MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21146, 2 October 1930, Page 2

MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS.

FORTNIGHTLY COUNCIL MEETING The fortnightly meeting of the Dunedin City Council was held last night, and was attended by the Mayor (Mr R, S. Black) and Crs Shaeklock, Begg, Lawrence, Scott, Clark, Mitchell, Campbell, Wilson, Marlow, Wilkinson, and Tapley. RESERVES COMMITTEE. Cr Campbell moved the adoption of the Reserves Committee’s reports. Cr Clark asked Cr Campbell if he would make a statement as to the alleged vandalism in the native bush at the north end of the city. The director of reserves had informed him that only weeds and noxious growths, such as elderberry, convolvulus, broom, and others had been removed. No native bush had been touched, according to Mr Tannock, Cr Campbell replied that no destruction of native bush had occurred. Only useless growths had been taken out, and he felt sure that in a very short time the bush would present such an improved appearance that people would be quite satisfied with what had been done. The report was adopted. GENERAL COMMITTEE. Cr Mitchell moved the adoption of the General Committee’s report. Referring to the traffic signals in Stuart street, Cr Mitchell said they had now been in operation for 11 weeks, and the committee was ,ot the opinion that it had been quite justified in installing the device. All objections to it had been withdrawn, with one exception. The complaint that it held up traffic was ridiculous, as the signals could be seen from so far away that anyone with any intelligence could •regulate his speed before the corner was reached. The device was giving every satisfaction. Cr Clark: Pedestrians are very much in favour of it. Cr Mitchell remarked that it had now been found possible to do away with the “no right-hand turn” signs which had caused so much trouble. WORKS COMMITTEE. Cr Wilson moved the adoption of the Works Committee’s report. Cr Campbell drew the committee’s attention to a dilapidated shed a£ the rear of the Maori Hill Hall, which was falling down and pushing an adjoining fence over. The speaker also referred to an unsightly shed on the street line at Macandrew road. The building was set in between two very nice properties, and such an objectionable structure could not but depreciate the value of those houses. Cr Tapley supported the protest made by Cr Campbell against such an objectionable building being allowed. Cr Scott also spoke on the subject aud asked when the old aeroplane was going to be removed from the corporation's property. Cr Wilson said that in respect to this matter the council was powerless to do anything. The only recourse was to the Education Board, the landlord of tho property. In regard to the aeroplane, the chairman said he had given instructions for its removal. The Aero Club would be taking it away very shortly. Cr Shaeklock drew the attention of the chairman to the state of footpaths in Scoullar street, Momiagton, and Melbourne street, South Dunedin, The latter street appeared to be the happy hunting ground of the Drainage Board. The chairman said tho matter would be looked into. > The report was adopted. WATER COMMITTEE. The Water Committee’s report was adopted without discussion on the motion of Cr Begg, ELECTRIC LIGHT AND POWER. Cr Shaeklock moved tho adoption of the Electric Light and Power Committee’s report. He said councillors had probdbly read all that had been written about the proposition tho council had under consideration in respect to Waipori. Ho hoped they would all be able to go to Waipori to-day. They would be glad to know that Professor Hornell would arrive in Dunedin this evening. Ho would visit Waipori on Friday and Saturday and study tho site of the pro'posed tunnel and the ground that would be traversed by the pipe line. Cr Tapley asked whether Professor Hornell was visiting Waipori officially or merely as an interested visitor. Cr Shaeklock said he was coming officially to report on the advisability of loading the land with a pipe line or whether it would be necessary to put a tunnel through the solid rock. FINANCE COMMITTED. Cr Clark, moving the adoption of the Finance Committee’s report, referred to a clause recommending the adoption of a by-law framed to deal with the question of the consumption of alcoholic liquor in halls owned by the council. The question had been referred to the Finance Committee, he said, because the control of tho city halls were vested in it. The report was adopted, TENDERS. The following tenders were accepted;— For the_ supply and delivery of 50 tons of three-inch cast iron gas pipes.— Duthie and Cb., £ll 19s per ton. For the purchase, in lots to suit purchasers, of approximately two tons scrap copper tramway trolley wire.—C. T. Price, one ton at 4Jd per lb and the balance at 4Jd per lb.