PORT CHALMERS COUNCIL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18509, 21 March 1922, Page 8

PORT CHALMERS COUNCIL

Hie ordinary meeting last night was hold in the Council Chambers, there being present Mr J. Al. ytevenaou (Mayor): Crs Coleman,. M’Lachlan, Jones, Watson, Mawson Luoni Reeves, Aden. and Luun Ihe Department, internal Affairs, acknowledged receipt of the council’s resolution asking that legislation be introduced providing that credit balances of local authorities on loan accounts should be set oft by the banks against debit balances on other accounts. 1 tie Minister notified that the council’s resolution would recievo consideration when an amendment of the Local Bodies’ Finance Act was being dealt with.— Received. Mr P. S. Seal applied for renewal of his billiard room license. —Granted. The Minister of finance forwarded a copy of the Local Bodies’ Finance Act, calling attention to clauses on overdrafts, money field on deposit, etc., and asking for information m respect thereto. —Reterred to a special committee lor report. 'ltie Works Committee reported that the main streets and square had been attended to as usuol during the past fortnight; channels cleaned and entpped in Beach street and ashes spread where necessary; bramble and gorse out in Harbour terrace; metalling done in the bad places in Mary street and Wicklitfo terrace, and a new crossing constructed in George street ■ the water drain through Mr x lurcher's property, Carey Ray, was being proceeded with.—xvdopted. The Finance Committee reported in re lease of rural suctions 29, 86, and 87, which were not bid tor at recent sale. The committee would recommend that tenders be invited lor lease of same; that tenders be invited for the purchase lor removal of the building on the property purchased from the trustees ot the late Airs Joan \Vhite. Recreation Ground. —All the grass on the playing area had been out and the grass generally tidied up. '.l he receipts for the past two weeks amounted to £756 16s bid and the expenditure to £7OB 10s 3d.— Gr Luoni said the oonnnitee would be pleased to hear the council’s opinion on the matter of the leases. —Report adopted. The Gas Committee reported that the gasworks receipts for the i>aat fortnight totalled £BO 3s lOd, and the expenditure £siv 0s 2d. As the gas manager did not wish to take his holiday, recommenced that his request for a month's pay in lieu thereof be granted. Regarding Air M’Auiiiie s report, the committee were gratified that it disclosed such a satisfactory state c-f affairs as tar as works and plant were concerned, and were taking steps to increase as tar as possible the number of consumers. The committee recommended that Mr At Aulitte be paid £io 10s lor his professional advice since October, 1919, to dale, including report. Water. —The reservoir was tuff, and that the top reservoir had 'been scoured out. Two water services had been repaired in George street, one m Grey street, and one in Bernocta street, and ml openings on footpaths fox gas and water services made good.—Cr M’Lachlan said the tee ot £lO 10s was really a small amount for the advice received. —Cr Dunn said Mr M’Aulitte was paid 10 guineas before, and as he was down here on otner business when he put in the last report he would probably be pleased to get five guineas, lie objected to the gas manager being allowed to get a month's salary in lieu of holiday on the plea that there was no one to take his place for a month. Cr Lumi went on to criticise the gasworks, which he considered were in some respects going back.--The Mayor held that a discussion on Mr M'Auhtte’s report should be reserved until the report was before the council.—Lr Tie eve s moved tnat the clause about Mr M’Aulitte s report and fee be deleted.—Cr jLuoni moved as a further amendment that the clause in question be referred back for considertaion in conjunction with Mr M'Auiitte’s report.—Cr TTT* expraTJca the position at the gasworks. Boih amendments were defeated and the report adopted. Cr M’Lachlan was granted six weeks’ leave of absence, as he was going on holiday, and the Mayor said the council wished him a pleasant trip. A report from the inspector on reorganisation on an economical basis was received and referred to a special meeting of the council. , , , The audited balance sheet for the pest year was adopted. The Auditor-general had attached to the balance sheet a tag stating that an advance of money to the borough sanitary contractor was without statutory authority; also that Evans property in the reservoir watershed had been purchased subject to a mortgage and without the necessary Minister’s authority.