CITY COUNCIL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19202, 19 June 1924, Page 11

CITY COUNCIL.

The weekly meeting of the City Council Was bold last night, and was attended by the Mayor LMr 11. L. Taple.y) and Crs W. Begg, J. ,1. Clark, TV. B. Taverner, J. Wilson, 11. Ilalliday, E. Sineoek. .1. E. (MacMumis, J. H. Douglas. J. B. Shacklock, tL H. Hancock, and W. A. Scot!. RES E R VE H CO \I -MITTE.E. Cr Hancock moved the adoption of tho Reserves Committee's report. Cr Bogg said he must cuter a protest, regarding the method adopted in connection with clause 2—-‘‘Pavilion at the Botanic Cardens.'’ The committee was practically <loing the work, and it was now coining to them and asking them to approve of it. Vr Hancock said the- proceeding might bo a. little irregular. Thero was only a sum of £25 involved. The report was adopted. (i F,NEPAL CO M MITTE.E. Cr Hincock moved tho adoption of the General Committee’s report. Clause 1 read : “Your rommiUeo begs to recommend that the application of .Messrs Chandler and Co., laid ou the table, for permission to erect a trellis type advertising hoarding 125 u in length on tho frontage of tho property owned by tho lute Mr George (Adder al tbs junction of North road and (.'aider avenue be grunted. The hoarding will he of the .same typo as those now erected at the Oval and King Edward street.” Cr Begg said that the (Adder family had no knowledge, that such a clause was to come before the con no i 1 Tho family, as a matter of tact, was opposed lo the trelliswork hoarding being constructed on their property. Cr Sineoek said that in view of Cr Bcgg’s statement he was prepared to have the cla'tiso reform! back to the committee. The report, as amended, "was adopted. W( IP KS COMMITTEE. Cr Wilson moved the adoption of tho Works Committee's report. Cr Shacklock said that it appeared to him there was an undue number ot upolieations for right-of-ways coming before tho council. He thought the construction of a largo number of right-of-ways was undesirable Tho .Mayor said he had already raised Ihe finest ion whe.ther the council was going to perpetuate an evil by the construction of those right-of-ways. They could rest assured that the council was watching the matter. Cr 'taverner said he would like to draw the attention of the council to the tip at Mitchell avenue. Tho tip was in a disgraceful gtate, and he thought it should be closed up. Cr Hincock said that it. bad come to his ■knowledge that the City Corporation was employing a Government superannuated servant. as a- leading band. Cr Hancock: Name. Cr Sineoek said ho would bring the matter up in committee. Ho would now ask the question if a superannuated Government servant was employed in the works department as a, leading hand. Cr Halliday wanted to know- if the committee could make a grant to improve the Leith-Win'tiiti road. (A- Wilson, in reply, said there were not many new right-of-ways being constructed in the dty. and they did not want to increase them, in any way. He agreed with €r Clark that the right-of-ways should be sufficiently lighted They would have to put tho "lighting in order wheio it was required. They would also have to do something in regard to the lip at Mitchell avenue. Ho did not know whether a Government superannuated servant was being employed by tho council, but ho would go into the matter and ascertain tho practice. In regard to the Leith-Wailnti road, lie thought the bodies interested should take the first steps and approach tho council. The report was adopted. WATER COMMITTEE. Cr Begg moved liio adoption of the Water Committee's report. Ho thought ho would make his final report, regarding the water supply for some months, at any rate for the past fortnight there had been a steady increase in the Ross Creek reservoir amounting' to 1,000,050 gallons daily. At tho present mome.nt thn whole of their reservoirs were practically full. —(“Hear, hear.”) As regards the tunnel being driven in the embankment at the Southern Reservoir it hail teen put in 195 ft up to that morning at a cost of £S7C. So far no serious defect had been found. Tho report was adopted. 