CITY COUNCIL REPORTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17634, 26 May 1919, Page 10

CITY COUNCIL REPORTS

The following passages are extracted from the various committee reports to come before the City Council at its nest meeting.

The Public Works Committee reports:— In accordance -with the instructions from council to report on the undernoted resolution submitted by the Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce—"That tho time has arrived when the Government should control the_ mam arterial roads of the dominion with a view to the formation of permanent highways; that all local public bodies be urged to co-operate in the work of putting the main arterial roads in such permanent condition, in respect,to the surface and_ width, as to carry with safety the rapidly number of power-driven vehicles ''—your committee begs to state that it has given the matter careful consideration and is of the opinion that as a general the suggestion contained in the resolution is on right lines. It is accordingly recommended that the resolution u The committee recommends that tho undermentioned tenders for the supply of motor trucks be accepted. A large number of tenders were received, and the petrol machnes recommended are those suggested by the city engineer and the motor inspector. The electrical engineer endorses the recommendation in respect of tho electric trucks. All vehicles are wellknown types The New, Zealand Express Company (Ltd.), two 3g tons Orwell electrio trucks; at £1425 each £2850; Stedman and , B tons White petrol trucks, at fi. , , one ° ne ton Ford truck, £275; total, The prices are for the maciunes delivered in Dunedin, ready for service, and the time of delivery is given as about six weeks from acceptance of tender.

4.1 A Committee recommends , that authority be granted to proceed with tile formation and equipment of the under- | mentioned playing areas for children in JYlormngton and Roslyn districts:—(a) On open space on Town Belt in front of Preston crescent, at an estimated cost of including erection of two see-saws and three , seats; (b) on the area known as fakeys, near Sligo terrace, at an estimated cost of £48, including two double swincs two see-saws, and three seats. Tho undermentioned proposals from the Amenities k°^ 10t y tave been approved, and the society s offer to contribute towards the cost accepted with thanks :-(a) To plant with deciduous trees the roaoside near the quarrv afc . an estimated cost rSth ii * ■ or l ect ,/ ust ic and plant with flowering shrubs the bank between Littlebourne road and tho backs of the M T Btr ? t ' St an estimate d co.t of i.su. (c) To clear away broom 8? and Plant with shrubs the bank on the Town Belt, at tho rear of Mr E costof£2o W \ re T den , c<V at an , estimated r J ° c \ ear awa y broom and --nib from bank on left side of roadway °!u °c W " Littleboume and cover same witn turi, at an estimated cost of £15 Tim society to contribute £50 towards the oost of tho above works and the council tho u i ' e ' j T< ? fenco and plant }"tn shelter trees and shrubs tho angle of the railway reserve and a small piece of Wharf street at the junction of Anderson's ay f?ad with the railway overbridge, at an estimated cost of £25 to be paid by the society, the council to contribute the shrubs etc to the value of about £5. (f) To plant a shelter hedge on the seaward side of tho roadway leading to the Anderson's Bav Cemetery, at an estimated cost of £10 to be paid by the society. ' The Electric Power and Lighting Committee reports that it has been decided to extend to four years the period of .payment of the guarantee required in respect of clectricai installations, which necessitate a special extension of the power linos to give the service. At present the guarantee is payable m two years. The Gas Committee reports that 'the position in regard to coal supnlies has been eased for the time being by reason of tho ffljct that the committee were fortunate in being able to arrange a charter for the steamer Perth to bring a cargo of 2000 tons of coal from Newcastle for the gasworks. This shipment has now arrived in Dunedin. A small quantity of Newcastle coal is also being obtained ex the Barwon from Melbourne. '

■ Tho Finance Committee reports that an application from the lessees of the coal mining rights on the council's property at Kaitangata for remission of the rovaltv of £25 payable ,in respect of tho "current years term, has been granted. The lessees advise that they have carried out a considerable amount of preparatory work but have not actually mined any coaL

A considerable number of apples and pears are being condemned daily at tho local fruit markets for the black spot states the Auckland Star of May 12. It is much worse than usual this year, attributable for the most part to the lack of spraying, which should have been done when the epidemic was in full force-. It is a noticeable feature of the black spot that it att-acks only the finest grades of fruit and, whilo being only a surface blemish and having no effort on the edible qualities of its victims, it ruins their appearance. Much dissatisfaction nas been expressed by the fruit-growers and the wholesale vendors at the difference of the standards hold by the orchard' inspectors and the market inspector. The former pass certain cases of fruit as being; (it for the markot. the grower is put to the trouble and expense of packing and consigning his fruit, and when it arrives at the market it is utterly condemned, and producer not only loses his fruit and its freight, but has also to pay the nt inconsiderable cost of destroying the case. Some 151 cases are being- condemned weekly ■ on tlis account.