PORT CHALMERS COUNCIL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19041, 11 December 1923, Page 8

PORT CHALMERS COUNCIL.

The fortnightly meeting of the Port Chal. mera Council, which was held last night, was attended by the Mayor (Mr J. Watson), Councillors Anderson, Smith, Asher, Cable, M’Lachlan, Dodds, Allen, Lunn, Borrie, and Love. Messrs Adams Bros, wrote stating that as ragwort threatened to spread from a farm belonging to the Council at Purakanui and leased by Mr Lament, to .an adjoining farm owned by Mrs M. Cassis, would tho council state what was its attitude in regard to preventing the spread of this noxious weed.—lt was decided that the Reserves Committee insist on the observance of the terms of the lease. From his Majesty’s Trade Commissioner in Wellington a circular was received stating that the winding up of the British Trade Exhibition, Ltd. (s.s. British Trade, cx-Orontcs) had been gazetted in London on August 3.—Received. Mr H. O. Haggitt applied for transfer of lease of a farm at Purakanui from Chas. King to Robert James Baird. —Referred to the Reserves Committee to act. Mr C. Hardy applied for use of the Town Hall for a regatta concert. —It was decided to give the use of the hall at a reduced rate. Mr O. Loll asked that the extending of a drain to the local Masonic Hall be expedited.—lt was decided that the drain bo completed as soon as possible. REPORTS. The Works Committee reported that posts, handrail, stops, and footpaths have been repaired in Aurora and Island- terraces and paths tarred and sanded from foot of stops, Aurora terrace, to steps in Island terrace. The footpath on the west side of Magnetic street has been repaired, tarred, and' sanded. Ashes have been carted from Boiler Point to culvert Harbour terrace and tho main streets and channels have received the usual attention. Tho drain in Beach road has been repaired and now drains in Harrington and Constitution streets have been tested and found satisfactory. A drain was also cleared in Laing street. Regarding a letter from the District Engineer of the Railways asking the council to make good the wall at the quarry the committee recommended that the top course of stones be cemented at tho joints.—The Chairman Reported on a proposed drain from Island terrace to Constitution street which would cost £157, and he moved its adoption with the report.— Cr M‘Lachlan moved that the Railway Department be requested to repair a flood-dam-aged embankment wall near the cemetery. —Cr Anderson thought grass should be cut in side streets.—Cr Smith said the repairing of stena at Aurora terrace was a shoddy job.—The Chairman of tho Finance Committee reminded councillors that all the authorised work could not bo done immediately.—Report adopted. The Finance Committee recommended that notification be given through the press that 10 per cant, penalty would be enforced on all rates not paid on or before February 6 nekt: that the dog registration fee for 1924 be 10s. but that a rebate of 25 per. cent. • collecting fee be allowed on all sums paid into the office on or before April 1, 1924; and that the council as usual adjourn for six weeks, the .Finance Committee to be empowered to pay wages and urgent accounts; and that the town clerk arrange for his own and assistant’s holiday to bo taken during that period.—The Chairman said the committee proposed to pay Miss Montgomery £5 for carrying out the duties satisfactorily while the town clerk was in disposed.—Report adopted. The Gas and Water Committee reported that the State coal was giving satisfactory results, especially mixed with Newcastle. During the fortnight the assistant was employed for 28 hours laying new services. From November 5 to December 1 15 ton lOcwt pf coal was carbonised, ftvo- ■ during 248,000 cubic feel of gas op 16,000 cubic feet per ton of coal. Water.—The foreman reported having repaired water services in Bellevue place, Currie. Constitution. and Harrington streets. The water officer report ed that the reservoir was down 15 inches. He had been able to locate the leak in the little reservoir, which was round the edge of the wall next the road; this he has made good and the leak was stopped. A valve had also been renewed, on the George street wharf and one on the export wharf. Some of his time had • been occupied in a house to house inspection, in the course of which a number of leaky taps have beep discovered and been repaired hv the owners.—Report adopted.—The Mavor said this report was somewhat misleading. as it did not state the amount of water gas mixed with the other gas. The manager should bo informed of the complaints about the qualitv of the gas.