PORT CHALMERS BOROUGH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20338, 21 February 1928, Page 6

PORT CHALMERS BOROUGH.

4 MEETING ,OF COUNCIL. The fortnightly meeting of the Port Chalmers Borough Council was held last night, when there were present: Crs Scollay (in the chair), Luun, Smith, Love, Wilhnott, Craigie, Bell, and Allan. CORRESPONDENCE. Mr F. W. Furkert, Public Works Department, Wellington, forwarded information in respect of taking land for street widening and other public purposes in terms of the Municipal Corporations Act. —The letter was received. •E. Basire wrote inquiring if something might be done to keep dogs from wandering about the streets as at present. The writer quoted the case of a young woman wheeling a perambulator recently down Ceorge street, and finding herselt in the midst of a dog fight. The perambulator saved the child, but the woman, apart from the fright, had her shoes and stockings torn. —11 was decided that dogs without collars be disposed of, and also dogs with collars if they habitually strayed on the streets. Notice in regard to this matter was posted at the town clerk’s office. The Hospital Board advised that two patients were admitted and three discharged from the Port'Chalmers Cottage Hospital during January.—Received. REPORTS. The Works Committee reported that during the past fortnight the foreman and staff had been engaged on general maintenance work. Advantage was being taken of the warm weather to hurry on tarring and sanding work. George street was being treated at present, the work being carried out with the new tar sprayer. The sides of Mount street, where weeds were chipped, had been sprayed with a coat of tar to keep down weeds. It was believed that this procedure would not only give the street a much cleaner appearance, but a saving in maintenance costs should also be effected. The cutting of grass in the streets had been completed, and cleaning of channels was being proceeded with, the following streets having been cleaned: Grey street, Scotia street, Slant street, and Henry street. the Public Works Department was still engaged on Macandre.w road, and a further 147 loads of rock had been obtained and spread on the Low road. Repairs had been effected to the fence on Flagstaff Hill. During the period under review mud tanks bad been cleaned anc channels swept.—Adopted. The Gas and Water Committee reported that everything was working satisfactorily. One new service had been put in during the fortnight, and one authorised. The committee had looked into the question of finding a competent man to relieve the cas manager during his holidays, and as a suitable man was available it was recommended that he he employed at £8 10s per week, including expenses. The foreman reported that during the fortnight several minor impairs had been effected to water services and mains. Up to the present the reservoir had been holding well, only a slight drop having been shown during the dry spell. The committee had instructed the foreman to renew all old water services in the south end of George street before the street was paved.—The Chairman of the committee said the committee made the suggestion in regard to an outside relieving man at the gas works. —The report was adopted. The Finance Committee reported that the fence at Johnston’s corner had been repaired, the cost being—labour £3 15s 10d, material 12s ’ lid. The committee drew the attention of the council to the unsatisfactory state of affairs in connection with dog registrations. Out of 25 dog license fees taken by the collector, 14 were at full rate and 11 at the halfcrown rate. In regard to the latter the collector was pSCid 2s 6d each—the full amount collected —the council not only receiving none of the fee hut having in addition to provide collars costing 9d each. Claims for the lower rate will henceforth be carefully scrutinised. Out of 68 dogs registered at the office, 14 were at the lower rate and the balance at full rate. The receipts totalled £l2O 17s lid, and the expenditure £516 16s lOd. The gas works receipts amounted to £9B 15s Bd, and the expenditure to £23 11s 4d.— The Chairman said that now the paths of the cemeteries had been cleared of weeds, the sexton would have to keep the cemeteries in better order—Cr Smith thought all private plots should ha kept in order.—lt was stated that the penalty for making a false declaration in regard to dog registration was a £2O fine or four months’ imprisonment.—The report was adopted. It was decided to hold the council meetings at 7.30 p.m. during the winter months.