PORT CHALMERS COUNCIL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18875, 30 May 1923, Page 11

PORT CHALMERS COUNCIL

Tho fortnightly meeting of the Port Chalmers Borough Council, held on Monday, was attended by tho Mayor (Mr J. Watson), Crs Anderson, Smith, Asher, Cable, M’Lachlan, Dodds, Love, Borrie, Allan, and Lunn. Tho Secretary of the Hospital Board, notified that of the sum of £64,375 estimated for tho year contributory local bodies would be called on to pay £35,000, of which Port Chalmers quota was £lsl 8s Cd. —Deceived. The Secretary to the Treasury, in a letter discussing arrears of salary to the clerk of the Licensing Committee, proposed that tho council should pay £l6O of arrears, at tho rate of £2O per annum.—Cr M’Lachlan said the Government evidently had the whip hand, and would deduct the amount in question from the next subsidy. He moved that the other bodies concerned be notified and that the amount be paid.—The Mayor thought there world probably be difficulty in collecting from the other bodies. —Resolved to collect the proportion owing by the other contributing local bodies in the Chalmers Licensing District. Dr M'Kibbin, District Health Officer, forwarded a copy of regulations gazetted in respect to eating houses. —Sanitary Committee to report. Mr D. Monti wrote withdrawing his claim for damages in respect to a slip from the road damaging his house. —Received; resolved to remove the slipped material. The Secretary of the Harbour Board advised that the council’s letter in regard to the board having remitted £250 was formally received by the board.—Received. A further letter from the secretary stated that the board was inclined to adhere to Captain M'Lean’s report in regard to fish landing steps. Documents were enclosed.— Received.

Mr J. Gibb wrote complaining of matters needing attention in Bellevue place.—Referred to Works Committee, together with complaints of flooding at Wickliffe terrace The Works Committee reported that tho foreman reports that the principal work for the past fortnight has been clearing slips off roads and water-tables, and making good some of tho damage caused by the recent abnormal downpours of rain. The last one brought down a great deal more material than the first, and in order to make the roads passable for traffic he had to put on extra men. He had also assisted the Waikouaiti Council’s men in making a ford over the creek at Sawyers’ Bay to enable the sanitary contractor to carry out his duties. There was still a great deal of work to be don® in connection with flood damage which would necessitate keeping on extra men for some time.—Cr Lunn said his committee had three men employed, with one from the Waikouaiti County Council, in repairing tho bridge at Reservoir road.—Cr Anderson thought the County Council should reimburse this council for the repairing bf tho bridge.—Report adopted. The Finance Committee reported having pleasure in submitting a complete statement of the ordinary income and expenditure of the district fund account for the year ended March 31, 1923, and had appended to it a provisional estimate of the probable expenditure during the current year, with an estimate of how same should be met. Tho latter suggested that the general and water rates remain as at present, that the Hospital rate be reduced 2d, and that a uniform annual charge be substituted for the present sanitary rate, chargeable only to those using the service, and to be of a sufficient amount to cover the cost,of the service. The committee hoped to have been able to recommend a reduction on the general rate, but in view of the extraordinary expenditure to be faced in connection with the recent flood damage, they regretted they were not able to do so. Cemetery; Tho committee recommended that a truck of screenings be spread on the main drives at the cemetery, at an estimated cost of £7 7s.—Report adopted. The estimates were discussed when the other business Was disposed of. The Mayor said the reduction of the Hospital rate was due to the decreased amount of levy payable to the Hospital Board. The Gas and Water Committee reported that the gas receipts amounted to £63 14s and the expenditure to £3l 2s 4d.—The manager reported that during the past fortnight part of his time was taken up clearing the supply pipe to the Technical School, where the supply was insufficient for the new cooker and water boiler, which had been installed. In tho course of this work he had to put in a larger connection to the main in George street. He is now using his spare time taking down tho old bed of retorts. During April 25 tons of coal was carbonised, producing 12,000 cubic feet of gas per ton. Water report: The'water in the reservoir was now down to normal and the committee was taking steps to have the damage done by the floods repaired as soon as possible. Instructions had also been given to have the water mains scoured on Saturday afternoon.—Cr Anderson said the mains were scoured last Saturday afternoon. This was the second scouring, and as it was improving tho pressure on the high levels, monthly scouring would be continued for a time.—Cr Lunn said , that when he was inspector, the mains were, scoured in the. night and nobody inconvenienced. He was pleased to see that the scouring of the mains was again to be carried out. —The Mayor said a crack in the by wash at the reservoir should be immediately attended to.—Cr Anderson explained what was being done to safeguard the reservoir—Report adopted.