PORT CHALMERS COUNCIL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18675, 3 October 1922, Page 6

PORT CHALMERS COUNCIL

The fortnightly meeting last night was attended by Mr J. Watson (Mayor), Crs Allen, Smith, Reeves, APLachlan, AYatson, Coleman, Anderson. Tho Deputy Inspector of Explosives asked for a return showing the number of licenses issued for the storage of dangerous goods.— Tho clerk was instructed to prepare a report on the matter generally. Air T. Armstrong asked that the cricket club have the use of the Recreation Ground -during iho summer months.—Reserves Committee to act.

Mr J. B. APAlpino wauled the council to divert street drainage from his property in Reynoldstown.—Reserves Committee to act. A deputation from tho Mechanics’ Institute waited on the council and explained the position in respect to ihe council’s annual donation of £25 per annum. The institute could expend twice that sum to great advantage. The reading - room was free and no curtailment had been made.—As the council had two representatives on the Mechanics’ Committee no further action was deemed necessary. The AVorks Committee reported on maintenance work done. Regarding the complaint laid before tho council by residents of Reynoldstown as to the condition of water channel, the committee had given instructions to have the holes filled up and channel graded, also that some necessary maintenance work on the road should be attended to. Re C. O Knewstubb’s application to have sanitary rate on his property remitted, the committee cannot see its way to make u recommendation, but will give instructions for the dust curt to lift the dust on the side road.—Cr Reeves said one of the workmen was off, but the committee was not informed. —Report adopted. Tho Finance Committee recommended that accounts amounting to £554 iGs (2d be passed for payment. Regarding ’the conversion of tho 4i per cent. War Bonds free of income tax into 5J per cent, not free of income tax, tho committee had no recommendation lo make. Tho committee recommended that application be made to the Government for leave to raise a loan of £B3OO to pay off their antecedent liability.— Report adopted. The Gas Committee had gone carefully into tho question of cutting down expenses at tho gasworks, and, after consultation with the manager, would recommend that tho stoker’s time be divided as follows: —24 hours to be given to the gasworks, details to be left to the manager, and that the other 20 hours necessary lo make up a 44-hour week be utilised in the general work of the town' under the supervision of the foreman. This would mean four hours per day from Mom day to Friday, which it is proposed should be worked from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. AVatcr: Re application of A\ T . 11. Patrick and others lo have a water supply laid on to Island terrace, the committee found that the estimated cost of laying eight chains of threeinch mains, with two fire plugs and one stop valve, would be £120; and, therefore, could not see their way to recommend this expenditure. The locality in question was not the worst served part of the borough, and if the council had money available the committee could see its way to utilise it lo greater advantage to improve tho water supply generally.—A letter from Captain A. Shelton asking that a firobell be put on the sub-fire station in Laing street, and tho key of the sub-station made available in case of fire, was considered in connection with tho report.—Cr Coleman explained the committee’s proposal to improve the water service on the high levels.—Cr Allen moved that tho portion of the report referring to tile proposed change at tho gasworks be deleted, as the assistant was needed there all his time.—Cr Reeves said an improvement of the water service was required, and something should be done.—The Mayor said the gasworks must be made to pay, and ono working manager could do all the worksite well. The proposed change had been afreetl to by the manager and the stoker, and it should be tried. Too much money had been expended on the gasworks and interest had to he met.—A heated discussion ensued, Cr Smith taking strong exception io a statement by the Mayor to the effect that tho AVorks Committee had prompted tho gas manager against the Gas Committee’s pronosnl.—Cr Allen also said iho statement in regard to prompting the gas manager was not true.—Cr Coleman explained the position very fully, stating that the committee was doing its best to run the gasworks successfully—The amendment was lost on the casting vote and the report adopted.