9000 ii-p. Cr Shaddock moved tho i adoption of the Electric Power and Lighting Committee's report He said that, the department hoped to complete the communication between the tunnel and the inlet to the new surge chamber next; Sunday morning. Tho following week would bo devoted to drying the new generator, and it would bo put into action a fortnight hcnco. This meant that tho present 6000 h.p. would tei Increased by another 3000 h.p., bringing the total to 9000 h.p. Tho report was adopted. TRAMWAYS COMMITTEE. Cr Douglas moved the adoption of tho Tramways Committee report. Cr Halliday complained that the service was being hung up by the big trams. Cr Douglas, in reply, said that Cr MacAlarms had complained that the department seemed too intent on making profits for ■tho relief of rates, etc. They must remember. however, that his department wa« also doing something for the city. They had tho lowest, fares in Australasia. Tho Mayoi of Wellington and others whom ho had mot at the recen t Tram ways Conference in Wellington had been amazed to learn that they were able to give penny _ fares and still provide a profit for the relief of rates. As regards the complaint raised by Cr Halliday in connection with tho tram service to the North-East Valley, ho had spoken to the Tramways Manager_ on tho matter, and lie was looking into il. Tho committee was now going into the question of the tramway extensions, and it, hoped to bring forward some suggestions lor the next, meeting of the council. One of tho lines to ho considered was that to Pelichot Bay. The manager had been instructed to bring in a report on this line and also the other lines to bo constructed. The question of motor buses would, also be reported on. Tho report; was adopted. GAS COMMITTEE. Cr Stoll moved the adoption of tho Gas Committee's report, and said they were in a difficulty as there was a demand for more coke than they wore producing. He could remember when they hud mountains of coke and no sale for it. Ho wished the tar was as easily disposed of. Cr Halliday seconded tho motion, and asked the. committee to consider putting school committees first on their list for Uio supply of coke. Cr Wilson said tho chairman had been unfortunate in saying ho could not get rid of tho tar. Cr Hincock asked that the committee go further into the matter of the distribution of coke. Some who were obtaining coke were not; making correct statements as 10 the purpose for which the. coke was intended. Homo people were buying tho coke and delivering it, to private people for ordinary haling purposes. The committee was encouraging people to become liars. Two tons of coke had been delivered lo one. residence in one lot. On the other hand a certain manufacturer had had to put his men off because ho could not: get coke to keep his industry going. Mr Shaddock said the coke famine from which they had boon suffering had been broken, and cargoes of coko bad been landed in Dunedin. Cr Clark ,-aid the problem was a difficult one, and he suggested that the department. undertake tho distribution as well as the manufacture of coke, Cr Mac-Man us said (hat (luring this shortage coke liad boon going cut of Dimfdin. Cr Hcnlt, in replying, said lucre was a good .supply of tar maturing for use. It was a very difficult matter to find out when incorrect statements were being made. The was adopted FINANCE COMMITTEE. Cr Taverner moved tho adoption of tho Finance l.ommiUcu's report. He said that so far as he could gather the Government would not impose a land and income, tax on ail puom. uurnoi'il ies who owned and leased land or where such authorities were engaged in tic- conduct of the usual public utility (H)i-vices. His committee was carefully watching the position. It; was a r.trange thing that it had been reported that a section of the farming community disapproved of the financial activities of the corporation, and that it had been stated mat they had put it over the country. Thu corporation had boon charged with being able to secure money on much hotter twins than other people could get il. They certainly, however, could givo excollonc securities, and (hut largely accounted the fact that their loan money came in so gtcaddy and so readily. The speaker went on to severely criticise Ihe comment made on the corporation finances by tho Waikouuiti branch of the Farmers’ Union. 11 would be pertinent to ask what these people would say if the corporation suggested that the Government, should put an export tax on their frozen meal, etc AVhut would the farmer say to that? All Ilf! could say at that stage was that they had better keep their woolly fingers out of tin- corporation’s pio at this juncture—daughter)—otherwise they might have to

