altered to 3.30. The p-ak load did not come on at anything like 3 o'clock He moved that the time bo altered to 330 but sub'rqupntly withdrew his amendment on Or Shacklock stating that this was a matter on winch the engineer alone could decide.

Cr Sinclair complained that the scale had been referred back to the committee with the conditon that the committee should confer with tho small intermittent users of power. It seemed unfair that these small users should have to pay for more than they used. He moved tha"t ,tho whole scale be back to the committee, with a distinct instruction that it confer W't.h the email intermittent users.

Cr Shaddock explained that the holidays had intervened. His committee, however, wore quite aware of the wants of the small u>=crs. There wero only two or three usts .•ifFocf-.rd in the way by Cr Sinclair. A lnrge number of intermittent ns°rs had stated that the new conditions would suit them bettor than the old. The reeommendations of the engineer would relieve thc i small users during the period of tli" war. Or Sinclair's amendment was lost on tho voices, and the scale of charges was then adopted. WOttKS IX WAR TIME. Cr Srrmll moved the adoption of the Finance Committee's report, and submitted a statement showin-s: the profits made by the citv's t-adinsf concerns during the year Or Havward. who fif-cond"d the moVon! said thnfc th" profits were larger than anyone had anticinnted. He a?krd how much thn_ payment of half wages to employees on active eorvkse had cost tho council's "trading

Cγ Small: £4498. Cγ Sinclair moved tho following amendment:— "ihat the following works are also deemed by this council to bo urgent and necessary, and that tho same be authorised, and the Finance Comm.tteo bo instructed immediately to arrange for the h'uiincing of the cost of such works: Sanitary depots i>1000; salt water for tepid baths, £j.OOO- - Bay wall, £14u0." He proposed to show, first, that these items were all essential; and, second, that they could be financed without any difficulty or raising o£ rates if they adopted his suggestion to reduce certain of their payments to the renewal fund. He suggested that the committee had been too cautious, and that they proposed to do far too much for posterity. J. he Tramways Committee gave the cars a life of 11 years, of which only three years now remained, but these cars wero as good as the day they were put on tho lines. On that count alone the renewal charge could bo reduced, by £1300. Similarly the permanent way, which cost a total of £128,000, was given nine more years to run, but he contended it had about 20 years to run. Ihiit item could bo reduced by £1000 annually. In tho plant and tools renewal fund they actually had now £140 more than the whole cost of the renewals themselves. The next Finance Committee could reduce their renewal fund on the items he indicated by £2934. Similarly, tlie total amount by which he suggested that payments into the Electric Power and Lighting Committee might bo reduced was £2230. Thus there were ample funds to provido for the essential works he named. Cγ Whyte seconded the motion. Cr Carroll said he would gladly support Or fVndnir if he would omit the salt water, for tho baths. Cr Small, in replying, said he would show that they were not at th-> present time paying sufficient into the renewal fund, more especially in the tramway department. Hβ quoted figures to show that the cost of renewals was o-ver £13.000, or about £2600 more than was actually being sot aside. >.ar payments and wanbonus"s f>ntafl"d an ex-pendifrure of between £11.000 and £12.000. Cr Sinclair's amendment was lost on the voices, and the report was adopted.