ST. KILDA BOROUGH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21990, 27 June 1933, Page 14

ST. KILDA BOROUGH

; MEETING OF COUNCIL . _.- The fortnightly meeting of the St. Kjlda Borough Council was held last night, and was attended by the Mayor (Mr J. Beattie), Crs.A. D. Edgar,' N. D. Anderson, S. Hartlev, E. W. Hunter,' R. J. B. Griffiths, W. G. Baird, G: Glue, J. A. Carman, H. H. Leary, and J. Robinson. CORONATION HALL INSTRUMENTS. A deputation, consisting of Messrs Hodgson and Triggs, representing the St. Kilda Relief Workers* Association, waited on the council in connection with the condition of the piano in use in the Coronation Hall. It was stated that the large piano was not suitable for dance work, and that it was costing those who conducted dances 10a per week' for the hire of a piano. \ - After the deputation had withdrawn, Cr Edgar stated that the council had spent a considerable suni of money on repairs to the two pianos 12 years ago.. At that time Mr A., N; Price had informed the council that it was wasting, money on such instruments. , Several councillqrs-\ expressed the opinion that the pianos should be scrapped and a sound instrument purchased. If the council decided riot to purchase a piano, it should reduce the charge made on the Relief Workers' Association for the use of the hall. • •-.- It was decided that the Hall Committee make inquiries in regard to the purchase of a piano at a reasonably low price and submit a report to the next meeting ofc the council. . A report on the' instruments infuse in the Coronation Hall was , submitted by Mr A. N. Price. He stated that if the small piano was used for dances it would soon become unfit for concert .work, and the council would find it necessary to provide an instrument which would be used exclusively for the, better class' of work.—The /eport was received. ; ; .'SPEED OF BUSES,/ A letter, signed by several resident!! of Victoria road, was forwarded protesting against the alleged'high speed attained by the buses which run to and from St. Clair on Sunday mornings. It was stated that the road traversed by the buses was in a bad condition,,and that children's lives 'were in danger, arid .the traffic 'from the side streets added, to the danger. A letter was also received from Mr W. H. Young, of Plunket street,'stating that it had been reported at the previous meeting of the council that the speed of the buses was in the vicinity of 25 miles an hour. The writer stated that the bylaws of the borough allowed for a speed of 15 miles an hour at. intersection's. Cr Carman said the residents { had complained about the .speed.'of ,'the "busea some months ago. He could speak with authority when he said that: the brises attained a. speed of 25 miles an-hour when' travelling, along Victoria, road. The buses riiade a rattling and rumbling noise,; andthi's was a source of annoyance to the residents. -..' \. ■••.-. . Cr Edgar said the buses did not exceed the speed limit; and. as ■there ■ were no intersections ori Victoria' Toad, there-was no danger to -children' or traffic. - ;The borough speed limit was' 25 miles an hour. ''" V. ; , ■•". .-':.'<"•, ,■ ... ,■ :• Cr Carman saidCr Edgar was; entirely wrong.. The-by-law •} in the borough, for heavy motor traffic provided for a speed of '25 miles, an hour, but there '•■ was •'; no' speed limit for buses., If Cr Edgar had no ' consideration for the -safety of "children and the residents of Victoria road, then be (the speaker) had; :such consideration.-'' ■, i ", r ." ' i It was. decided that the inspector be;.in»" striicted • to' be in attendance in Victoria; road on; Sunday mornings to check the speed of 'the buses and report, to the council ;.'■';.;,.';EMPLOYEES'"; WAGES.'. ', ■■-. In accordance with his previous -notice, Cr ; Anderson moved 'thajt the salaries and wages now being paid to all. employees of the council, with the exception of those of the town clerk and his assistant, be reduced by 10 per cent. -. Cr Anderson, in speaking to the motion, said it was a question which the council should .seriously consider. He understood that the outside employees had riot suffered a reduction in their wages, and the council was ; paying out something • like £2OOO per year in wages. , The council was the trustee of the borough, and the question of reduction of wages was one that demanded attention at* the .present time. He had been approached on the matter by several ratepayers". ' ■ .'. . Cr Anderson's motion, lapsed, as it was not supported by ' any other member of the council. It was'mentioned by peveral councillors that the assistant town clerk (Mr J. B. Trezise) had. not received any increase in his salary, since he' was appointed to the position. He was such a-conscientious officer that hehad never taken a holiday. Mr. Trezise was a very" efficient officer, and had saved the council, hundreds of pounds. It was decided that Mr Trezise's, salary be increased to the maximum. CORRESPONDENCE. A letter.was received from Mr W. W. Wilson, of Albert street, stating that the asphalt top-dressing on the footpath- in that thoroughfare had not been properly laid down, and that the surface was now only tarred gravel.—When the letter was being discussed, councillors expressed, the opinion that the complaint was somewhat overdrawn, and that the council had every confidence in its foreman.—lt was. decided to inform the writer that the .work in Albert street was still in progress, and that it was hoped he, would be quite satisfied when it was completed. The officer in charge of the Department of Labour wrote stating that a .thorough check of the residential addresses of all men employed in the St. Kilda,relief workers'.'groups had been made. It was found that only five men out of a total of 118 had been grouped in the wrong area. WATER CONSUMPTION. A report submitted by the town clerk stated that 5,344,000 gallons of water Had passed through the borough meter during the past fortnight, at a total cost of £135 12s. ■[:■> v REPORTS. The borough plumber, in his report, stated that the water service in Grove and Princes streets had seen considerable use." He suggestedHhat a dual service be laid on the flank of the road in Grove street and also in Princes street. This would save a good deal of expense in repair to the streets and also expense in maintenance.—The report was adopted. The Finance Committee reported that accounts amounting to £666 13s had been passed for payment, and that there was a credit balance of £1165 13s lOd. .The inspector reported that 112 drivers' licenses and five heavy traffic licenses had been issued durinq the past fortnight. Eight new motor drivers had been tested. The borough foreman, in : his report, stated that the employees had been engaged in patching streets and footpaths, draining Moreau street, installing pipes and four mud tanks in Calder street, and also pipes and mud tanks in Young, Chapman, and Richardson streets, and connecting tanks on lawns in Dalgety street. He suggested, that the Work for the ensuing two weeks include the forming of footpaths in Chapman, Mill, Bird, and Dalgety streets. Approximately 100 relief workers had been employed on various street work during the past two weeks.—The report was adopted. . /'