retailnl e. It seemed to him that for pure unadulterated impudence the Waikouaili t,ranch of the Farmers’ Union would re(piire some beating. He wanted to say that Ins i ommittee regarded the municmal activities of Dunedin us part and parcel of l tie, general government, of the _ community. 'they were engaged in activities solely (or the welfare of the citizens of Dunedin, and, be might add, for the visitors Irom the country. It had been said, and it was worth reiterating the statement, that in relation to their mniiicinal activities they field a unique and prcml position in Australasia. Their activities were altruistic, and, if they liked, Socialistic. It was extraordinary that those engaged in the primary industries should attempt, to relieve themselves of taxation in such a wav. His connnitlee would come forward with a full report on this (juestion. 'i hey must remember that any prohl made by the corporation went back to the people. (‘■.Hear hear.”) Cr Clark raid they had all been somewhat rtmused at the •ritieisms and suggestions that hud been made in certain cpiarters as to the taxation of the corporation. If ihe proposal were ever put into effect it would have a boomerang effect. How were their country friends going to get, on with their Power Boards if their capital was lo be taxed? Cr MaeMamis said that, if their municipal trading concerns were to. lie taxed then the council should have the, right to levy rates ou Government property. Ho had a .serf of recollection that gentlemen from Waikouaili had come and asked for the council's assistance in the upkeep of its roads, and they had not asked in vain. They Mayor said they had all listened with much interest to Cr Taverner s remarks In bis opinion it. was only a very small section that held that opinion, and i.hcy would hoar no more of it \\hon the facts were known. Thcv might, take up the attitude of asking for increased taxation on land and farmers’ incomes, hut they rather preferred to hold that Lie prosperity of the country and of the town went hand In hand. It was only a very small section who had supported this proposal, and they had voted in ignorance. Cr (Mark moved as an amendment to danse 2 that, the following words he added to it. “and that the proposal he considered by (ho trading committees with a view of taking additional space tor the purpose of advertising the. special facilities provided by the council.” Not only was Dunedin the pioneer in elect rig development, bur. it gave probably the best and certainly "'he cheapest power anywhere. in New" Zealand. AVe in Dunedin erred on the modest side, and did not let the attractions of our city be snllicientty known. This publication scorned to him to ho unique, and would go all over the world advertising New Zealand. Ihe. committee should have an opportunity of considering whether it would not he in the inLpr<vis of 1 hf? oiiy to lake up anot.ioJ page or so for advertising its trading concents. , , Cr Ha I lid ay seconded the amendment., and staid he honed the council would take at least three pages. Wo could boast, the. most scenic lour in New Zealand, ami wo had here, scenery that was unequalled. Cr Hhac-klock said that clause, 2 seemed to be somewhat misleading, llto inference was that this publication _ was to be put, into tlie Wembley Exhibition, but, how on earth 'was it to thoro. ; 1-ho whole problem was to put the publication into the hands of the right people. Cr Mnc-Manus spoke against the amendment. The amendment was earned. Cr MaoManus said that if the connc-i had the money to spend it should spend it on the Technical School. Ho considered this publication of very doubtful value. He moved as an amendment- that £l5O be spent on (ho Technical School, but this was ruled out, of order. Cr Taverner, in reply, said he did not think Urn opinion expressed reflected the general body of opinion of the country iicople. Ti;o argument that the money that they borrowed would not in any event go to 11 i.e country, for the, fact that the Tieonlo who lent- them money were small investors, and they would not lend their money to tho country or on any ot.uu securities, , , „ ~ Tho report was adopted, Ur MaeManus dissenting. aiTR FOII CONVEX lENGK. The adoption of a supplementary report of the Works Committee regarding the fixing of a new site tor a ccmvcnionce in Crawford street was moved by Or Wilson ami seconded by Cr 'Halliday. . (lr iSincock defended the original site selected by tho committee. _ Cr Shaddock suggested putting tno convenience in Jetty street. The Mayor said there was every justification for giving heed to the represenial ions of the deputation Unit wailed on the committee. Tho report was adopted. OTHER BUSINESS. The reports of the other committees were adopted without discussion. _ The applications for the, position of assistant traffic inspector wore referred to the General Committee lo select six names for presentation to the council.