ST. KILDA BOROUGH COUNCIL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19041, 11 December 1923, Page 9

ST. KILDA BOROUGH COUNCIL

FORTNIGHTLY MEETING. The fortnightly meeting of the St. Kilda Borough Council, held last night, was attended by the Mayor (Mr C. Todd) and Crs R. Telfer, E. Longworth, J. Adam, A. Kilpatrick, A. D. Edgar, H. 1L Leary, R. W. Hall, and J. Beattie. Before proceeding with the business the Mayor extended a welcome to the recentlyelected councillors (Messrs R. W. Hall and J. Beattie) and hoped that their term on the council would bo a pleasant one. They would find, continued the Mayor, that the councillors worked hi harmony with one another, but. although they had their disputes, no “heated arguments” had arisen in the present council. Their aim was to work in the interests of the borough.— (“Hear, hear.”) The two councillors then signed the statutory declaration. THE WATER SUPPLY. Tile Mayor said that after several conferences of the St. Kilda Council’s representatives and the City Council it appeared to him that tho St. Kilda Gounod was getting the water, but the present pipe was not big enough to take it. That was a contributing cause of the shortage. After the 9in pipe had been put in the supply would be much better. Tho cost of this pipe from the boundary to the St, Kilda Council’s present reticulation would be about £B3O. Two routes for the main had been suggested—via Surrey street, at tlu» top or the borough, or via Burns street, to the middle of the borough—and the Bums street route had been decided upon. The City Council had called for tenders for the necessary pipes, and he (the Mayor) had taken upon himself to indude the St. Kilda pipes in the tender. The pip© round the St. Kilda Council’s meter had been opened up, and the water now passed round as well as through the meter. Consequently the council was getting more water than the meter actually recorded. He had agreed that the council pay 5 per cent, more, based on the previous year’s average for six months, for the delay in waiting for the pipes. IT© hod visited the Southern Reservoir on Sunday and had found that it contained between 50,000,000 and 60,000,000 gallons,. and he could not understand why the St. Kilda supply had been short. St. Kilda was getting the full supply from the Silverstream each day, but it did not fill the pipe. Tne City Council turned the water off at night, and diverted it to the reservoir, and consequently when the water was turned on again in the riiornings the pipe was half empty, and therefore it was some time 'before it would run full and the pressure become adequate. There was a leakage in the pipe, which was causing considerable trouble, and the council was endeavouring to find this leak. If it was found all would be well, but to obviate damage to the dam care should be taken not to follow the pipe too close to the water. Mr Todd thought it would be an easy matter to put on a centrifugal pump and pump water from the reservoir to the Silverstream race, and thus augment St. Kilda’s supply. There wa s not sufficient water coming through the oilverstream to satisfy the needs of the City Council, but that body was endeavouring to fill up the reservoir at the expense of those dependent on the Silverstream supply. If the City Council put in a oentrifugal pump and filled the race tho position would be remedied. It liad been unfair of the City Council net to toll the St. Kilda Council the true position. It had been said that the borough was responsible for the shortage of water, but that body was not at fault. If the council had treated the borough fairly such would not have been th e case. Mr Todd said that he felt sure that the borough’s reticulation was not so bad as had bean thought. Once the 9in pipe was laid down, the leakage found, and the reservoir full, there would be no more difficulty, and unless unusual circumstances arose the supply should be. ample. TTie agreement decided unon was the result of very careful consideration, and he felt sure that the present unsatisfactory position would shortly be remedied. Cr Hall said that toe council had done wisely in taking- action to get the supply increased. ■

Cr Longworth agreed with the previous speaker, and said that the thanks of the council were duo to the Mayor for the trouble he had taken in the matter. — (‘ Hear, hear.”) The Mayor said that he had only endeavoured to carry out his duty. USE OP HOSE-TAPS. The Town Clerk (Mr W. G. Griffin) reported that, although the dry weather continued, hoses were being largely used. In order to show the amount of wastage of water in this manner he might say that the standard supply set" by the Health Department was 50 gallons per head of population per day, and for, say, a household of six, some 300 gallons per day were used. A hose with, say, 501 b pressure, which was usual in the, evening, would discharge at least nine gallons a minute, or 540 gallons per hour. The following was a comparison of household v. hose use:—Household -of six adults, allowing each 50 gallons per day, SUO gallons, hose-tap, running for one hour. 540 gallons; and, as there are some 409 hoses registered on the books, this wastage over household use was a serious matter. Many residents were using water in, this way without paying the usual charge of 10s. and resented being requested to discontinue the practice. Under existing conditions it was necessary that a hose be used only for between 30 and 40 hours in the year to use up the 10s worth of water indirectly charged. When considering the matter of estimates for next year he suggested that some alteration be made so that the revenue of the water department might be increased. After some-discussion the Mayor said that as the hour was late it would be better to hold tlie whole matter over till the next meeting, and that course was agreed to. GENERAL. The Secretary of the Dunedin Ocean Beach Domain Board wrote informing the council that its contribution to the board for the year ending March 31, 15&.4, amounted to £66 18s 2d. —The letter was received, the contribution to be paid immediately. A deputation, comprising about 14 lady residents of Victoria street, waited on the council in connection with the condition of that street.—Cr Edgar introduced the deputation.—Mrs A. Johnston said that the road was in a bad condition, and the path was so muddy that they had to walk in the centre of the road. The deputation was not asking that the road bo thoroughly repaired, but that the footnath be asphalted. —The Mayor said that tl|o deputation had the sympathy of the council. The Works Committee would consult the Drainage Board, and, as soon as the council’s finances permitted, the work would be done.—The town clerk was instructed to write to the Drainage Board, the council’s Works Committee to report at the next meeting. It was decided that the dog registration fee be 10s. The next meeting was fixed for Monday, January 7. _ The Secretary of the St, Kilda Municipal Band wrote applying for permission to give a programme of bond music in the rotunda on Sunday nights, the 16th and 23rd, and also on Christmas night. The writer also asked permission to take up collections on those dates. —The letter was received, and the requests granted. s Messrs N. and E. S. Paterson wrote enclosing plans of subdivision of sections 11 and 12, block X, township of St. Kilda, asking the council’s consent to the proposed subdivision. —The. request was declined!