PORT CHALMERS COUNCIL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20432, 12 June 1928, Page 7

PORT CHALMERS COUNCIL.

The fortnightly meeting of the Port Chalmers Borough Council was held last night. There were present Mr T. Anderson (Mayor), Crs Lunn, Smith, Love, Campbell, Scollay, Willmott, Watson, Bell, and Groves. A resolution of condolence with Mr S. Perry was carried in respect to the recent death of his mother. CORRESPONDENCE. Mr T. Anderson applied to lease a domain section between Magnetic street and Beach road, for building purposes. — General Committee to report. The Hospital Department advised that during May two patients had been admitted to the Cottage Hospital and two discharged.—Received. The Health Department stated that a drain at Queen’s drive should be constructed to discharge at low water level, otherwise tfye outlet should be permitted at the pleasure of the council only.—The owner of the property in question to be advised in terms of the letter. The Town Clerk of West Harbour said his council did not favour a conference in regard to West Harbour until the Motor Club’s scheme took more definite shape.—Received. Mr W. Laing applied for use of a piece of land behind the corporation yard in George street. —Referred to Works Committee. . The District Engineer, Public Works Department, wrote advising that hire of a Collet stone crusher would be 30s per week, —Referred to the Works CommitMr W. B. Steel invited the Mayor and a councillor to attend a pre-sessional conference with local members of Parliament. —The Mayor and Cr Campbell were appointed to represent the council. The Health Department wrote instructing the council to issue a demolition order in regard to a building owned by W. M'Connell. —The instruction to be complied with. REPORTS. The Works Committee reported as follows: —During the past fortnight the foreman and staff have been engaged on general maintenance.work, and work has also been proceeding on the drain adjacent to the new bowling green site. The latter work is well under way and will be completed in the course of a few days. The committee is of opinion that the drain should be extended for about half a chain past the scrub wall, and recommends that this be done. Pot holes in Wickliffe have been filled up and seven loads of old mortar spread where the road is being widened. The rubbish tip at Mussel Bay has also been levelled down. Ashes were carted and spread in Bellevue place and Harbour terrace. The footpath at the bottom of Bernicia street adjacent to Mr Hart’s property is very weak, and instructions are being given to put in a few feet of retaining wall to strengthen up the path and make it safer for traffic. In the matter of the removal of ashes, the foreman reports that a number of residents make a practice of putting out hot ashes for removal, with the result that the motor lorry has taken fire on several occasions. The committee is of opinion that the contractor should not remove hot ashes on _ account of the danger which is involved. The stone crusher has arrived, and will be assembled in the course of a few days by the Public Works Department. Water Department: During The past fortnight the water races at the reservoir have be® n cleaned, grass cut, and all surplus rubbish gathered up. One water service in George street was attended to. Steps at rear of cells: With regard to the steps at the rear of the cells leading down the right-of-way past the Port Chalmers Hotel it was found on inspecting the proposed work that Mr M‘Donald had the construction of new steps under way, and at the time of reporting they are completed and -in place. The cost of the work is £9 Is 9d, -and your committee recommends that half the cost be paid by the council, also that the necessary tar be given to give the steps a good coating of tar. During the period under review mud tanks and channels have had regular attention. —The Mayor said the cost of the drain at the bowling green site would be £225. —Cr Lunn said the steps behind the cells should have been made of hardwood. —Cr Watson favoured the planting of more trees in the streets, but Cr Bell questioned the wisdom of such a course, as the trees blocked the drains. —The report was adopted. The General Committee reported that, having examined accounts amounting to £63 Is Id on the general account, and £6 on the gas account, and recommends same for payment. The gas manager, in reporting upon the gasworks, states that everything is working satisfactorily. He is at present engaged on reading consumers’ meters. The service supplying gas to the upstairs portion of the municipal buildings became blocked with rust and corrosion, and the manager has had all the pipes blown out, and a good supply is now obtainable. The gas service to the Picture Theatre requires renewing owing to the existing pipe being in a leaking condition, and instructions are being issued to have the service relaid. In the matter of the tree planting on the reserves, the committee is of opinion that the planting should be proceeded with at an early date. In the matter of a garage site for Mr Robertson, the committee recommends that negotiations be entered into to procure a suitable site, and in this respect the committee has three suitable sites in view. The receipts amounted to £202 2s 9d in the general account and £24 5s lid In the gas account. —The report was adopted. The Mayor criticised the running of local trains, stating that out of 72 trains last week only two ran up to time. The council approved of the Mayor’s suggestion to endeavour to arrange with the West Harbour Council and the Mosgiel Council with a view to getting a better train service. Another mayoral suggestion approved by the council was to ask the Railways Department to shift the local goods shed to the other side of the railway station. The object was to minimise road traffic across the railway line in Beach street. The council then discussed various routine matters in regard to improvements to footpaths and similar requirements.