CIVIC AFFAIRS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20962, 27 February 1930, Page 15

CIVIC AFFAIRS.

FORTNIGHTLY COUNCIL MEETING The fortnightly meeting of the City Council was held last night, and was attended by the mayor (Mr R. S. Black) and Crs Marlow, Bcgg, Munro, Wilson, Clark, Mitchell, Shacklock, Scott, ley, Lawrence, and Wilkinson. THE LICENSING IF SPEEDWAYS. On the motion for the adoption of the ' General Committee’s report, Cr Wilson asked if the council would scud a remit to the Municip-1 Corporation Conference'dealing with the granting of licenses for dirt-track racing. They all knew that thir form of amusement in proximity, to dwellings was going largely to reduce the value of properties. He did not wish to say anything against that particular form of sport, but it should not bo carried on in proximity to\ residential parts. Or Clark: Is it in the city? Cr Wilson said it was’ off Macandrow road. The racing, he added, was bad enough, but the noise was something terrific. He had heard of one man who could not hear his telephone, so great was the disturbance.

The acting town‘clerk (Mr Johnston) said that speedways required licenses under the by-laws. The deputy-mayor (who took the chair on the mayor’s departure to fulfil another engagement) said the application in respect to the speedway would 'come before the General Committee at its meeting on Friday,

Cr Mitchell expressed the opinion that speedways certainly depreciated the value of properties in their vicinity. PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE. '

Cr Wilson moved the adoption of the Public Works Committee’s report. Cr Tapley said the manner in which many of their streets were repaired or otherwise treated was somewhat wasteful. He referred particularly to the work on the streets leading from Royal terrace to Pilleul street. The present system of repairing was simply a waste of money. There was a great deal of traflic on that route, and the Committee should either tar-seal it or put down a permanent road of asphalt.

Cr Mitchell supported Cr Tapley, and said the waste on roads was' not confined to the streets that councillor had referred to.

The deputy-mayor (Cr Clark) asked when would the report regarding the Leith come forward. Apart from the qustion of work for the unemployed, the council would be soon preparing its estimates, and jf the work was a big one it would be necessary to make provision for interest and sinking fund. Cr Begg: That is a matter for the Drainage Board.

Cr Clark: Is that so? Well, that’s all right.

Cr Lawrence asked, on beLalf of;residents of Mornington, when the extension of Mailer street would'be completed. Cr Wilson,, in reply, said if the wort advocated by Cr Taploy was to be carried out more money would have to be provided in the annual estimates. The council was over-running the constable now, and was actually discharging hands to keep down the expenditure as much as possible. He could 'not say when the report about the Leith would come down. It required a large amount of consideration, so much being involved, but it was well on the way. That was all he could say about it. -As to the work in Mailer street, the money was ready for it sis months ago, but the plans were evidently held up by the department in Wellington. It was not the fault of the council that the. work had not gone ahead. The report was adopted. CHEVROLET v. FORD.

The adoption of the Electric Power and Lighting Committees report was moved by Cr Shacklock.

Cr Lawrence asked, in view of the plea that local work should be supported, why was a Ford motor to be purchased in preference to a Chevrolet, seeing that the bulk of the Chevrolet was made in New Zealand?

. A Councillor: Only 10 per cent, of it is made in New Zealand.

Cr Lawrence: Well, even if 10 per cent, is made in New Zealand we ought to encourage local industry and get a Chevrolet.

In reply, Cr Clark said there was as much work done on the Ford in New Zealand as on the Chevrolet. The report was adopted, | OTHER REPORTS. The reports of the Library, Finance, Reserves, waiter, Tramway, and Gas Committee were adopted.