PORT CHALMERS COUNCIL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19697, 26 January 1926, Page 6

PORT CHALMERS COUNCIL.

The Port Chalmers Borough Council held its fiyst meeting for the year last night, there being present Mr T. Anderson (Mayor). Crs Lunn, A. Long, W. Love, Morgan. Maekie, Campbell, W illmott, and Allan. CORRESPONDENCE. , Mr Malcolm Fraser. Government Statistician, wrote .inquiring if the council were agreeable to particulars of the local municipal gasworks being included in the Local Authorities' Handbook.—lnformation to be supplied. Mr F. W. Furkert, engineer ot the Public Works Department, advised that a conference was to be held in Wellington to discuss the motor omnibus regulations. The Port Chalmers Council, in conjunction with seven other local bodies, was entitled to send two representatives. —The Town Clerk. St. Kilda. wrote inquiring the council s attitude in regard to the conference. —It was resolved to take no action, because the matter only slightly concerned Port Chalmers. Mr R. Campbell wrote for permission to top a large tree in Island terrace. Referred to consideration of Reserves Committee, with power to act. Mr H. Stevens wrote in regard to a rebate of rates while his house was unoccupied for 12 months. He complained that the 10 per cent, penalty for unpaid rates was levied too drastically.—Decided to inform the writer of the actual position. REPORTS. The Works Commmittee reported that since December 3 the principal work had been getting out, carting, and spreading metal —21 loads on Constitution street, four on Scotia street, five on Ajax road, and 14 on Macandrew and Beach roads. The side of the road was lowered near Miller and Tunnage's, metal blinded in Harrington, Burns, and Fox streets, and Bellevue place; the footpaths in Burns and Laing streets top-dressed, and grass cut at the sides of all the principal streets. Fifty-six feet of new six-inch sewer had been laid in Mount street. The drain from Macandrew road had been extended 12ft, and the server in Aurora terrace repaired. New drains on sections 8 and 141 tested and found satisfactory. In addition to the usual routine work, channels had been cleaned in several parts of the borough, and a new channel laid on one side of George street. Old asphalt shed: The committee recommended that, provided Messrs Fletcher and Duncan raado the building presentable to the satisLaetion of the counci,!, they be given the use of it at an annual rental of £l3, six months’ notice on either side to terminate the agreement.—Cr Lunn said the metal referred to in the first part of the report was really rock.—The report was adopted. The Finance Committee reported that since the previous meeting the receipts amounted to £2BB 4s Sd and the expenditure to £734 9s 9d. The committee was unable to recommend that J. Tunnage’s application for rebate of rates in regard to a house destroyed by fire as six months’ nontenancy did not apply, and a new building to replace the other was almost ready for occupation. The committee approved of the transfer of the lease of section 41 at Purakanui. —The report was adopted. The Gas and Water Committee since the December meeting had collected £l3O 16s Sd and expended £l7O 8s lid; 26 tons of coal had been carbonised for 312,000 ft of gas. The acting foreman had repaired several water services. The water officer had reported that the reservoir was down lliin. A fair amount of water was flowing in the creeks. The committee had ordered the water mains in South George street to be inspected while the staff was employed there.—Cr A. Love said the reservoir went down from an inch to two inches every night, and it seemed to indicate a leak somewhere in the mains.—Cr Tait said the main was 7in from the reservoir to the town. —The report was adopted. ■ revaluation of borough. The new valuation list was laid on the table and discussed. Several councillors considered the valuation equitable, and that irregularities could be settled by appeal to the Assessment Court. —Cr Willmott said his valuation had been raised from £l4 to £32. —The valuation list was approved. In order to return to the pre-holiday routine it was resolved to hold the next meeting three weeks hence instead of a fortnight. In discussing the local gasworks, the Mayor said there was a prospect of a reduction in rates for the electric supply.